First time to Aruba Nov 5 - 12

[ralphf]

What a great forum. We have travelled often to the island of Maui in Hawaii but we've heard so much about Aruba we thought we would give it a try. Shorter flights, right. We are staying at Manchebo Beach in an ocean view room. Flights have already been reserved on Jet Blue which flies direct from Boston. We plan to spend time on the beach and try restaurants in the hotel, outside the hotel and do some gift shopping. We do not like inclusive plans because we like to explore and eat at different restaurants. We usually rent a car in Maui but it is a much larger island than Aruba. Several questions:

1. Should we rent a car? If so, is there a best place to rent?
2. If you pay in dollars and get change in Florins is the exchange rate taken into account. Should we get some Florins before we leave or upon arrival.
3. What is best way to get from airport to hotel and what is approximate cost.
4. Are cabs OK and how late do they run?
5. Is bus sytem reliable and how often and late does it run.
6. How does one pay for cab or bus. Dollars or Florins?
7. Is El Gaucho restaurant as good as they say it is? Is there a must do restaurant?
8. Best place for gift shopping?
9. What are tipping practices in Aruba?
10. Is there anything that is a must see or do?

Sorry for all the questions but as this our first trip we don't want to miss a thing. Thank you for your help.

Ralph

[danadog56]

Glad to see you are giving Aruba a visit...you will love it !! I will try to answer the questions I can and I am sure everyone else will pitch in and give you their versions.........many different ideas from everyone, you won't know where to start first....
I always rent a 4x4. My husband and I first visited on a cruise and rented one and took the chance and toured ourselves, we had a blast. It has become a tradition to go around the island every year to see if anything is new, so my suggestion is yes. But if you are ont too adventurous, rent one for 3 days and see the island and then just use a cab to get around to downtown or dinner.....You can even use the bus which is cheap, we have and have never had a problem.
If you pay in dollars you will get dollars back, however you may get change in florins. You can use either....you can get florins when you get there or not, depending on your preference. I never exchange for florins.....just keep bringing it home with me...up to about 40 dollars american and might take it with me in november and cash in !!!
Not sure how late the cabs run, but yes they are okay...I have seen folks talk about a cabbie named "Bully" and how great he is...a little help please.....
You can get a bus schedule at the hotel also, they run all day, but again since I use a jeep I don't know their schedules..........I do know I have paid the cabs in us dollars though as well as the buses.
I love El Gaucho, but you will hear varying opinions on that one. I have never had a bad meal and the meat has always been tender and cooked perfectly. A matter of opinion I guess. I would day a must, but I would also suggest Madame Janette's......YUM !!
Shopping is great in town. When I was there last year the shops up towns by the high rises were just opened..........nice but very expensive !!! I don't go to shop and don't bring home gifts so I really don't do much shopping anymore. Good jewelry shops downtown with really good deals though.
Some restaurants automatically but a gratuity onto the bill which I don't care for because they say it goes to the entire staff and not just the waiter. If I see that I slip the waiter 10or15% more so I am sure they get what they deserve, but just what I do. I would say to tip as you would anywhere else.
A must see..........Natural Pool, but hard to get to....quads are the best and safest so if you're into it ....go for it. I would say rent a 4x4, get a map, start very early and start at the hotel, head for the light house, alto vista chapel, goldsmith ruins, then natural bridge........then start from the other end the next day...baby beach and snorkeling, quadrikri caves, love tunnels, ....OH heck, just go for it !!!! Take a sft cooler with you from here in the states to use and fill it with lots of water and spend a day or two exploring......you will come back every year.....I promise !!!!

[SanNic44]

Just follow Danadog's prescription and check out the rest of the posts on the board for more answers. Don't worry about missing anything. You'll be back.

I've started to augment my blog with more photos and things. Over the next couple of months it will continue to swell as I'm on the island now.

