We picked Aruba for our Honeymoon. Never there before tell me about it...

If you can give me advice on where to stay, the best things to see and what to stay away from. Our wedding is October 5 and everyone says Aruba is outside the Hurricane season. Its also a short trip (5hrs i think) from New York. I appreciate the info

Re: We picked Aruba for our Honeymoon. Never there before tell me about it...

Youre getting married on our anniversary :D

Aruba is essentially a tropical but desert island. Lots of beautiful water, sand and rocks. Very dry, and rarely rains.

The Hyatt is a great hotel. I cant speak for too many others but I would stay away from the Divi Divi resorts for a honeymoon.

You need to rent a car (preferably a jeep) as things are a little spread out. Spend at least one afternoon driving around the islands less traveled roads. And if you are okay with light hiking, go to one of the underground caverns.

Food is VERY expensive there. Bring lots of money:D

Shopping has two forms - either very high end jewelry, etc.. or very low end native crafts.

There is also gambling on the island but the casinos we visited are on the shady side.

Hope that helps.

Re: We picked Aruba for our Honeymoon. Never there before tell me about it...

Talk to Jennbaby..she is the Queen of ARUBA

Re: We picked Aruba for our Honeymoon. Never there before tell me about it...

We stayed at the Wydham, but the Radisson and Hyatt were very nice.

When were there it rained for about 5 minutes once. Otherwise, it was HOT and VERY windy all over the island, from trade winds. Don't forget to keep putting on sunscreen all day, bring extra because everything there is so ridiculously expensive (film, bandaids, shampoo, etc). The last thing you want is to be sunburned the first day, it will ruin your vacation.

We didn't rent a car, we took the local bus a couple of times, and 2 cabs to go to restaurants. For us it wasn't necessary, since we mostly relaxed at the resort and went on 1/2 day cruises with water sports.

Aruba doesn't have anything that is native to the island, in other words, everything is imported, so we didn't buy many souvenirs at all (just tshirts, magnets, etc). I think we spent about $800 while were there on food, massages, shopping, water activities, drinks, gambling, etc.

You should check out the aruba message boards, I got so much info from them. I think Aruba.com has one.

Re: We picked Aruba for our Honeymoon. Never there before tell me about it...

I'm glad I read some of the info, we are going to Aruba also and staying at the Radisson.

Re: We picked Aruba for our Honeymoon. Never there before tell me about it...

I have been there several times & I am going back for my honeymoon in May.
Read this:
Aruba “Book”

Aruba!

Rent a Jeep:
NOT a car but a jeep!
I strongly recommend this. Aruba offers jeep tours but renting your own is your best bet! You get to tour the island at your OWN pace. The tour Is a full day and limits the time you want to spend.
You can also do a four wheel drive tour of the island if you do decide to do a tour.
Tour the Island:
Natural Bridge, Natural pool, (snorkel here, bring your own snorkeling stuff) old gold mine ruins, open air chapel (church), Build a rock & make a wish (you will see rock “formations” that people build & you and your honey build your own rocks & make a wish!) Baby Beach, simply beautiful & great snorkeling!! Also The Tunnel of Love caves. (Bats in here but they don’t bother you). And there is a beautiful Butterfly Farm near the Marriot.

Theres Tattoo dinner party cruise (we didnt care for) and the Kuku Kunuku bus!! (Bride02's post has an awesome description of this!)

Restaurants:

EL GAUCHO (downtown) - primarily a steak house - the best you’ve ever had - if you want to go...make a reservation the FIRST day you get there...otherwise you may not get one. Or make one online before you leave at : http://www.elgaucho-aruba.com/

CAFE BACI - at the Wyndham Hotel - cute place - good Italian - very inexpensive (as far as Aruba food goes)

PAGO PAGO – also at the Wyndham – delicious! Somewhat expensive

LE PETIT CAFE (downtown) - nice place to eat lunch outdoors on the sidewalk while shopping.

LA TRATORRIA IL FARO - at the base of the California Lighthouse - great Italian - reserve early -ask for patio dining at sunset. Best view of the island & very romantic!

BOONOONOONOOS - ( downtown) - Caribbean Food - very different menu - good

MADAME JANETTES’S – have not gone – but gets rave reviews from several people
I know..

CHALET SUISSE - along Eagle Beach near - go a bit early to avoid the crowds - great steak.

