Aruba Experience Information

[vi lover]

After 7 trips to STT and STJ, my wife is suggesting that this might be a year to take a break and try someplace else. She is suggesting Aruba.

I've seen photos of "crystal blue" waters, and I know the average temperature is around 85 degrees (I guess it's only a few hundred miles from the equator).

Other than that - I really know nothing! I'll do more research on web, but wanted to see what those of you who have visited Aruba have to say about the island, the waters, and any "must do" activities.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

VI

[swoop]

I consider myself somewhat of an expert on Aruba. (been there 7 times in the last 10 years).

It's always around 90 degrees and very rarely rains. If it does, its normally during their "rainy" season from Oct-Dec. In short, you can always count on the weather to be good there. Being so close to the equator, it feels alot hotter, but the constant trade winds help.

Hotels are really separated into the high rise and low rise sections. The high rise is a little more crowded and has all the large hotels. All the hotels here are connected by a long walkway along the beach. Hotels here are Radisson, Hyatt, Marriott, RIU, Holiday Inn, etc.. The low rise is a little more mello with smaller hotels.

Aruba has fantastic restaurants..way to many to list. Snorkeling is just OK..nothing like the VI's.

I recommend going to aruba-bb.com and checking out their message board/trip reports etc...a wealth of info!

[Boston Mike]

If you're looking for a large beach area then check out Manchebo Beach Resort in the low rise section. We stay there everytime we go down and always get great service and awesome rooms. It is nice to be able to walk out your door and onto a beach in 3 steps.

[aroobagirl]

Aruba used to be my island of choice, hence my forum name. Aruba has great weather but does have constant wind, that is what draws the windsurfing crowd (some people hate the windiness, I personally like it because it keeps you from getting too hot). Water is very pretty and shopping is good. As stated earlier tons of good restaurants. Now, what has turned me off of Aruba and what I find in St. John (my new island of choice) is that Aruba has become too built up. When I started going down thee in 1987 there were two or three McDonalds/Wendy's. Now American fast food is on every corner. There has been an increase in motorized water vehicles and ATVs. In my opinion, what was once a nice quiet island has become the Ocean City of the Caribbean. Also, bear in mind that Aruba is a desert. That is why you are relativley safe from rain storms. The island is brushy and full of cactus and aloe plants, not lush and green.
So, if you prefer nightlife and activity, Aruba is a good choice. I prefer the quiet, relaxed St. John.
If you do choose to go, rent a jeep and visit the undeveloped side of the island. Malmok and Baby Beach are the best snorkeling sites from shore.

[alw1977]

I've been to Aruba twice. The first time, for my honeymoon, we stayed at the Radisson. The second time was a girl's trip and we stayed at the Westin.

Let's see... thoughts on Aruba. Gambling is fun, high rise area is very busy but the hotels are nice, wide, clean beach and nice blue water, friendly people. One thing to note about Aruba - it is a completely arid, desert island. The topography could not be more different from the Virgins.

Aruba is a very "easy" destination. By that, I mean that all amenities are at your fingertips, public transport is readily available and fairly inexpensive, and you'll recognize some restaurants chains. It does remove a little of the adventure from the trip, but it's a nice destination overall. I highly recommend the Hyatt or the Radisson.

Activities include: renting a jeep and going off-roading on the windward side of the island, horseback riding, the natural pool, snorkeling, windsurfing, typical island stuff.

Oh, and the "tradewinds" are not gentle, cooling breezes. The wind blows HARD at times, but it does feel good considering how hot and dry it is down there.

I think the biggest question is this - what do you and your wife enjoy about vacation?

[DaveS007]

Went once. Hated it. JMO.

[jayseadee]

We've only been once; liked it, but haven't been back. We had a great time, but missed the lush surroundings, quiet beaches and great snorkeling (Baby Beach was good) of STJ and other VI's.

That said, I think Aruba does tourism very well. Service everywhere was excellent. We went on a couple of "tours" (one bar bus evening, one snorkel trip) and both were handled very well. Great restaurants and easy to get around (both driving and public). We loved staying on the beach and enjoyed sticking our flag in the sand and having our drink of choice delivered.

We stayed a week at Paridise Villa's (timeshare) and a few days at the Bucuti Beach resort on Eagle beach (low rise). Bucuti has a very large beach and (at least at the time) banned motorized water vehicles from it's property. (neighboring resorts had them).

If you search on Aruba and username Sherban, he's done a couple of recent Aruba TR's.

[John LMBZ06]

The one good thing about going that far south is that you can pretty much rule out a hurricane. They just about never can make it down there. Kind of reminds me of a flat St. Maarten with a lot wind. Overcrowded and commercialized for my taste, but if you like to party, you will have a good time.

[vi lover]

THANKS! Everyone - I really appreciate your responses. I have a buddy who took his family there and they were really happy with their trip. We looked at their vacation photos and, frankly, I thought it all looked like a goat farm. Nothing pretty except the water color.

We don't gamble, so that doesn't really help. We do like great restaurants, but that's not why we go on vacation.

I think we should go back to STJ since it's roughly the same cost (plus you get STT and JVD thrown in for good measure!).

Thanks again for the posts - you are all very helpful.

VI

[nascarfan59]

They also have a beautiful 18 hole golf course called Tierra Del Sol right by the sea. Word of warning, if your ball goes into the bushes, leave it. The thorns are razor sharp.