Anyone already been to Aruba?? (Repost from BHB)

My DH and I are taking a really short day trip (4 days) to Aruba for our 1 ear anniversary this June.

What are the 'must do's' or 'must sees' and resturants that we have to go to while there?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated....

Also, we are staying at a time share in the low rise section.

Thanks, Carissa

we loved the ABC jeep tour.. a full day - but you see EVERYTHING.. its a beautiful island..includes lunch too - you also get very dirty from the open jeep..

papiamento , flying fishbone, texas de brazil were great places to eat...

in town - we shopped one day - ate lunch at carlos n charlies.. iguana joes in town is also yummy..

Most romantic place - IMO - Flying Fishbone. We made a reservation here for sunset, had dinner literally in the ocean, and took many beautiful pictures. For us, it was a great way to celebrate an early 2nd anniversary. BTW - the food was DELICIOUS!

As for things to do, we did the ATV tour and we both really enjoyed it. We also did Kukukunuku, but DH didn't have as much fun as I did. DePalm Tours is the big tour planner down there - check out their website and see what interest you.

Enjoy!

Flying Fishbone most definitely. Very romantic, especially at sunset.
El Gaucho is an Argentinian steak house, great sangria.

Kukookunoku tour is a blast.
Redsail Sports has some good day trips on a catamaran for snorkeling, evening sunset cruises.

The breakfast at the Hyatt is unbelievable - a bit expensive, but worth it!

Loved Steaks & Crustaceans - the food tasted amazing - even came out looking pretty - and the decor has a NYC vibe

We took the helicopter ride over Aruba - simply amazingggggg

And, if you like sushi - greatttttttt sushi at the Hyatt

I second El Gaucho-great steak-very different!!

The restaurant up by the lighthouse is gorgeous, we didn't get to eat there but the views are stunning!!

We also loved Flying Fishbone. The food was great and the setting is amazing..your feet are in the sand..the waiters & waitresses are all barefoot. Ask for a table right on the water and go for sunset.

The last time we were there about a million people that we met recommended El Gaucho to us. We didn't have a chance to go but we are definitely going to try it next year.

Another thing you must do is spend time on the beach and go in that gorgeous water (that is basically ALL that we do there)

edited b/c I just saw where you are staying. At night you may want to take a walk over the the Alhambra Casino. It's a fun place to kill a few hours...also take a walk down the beach..that area of the island is great

hi...just bumping this b/c I am headed to Aruba for my 1st Anniv trip as well - in October.

We're going for 5 days/4nights - staying at the Westin Aruba. We're not renting a car so how would we get to Flying Fishbone from there...I heard it's a long cab ride...is it an expensive cab ride? Worth the $ for the cab? I checked out their website and it looks gorgeous!

Is food at restaurants in Aruba really expensive? We're not doing all inclusive so trying to figure what we'll be spending on food....

We plan on just relaxing on the beach so don't think we'll be doing any activities....

Thanks ladies!

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Posted by KandE917

hi...just bumping this b/c I am headed to Aruba for my 1st Anniv trip as well - in October.

We're going for 5 days/4nights - staying at the Westin Aruba. We're not renting a car so how would we get to Flying Fishbone from there...I heard it's a long cab ride...is it an expensive cab ride? Worth the $ for the cab? I checked out their website and it looks gorgeous!

Is food at restaurants in Aruba really expensive? We're not doing all inclusive so trying to figure what we'll be spending on food....

We plan on just relaxing on the beach so don't think we'll be doing any activities....

Thanks ladies!

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The cab ride is about 30 minutes from the low-rise area (where we stayed)..if I remember correctly. I don't remember the price but it was more expensive than regular cab fare downtown or wherever BUT definitely, 100% worth it!! We had to cancel our reservation this year b/c I was sick, and I was really upset that we missed it..I had been looking forward to it for a year!

The pricing for the nicer restaurants like Flying Fishbone is similar to prices in the city. There are also more casual restaurants that are more reasonably priced. We ended up rotating between the nicer places and subway/Pizza Bob's this last time and found it to be a good balance for us, $$-wise. hth!

My husband and I went there for our honeymoon two months ago. We had such an amazing time and I'm sure you guys will too.

The restaurants that I would suggest are Flying fishbone (when you make your reservations let them know that you will be there for your anniversary, they light sparklers for you!!); Madame Jeanettes, Pizza Bob (in the low rise section it is across from the bucuti and it's AMAZING!), Texas de Brazil (the sangria was really good), I didn't get to try el gaucho but I heard wonderful things about their steak. Jamaica me Krazy was another restaurant that was so good. It's in the same mall as hong king supermarket.

I would def. suggest to rent a car and drive around the island at least for the day. The island is so small that you can really explore the whole island in a day. If you plan to rent the car just for one day then I would suggest to rent it the day you go to flying fishbone (if you go). The cab ride to flyshing fishbone is $30 one way (from the low rise) and renting a car is $45 for the day so it makes sense.

You could also rent an atv and drive around the island that way. We saw lots of couples and groups just riding their atv's around the island.

My husband and I went on a snorkeling trip with depalm tours and it was very cool. They took us to two spots and one was in calm waters and had a number of fish to see and the other was right next to a shipwreck with tons of fish.

Dont forget to walk around downtown. Have fun!

Oh and yes food in aruba tends to be pricey but, hey it's your anniversary!

we stayed at the bucuti and loved it!!!

divi is also right next to it..

i would rec not getting an all inclusive though.. the places to eat are AMAZING!!!!