Travel advice for aruba

[PantherMan89]

So I'm planning a trip for this may and so far I think it's going to be to aruba. Looking for any suggestions of things to see/do or where to stay. I'm also up for suggestions for other places in the Caribbean but leaning towards aruba at the moment. And yes I know about Natalie holloway. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Panthro]

Avoid Dutch playboys

[CarolinaNCSU]

Dammit, I come to make a Natalie Holloway reference and there are already 3. This is bullshit.

[Niner National]

Don't go to this beach:

Not sure what beach that is in Aruba, but not exactly a nice backdrop.

[Davidson Deac II]

I heard Kokomo is nice.

[captfluoro]

Don't go to this beach:

Not sure what beach that is in Aruba, but not exactly a nice backdrop.

I went to Aruba over a decade ago and I think that is a desalination plant in the background. I'm pretty sure Aruba gets all of its fresh water from desalinated sea water. I might be mistaken but that beach might be around a little manmade lagoon. They built a sea wall about 25 yards offshore with one gap in it to allow the ebb and flow of water. Nice place to snorkel if this is the same beach. But I could be wrong and that could be a sewage treatment facility that burns used tires for power.

[Niner National]

I went to Aruba over a decade ago and I think that is a desalination plant in the background. I'm pretty sure Aruba gets all of its fresh water from desalinated sea water. I might be mistaken but that beach might be around a little manmade lagoon. They built a sea wall about 25 yards offshore with one gap in it to allow the ebb and flow of water. Nice place to snorkel if this is the same beach. But I could be wrong and that could be a sewage treatment facility that burns used tires for power.

it is an oil refinery, so says google. If that is indeed a desalination plant then there is another beach at Aruba with a big nasty oil refinery. I know they plan to shut it down, but not sure when.

[captfluoro]

Yeah, I guess the flames shooting out of one of the stacks should have been a clue.

[davos]

I've been twice and both times stayed at the Mariott

A few cool things:

Resort had a casino, parasailing and renting a jeep to go to the natural bridge. Cool place.

That photo I believe is from the more local side of the island

[PhillyB]

stay in hostels

[PantherMan89]

I've been twice and both times stayed at the Mariott

A few cool things:

Resort had a casino, parasailing and renting a jeep to go to the natural bridge. Cool place.

That photo I believe is from the more local side of the island

I was actually close to booking the mariott stellaris casino but i know they have multiple mariott's. Is that the one you stayed at? If so is there much to do right around the hotel or is it further away?

[davos]

I was actually close to booking the mariott stellaris casino but i know they have multiple mariott's. Is that the one you stayed at? If so is there much to do right around the hotel or is it further away?

Don't do the other one further south, it may seem like there's more activity, but its not the good beach location...forgot the name but your good where you're at. The resort/casino (where I stayed) was next to the time share places and that location was great. If I can remember correctly, it was like one of the furthest resorts to the north on the island and that's where you wanna be imo.

[PantherMan89]

Don't do the other one further south, it may seem like there's more activity, but its not the good beach location...forgot the name but your good where you're at. The resort/casino (where I stayed) was next to the time share places and that location was great. If I can remember correctly, it was like one of the furthest resorts to the north on the island and that's where you wanna be imo.

Good to know about the beach because that's priority number 1. Do you remember if there's much around it with things like restaurants/shopping or is that a cab ride type distance?

[Anybodyhome]

Marriott Surf and Marriott Beach clubs are the furthest north headed toward the lighthouse. Hotels own their own beaches, so unless you want the hotel crowds on the beach go just a little north and there are about 3-4 little public beaches the locals use that are nice and quiet. And the snorkeling is better. Sunset Palm Beach, Sol y Playa Beach, Baby Beach are all local beaches.

Most good restaurants are a short cab ride away. My favorites: Madam Janette, Chalet Suisse, Aqua Grill, El Gaucho (downtown), Sole Mare. Great food, but Aruba is no longer an inexpensive trip. Most of our friends are going to Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Mexican Riviera now while the prices are still good.

The last time we went to Aruba was 2009 and we rented a private villa up near the lighthouse for $7500. 5 couples went, it was a 6 bedroom place and came with a housekeeper and chef, had its own pool and beach. The plane ticket and $1500 for the week was cheaper than our timeshare at the Marriott ever was.

By the way- try going middle of the week to middle of the week instead of traveling on the weekend. The customs lines at Aruba's airport suck huge balls