Aruba question

do you think that 10 days in Aruba is a bit much??? People are telling me there really isn't much to do besides the beach...

TIA

Re: Aruba question

It was so relaxing after the wedding planning, though, that I could have stayed a few more days. I don't think it is too much.

Re: Aruba question

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Posted by dpli

It was so relaxing after the wedding planning, though, that I could have stayed a few more days. I don't think it is too much.

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how long did you stay?? Where did you stay?? What types of activities did you do??

Re: Aruba question

We stayed at the Bucuti Beach resort for one week and it was fabulous!!! We loved it and are thinking of going back for our 1st anniversary. It is in the low rise section of the island, near the Divi and Tamarijn all inclusive places. The other part of the island where most of the hotels are is the high rise area (where the Hyatt, Radisson, Wyndam and Marriott are.)

My activities included, eating, lying on the beach and sleeping
We are sort of mellow and not big drinkers, so we hung out on the beach a lot, went to some of the casinos, walked around downtown, and walked around the high rise area to check out all the other places. We did go to the Bon Bini festival downtown, which is on Tuesday nights. It is a very local thing, like a small fair, but we enjoyed it because there was a lot of local music and dancing. We also did the submarine tour, which was a lot of fun. Our hotel included a free romantic dinner on the beach as part of the honeymoon package and it was wonderful! I would have paid for it and it is not that unreasonable if you want to book it even if you don't stay at the Bucuti. Also in our pacakage was a sunset cruise, but it was cancelled twice due to bad weather (this past year they had a lot more rain than usual.) We were reimbursed for it, and hope to do it next time we are there.

We chose the Bucuti because after reading all the reviews and the Fodor's book, we heard that it had the best beach (it does) but also because they cater to couples and honeymooners and do not really encourage kids. Also, we got a great suite for the same price the Radisson would have charged us for a regular room and all of the Tara suites have balconies that you can sit on, with spectacular ocean views. If you are looking for a great nightlife and tons of activities, you might be better off in the high rise section, but the Bucuti was wonderfully romantic and peaceful.

Re: Aruba question

I really love Aruba and personally- I think it is def. one of those islands you can stay at for a longer period of time and not get bored.

They have so many shops, casinos and fun bars.restaurnants as well as a few other sightseeing activities.

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i was there for 6 days and wish i had more time. there are a ton of activities that you can do as well as just relaxing on the beautiful beaches! and so many great restaurants!

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We were there for 8 days and if we could of we would of loved to have stayed longer. So I think 10 days is not to long.

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My husband and I went went to Aruba for 10 days for our HM. I think it was the perfect amount of time. In order to break it up a little, we stayed at the Marriott for the first half (which is in the high rise section), and then we stayed at the Bacuti (low rise section) for the last half. This way we got to experience both sections. Both sections had their advantages and disadvantages. The high rise section hotels are a lot nicer and the pool areas were a lot nicer. However, the beach was smaller and a lot more crowded. We didn't get a hut on the beach at all while we stayed at the Marriott. However, at the Bacuti, the pool wasn't very appealing but the beach was amazing and there was plenty of room so that you don't feel like you're right on top of anyone. Plus, there are no kids there which is nice. We had a lot of fun hanging out at the bar during the day (and I'm not much of a drinker).

We did a lot of relaxing on the HM. I'm not sure how everyone else feels about it but the best thing we ever did was rent a jeep for the time we were there. We drove around a lot while we were there. I think if we didn't have the jeep than we may have been bored and would have probably spent a small fortune on cab rides. But, if you are the type of person who is content with just relaxing and hanging out on the beach, than you'll be fine. But, there is plenty to do other than that. I suggest buying little guide book to Aruba (I forget what it is called). One night we even went to a drive-in movie which was cool since we don't seem to have those in the US anymore. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions. I'd be happy to talk Aruba with you.

