Just past security in Terminal 1, Gift Shops at Surfside covers the basics for last‑minute souvenirs and beach gear before your AUA departure.
The shop sits airside in Terminal 1, a few minutes’ walk from most international gates, so you can duck in after US pre-clearance without stressing your boarding time. It opens early in the morning to catch the first bank of flights and stays open into the evening departure rush, matching most outbound schedules.
Pricing skews touristy but not outrageous for an island airport; expect small logo trinkets around $5–$10 and mid-range gifts climbing toward $30+. Stock runs from Aruba-branded T‑shirts and caps to fridge magnets and keychains, with a noticeable emphasis on beach themes and flamingo merch you see all over Oranjestad.
You’ll also find basic travel needs in the same space: sunscreen in 50–100 ml sizes that meet EU/US rules, inexpensive flip‑flops, inflatable pool toys, and simple kids’ distractions for the flight. Snacks lean toward packaged sweets and chips you can carry through boarding; cold drinks usually sit in a small cooler near the register.
Quality is what you expect from a generic airport gift shop, with more mass-market items than artisan crafts; if you want locally made aloe or rum, prices and selection are usually better in town than here at Surfside. Selection can thin out on peak Saturdays when multiple North American departures bunch up in the afternoon.
Tip: if you care about gate time, stop here right after security in Terminal 1 instead of waiting until boarding starts; lines at the single register can hit 5–10 minutes during the late-day departures.