How much money should I bring with me?

[cupidgirl21483]

I was just wondering how much spending cash all you seasoned Aruba travelers would suggest my soon-to-be husband & I bring when we had to the Tam in September for our honeymoon?

We've never been to an AI before and I've read here that tipping here & there throughout the trip is a good way to make service quicker/better (even though it is already wonderful). Who are the best people TO tip? Bartenders, cleaning service, concierge ... anyone else?

I'm a budget freak & wanted to set aside a certain amount per day for tipping & any extra stuff we plan on doing. We'll most likely only do an island tour & a sunset cruise. I think my fiance wants to go snorkeling, too.

Any help would be appreciated - thanks!

[Andrea J.]

i have no idea of your tipping generosity so i will try some ballpark based on our experiences staying at the tamarijn a few times.
there were 3 of us, husband, son and myself.

we tipped housekeeper every day, $6 ($2 pp per day)
we tipped the bartender at the bunker bar $5 every afternoon and the pool bar bar tender a couple of bucks once or twice during the evenings.
we tipped the pizza tutti folks $2 every time we went there (this was the place my son and his friends hung out so he was the tipper).
we tipped the alacarte restaurants $3 each pp dinners.
so maybe $12 - 21 pp a day in tips?

now other stuff
an island tour may run you about $120 and the tip might be in the $20 range?
snorkeling adventure plan on less than $120 and again a tip in the $20 range?
sunset cruise i do not know the cost, but a tip if $10 would be more than sufficient, unless a meal is included.

i bet that if you do not gamble, and just do the few tours that you mentioned, you can
do well with bringing $less than 700 .

[John T]

And dont forget taxi cabs . My wife and I take $2000 and 2 children so things are more expensive for us yet we always go home with at least $500. Better to take extra and not need it than to worry about running short.

[Arubalisa]

Some good info below as well

Tipping at the Tamarijn

Advice on Spending Money

[ourhistory153]

Another question. Are traveler checks recommended or are there plenty of ATM's linked
to US banks there?

Thanks in advance.

[Andrea J.]

yes and maybe

the travelers checks can be cashed at your resort.
sometimes there is a daily limit and some resorts charge a fee

casinos cash them for no fee.


atms are plentiful, unsure of the network that they use.
check with your home bank re: transaction fees.
if you use an atm, you can request in US dollars or florens

Originally Posted by ourhistory153

Another question. Are traveler checks recommended or are there plenty of ATM's linked
to US banks there?

Thanks in advance.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by Andrea J.

the travelers checks can be cashed at your resort.
sometimes there is a daily limit and some resorts charge a fee

The Tamarijn will cash up to $100/day on the traveler's checks

http://www.tamarijnaruba.com/faq.php

[cupidgirl21483]

Thanks for all the info!

[Andrea J.]

good luck
remember what is appropriate for us could be inappropriate for you.

[cupidgirl21483]

I actually ended up making a little chart with everything broken down by day. I shot high & figured out around the amount we'd need for ourselves. I figure with that plus credit cards if we need them, we'll be good.