OT- Aruba Vacation Recommendations

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Looking at going to Aruba in October for a week… Need Recommendations and tips.
All Inclusive or not? Best places to stay? Rent a Vehicle? What to do, I don’t snorkel. Just want to chill, relax and hang out.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

Avoid the van der Sloots.

 

[ronpolk]

Looking at going to Aruba in October for a week… Need Recommendations and tips.
All Inclusive or not? Best places to stay? Rent a Vehicle? What to do, I don’t snorkel. Just want to chill, relax and hang out.

I’ve been once. I liked it a lot. You don’t need an all inclusive. Hell I stayed at a VRBO or air bnb when I went. It’s safe down there to visit local restaurants and walk around. Largely what we did was hang out on the beach and drink a ton of beer, so I don’t have a ton of recommendations on what to do. We did rent a jeep one day and go on the opposite side of the island from all the resorts. Totally different coast line on that side. Lots of cliffs and natural pools that are cool to see.

To me, the only downsides to Aruba is that it’s a long flight, it’s super windy constantly there and it feels like you are sitting on the sun. Apply sunscreen way more than you usually do. But Aruba is probably the best beaches I’ve ever been too. Calm water and crystal clear.

Make sure you check out Zeerover for some seafood. It’s a little bit of a ride from where most of the tourist area is but worth it. While eating our food, I literally watched a boat pull up drop off fish that they cut up and had cooking a few minutes later. Very fresh seafood.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

While eating our food, I literally watched a boat pull up drop off fish that they cut up and had cooking a few minutes later. Very fresh seafood.

You don't know whatchoo missing if you ain't having Cambodian catfish in Mississippi gulf coast

 

[Double Dawg]

Thanks, Lee. Now I am getting pop-ups from the Aruba tourism board.

 

[Perd Hapley]

To me, the only downsides to Aruba is that it’s a long flight, it’s super windy constantly there and it feels like you are sitting on the sun. Apply sunscreen way more than you usually do. But Aruba is probably the best beaches I’ve ever been too. Calm water and crystal clear.

I thought the wind was the best part, and it being a constant 80-85 degrees and sunny every day was perfect. Never felt that hot or humid as long as I had plenty of water and pool time.

You’re definitely right about the sunscreen though. I actually had the opposite problem…..had to be diligent about reapplying just from not really feeling like I was cooking even though I was.

 

[ZombieKissinger]

Depends on what you’re into, but I had a decent experience at the Hilton. Hotel was OK but it’s near a ton of the restaurants if you’re planning to eat out. I’ve mostly stuck to the area between Hilton and the Ritz, which is easily walkable. I walked south to eat at The Kitchen Table by White, which was one of the best meals of my life. They changed the restaurant to Infini, but I think it kept a lot of the same staff.

Ritz is also nice and has a casino (Hilton is just poker room). It’s a little more isolated but still easily can walk to stuff. Across from the Ritz is the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, and I really enjoyed staying there. Very chill and has beach access through the Ritz. Easy to rent a car and park it at the Boardwalk plus there’s a kitchen if you’re looking to cook while you’re down there.

I did snorkel there once, but I didn’t think it was that good, so you’re not missing much. I didn’t go to town or see flamingos or anything like that.

 

[ZombieKissinger]

Depends on what you’re into, but I had a decent experience at the Hilton. Hotel was OK but it’s near a ton of the restaurants if you’re planning to eat out. I’ve mostly stuck to the area between Hilton and the Ritz, which is easily walkable. I walked south to eat at The Kitchen Table by White, which was one of the best meals of my life. They changed the restaurant to Infini, but I think it kept a lot of the same staff.

Ritz is also nice and has a casino (Hilton is just poker room). It’s a little more isolated but still easily can walk to stuff. Across from the Ritz is the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel, and I really enjoyed staying there. Very chill and has beach access through the Ritz. Easy to rent a car and park it at the Boardwalk plus there’s a kitchen if you’re looking to cook while you’re down there.

I did snorkel there once, but I didn’t think it was that good, so you’re not missing much. I didn’t go to town or see flamingos or anything like that.

Also if you’re looking to get really crazy, you can rent a jet ski and drive it 17 miles south to Venezuela to see if the locals want to hang out

 

[Leeshouldveflanked]

What beach is the best to stay close to?

 

[Perd Hapley]

What beach is the best to stay close to?

Palm Beach or Eagle Beach - West / SW corner of island. Arashi is further north than those 2 and is also OK, but I think the surf is a little more choppy up that way. But one of the good off-shore snorkel spots is close to Arashi as well.

 

[Conman90]

We only went for a day as part of a cruise. We rented side by sides and rode around the other side of the island. Very cool. We did do a sunset dinner at a place called Passions on the beach. Great food, table on the beach at sunset, cool vibe. Call now to get a reservation though.

 

[rumsearch]

Looking at going to Aruba in October for a week… Need Recommendations and tips.
All Inclusive or not? Best places to stay? Rent a Vehicle? What to do, I don’t snorkel. Just want to chill, relax and hang out.

Renaissance is downtown and away from eagle and palm beach area. Just got back and eagle and palm beach are CROWDED. Renaissance has a private island (that’s where the flamingos are that show up in a lot of tourism ads) and water taxis that take you from your hotel to the island. Access is limited to the island. There’s cabanas, a restaurant and spa on the island. It has an adult only hotel (the Marina Hotel) on one side of the boulevard and a family hotel (Ocean Suites) on the other side. Lot of very nice restaurants downtown, Yemangi and Barefoot are two of several good ones. Rental car agents are located on property and it’s worth getting a jeep for a day or two to look around. Driven all around the island and never felt unsafe. But the roads do turn from paved to gravel and back. There’s some off roading that’s available too and it’s fun. I’ve been there many times, pm me if you want any more info.