Calling all Aruba Honeymooners

I am about to book the Kukoo Kunuku tour and look into a few others. Does anyone have any recommendations for a girl who likes to keep her feet on the ground (ie, no snorkling or scuba diving)? Keith, to my surprise, has expressed an interest in horse back riding. So any information on that would be much appreciated.

Also, any good restaurant recommendations that would require a reservation before I get there in July?

Re: Calling all Aruba Honeymooners

Becky
Rent a jeep, if you do, there are soooo many things non water related you can do, i can tell you tons.

got the aruba book?

I can even add to the book for you lol.

Would you do a boat? Theres the Tattoo dinner cruise...it was ok IMO...

Re: Calling all Aruba Honeymooners

My husband and I went in Oct for our honeymoon and loved it! Although you don't have to book everything before you go, most hotels have a concierge desk that will book things for you once you arrive. Most hotels also have deals for different things like horseback riding and jeep tours. They have big books to look through once you get there and they call and book it for you. We went on kuko kanuko and loved it! It was fun! The horse back riding we did which I can't remeber the name and it was beautiful, we did a sunset one which was good b/c it wasn't too hot. Bring a towel to sit on though, my DH got chafed by the saddle! It was a few hours and we rode on the beach and watched the sunset(very romantic!) Another thing we did that was cool was the jeep tour. They take you to the big attractions(baby beach, natural bridge) you can snorkel or just swim there. Where a bathing suit, and bring sunscreen! This is during the afternoon and the sun is HOT!! Also bring towels to dry off or sit on in the jeep.
Now to the restaurants! If you like steak, you MUST go to El Guacho! Have your hotel make a reservation for you! Excellent food! Also, there is one that you sit on the beach and the waters edge and eat barefoot, I can't think of the name right now! The food is ok, the atsmosphere is awesome! We were all inclusive so we only went to a few places. The other place we went to that really didn't impress me was the California lighthouse. I didn't think the food was all that special. That's all I can think of now, I'll try to remember more, but ask Jennbaby, she knows all about Aruba!

Re: Calling all Aruba Honeymooners

use them to rent jeep if you do:

Top Drive
Address: Alto Vista 129
Phone: 871729
Fax: 872153

Re: Calling all Aruba Honeymooners

I second EL Gaucho!!!! FH and I are going to Aruba on our honeymoon next March but I've already been there and El Gaucho has the best steak ever!!

Re: Calling all Aruba Honeymooners

firegal we give out leftover steak to the dogs

Re: Calling all Aruba Honeymooners

Jenn, how do I get my hands on this book?

Is it better to book activities ahead of time, or let the hotel do it when we get there?

Re: Calling all Aruba Honeymooners

When I went to Aruba I did the 3 hour horseback riding tour- it takes you to the same places you would go if you rented the jeep- natural bridge, tidal pool, etc and it is SO much fun.

Re: Calling all Aruba Honeymooners

We booked Aruba for our October HM!
Everyone I tell that we're going to Aruba insists that we go to El Gaucho!!!! Definitely make that part of your dinner 'must' list!!!!
As far as booking in advance, we're not, we're going to do all that when we get there

Re: Calling all Aruba Honeymooners

make dinner reservations at el gaucho in advance here:

El Gauchos

Re: Calling all Aruba Honeymooners

Aruba “Book”

Aruba!

Rent a Jeep:
NOT a car but a jeep!
I strongly recommend this. Aruba offers jeep tours but renting your own is your best bet! You get to tour the island at your OWN pace. The tour Is a full day and limits the time you want to spend.
You can also do a four wheel drive tour of the island if you do decide to do a tour.
Tour the Island:
Natural Bridge, Natural pool, (snorkel here, bring your own snorkeling stuff) old gold mine ruins, open air chapel (church), Build a rock & make a wish (you will see rock “formations” that people build & you and your honey build your own rocks & make a wish!) Baby Beach, simply beautiful & great snorkeling!! Also The Tunnel of Love caves. (Bats in here but they don’t bother you). And there is a beautiful Butterfly Farm near the Marriot.

Theres Tattoo dinner party cruise (we didnt care for) and the Kuku Kunuku bus!! (Bride02's post has an awesome description of this!)

Restaurants:

EL GAUCHO (downtown) - primarily a steak house - the best you’ve ever had - if you want to go...make a reservation the FIRST day you get there...otherwise you may not get one. Or make one online before you leave at : http://www.elgaucho-aruba.com/

CAFE BACI - at the Wyndham Hotel - cute place - good Italian - very inexpensive (as far as Aruba food goes)

PAGO PAGO – also at the Wyndham – delicious! Somewhat expensive

LE PETIT CAFE (downtown) - nice place to eat lunch outdoors on the sidewalk while shopping.

