My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

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.

Theres Tattoo dinner party cruise (we didnt care for) and the Kuku Kunuku bus!! (Bride02's post has an awesome description of this!)

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.

Also recommended:

Chez Mathilde - VERY EXPENSIVE ($200+) men need a jacket here

The Flying Fishbone – wonderful ! seafood - located in Savaneta (on the way to San Nicholas) reserve a table early
Que Pasa - - Downtown - -Rave reviews from a friend – I have not been.

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)
Twinklebones - - dinner show - -food not 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 Allegro.. 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 LOL!

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

I did this because I get TONS of Aruba questions all the time (i don't mind them) but this is much easier!

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

My lordy, you are soooo detailed! WOO HOOO can't wait now!!! Thanks Jenn

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

THANKS JENN!

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

Thanks Jenn, so helpful

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

thanks, jenn!

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

Thanks Jenn...very helpful!!

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

jenn- hyatt regency or radisson? which do you suggest?

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

Jenny both are VERY beautiful. I never stayed in the Hyatt, only the Radisson.
But the Hyatt appears to be a little more pretty/upscale. As for the rooms, I couldn't tell you sorry.

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

bump

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

Thank you, my Aruba guru I am going to print this one out and add it to my pile o'wedding stuff.

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
This is excellent

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

Thanks so much this is very helpful, I'll bring it with me! I have a question, I'm staying in Allegro which is all inclusive but plan on hitting most of these restaurants. How much spending money should we plan on? We'll be there for 10 days/9 nights. We plan on doing about 3 or 4 activities during our days. Otherwise we'll be hanging by the pool or at the beach. Like I said, at night we will probably eat out a lot and go to the bars/clubs.....What do you think?

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

$3,000? We were there for 12 days and we spent a little less than that. We averaged about $90-$115 on dinners, but then again we always get wine, appetizers, and dessert! If you're not renting, factor in about $10 each way in the taxi. Think about how much you'll be gambling, if you'll be going out to lunch, etc. Activities are usually $60-$100 a couple. I hope this helps!

Re: My Aruba 'Book' for those wanting to honeymoon there: LONG!! & I mean LONG

We went to Aruba on ou rhoneymoon(my 2nd time--but I was 13 the first time) my parents and exteneded family bought timeshares there yersa ago--before people even knew what/where Aruba was-- 1986-- so going back with the hubby was great--we loved it --were there for 2 full weeks and for our second anniversary I think we are going back!!!YEAH--everyone's reviews were right on target-- we loved so many of the same restaurants--Hopefully we will be back there in May
Laura