[Arubalisa]

We want to go to the Natural Pool and would most likely take a tour there (from what I have read it does not seem that you can get there by car).

This is correct, you cannot get there by car. You would have to have a 4 x 4. Otherwise it is easier to take a guided tour: jeep, ATV or horseback.

Is it safe to go to Baby Beach and Charlie's Bar by car? I read somewhere that cars were robbed or stolen.

Make sure you take the same precautions you take at home. Lock the vehicle when you are not in it. Keep ALL belongings out of sight in the trunk. Yes, cars are stolen and/or broken into but these are isolated incidents.

I thought we could see most of the sites on our own. Are there any other sites besides the Natural Pool that are hard to get to by car?

All of the sights you have listed are accesible by car. The most famous "Natural Bridge" is the "collapsed" Natural Bridge at Boca Andicuri/Andicuri Beach. The map shows another bridge just past here but you cannot get any further past "The Natural Bridge" by car and very difficult by 4 x 4 at best. As a note, there is a smaller natural bridge along side the collapsed one and if you drive along the coast coming from the Lighthouse down to "The Natural Bridge" there is a very nice, imo, picturesque bridge along the way.

click on thumbnail to enlarge

Also along the way are Bushirbana Gold Mill Ruins as well as Alto Vista Chapel.

I know that "Cerry Croes" was mentioned as giving a great tour, but looking at his car on the website it doesn't look like it would fit 8 people and it didn't mention him going to the Natural Pool.

You could always contact him to see what arrangements he can make.

Another member of the forum "taxidriver", Bully, gives island tours, but he too would not be able to get to the Natural Pool. Island tours no matter which taxi driver are by law $40 an hour. That is not per person, so would actually work out to be fairly reasonable for a group of 8 people, besides the fact you would have the added convenience/fun (as long as you all get along well together and like one another ) of traveling together in one vehicle.

I am sure either driver could customize a tour to whichever sights you would like to see.



Cyril Croes cyrllcroes@yahoo.com email

As Randi stated, imo, if first time visitors of the island, I think you get a lot of a tour knowing what you are seeing and getting some history and facts about the sights as well.

FWIW, with such an ambitious list of sights to see, it can be done in one day, but driving on your own with just the Borch map, there are still good chances that you will get lost. Heck dh and I have been to the island 17 (???) times and still get lost out in the middle of nowhere . This alone would prohibit you from being able to see everything in one day. As it is, with stops for photos, Charlie's Bar, Baby beach, it will probably take you all day to see everything you want to see.