44

[cindyo]

1. Should we rent a car? If so, is there a best place to rent? Rent for a few days, its a lot of fun
2. If you pay in dollars and get change in Florins is the exchange rate taken into account. Should we get some Florins before we leave or upon arrival. Nah, you don't need florins, not necessary at all
3. What is best way to get from airport to hotel and what is approximate cost. Cab's located outside. You could contact Bully for a ride, he will meet you at the airport with your name
4. Are cabs OK and how late do they run? Run 24/7
5. Is bus sytem reliable and how often and late does it run. Bus is reliable and located all around the island
6. How does one pay for cab or bus. Dollars or Florins? Dollars for ride and tip
7. Is El Gaucho restaurant as good as they say it is? Is there a must do restaurant? Ah, its ok...husband loves it, i don't
8. Best place for gift shopping? Mall downtown, or new one near highrisers, also marketplace on the waterfront that sells "island type souveniers
9. What are tipping practices in Aruba? Just like home, hotel, bell boys, cab, maid, bartender
10. Is there anything that is a must see or do? Plenty to do, and plenty not to do, I am the "not to do person".

Hope this answers your questions

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by cindyo

3. What is best way to get from airport to hotel and what is approximate cost. Cab's located outside. You could contact Bully for a ride, he will meet you at the airport with your name

Fare is about $17 to the low rise hotels and $20 to high rise resorts on Palm Beach.
Taxi service- BULLY...
Who is Bully?????

5. Is bus sytem reliable and how often and late does it run. Bus is reliable and located all around the island

Bus runs from about 5:45 a.m. to just after Midnight

7. Is El Gaucho restaurant as good as they say it is? Is there a must do restaurant? Ah, its ok...husband loves it, i don't

Dh and I side with Cindy. Sorry Rob. Check out some of the reviews at http://www.restaurantsaruba.com/steakhouse.html?cuisine_type=steakhouse

8. Best place for gift shopping? Mall downtown, or new one near highrisers, also marketplace on the waterfront that sells "island type souveniers

The waterfront stands and the shops at the airport get our money. T-shirts at the airport are more expensive, but better quality.

10. Is there anything that is a must see or do? Plenty to do, and plenty not to do, I am the "not to do person".
Hope this answers your questions

http://www.aruba.com/whattodo/ Use the drop down menu for a dozen choices.

(Cindy I could easily vacation with you doing nothing. )

[Bikerchic]

Ralph, Yes I agree with Dana. Rent the jeep. We rented one for 2 weeks and had a blast. Each time we go back we find something new. The soft cooler from home is a great idea, pack it with a lunch, snacks, and some water or drinks. This is what we did and great fun just exploring, taking great pics, and finding alot of neat things. We started at the California Lighthouse one day and worked our way down, and then the next time we went to Baby Beach and worked our way back the other way. You just won't believe your eyes and yes you will come back again and do it all over. We built a few rock formations on our own and added some washed up trash. We hope to go back and see if it is still there. Some one even put their bra out there. Pretty funny. You will see what we mean when you go. Just have a great time. Cindy M. ( Bikerchic from PA)

[Glenn]

Mornin' Ralph,

I just couldn't let your question about El Gaucho to go by without a reply.

Now, I'm only thinking of your health here. (Lisa has heard this one several times before; CindyO, this is me telling you this for the first time.) but you're on holidays; you're walking around, swimming, snorkeling, etc in tropical heat. You're using up muscle and muscle is protein, right? El Gaucho's 16oz Gaucho steak is the best tasting source of protein on the planet!!!

Sorry, Lisa and CindyO, but you know it wouldn't be right if Ralph went to Aruba and didn't get his protein from the right place. Don't think of it as a restaurant recommendation; think of it as a suggestion for healthy living!!

Have a good one.

Glenn

[cindyo]

Ralph and Glenn, and my husband for that matter....enjoy El Guacho, 16 oz steak..yes good protein for you....take alll the men....the girls will enjoy something else when we're there...Though I will say, they have added some nice new sides so you have 6 to choose from, and you can pass on the soggy corn....garlic mashed is really good, onions good too

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by Glenn

Mornin' Ralph,
I just couldn't let your question about El Gaucho to go by without a reply. Have a good one.
Glenn

I couldn't be more proud of you! I like the part about replacing muscle.