We went on our slightly belated honeymoon to Aruba from 12/10 to 12/15. Overall, we really liked it and had a lot of fun. I'll give a lot of info, since I know many are thinking about/going to Aruba for the HM:
Hotel: We stayed at the RIU ARuba Grand. It was really nice and quiet, while still in the high-rise section. Unfortunatly, it will be closing for renovations soon. One thing I noticed about the high-rise area was that the beaches are really narrow, and in front of most hotels the chairs and palapas are really close. Not so with the Grand. We also looked around the Radisson grounds, which were very pretty and tropical. THe marriott also looked nice but a little removed. We didn't really get to see the low-rise section.
ShortBride
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Restaurants: THere are tons of restaurants in ARuba, no reason to go all-inclusive unless you want to. We had a breakfast plan, which was great b/c we didn't have to look for a place for breakfast.
In town: Driftwood. Great place for seafood, I had the fish the owner caught that day! Hard to locate, b/c Oranjstad (sp?) hardly has any street signs and is hard to navigate. We took a bus downtown and it was fine.
By the Hotels: Amazonia: DH really liked this place, but he is a big meat eater. It's Brazilian and they bring meat around. They advertised that they have stuff for everyone including vegetarians, but they only had a salad bar. But I was given a yummy seafood dish instead.
Tomato Charlie's Pizza - Good pizza, nice outdoor seating.
Salt and Pepper - Very good. They have some local seafood, and also burgers, salads, and such.
ShortBride
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Activities:
On the first day, we went on the ABC Jeep Tour. It was a great way to see almost all of the island, including the wild northern part. DH didn't get picked to drive, and it ended up being for the best, b/c the drive to the natural pool was CRAZY! THe tour included a stop at Baby Beach for snorkeling. Unlike most people, I wasn't crazy about Baby Beach.
THe most fun activity we did was an afternoon snorkel sail from Jolly Pirates (leaves from Moomba bar in between Holiday Inn and Marriott on the Beach). So much fun. Only $30 and open bar. We stopped at a shallow reef first, which was beautiful and had much better snorkeling than baby beach. Then, we did a 'rope-swing', where we could grab on to a rope and swing out into the water. (Well, DH did the swing, I took pictures! ) WE also snorkeled at a shipwreck, which was kind of scary since we were in 60 feet deep water, but we had lifejackets on.
Otherwise, we played tennis, etc. at the hotel, and of course lounged and swam on the beach.
ShortBride
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Random notes about Aruba:
There is a breeze, but the sun is really strong. Wear sunblock at all times and carry water at all times.
The high-rise hotel zone of Aruba is very Americanized. There are McDonalds, Subways, etc. This was good for us for a honeymoon, b/c we both travelled extensively and just wanted to relax. Everyone we encountered spoke English and accepted American dollars.
Some of the touristy areas, such as the natural bridge (now fallen) have bathrooms that charge. They accept American money, so bring some quarters.
ShortBride
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One more thing: When you leave ARuba, you actually go through US Customs. So its quite a PITA, b/c you have to check your luggage, pick it up, and check it again, and go through a metal detector twice. The nice thing is that when you get back home, you just have to pick up your luggage and can go home. HTH!
JPC1125
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seems like you had exactly the same type of honeymoon I had!
The weather was gorgeous no? I loved the restaurants- We ate at Texas De Brazil, Le Dome, Iguana Joe's, Dutch Pancake house, the Buccaneer and El Gaucho.
We loved all of them except for Le Dome....it was a bit too fancy for us- were more of like casual eaters...we're loud and didnt fit in there
Did you get any great sunset pics...ours are stunning
xcalystax
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Can't wait to see pics!
ShortBride
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Here are some photos - us on Baby Beach, sunset from our balcony, ancient cave markings, jeep from jeep tour
One last thing: make sure you or your TA tells your hotel that you are on your honeymoon, b/c they will give you a free drink and gift as part of the 'one cool honeymoon' program and give you a card that entitles you to discounts at restaurants, etc.
Bella Blu
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your pics look beautiful!
hmpena
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Thanks for the review! I am going to Aruba for my HM in 20 days!!!
ShortBride
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Posted by hmpena
Thanks for the review! I am going to Aruba for my HM in 20 days!!!
Where are you staying?
ShortBride
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Bumping for pupidda122505
ShortBride
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Yay - got one to post from the ditigal camera - this is our view from our balcony
what hotel was this? we are thinking of Aruba and would like to know more about hotels! Also is anyone doing an all inclusive??
ShortBride
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Posted by Nikki24591
what hotel was this? we are thinking of Aruba and would like to know more about hotels! Also is anyone doing an all inclusive??
I was at the RIU aruba grand, but unfortunatly it is closing this summer for renovations. Most of the hotels on Palm Beach (Hyatt, Marriott, Radisson, Wyndham) looked beautiful, although with narrow beaches. Even the HOliday Inn looked pretty! Besides the other brides' reviews about Aruba, a great resource for hotels is www.tripadvisor.com just click on or type in Aruba HTH!
