Travel advice for aruba

[PantherMan89]

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

Thanks for all the good info. I'll most definitely be traveling midweek to midweek because I usually do to avoid crowds plus get cheaper airfare but I've also heard how busy the aruba airport gets on the weekends

[PhillyB]

cancel your tickets and go to costa rica instead

[PantherMan89]

cancel your tickets and go to costa rica instead

Wouldn't even have to cancel tickets as I haven't booked a flight? I'm assuming you've been to both places if so why Costa Rica over aruba?

[Anybodyhome]

If your heart isn't set on Aruba, please look at other opportunities. Aruba is not cheap and if you're not doing an all-inclusive, it'll get pretty expensive after awhile. Costa Rica has some nice places, been there twice. Flights are a little longer, but can be cheaper with a package deal.

The past couple years we've been going to the Mexican Riviera, away from the Cancun mob scene. Found this adult only high end all inclusive that is top rate. 9 different restaurants and 12 bars...

http://www.excellence-resorts.com/caribbean-and-mexico-destinations/excellence-riviera-cancun

Fly out of Charlotte and the entire package only runs me about $5k for the week.

[PhillyB]

Wouldn't even have to cancel tickets as I haven't booked a flight? I'm assuming you've been to both places if so why Costa Rica over aruba?

touristy places suck. go somewhere where you won't be in an insulated western resort bubble so you can actually go out into a foreign culture and try to communicate with them. you will be enriched. i've never stayed in a resort or an all inclusive anything in my life and my travels have been far better for it.

[Anybodyhome]

touristy places suck. go somewhere where you won't be in an insulated western resort bubble so you can actually go out into a foreign culture and try to communicate with them. you will be enriched. i've never stayed in a resort or an all inclusive anything in my life and my travels have been far better for it.

Spent 20 years traveling the world in the Navy and was able to see a lot of places I would never had the chance otherwise- climbed Kilimanjaro and Mt. Fuji, rode a train across the Australian continent, walked on the ice in Antarctica, ditched in a helicopter in the Indian Ocean.... all before I was 40.

... now I'm much older and simply enjoy the easier aspects of relaxing in luxury.

[Doc Holiday]

Never been there but from personal travel experience 2 things you need to know.

McDonald's has Internet

And buy travelers insurance

[PantherMan89]

Sounds like I need to check out costa rica

[Anybodyhome]

Sounds like I need to check out costa rica

Look at Belize as well....

Panama is also a cool place- the Canal is one of the most fascinating man-made engineering spectacles I've ever seen and been through a few times. Amazing.