need help with Aruba

FH and I are thinking of spending 10 nights in Aruba for our honeymoon. We originally wanted to do Europe but realized it's wayyy too expensive, so we thought the Caribbean would be a better deal. I'm getting married in July = prime hurricane season, so when I found out Aruba is below the hurricane belt it instantly became #1 on my list. I've done a lot of research in the past few days, but I was wondering if any of you girls could give me some advice on the nicest hotels, best restaurants, main attractions etc and what your overall experience there was like. Thanks for all the help

I went to Aruba in July -
It was great, but it was sooooo hot - even at night.

You can horseback, go atving, snorkel, and go to casinos - so i don' think 10 days will be too long. just don't pack all you activities in the first half of the trip.

it is nice to just do nothing a few days and sit by the beach and pool.

We ate at el gaucho (I think?) - it was good.
There is a great martini bar across the street and you can wait there and drink while they get you a table.

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Posted by pupidda122505

Thanks for bumping your review. It was really helpful. I was just wondering why u think 10 days in Aruba is too much...does it get boring fast?

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It depends if you like to lie on the beach all day or not. I like to lie out for 1-2 hrs max, and DH doesn't like to do it for more than a few minutes! We swam a lot in the ocean, did tours, etc, played tennis, etc.

Also, the food can be a big pricey. We didn't really worry about food and tour costs b/c the trip was so short.

ON the other side of the coin, my BIL and SIL have a timeshare there, and they go for two weeks and love it!

i need aruba help too... i am getting married end of sept and would love to hear what others have to say...specially about any allinclusives and approx prices etc.

ty!!!!

we stayed at a time share so I don't know about hotel prices

I know that airfaire was btw $600-700 each.

and not including gambling we spent about $600 each for 7 days on food, drink, and excursions

but one or two of those nights we just had a light dinner and went straight to the casinos.

Our airfare was around $600 each, direct flight on AA. The hotel was I think around $1100 for 5 nights oceanview with breakfast vouchers for breakfast included. I remember I was quoted $1400 for the same time (5 nights) for gardenview at the radisson, but the amount changes drastically depending on time of year.

Our airfare was $438 p/p with taxes came out to about 1,000. it was a 4 hour direct flight which was great, we were on the beach in no time!

My HM was 7 days ...I wouldve loved to stay longer b/c DH and I adore the sun, sand, and surf!
We stayed at a timeshare so I cant reccomend a hotel

Resturants we loved: Iguana Joes, Buccaneer, Texas De Brazil.

Wear alot of sunscreen and reapply too...rays are VERY strong

Aruba is great! I have been going there since I was a kid.

The Hyatt is gorgeous and the casino is great there. The Marriott Ocean and Marriott Surf club are top notch.'

I will kill to spend 10 days there because there is alot of stuff to do...

I reccommend the KuKu kunuku (can't spell) Bus - SO MUCH FUN!!!!!

I also reccommend the Palm Pleasure snorkel cruise. The food and drinks are great and they take you to 3 different diving spots and you are on the GORGEOUS catamarran.

Also - you much eat at El Gauchos!

We went to Aruba for our HM for 10 nights and it was soooooooo much fun!!!! There is soooooooo much to do , you just have to rent a jeep or jimmy to see the island. anything less and I think you are shorting yourself to really see the beauty of this island. there is so much more to do than just lay out!
we stayed at the Wyndham in a suite and got the all inclusive package which was eh to do b/c we ate out for lunch and dinner just about every night.
we went to :
El Gauchos
Aqua Grill
Le Dome
Chez Mathilde
Sunset Grill
Flying Fishbones
Azul- on the beach dining part of wyndham all inclusive plan
Pago Pagos
Smokey Joes
La Trattoria, by the lighthouse we walked out terrible service

breakfast can be very expensive if you dont do some sort of plan for it, I couldnt believe the prices on the menu and for the buffet too! but Lunch and Dinner was reasonable, not cheap but reasonable.

we toured the entire island , they will give you a map, and you will find hidden spots that you can go into the water and snorkel on your own and see some amazing fish. De Palm island is fun too, they have the Sea Treck there too. Driving on your own to the natural pool is quite the adventure!! the chapel is beautiful. oh I miss it!!!! Shopping is reasonable too. Go to Baby beach, absolutely gorgeous and NO sand blowing on you like at the hotel area, bring bread to feed the fish and your snorkel gear oh and 5 bucks and license to rent the chairs or you have to put your towel on the sand. the caves, I couldnt do it, DH did it if you h ave any ??? FM!! you will love it!!!