Rent a Car or Taxi

firsttimearuba · 09-09-2009, 01:21 AM

It's our first trip to Aruba...We are staying at the Renaissance Aruba. I have made reservations at the following restaurants and I'm curious if it would be beneficial to rent a car or simply take taxi's. I sure appreciate your advice as this is our 1st trip to Aruba. I know that it could be a little difficult navigating especially through traffic in the downtown area, but also know that cab $$$ can add up quickly. I know a car rental would also allow us to travel the island and check out different beaches, however the Renaissance has a private island for their hotel guests so not sure if checking out other beaches would be more stress than its worth. I'd like to try to make this trip as romantic and relaxing as possible as my girlfriend and I haven't taken a trip together in over 2 years. Thanks all in advance for the advice!

Leaving for Aruba on September 18th! Also, any recommendations for our Thursday evening dinner its our last night before coming back home.

Yemanja Woodfired Grill – Saturday, September 19th, 2009
Passions – Sunday, September 20th
½ Day Snorkel & Luncheon; Dinner – Tony Roma’s – Monday, September 21st
Old Man and the Sea – Tuesday, September 22nd
Flying Fishbone – Wednesday, September 23rd
Thursday, September 24th - TBD

*Andrea J.* · 09-09-2009, 07:54 AM

your situation is a definite "flip a coin" and decide. "heads, rent....tails, no rent".
my decision is always to rent, as i always want a car at my disposal.

your restaurant for thursday night.....how bout Madam Janette?

FF, Passions and OMATS are all on your list....have you gone to the culinary/culture section of this forum? all 3 of those restaurants are awesome, but imo you may want to ditch one of them as 3 nights beach/waterfront dinners might be a little "much".

so re: the car.............grab a nickel and flip.
restaurants............MJs for thursday
Have a blast!!
andrea

Quote:

Originally Posted by firsttimearuba

It's our first trip to Aruba...We are staying at the Renaissance Aruba. I have made reservations at the following restaurants and I'm curious if it would be beneficial to rent a car or simply take taxi's. I sure appreciate your advice as this is our 1st trip to Aruba. I know that it could be a little difficult navigating especially through traffic in the downtown area, but also know that cab $$$ can add up quickly. I know a car rental would also allow us to travel the island and check out different beaches, however the Renaissance has a private island for their hotel guests so not sure if checking out other beaches would be more stress than its worth. I'd like to try to make this trip as romantic and relaxing as possible as my girlfriend and I haven't taken a trip together in over 2 years. Thanks all in advance for the advice!

Leaving for Aruba on September 18th! Also, any recommendations for our Thursday evening dinner its our last night before coming back home.

Yemanja Woodfired Grill – Saturday, September 19th, 2009
Passions – Sunday, September 20th
½ Day Snorkel & Luncheon; Dinner – Tony Roma’s – Monday, September 21st
Old Man and the Sea – Tuesday, September 22nd
Flying Fishbone – Wednesday, September 23rd
Thursday, September 24th - TBD

Arubalisa · 09-09-2009, 08:53 AM

For your destinations a rental car is going to be a bit more expensive than just the taxi fares. I did a similar breakdown in another thread, but their taxi fares were more expensive in that they are staying at the high rises. Another consideration is enjoying a bottle of wine with dinner and not having to worry about drinking and driving.

Like Andrea said, all the beach dinners, may be a bit overkill, you could just as easily substitute L.G. Smith's Steak & Chop Houseright at the Renaissance. They have a very nice atmosphere overlooking the marina. Romantic at night.

...and save the taxi fare.

jaime6894 · 09-11-2009, 11:43 PM

My husband and I will be going back to Aruba for the second time in October and can't wait to go back to Madame Jeanette's. I would go there for sure.

Our favorite was Flying Fishbone but Madame Jeanette's is a close second. We also ate at Amazonia and El Gaucho and they were pretty good too.

firsttimearuba · 09-16-2009, 03:43 AM

Thanks for the great advice all! Counting down to our trip! So I booked Madame Jeannette for Thursday night...The menu looks great! Can you guys give me an idea about how far those restaurants are from Renaissance Aruba (our hotel)? I'm also trying to figure out which reservation to cancel between OMATS, FF, or Passions as they all look great. I agree it might be overkill, but can someone help me decide which to cancel because this is our first trip. I'd sure appreciate the advice regarding which restaurant to cancel. Also, can you recommend a few very casual and fun places to go the first night we get there. I booked the wood-fired grill place simply to have something scheduled plus its right around our hotel area.

Regarding the rental car vs taxi debate I'm still deciding...How's the traffic on the island. I want to have a stress free vacation, but I also like the flexibility of being able to travel to places like Baby Beach for a day. The Renaissance Aruba has a 40 acre private island, but it might be ncie to get out for a day and tour the island at our own pace...suggestions? Thanks again to all of you!

cindyo · 09-16-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firsttimearuba

It's our first trip to Aruba...We are staying at the Renaissance Aruba. Leaving for Aruba on September 18th! Also, any recommendations for our Thursday evening dinner its our last night before coming back home.

