We'll be going April 22-29 on a much needed break from our active kids and staying at the Bucuti.

I would love some opinions on what to do the first night. Our flight gets in at 1:30pm, and we'll be renting a car. I'm assuming by the time we get to the hotel we'll have some time to hang out on the beach. We've considered that we may be tired from a full day of traveling and our first thought is to have dinner on the beach at the Pirates Nest. I know its quiet and romantic and that's all good and something I want to do, but I think we are going to be so excited about being away for the first time in a really long time we may want to go somewhere diff. than our hotel. Ideally a nice dinner and then being able to(walk)to a fun place for drinks and maybe dancing. I think we'll save the flying fishbone and possibly Marandi for later in the week.
Any advice is welcomed!!! (barely 3 months left:-)
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Where would you recommend having our first night dinner?

Happy to hear you are so excited about your visit to Aruba. Hope you enjoy yourselves very much and have a great "second honeymoon."


Why not go downtown. It won't be quiet, but you'll get a look at where you would like to go if you go "clubbing" later during the week.

Try La Terraza or Que Pasa, they offer a "calmer" ambiance and great food at a reasonable price, then walk to the bars in the area (Mambo Jambo, stop for a drink at Iguana Joe's, Carlos N Charlie's, Bahia, The Paddock - very Dutch, fun - and Choose a Name), plus there are many other restaurants in the downtown area.

TIP.......depending on how you START your vacation will determine exactly how many days it will take you to "wind down" and begin to relax.

I recommend going easy on the first night. Then, get room service breakfast on your first day and sit back and soak up the island. Then, get out and enjoy the island and partake in an activity on the first day and the will really calm the nerves and help you transition into your vacation.

This is one of the most relaxed and beautiful island's I've ever visited, and just returned January 28th. I'm jealous, and hope you have a great trip. Where are you staying?

getting there at 1;30 is great. You will be at your hotel 2;30 or 3;00. I would check in go to the beach and look at the beautiful water have a drink and relax. In the evening I would jump on the banana bus and forget everthing. Have a good time. I'm going in March and also counting the days.

What we always do is have dinner at the Phoenix (never need reservations) and then walk down the walkway (behind the highrise hotels) and walk down towarsd the Marriott stopping in a few casinos and lobby bars

marina pirata.

Over the years we have found that the first night we are exhausted from "traveling" all day (not sleeping because of excitement the night prior)..that we usually go to the beach-have a drink...unwind and have something next door (Manchebo's) at the French Steak House...walk the beach back..sleep and go for it...the next day and not stop for the next 18 days!! Have fun..We leave on May 4th and we are already counting the days too!! Bon Bini

Have been to Aruba for the last seven years
we will be arriving again this week...first night have always spent just winding down..
good luck and enjoy
Tico

I love the downtown idea. Mambo Jambo's is a really great time. Drinks aren't too bad in terms of $$$ either. It's a big outdoor party.

I love the Marina Pirata! Great service, great food and an unbelievable view. We have had so many great nights there. That would be my first choice for dinner on night # 1, the only thing that would make me think twice is that you may be too tired to enjoy the atmosphere the way it should be. It may be better to wait until night 2 or 3.