CHARLIE’s BAR (in San Nicolas) - MUST visit and see and have a drink -Food is OK not GREAT but it’s still worth the visit.

Also recommended:

Chez Mathilde - VERY EXPENSIVE ($200+) men need a jacket here

The Flying Fishbone – wonderful ! seafood - located in Savaneta (on the way to San Nicholas) reserve a table EARLY & request water table.

Que Pasa - - Downtown - -Rave reviews from a friend – I have not been.

Ruinas Del Mar - at the Hyatt Regency - ROMANTIC !!!! -outside under the stars - expensive -waterfalls, swans, candles...RESERVE EARLY!

Pavarotti - lots of people got sick from the food here!
Waterfront Crab House - not consistent - overpriced
In my opinion)
Twinklebones - - dinner show - -food not good.

SUPERMARKETS: This is good for snacks or those with timeshares to cook in your room & save some $$! There are a few new ones on the main road out of town heading north - awesome selection - great meats!- beer and wine available at all I think. Fresh bakery too. Both are on the right side of the main road heading from town north. Prices are in Aruban money - almost double American.

WATER SPORTS & BEACHES:
Eagle Beach- Gentle waves - not much to see with snorkel - maybe an occasional fish. The high rise hotels are in the Palm Beach area - more congested - still a nice beach but not AS nice as Eagle (in my opinion).

A bit further north you will come upon beaches in the MALMOK area (not sure if there are signs)........Look for crusty coral edges overhanging the water with lots of pelicans hanging out. This is the BEST place for snorkeling. Water is not rough and there are tons of fish to see - swim along the barnacle wall along shore - you don’t have to go out deep at all.

The south end of the island is another trip........drive south on the main road through town and continue all the way into San Nicolas...find Charlie’s Bar in San Nicolas. Follow signs for Seroe Colorado and Baby Beach. At Baby Beach......you will see a small opening at the mouth of the lagoon where everyone is snorkeling. If you swim through the opening into the open waters...you will see more fish. The waters can sometimes be a bit rough here - so use caution. I was nervous here in the open and tended to stay right near the opening of the lagoon. I found the snorkeling most relaxing at MALMOK.

Other than Baby Beach...all of the beaches on the south and east side of the island and very rough and dangerous. DO NOT SWIM HERE!!! Drive out to Boca Grande and you will see miles of deserted beaches...park anywhere and wade in the waves but don’t try to go in swimming here - very bad undertow.

You can take a trip out to DE PALM island to snorkel and have lunch. The ferry runs from a pier a bit out of town. Follow the main road south from through town and watch for the Drive In screen on the left.......on the right side of the road near the screen...you will see the signs for the DePalm Island ferry. I think it runs every 1/2 hour or so. There is a small restaurant and bar on the island....bathrooms......tables...lounges. Bring frozen peas to feed the giant blue parrot fish. Nice snorkeling here too. Try to go when there is NO cruise ship in town...so it will be less crowded. Trips to this place are sold all over as a package but it is cheaper to just go yourself.

BUTTERFLY FARM near the Marriot.

CASINOS: La Cabana (separate building -all lit up and at the Crystal Casino downtown at the Sonesta . We have had good winning luck at the Crystal Casino. We also like the casino at the Radisson, the Wyndham & the Allegro.. YOU MUST GO VISIT THE HYATT AT NIGHT AND SEE THE LANDSCAPING AND POOL AREA...IT IS BEAUTIFUL!

SHOPPING: For the largest selection of cheap souvenirs...PORT OF CALL market place right next to the Cruise Ship terminal - a small mall with a few good some shops. for local art - and figurines. Lots to choose from downtown for shopping - great prices on perfume and jewelry (some). Fun just to window shop too.

TRANSPORTATION - We always rent a JEEP for about $300 per week. We like to drive around and explore.

We rent from TOP DRIVE
You see them right when you come out of the airport across the street!

There is a very good bus system which runs the length of the island and is cheap but I am not sure how frequently the buses run. There are LOTS of sights you can’t get to by bus. Cabs are reasonable but can add up if you use them every day and night.

Any more questions ask away!

Re: We picked Aruba for our Honeymoon. Never there before tell me about it...

I would like to add two restaurants to Jennbabys list. One was Papiamento which we loved. It is in the backyard of a house surrounded by a pool. Very romantic!!
The other one was Toscany at the Marriott. It is Italian and very good.