***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

HI!! I'm coming to the expert for advice!!
FI is surprising me with the HM, but I'm doing research on options.....does Aruba have an all inclusive or semi-inclusive? I like that idea since FI is a huge tipper and I don't want to waste money. I like the fact that it's temp. is consistent and low humidity....what hotels are there? what activities and sightseeing is there to do? food? dress? We are very casual and I think we'll only get truly dressed up for a few dinners.....Thanks for the help!!

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

I have been to aruba a few times on cruises and LOVE it the weather is good the occasional 2 mins shower - but can be windy though.

Try el gouchos (sp?) but you need to make ressies way in advance I have heard - this is a steak house everyone tells us we MUST eat at.

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

Aruba has all inclusive, one I know of and I think is nice, is the Allegro.

I would not do all inclusive in Aruba, too many good restaurants, buts thats MO.

I love the Radisson but the others there are:

Marriott, Wyndham, La cabana, hyatt, divi divi,....high & low rise hotels, i think the high rise ones are nicer, again this is MO.

You can dress HOWEVER you want in Aruba, although some places for dinner you must look presentable (sundress, sandals for you, nice shorts & collared golf shirt for him), other places you can go in your bathing suit & a wrap!

More on Aruba

and my book

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!!

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.

Blossoms-Inside the Wyndham-like Benihana but better! Food great & chef performs a great :”show”

Amazonia-Brazilian-All you can eat salad bar & meat. VERY good!

Also recommended:


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


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)
Twinkletones - - dinner show - -food not so 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 & the Allahambra!

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!

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

I've been to Aruba before and I'll be going again for my HM in March. The weather is beautiful. It's defiitely hot but the humidity is very low and there is a constant breeze blowing. We stayed casual during the day and dressed up a bit for dinner. These are the all-inclusives: Divi Aruba Beach, Occidental Grand Aruba, Tamarjin Aruba Beach, Holiday Inn Sunspree and the Wyndham ARuba Beach. There are a million things to do: snorkeling, jet skiing, tours on horseback or by off-road vehicle, bar hopping tours, dinner cruises, etc. I don't think you'll be disappointed if you choose Aruba.

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

If you really want all inlusive there are the ones firegal said and also the Bushiri.

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

Jennbaby is definitely the expert on Aruba. She mentioned all the restaurants I would have. I just wanted to add I stayed at the Wyndham in Aruba and we absolutely loved it. We got upgraded to a suite and it was gorgeous. I thought the service and hospitality there was great too.

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

Wow girls!! Thanks a million for all the great info!! Irenie...how did you get upgraded to a suite?? Sounds like a lot of fun...I think we like all inclusive is so we don't have to worry about shelling out money for every little thing we do...but we're still discussing our options!! Again...I thank you so very much for the feedback! Much Love to you!!

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

When you check in tell them you are on your HM and ask if they have upgrades

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

The Wyndam had a special honeymoon package. Oh and the hotel gave us his and hers t-shirts that spell out honey-moon. Best bet is when booking your reservation, and confirming it, is to remind them you are on your honeymoon.

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

We are going to Aruba for our honeymoon is 3 weeks. At first we thought we would do all inclusive but decided we wanted to try all of the wonderful restaurants so decided to book with the Radisson and have only breakfast included. I went a few years ago and loved it!

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

I'll be at the Radisson in 24 days!!!!!!!!

I will report my findings upn my return

I am totally NOT doing all inclusives b/c I hear Aruba has great food.

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

Curly!!!!!

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

Jenn...WOW...your Aruba book is fantastic!!! I'm going to Aruba for my HM in December and this is going to be soooooooooo helpful!!!

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

bump - just found this old and VERY informative post on aruba

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

the wyndham does have an all-inclusive package, that's what we are doing. it includes 2 'dine-outs', so we get to eat out at restaurants 2 times included in our package!

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

Thanks for the bump! I cut and pasted the info into word to print out for my honeymoon. What is the book jennbaby is referring to?

Re: ***paging jennbaby***or aruba girls

Me and FH went to Aruba a few months ago. We stayed at the Tamarijn-which was all inclusive and we loved it. They Hyatt and the Marriot are nicer in that they are bigger, rooms might be a little nicer but our resort had the best view. All of the rooms are oceanfront, like 20 feet from the water-it was great. The view was really important to us that is why we stayed there-and the prices were really good also. We ate out of the hotel a few nights, but for the most part the restaurants are really good. Dont get me wrong-the hyatt and the marriot are gorgeous, but they didnt guarantee us the view we wanted. There are great restaurants and bars all over. You will love it. Let me know if you want more info