Divi Links - Should we rent a car?

[arubanewbie]

We bought a timeshare at the Divi Links last year so this will be our first stay (In June). We will be there for 2 weeks, and are unsure if we should rent a car. We have 2 kids (7 & 9). Most of our days will be spent at the beach/pool, and we will be eating most meals in our condo. That being said we will need to grocery shop, go out to eat once in a while, and we plan to show the kids around the island a bit. We have a shuttle service that will drive us around to the other divi resorts and down to the beach. I can't remember what if any restaurants were in walking distance to the links. Our last stay was in the high rise section so we were able to walk around pretty easily and get to a lot of places.

I'm trying to determine if we should rent the car or just use the bus and/or cab service for the couple times we venture out.

Any opinions/thoughts are appreciated! Thanks!!

[Andrea J.]

this stay, i would do both!
rent a car for a few days each of your weeks.
3 days wk 1
3 days wk 2
see how it works out this time.

this trip could be used as your "guideline".

my husband and i always rent a car for the full time we are on island.
i need to know that i have wheels.
we certainly can make due without a vehicle and someday i will practice what i preach..............well probably not.

Originally Posted by arubanewbie

We bought a timeshare at the Divi Links last year so this will be our first stay (In June). We will be there for 2 weeks, and are unsure if we should rent a car. We have 2 kids (7 & 9). Most of our days will be spent at the beach/pool, and we will be eating most meals in our condo. That being said we will need to grocery shop, go out to eat once in a while, and we plan to show the kids around the island a bit. We have a shuttle service that will drive us around to the other divi resorts and down to the beach. I can't remember what if any restaurants were in walking distance to the links. Our last stay was in the high rise section so we were able to walk around pretty easily and get to a lot of places.

I'm trying to determine if we should rent the car or just use the bus and/or cab service for the couple times we venture out.

Any opinions/thoughts are appreciated! Thanks!!

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by arubanewbie

Most of our days will be spent at the beach/pool, and we will be eating most meals in our condo. That being said we will need to grocery shop, go out to eat once in a while, and we plan to show the kids around the island a bit.

This is a personal preference. Like Andrea said, some folks like to "have wheels".

My dh and I are totally opposite. We spend most of our time on the beach so rent a car for only 1-3 days. During that time we do our running around and touring. For us it does not pay for a car to sit in the lot when we only need transportation for dinner. In the long run, in that case, taxis are cheaper.

With that said, how much will you be going out at night? There is not much within walking distance to the Divi. You could always take the bus to Palm beach. You can take the bus to downtown Oranjestad for shopping during the day as well.

For grocery shopping you can take the bus to the store and a taxi back to your condo.

[arubanewbie]

Thanks so much Andrea & Lisa! Renting for a few days each week sounds like a good idea, and that way we can take the bus on other days to get familiar with how that works as well. On our last trip we never made it downtown for any shopping, so we are excited to explore and being there 2 weeks gives us a chance to take our time and not feel so rushed!

[hatteras]

I have stayed at Divi Links, and will be staying there for a few days during our next trip. There are several places to eat near Alhambra Casino. The Divi shuttles can drop you off there and you can walk to the restaurants. Pizza Bob's is a regular stop for us. Also, Elliotti's is there, along with Subway, Dunkin Donuts (should open back up soon), Matthew's at Casa Del Mar, and French and Georgio's at Manchebo. With the shuttle, these are very easy to get to. We also usually eat at Mulligans and Sea Breeze when we stay at the Links. The shuttle will also take you to the grocery stores, dropping you off right across the street, but you'll need to take a taxi back if you purchase a lot. If you decide use a taxi to go out at night, there are usually some waiting by the lobby area. If you want to take the bus downtown, there is a bus stop across the street by the Tam. The bus will take you downtown, and will drop you off in front of Divi when you return.

[arubanewbie]

Thanks for all that great info!!! The kids will be happy to hear there is a pizza place nearby!

[hatteras]

We love the pizza at Pizza Bob's and the pizza at Mulligan's at the links is also very good. Have fun!

[arubabob]

Originally Posted by arubanewbie

We bought a timeshare at the Divi Links last year so this will be our first stay (In June). We will be there for 2 weeks, and are unsure if we should rent a car. We have 2 kids (7 & 9). Most of our days will be spent at the beach/pool, and we will be eating most meals in our condo. That being said we will need to grocery shop, go out to eat once in a while, and we plan to show the kids around the island a bit. We have a shuttle service that will drive us around to the other divi resorts and down to the beach. I can't remember what if any restaurants were in walking distance to the links. Our last stay was in the high rise section so we were able to walk around pretty easily and get to a lot of places.

I'm trying to determine if we should rent the car or just use the bus and/or cab service for the couple times we venture out.

Any opinions/thoughts are appreciated! Thanks!!

All depends on how often you are going out. We also rent a car for our entire stay. We usually stay 11 to 14 days. We did not rent a car our first trip and ended up not seeing anything and spending a lot on cabs anyway. We eat dinner out every night at places usually too far to walk to, especially at night. Also my wife has a lot of trouble with her legs now. We are renting a car from Tropic in May and the total cost for 12 days is $278. We also will go to Baby Beach a couple of times and to Arashi beach and Malmock. We also drive around and see a few places we havent been yet. I go to the golf course 3 days as well. Linda likes me to take her shopping a few times too. So for us it makes more sense to rent a car than take cabs. A cab would cost much more especially since you have to pay each way and tip each way. An $8 dollar fare ends up being $8+$2+$8+$2=$20. If you take one to baby beach its like $60 each way with tip and make sure he will come back for you. Cab from the airport is $25 with tip, same back to the airport. Either way enjoy your trip.