LA TRATORRIA IL FARO - at the base of the California Lighthouse - great Italian - reserve early -ask for patio dining at sunset. Best view of the island & very romantic!

BOONOONOONOOS - ( downtown) - Caribbean Food - very different menu - good

MADAME JANETTES’S – have not gone – but gets rave reviews from several people
I know..

CHALET SUISSE - along Eagle Beach near - go a bit early to avoid the crowds - great steak.

CHARLIE’s BAR (in San Nicolas) - MUST visit and see and have a drink -Food is OK not GREAT but it’s still worth the visit.

Also recommended:

Chez Mathilde - VERY EXPENSIVE ($200+) men need a jacket here

The Flying Fishbone – wonderful ! seafood - located in Savaneta (on the way to San Nicholas) reserve a table EARLY & request water table.

Que Pasa - - Downtown - -Rave reviews from a friend – I have not been.

Ruinas Del Mar - at the Hyatt Regency - ROMANTIC !!!! -outside under the stars - expensive -waterfalls, swans, candles...RESERVE EARLY!

Pavarotti - lots of people got sick from the food here!
Waterfront Crab House - not consistent - overpriced
In my opinion)
Twinklebones - - dinner show - -food not good.

SUPERMARKETS: This is good for snacks or those with timeshares to cook in your room & save some $$! There are a few new ones on the main road out of town heading north - awesome selection - great meats!- beer and wine available at all I think. Fresh bakery too. Both are on the right side of the main road heading from town north. Prices are in Aruban money - almost double American.

WATER SPORTS & BEACHES:
Eagle Beach- Gentle waves - not much to see with snorkel - maybe an occasional fish. The high rise hotels are in the Palm Beach area - more congested - still a nice beach but not AS nice as Eagle (in my opinion).

A bit further north you will come upon beaches in the MALMOK area (not sure if there are signs)........Look for crusty coral edges overhanging the water with lots of pelicans hanging out. This is the BEST place for snorkeling. Water is not rough and there are tons of fish to see - swim along the barnacle wall along shore - you don’t have to go out deep at all.

The south end of the island is another trip........drive south on the main road through town and continue all the way into San Nicolas...find Charlie’s Bar in San Nicolas. Follow signs for Seroe Colorado and Baby Beach. At Baby Beach......you will see a small opening at the mouth of the lagoon where everyone is snorkeling. If you swim through the opening into the open waters...you will see more fish. The waters can sometimes be a bit rough here - so use caution. I was nervous here in the open and tended to stay right near the opening of the lagoon. I found the snorkeling most relaxing at MALMOK.

Other than Baby Beach...all of the beaches on the south and east side of the island and very rough and dangerous. DO NOT SWIM HERE!!! Drive out to Boca Grande and you will see miles of deserted beaches...park anywhere and wade in the waves but don’t try to go in swimming here - very bad undertow.

You can take a trip out to DE PALM island to snorkel and have lunch. The ferry runs from a pier a bit out of town. Follow the main road south from through town and watch for the Drive In screen on the left.......on the right side of the road near the screen...you will see the signs for the DePalm Island ferry. I think it runs every 1/2 hour or so. There is a small restaurant and bar on the island....bathrooms......tables...lounges. Bring frozen peas to feed the giant blue parrot fish. Nice snorkeling here too. Try to go when there is NO cruise ship in town...so it will be less crowded. Trips to this place are sold all over as a package but it is cheaper to just go yourself.

CASINOS: La Cabana (separate building -all lit up and at the Crystal Casino downtown at the Sonesta . We have had good winning luck at the Crystal Casino. We also like the casino at the Radisson, the Wyndham & the Allegro.. YOU MUST GO VISIT THE HYATT AT NIGHT AND SEE THE LANDSCAPING AND POOL AREA...IT IS BEAUTIFUL!

SHOPPING: For the largest selection of cheap souvenirs...PORT OF CALL market place right next to the Cruise Ship terminal - a small mall with a few good some shops. for local art - and figurines. Lots to choose from downtown for shopping - great prices on perfume and jewelry (some). Fun just to window shop too.

TRANSPORTATION - We always rent a JEEP for about $300 per week. We like to drive around and explore.

We rent from TOP DRIVE
You see them right when you come out of the airport across the street!

There is a very good bus system which runs the length of the island and is cheap but I am not sure how frequently the buses run. There are LOTS of sights you can’t get to by bus. Cabs are reasonable but can add up if you use them every day and night.

Any more questions ask away!