First Trip to Aruba!!!!!!

[itliana]

Hello Everyone,

This will by my first trip to Aruba. We are heading there with friends and family and our 6 month old baby. We are so excited for this vacation, we have heard nothing but wonderful things about Aruba. I do have a couple of questions. We are staying at the Marriott Stellaris Casino and Resort, I do understand that the pool and tradewinds club are under construction until at least October 1st. We are deeply disapointed in this, however, we did not come to Aruba to layout at the pool...the beach is our first option. How are the beaches (Palm Beach especially)?

My main questions are:

• What restaurants do people recommend? We are looking for great seafood (not too expensive) and restaurants with unique themes.
• What is the best beach for snorkeling? We are bringing our own gear and want to just go off on our own.
• Is there a place were we can charter a boat?
• How is the deep sea fishing?
• What is the downtown area like? Is it safe? Is there plenty of shopping and restaurants?
• We are renting a car, how is the driving there? Is it safe? In Mexico you have to be careful...plenty of speedy drivers there! LOL.
• What is a must see on the island?
• We have friends staying at the Renaissance, how is that hotel?
• Have people stayed at the Mariott Stellaris, if so how did you like it?

I know this is long, but I always have felt asking questions to people who have been there is a lot easier than just winging it once on the island. Any tips or ideas are greatly appreciated. Also, I am a photographer in training, does anyone have any ideas of some areas that are must see for the photo enthusiast?

[Arubalisa]

What restaurants do people recommend? We are looking for great seafood (not too expensive) and restaurants with unique themes.

http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/buccaneer.html
http://www.aruba.com/forum/f12/unique-experience-restaurants-39773/

What is the best beach for snorkeling? We are bringing our own gear and want to just go off on our own.

Very close to the Marriott
http://www.aruba.com/forum/f10/snorkeling-shore-39396/

Is there a place were we can charter a boat?

There are no self charters that I am aware, but check out perhaps http://www.robertoswatersports.com/ for someone close to the Marriott who offers snorkeling and/or bottom fishing.

How is the deep sea fishing?

http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/deep%20sea%20fishing.html

What is the downtown area like? Is it safe? Is there plenty of shopping and restaurants?

Yes, Yes and Yes.
http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/shopping.html

We are renting a car, how is the driving there? Is it safe?

Generally safe, but some discussion on that very topic http://www.aruba.com/forum/f38/main-highway-39847/

What is a must see on the island?

Lots of suggestions
http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/first%20time.html
California Lighthouse
Alto Vista Chapel
Arashi Beach
Arikok National Park
Baby Beach

We have friends staying at the Renaissance, how is that hotel?

Many here stay there and love it. http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/renaissance.html

[cindyo]

Originally Posted by itliana

Hello



My main questions are:

• What restaurants do people recommend? We are looking for great seafood (not too expensive) and restaurants with unique themes.Madame Jeanette's, Old Man and the Sea, Flying Fishbone
• What is the best beach for snorkeling? We are bringing our own gear and want to just go off on our own.
• Is there a place were we can charter a boat?
• How is the deep sea fishing?
• What is the downtown area like? Is it safe? Is there plenty of shopping and restaurants? Downtown nice to walk around, upscale stores, touristy shops behind main street
• We are renting a car, how is the driving there? FINE Is it safe?YES In Mexico you have to be careful...plenty of speedy drivers there! LOL.
• What is a must see on the island? California light house, baby beach, high rise shopping area, butterfly farm, aloe plant, balashi plant
• We have friends staying at the Renaissance, how is that hotel? Great, we 've stayed there 13 yrs in a row. THere are 2, marina and suites. We use the suites. Private island outstanding, only for those staying there
• Have people stayed at the Mariott Stellaris, if so how did you like it?

See my responses in red..

[Andrea J.]

cindy's in red andrea's in blue


My main questions are:

• What restaurants do people recommend? We are looking for great seafood (not too expensive) and restaurants with unique themes.Madame Jeanette's, Old Man and the Sea, Flying Fishbone WWacky Wahoo and Buccaneer
• What is the best beach for snorkeling? We are bringing our own gear and want to just go off on our own. Baby Beach Malmok Arashi all easy shore entries
• Is there a place were we can charter a boat? check at the marina across from the renaissance downtown
• How is the deep sea fishing? Apparently great. lots of local catch in the restaurants
• What is the downtown area like? Is it safe? Is there plenty of shopping and restaurants? Downtown nice to walk around, upscale stores, touristy shops behind main street
• We are renting a car, how is the driving there? FINE Is it safe?YES In Mexico you have to be careful...plenty of speedy drivers there! LOL. way better than Mexico YIKES glad u will have a cr rental for your snorkel trips
• What is a must see on the island? California light house, baby beach, high rise shopping area, butterfly farm, aloe plant, balashi plant
• We have friends staying at the Renaissance, how is that hotel? Great, we 've stayed there 13 yrs in a row. THere are 2, marina and suites. We use the suites. Private island outstanding, only for those staying there
• Have people stayed at the Mariott Stellaris, if so how did you like it? Liked hotel have stayed there pre/post timeshare disliked the beach as it was crowded and cramped. i am ane eagle beach fan, not the marriott end of palm being favored.

[Sunny Beaches]

Being with a 6 month old Baby Beach is a must, break water no waves, bring bagels and stand knee deep(6" to maybe 8' strong current outside the breakwater) and hand feed the fish, even your baby will Love it. Tell your friends to snorkel inside where the water changes color plenty of fish & also the safest, there are shade palapas, bring plenty of sunscreen.