We have a 12 yr old and have had our fair share of snorkeling... We will be on a cruise and in Aruba for the day in Dec05. We would like to hang out at a beach or two and see the island. Are the local buses OK and safe, easy to get around in and close to where the ship will doc? We would prefer not to commit to a tour that will lock us in for half the day. Any suggestions please.
Thanks!

yes, you can rent a car, the island is easy to drive abd you can go to baby beach. If not the Renaissance has a beautiful private island which is a beach, restaurant, bathrooms, towels, shade and other things, which they charge and is fun for the day. It is close to where the boat docks and close to town and shopping. i know the bus is not too expensive and is easy and does run into the night. Aruba closes down at night except for the restaruants and clubs. It is a great place.

Busses are very safe but I'd rent a vehicle with a/c, $30 and you can see a bunch more than you ever could with bus travel. Use your imagination as to what you can do with a vehicle in 10 to 12 hours compared to bussing it.

When I was there on a cruise in May '04 we paid a cab driver (van actually) to drive 4 of us around the island - paid him an hourly rate of $40. Saw quite a bit in 2 hrs. including Natural Bridge, Lighthouse, Ruins, Gold Mine, etc. Then he dropped us at Palm Beach for the rest of the day. After a couple of hours we went in to town to explore and then walked back to the cruise ship.

Have a wonderful time, I head down tomorrow for my first visit to Aruba since that one-day cruise visit!

You will be able to see the entire island of Aruba - in one day! It will not be hard to find the bus stop from the port and it's in walking distance. The buses are safe and the island and the people are very safe and lovely to be around.If you ride down torward the lighthouse you will find nice little, beautiful beaches to hang out at.. Enjoy! Wish it were me... can't wait to get back.

Hi Phoenix,

I suggest you to take a private tour with one of our friendly taxi drivers. Taxi's will line-up at the port. You can take an hour or two hour tour, all private. They charge by the hour and its 40 dollar an hour. They take you to the nicest spots on the island. You will defenitely enjoy it!

Busses are very safe but I'd rent a vehicle with a/c, $30 and you can see a bunch more than you ever could with bus travel. Use your imagination as to what you can do with a vehicle in 10 to 12 hours compared to bussing it.

Spend the morning doing a little shopping downtown then get to Baby Beach and snorkel and chill out. Yes, the buses are safe.

Aruba is extremely safe, friendly and easy to get around both by bus and taxi. Buses are cheap, reliable and on schedule. Easy access from the cruise ship terminal. Taxi's are plentiful with fixed rates. Baby beach is beautiful,great sand,shallow,snorkelling. Eagle beach is wider and quieter than palm beach. Both lovely. I don't know about Eagle beach, but Palm beach offers lots of water activities, banana boats, parasailing etc. Not sure what's good for a 12 year old since my kids are early 20's. In short the island is easy to navigate and lots of fun. Enjoy.

I don't know about the buses but if you can rent a car, you can just drive along the coast. There is alot of great snorkel spots to just pull over and go in. You could cover a lot more territory, snorkel, beach and just see the island. Have fun, you will love it. One day is not enough in Aruba, you will want to return.