First Post - Honeymooning Aug 3-11 - need advice!!!

[aruba milewski]

Hello,

My soon-to-be wife and I will be visiting Aruba for the first time for our Honeymoon Aug 3-11. I have read some people's testimonials about their trips, but would love to gain some perspective from some of the more frequent visitors on what advice you would have for the "perfect" trip. 8 days in paradise sounds fantastic, but I don't want to "overplan" it, but at the same time, don't want to miss out on some great stuff. My soon-to-be wife and I are fairly active and love the outdoors, but also want to relax as well. We are staying at the Renaissance Marina Hotel. Any information would be fantastic, such as can't miss restaurants, activities, or places to see. Thank you in advance!! (PS: We are both in our upper 20's, not that it matters, but at least for perspective on where we are at in our lives!)

Thanks again,

Chris

[Andrea J.]

welcome to the aruba community forum

ahh let's see

you will be at the Ren Marina which is right downtown.
you will probably NOT have a car rental?

you'll have a blast at the private island either on the adul only or family side.
both sides fun.
get there early and stay late.

dinners
romantic.......madam janette, old man and the sea, passions
fun.......the same mentioned and Iguana Joes, Salt N Pepper, Sole Mare, Buccaneer

DO NOT miss.....a Tranquillo snorkel tour or Jolly Pirates

Do some walking about downtown

Do not over plan

What else?

andrea

Originally Posted by aruba milewski

Hello,

My soon-to-be wife and I will be visiting Aruba for the first time for our Honeymoon Aug 3-11. I have read some people's testimonials about their trips, but would love to gain some perspective from some of the more frequent visitors on what advice you would have for the "perfect" trip. 8 days in paradise sounds fantastic, but I don't want to "overplan" it, but at the same time, don't want to miss out on some great stuff. My soon-to-be wife and I are fairly active and love the outdoors, but also want to relax as well. We are staying at the Renaissance Marina Hotel. Any information would be fantastic, such as can't miss restaurants, activities, or places to see. Thank you in advance!! (PS: We are both in our upper 20's, not that it matters, but at least for perspective on where we are at in our lives!)

Thanks again,

Chris

[aruba milewski]

Thanks, Andrea! We will definitely look into those places/activities. Do you recommend booking anything in advance (activity wise) or just hit up the concierge when getting down there? Also, do you know how much some of the hotel activities (snorkeling, kayaking, etc) are? I can't seem to find any prices anywhere online.

Also, since we did not sign up for an "all-inclusive" trip, realistically, with food, sight-seeing, etc, what do you think an appropriate budget should be for a "good" trip? Thanks again for your thoughts! Keep them coming

[Sgroi135]

http://depalm.com/

They do most of the excursions as far as i know.

[cindyo]

Originally Posted by aruba milewski

Also, since we did not sign up for an "all-inclusive" trip, realistically, with food, sight-seeing, etc, what do you think an appropriate budget should be for a "good" trip? Thanks again for your thoughts! Keep them coming

Here's our opinion on food at the Rennaissance...
Dunks daily 10.00
Aquariius at Renn breakfast 40.00
Lunch on Renn island 30.00
Happy hour 15.00
Dinner 70-100
Ice cream at Hagen Daz 10

IMOP you would be safe with 150 a day...
we stay at the Renn and own 3 timeshares at the suites. If you have any specific questions on the resort ask away

ALSO, a few tips for the Renn stay..no room key no boat ride...each person needs a key to get on the boat.
Bring some blow up tubes, 36" and take to the island daily.
Bring a small cooler and bring your own snacks to the island. BIg cooler means no boat ride, they won't let you on as they have a restaurant they have to support.
The Renn marina doesn't allow kids in the pool so it SB quiet on the pool deck. They have some great tapas at the Blue Martini bar.
Aquarius has a nice buffet lunch and dinner.
Their are some great shops behind the Renn marina so grab some souviners.
There is also a grocery store behind it to pick up soem snack type items if you need some.
The store "I LOVE ARUBA" allows free calls to the states, or I should say, if you purchase something. Did when we were there anyway.
A couple of great restaurants are within breathing space that you should try...
Casa Tua, italian, LGSmith steakhouse in the resort, Paza Cafe for good dutch food with outdoor music...
Enuf rambling....enjoy

[Jarubian]

Great advice from everyone, and I would just add since you are on your honeymoon do not overplan.

One thing to do is to possibly see the island, or at least the hot spos, like the Natural Pool, Baby Beach, the lighthouse, you can do this in one day, or half day tour.

Maybe due a tour to DePalm Island and due all the watersports there. Last is if you like to party due the KooKoo Kunuku Drinking bus tour, or dinner/dance cruise.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by aruba milewski

My soon-to-be wife and I are fairly active and love the outdoors, but also want to relax as well. Any information would be fantastic, such as can't miss restaurants, activities, or places to see. Chris

http://www.aruba.com/OurPeoplePlaces/activities.aspx

Jeep Tour
http://www.abc-aruba.com/ or http://www.kinikini.com/kk/servlet/Tours#TR_4
We used Kini Kini last year for a private ATV tour and really appreciated the personalized Mom and Pop business type service...nicer than being herded like a bunch of cattle.
More info http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/kini%20kini.html

Snorkel Tour
http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/jolly%20pirates.html Lively
http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/tranquilo.html Long relaxing day with excellent snorkeling

For 20 Somethings
http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/kukoo%20kunuku.html

[linda744]

Would suggest a trip to the "Palm Beach Strip" across from the High Rise Hotels/Timeshares for an evening. You can have dinner there, or gamble in any of the hotel casinos, visit the new mall, take in the water show, vist Hard Rock Cafe or any other "drinking establishment" for a nice casual evening. They also have little shops and kiosks you can get souveniors at. Something different for a night out and it can be as reasonable or as expensive as you choose to make it.

[aruba milewski]

Thank you everyone for your responses! We will definitely take some of these items and run with them. Anyone else have some good advice? Thanks again!!

-Chris

[DushiHeidi]

Chris


Where are you guys from? What kind of things are you use to?