First Trip to Aruba

[Nickey]

Good afternoon everyone, My husband and I are planning to take our first trip to Aruba, Sep 22-29. We will be staying at the Occidental and we are also going to celebrate his birthday. I am looking for a great yet safe place to go snorkeling. I would like experience the nightlife and I would also like to know if it is worth the time and money to go to Curacao. PS, I am in the military and this is a much needed vacation. I really would like to have a great time with my hubby. Thanks

[Andrea J.]

welcome to the aruba.com community forum.
thank you for your service in the military.

check out this thread, by forum member marcio and there is a post of his and his wife's day trip to curacao

Marcio and Cristina's honeymoon in Aruba - May 10th to 19th


also too check these tagged threads of snorkeling.
baby beach is a great spot for safe snorkeling as is catalina cove

http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/snorkeling.html

nightlife.......walk outside of the Occidental and everything within a 3 minute walk!! bars, dancing, eating, shopping.
tagged nightlife palm beach threads http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/nigh...m%20beach.html

Good afternoon everyone, My husband and I are planning to take our first trip to Aruba, Sep 22-29. We will be staying at the Occidental and we are also going to celebrate his birthday. I am looking for a great yet safe place to go snorkeling. I would like experience the nightlife and I would also like to know if it is worth the time and money to go to Curacao. PS, I am in the military and this is a much needed vacation. I really would like to have a great time with my hubby. Thanks

[Nickey]

Thank you. I am very excited about my trip. I did read about an unfortunate drowing today at Baby Beach. How much money do you recommend? Should we get a rental car?

[jaw]

I would suggest you book a snorkeling trip with Aruba Bob. www.arubabobsnorkeling.com or send an email to Stuart at arubabob@live.com. It is safe and the water scooters they use make the trip easy. The location is one of the best on the island. See their website for more information.

If you are going to explore the island on your own, then a rental car is suggested. I would suggest a RAV4 from Ace Rental Car. It has higher clearance an 4 wheel drive to navigate the back country. www.acearuba.com.

I think there is plenty to do in Aruba for a week and would not suggest a day trip to Curacao. I would reserve that island for another week in the future. Altough I must say that I have not been to that island yet.

I would suggest Barefoot, Que Pasa, and Yemanja for some restaurants. Go to www.restaurantsaruba.com for a complete listing and ratings.

We have been to Aruba 10 times and hope you enjoy the Happy Island as much as we have.

[cpjones]

Welcome to the forum... and thanks for your service. Most of all, set aside some time for the wonderful beach outside the Occidental. Lots to do and lots to explore. Guarantee you'll enjoy your trip.

[Andrea J.]

yes the drowning was unfortunate indeed. all senseless deaths are tragic/unfortunate and very sad.

that being said, folks would be safe if they "stayed within the bowl and not ventured out beyond the breakwater and inlet"

baby beach is very safe for snorkeling providing one follows common sense and does not venture out.

re: how much money to bring.
that is very personal as to your needs.

here is a thread that is on that topic.

things to consider. do you gamble? is food and beverages all included at your resort? do you want to do special things that might be costly such as helicopter tour?
How much money do you take?

car rental
here are some tagged threads.
http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/car%20rental.html

my husband and i always get a rental car because we get antsy and have this stilly "mental thing" about knowing we have wheels 24/7.

Thank you. I am very excited about my trip. I did read about an unfortunate drowing today at Baby Beach. How much money do you recommend? Should we get a rental car?

[marriendblond]

me and my future husband will be on our honey pretty much those exact dates at the same hotel. pretty cool

[Angela Munzenhofer]

Congrats Nickey and Marrienblond,
Occidental is a very nice all inclusive hotel. A variety of restaurants and fun swim up poolbar. Staff is wonderful and you are in a perfect location as Andrea says next to many of the highlights all in walking distance.
I tell my family and friends that come down to plan on getting a 4x4 jeep in the middle of vacation and plan the island tour. I believe its exciting to discover an island on your own. I have done that pretty much throughout all the small islands I have visited and I love asking where the locals hang out, Were else can you find the best in dining and entertainment with local flare. If taking an island tour go to the Arikok National Park, buy a wristband and explore. We just did that last week and it was heaven on earth and the Aruba government really did a wonderful job at creating a scenic route but yet leaving some terrain rough roading and adventurous.
I would make plans with Aruba Bob as Jaw mentioned, I have only heard great things from Kent and his family on this forum and I believe his passion imakes this trip memorable.
Enjoy Aruba the One Happy Island for everyone...

[Trebor]

Nickey,

Let me join the others and thank you for you service in the military. You will love the Occidental and we will be there at the same time as you and Marriendblond. Maybe we will bump into you guys at the pool bar! I know the Occidental is an all-inclusive hotel but trust me you need to visit a couple of the great restaurants on the island. A couple of our favorites is Madam Jeanettes, Screaming Eagle and Pincho's. I don't want to sound like I am just repeating everyone above but my brother and I did a did a snorkeling trip with Aruba Bob's and Stuart could not have been a better guide. The whole experience was awesome. They even provide us with pictures of our adventure. Can't recommend them enough!

We have never done a day trip to Curaçao and I agree that you will have plenty to enjoy if you stay put in Aruba for the week. Have a great time with whatever you decide. You do realize that celebrating your husbands birthday in Aruba will only lead to him wanting to do that year after year! Not a bad thing, now that I think of it

Marriendblond,
Congratulations on you upcoming marriage! You could not have chosen a better place for you honeymoon. Have a wonderful time!

Rob

[kent]

Welcome to the board. You guys will LOVE Aruba