Re: Aruba question

As much as I loved the Bucuti, I would have to agree about the pool not being that great. This was something we discussed before going, because my husband was very attracted to the zero entry pools at the Radisson. I reminded him, however, that the last time we stayed at a beachfront hotel he went in the pool once. We only went in the pool once at the Bucuti. It was clean, but definitely not as nice as the other hotels. We got a hut every day on the beach which was great for me since I burn easily. If I had to do it over, I would rent a car or a jeep, at least for a few days, too. We did spend a lot on cabs and I think it would have been nice to see some of the island in a jeep.

The other thing we did that we loved was we went to a place called Nos Cunucu for their buffet dinner on Wed, night. One of the cab drivers recommended it and I would highly recommend it. VERY local prices and again, they had entertainment - it was one of our favorite evenings.

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Posted by Bride2005

I really love Aruba and personally- I think it is def. one of those islands you can stay at for a longer period of time and not get bored.

They have so many shops, casinos and fun bars.restaurnants as well as a few other sightseeing activities.

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I agree 100%

Re: Aruba question

we just booked a 7 night honeymoon in aruba - i wanted bucuti(relaxing and secluded) and fh wanted some more action - i understood this and we're staying at the hyatt - i think of all the caribbean islands, aruba probably has the most to do ...with all the casinos, restaurants and bars, water sports, boat cruises, shops - plus plenty of resting by the pool and beach! i think you'll be fine with 10 days but you could always hop to another island for 3 days to be safe...not sure what they would cost but worth looking into.

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We went for nine days...I didn't regret it all and we did not get bored. But, we were also pretty social and made lots of friends with other couples.

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I'm gonna be in the monority here, but we went for 7 days and were very bored!!!! We rented a jeep and did the whole island--that took one day. We did a drinking bus trip, that was one night. We did one or two other things, they took a few hours. Shopping was one afternoon (We stayed at the Renaissance downtown and all the shopping was within walking distance). We went around to all the other hotels to take a look. The rest of the time was eating and sleeping. One day we really didn't even leave the hotel room and watched movies. Maybe it was the time of year we went, but everyone was old! We ran into like one other younger couple on the drinking tour (imagine our surprise when we expect to party and a 60 year-old-couple are the next people on the bus) and the first thing they said when they got on the bus was, 'Thank God, another young couple.' I can see we definitely aren't the norm here, but I would have rather visited the island on a cruise or stayed only 3-4 days and gone to another island. I like to sightsee and do touristy things, with just a bit of relaxation, and this trip was just too much sleeping.

ETA: Don't get me wrong, the island was beautiful and we did have a nice time. But I'm just not a sit by the pool, bake and sleep all day kind of person. If you are, you'll love it.

Re: Aruba question

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Posted by kissy27

do you think that 10 days in Aruba is a bit much??? People are telling me there really isn't much to do besides the beach...

TIA

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My friend just got back from a 3 week stay in Aruba...she loved it...so I don't think 10 days is too long, as long as you like beach, the sun, the heat, and you don't mind just relaxing.

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We stayed 9 days 8 nights this past August and I would have stayed 100 more if I could.

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Personally, maybe. I loved Aruba, and there are some other things to do there. You can take a jeep tour, scuba or snorkel, do windsurfing or take a lesson (it's great there, loads of wind). There are some small casinos if you like that.

You can also rent bikes easily, though I wouldn't recommend going without a tour group. There are lots of stray dogs in Aruba, and as I found out the hard way, some will chase you and snarl. Not fun. Other than that it was pretty safe there.

If you have lots of vacation time, or think you could use some extended r & r, you'll probably enjoy it for 10 days. If you don't, a week should be enough.

cjik

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we stayed 8 days and although we got a lot in, we could have used two more days just relaxing on the beach. so no, 10 days wil be awesome!

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Can you swim with the dolphins in Aruba?

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my friend went for 8 days and was bored out of her mind... shes a little odd though. we are going for 7 days

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The first two days of our honeymoon we just slept on the beach...we were both so tired from all the last minute running around.
We stayed for 8 days and I wish we had stayed a few more.