Yemanja Woodfired Grill – Saturday, September 19th, 2009
Passions – Sunday, September 20th
½ Day Snorkel & Luncheon; Dinner – Tony Roma’s – Monday, September 21st
Old Man and the Sea – Tuesday, September 22nd
Flying Fishbone – Wednesday, September 23rd
Thursday, September 24th - TBD

The 2 highlited are next to each other and imop to much alike.
Having a rental car in a parking lot right next to your hotel is perfect. You don't have to hike to it...
Try madam jeannettes as Andrea suggests, its worth the visit.
We have stay at Renn 13 years...enjoy it, cindy

Sunny Beaches · 09-16-2009, 02:36 PM

IMO I would switch OMATS with windows, still great views, food & service, but enclosed & ac'd. It's across from the Tamarijn

Sunny Beaches · 09-16-2009, 02:37 PM

Sorry that would be Windows on Aruba. So much for prof-reading

Arubalisa · 09-16-2009, 02:49 PM

We enjoyed Windows on Aruba as well and are returning in December.

firsttimearuba · 09-17-2009, 12:30 AM

Between Passions, OMATS, and FF which one should I cancel since it might be overkill...Thanks so much for your feedback!

09-09-2009, 01:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
firsttimearuba Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 8	Rent a Car or Taxi It's our first trip to Aruba...We are staying at the Renaissance Aruba. I have made reservations at the following restaurants and I'm curious if it would be beneficial to rent a car or simply take taxi's. I sure appreciate your advice as this is our 1st trip to Aruba. I know that it could be a little difficult navigating especially through traffic in the downtown area, but also know that cab $$$ can add up quickly. I know a car rental would also allow us to travel the island and check out different beaches, however the Renaissance has a private island for their hotel guests so not sure if checking out other beaches would be more stress than its worth. I'd like to try to make this trip as romantic and relaxing as possible as my girlfriend and I haven't taken a trip together in over 2 years. Thanks all in advance for the advice! Leaving for Aruba on September 18th! Also, any recommendations for our Thursday evening dinner its our last night before coming back home. Yemanja Woodfired Grill – Saturday, September 19th, 2009 Passions – Sunday, September 20th ½ Day Snorkel & Luncheon; Dinner – Tony Roma’s – Monday, September 21st Old Man and the Sea – Tuesday, September 22nd Flying Fishbone – Wednesday, September 23rd Thursday, September 24th - TBD

09-09-2009, 08:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,685 Images: 80	For your destinations a rental car is going to be a bit more expensive than just the taxi fares. I did a similar breakdown in another thread, but their taxi fares were more expensive in that they are staying at the high rises. Another consideration is enjoying a bottle of wine with dinner and not having to worry about drinking and driving. Like Andrea said, all the beach dinners, may be a bit overkill, you could just as easily substitute L.G. Smith's Steak & Chop Houseright at the Renaissance. They have a very nice atmosphere overlooking the marina. Romantic at night. ...and save the taxi fare. __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba

09-11-2009, 11:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
jaime6894 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 25	My husband and I will be going back to Aruba for the second time in October and can't wait to go back to Madame Jeanette's. I would go there for sure. Our favorite was Flying Fishbone but Madame Jeanette's is a close second. We also ate at Amazonia and El Gaucho and they were pretty good too. Last edited by jaime6894; 09-11-2009 at 11:45 PM.

09-16-2009, 02:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,685 Images: 80	We enjoyed Windows on Aruba as well and are returning in December. __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba

09-17-2009, 12:30 AM	#10 (permalink)
firsttimearuba Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 8	Passions, OMATS, and FF... Between Passions, OMATS, and FF which one should I cancel since it might be overkill...Thanks so much for your feedback!

09-16-2009, 03:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
firsttimearuba Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 8	Thanks for the great advice all! Counting down to our trip! So I booked Madame Jeannette for Thursday night...The menu looks great! Can you guys give me an idea about how far those restaurants are from Renaissance Aruba (our hotel)? I'm also trying to figure out which reservation to cancel between OMATS, FF, or Passions as they all look great. I agree it might be overkill, but can someone help me decide which to cancel because this is our first trip. I'd sure appreciate the advice regarding which restaurant to cancel. Also, can you recommend a few very casual and fun places to go the first night we get there. I booked the wood-fired grill place simply to have something scheduled plus its right around our hotel area. Regarding the rental car vs taxi debate I'm still deciding...How's the traffic on the island. I want to have a stress free vacation, but I also like the flexibility of being able to travel to places like Baby Beach for a day. The Renaissance Aruba has a 40 acre private island, but it might be ncie to get out for a day and tour the island at our own pace...suggestions? Thanks again to all of you!

09-16-2009, 02:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sunny Beaches Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 467	IMO I would switch OMATS with windows, still great views, food & service, but enclosed & ac'd. It's across from the Tamarijn

09-16-2009, 02:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sunny Beaches Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 467	Sorry that would be Windows on Aruba. So much for prof-reading