I'm back from Aruba!
Aruba was so much fun but so HOT! Someone said it's 82 degrees year round in Aruba - YEAH RIGHT! It was high 90s every day! But we expected hot weather so it was fine!
We went to some great restaurants -The Old Man and the Sea, El Gaucho, Sunset Grille in the Radisson, Pago Pago in the Westin where we stayed, and one not so great restaurant - Madame Jeanette's was SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT! We've had friends tell us it was the best meal of their lives - both our meals were bland and flavorless. Other than that food experience, everything was awesome. We chose not to do all inclusive since we wanted to explore the island. In retrospect, I would have chosen AI because we did a lot of walking to get breakfast and lunch and it was really hot! The breakfast buffet at our hotel was $21.99 per person. We had it twice but that's really expensive for breakfast. There are chain places close by though - McDonalds, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts - so we had those for breakfast or lunch a few times.
We also did two tour type of things. One was the De Palm Aruba tour - five hours on a bus where you go to different places - The California Lighthouse, a church, the Natural Bridge, and snorkeling at Baby Beach. It was only about $50 per person. You get lunch too - I highly recommend that! We also did a submarine tour - it was $100 a person and it stunk! The submarine was so crowded and you practically couldn't even see out of the portholes. Also, the boat that took you to the sub and back was so disgustingly hot and I was so seasick. I would recommend skipping that!
The water in Aruba is amazing! You can very clearly see your feet when you're in the water. No rocks or seaweed on the ground either. It was just beautiful! And so calm too!
Some tips for future Aruba vacationers - bring lots of sunblock. We brought two of those spray cans and we had to buy three more! Be prepared to spend a lot of money on food - everything is really expensive in Aruba. Also, most places charge a 17% service fee!![]()
Although everywhere we go had great service so we would have tipped at least that much anyway.
Pictures to come as soon as I upload them!![]()
We went to some great restaurants -The Old Man and the Sea, El Gaucho, Sunset Grille in the Radisson, Pago Pago in the Westin where we stayed, and one not so great restaurant - Madame Jeanette's was SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT! We've had friends tell us it was the best meal of their lives - both our meals were bland and flavorless. Other than that food experience, everything was awesome. We chose not to do all inclusive since we wanted to explore the island. In retrospect, I would have chosen AI because we did a lot of walking to get breakfast and lunch and it was really hot! The breakfast buffet at our hotel was $21.99 per person. We had it twice but that's really expensive for breakfast. There are chain places close by though - McDonalds, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts - so we had those for breakfast or lunch a few times.
We also did two tour type of things. One was the De Palm Aruba tour - five hours on a bus where you go to different places - The California Lighthouse, a church, the Natural Bridge, and snorkeling at Baby Beach. It was only about $50 per person. You get lunch too - I highly recommend that! We also did a submarine tour - it was $100 a person and it stunk! The submarine was so crowded and you practically couldn't even see out of the portholes. Also, the boat that took you to the sub and back was so disgustingly hot and I was so seasick. I would recommend skipping that!
The water in Aruba is amazing! You can very clearly see your feet when you're in the water. No rocks or seaweed on the ground either. It was just beautiful! And so calm too!
Some tips for future Aruba vacationers - bring lots of sunblock. We brought two of those spray cans and we had to buy three more! Be prepared to spend a lot of money on food - everything is really expensive in Aruba. Also, most places charge a 17% service fee!
Pictures to come as soon as I upload them!
