Rent A Car ?

[JohnAndLauren]

Just wondering what everyone thinks about renting a car ?

[Andrea J.]

it all depends on your needs/wants

my husband and i need the car
we like to have it at a moment's notice

so we opt to rent

typically we rent from Tropic
this particualr trip coming up we got a great deal from avis

figure in your taxi costs for round island excursions
or figure the inconveniences of bus taking

then do the math and figure which works best for you

for us, it is a car

disclosure.... i go off horse riding in the mornings sometimes, we both go off snorkeling sometimes

we need the car for dinner and we then go to casinos at night.....so it does get used.....just short jaunts though

andrea

Originally Posted by JohnAndLauren

Just wondering what everyone thinks about renting a car ?

[gretch]

[quote=Andrea J.;152795]
we like to have it at a moment's notice


Same with us. Plus, we have 2 children so it's more convenient for us to just hop in the car rather than wait for a taxi. $300 for 2 weeks. It sounds expensive but we use it every day. We usually rent from Alamo becasue if you rent early enough you can use the on-line coupon codes. But you have to check daily because the price changes all the time.

Less than 3 weeks...woo hoo!!

[Shnyda]

I wouldn't think of visiting Aruba without a car. The beauty of Aruba is that is so accessible. We are all over the place when in Aruba and would be lost without a vehicle.

[Arubalisa]

Just for another point of view and food for thought, imo this is a personal preference...

For folks like us who spend all day on the beach and only go out at night to dinner, getting around by taxi is still less expensive.

I do fully understand that some folks like to have "wheels" to be able to do what they like when they like.

If you think you will be spending most if not all of your time on the beach, another option is to rent a car for 1 - 3 days to do your running around: sightseeing, shopping, excursions, dinners at the more remote, more expensive taxi rides.

Speaking for my husband, he is also not comfortable driving the unfamiliar roads at night and enjoys having a glass of wine or two with dinner and does not like to "drink and drive".

Also see http://www.aruba.com/forum/tags/car%20rental%20vs.%20bus.html

[luvsun]

In the past we've gotten a car for 2-3 days..we see what we want and then bus or taxi after that. works well for us.

[wnysnow]

I booked a tour for the honeymooners with Cerry. He has a luxury SUV, will take them on a three hour tour and show them the highlights and hidden treasures that only the locals know. He will pick you up right at your resort.

Great way to enjoy the island!

Sue

[Andrea J.]

sue that is funny about cerry taking the honeymooners!
i am going to be booking him for my son and his wife's delayed honeymoon trip to aruba at christmas.

his insight and his intelect make the tours a true learning experience and very enjoyable.

but this topic is about car rentals and i think as i said in my first post, figure the costs and your needs and make the decision.

as lisa mentions, the unfamiliar roads and the issues of wanting to have a glass or 2 of wine plays in to the mix!
andrea

[wnysnow]

That is too funny that you are booking Cerry too! Getting back to the rent a car question, my husband and I no longer rent a car when we go down. We are based at the Renaissance Aruba, so we have quite a few restauranrts within walking distance.

I know how the bus routes run, so we can go to any of the high rise area hotels and casinos for $2. Believe it is the L7 bus. If you need to go to those out of the way restaurants, MJ's, OMATS, etc. the cab allows you the luxury of not having to worry about what you or the other nuts on the streets are drinking. That stretch of road from the airport to Savaneta is mighty dark and dangerous at night if you ask me. Are some Arubans hired for The Fast and the Furious???lol

And I was always worried about the V plates on the cars. Is that not advertising steal me, or hit me and collect insurance.

Well, that is why we don't rent anymore.

Sue

[JohnAndLauren]

Wow thanks for all the great responses you guys and gals are great!