My mom and I visited Aruba on 3/9. We took an island hopper from Curacao.
If you read no further remember Kini Kini transfers and tours; Cosme Alberts taxi service and El Gaucho!!
I would like to give anyone out there tips to see the island in a very inexspensive and personal way; email me at: hmp@tds.net
When we landed at the airport we were starting from scratch. We only had 5 hours to tour as much of the island as we could and still sqeeze in dinner.
Our adventure began with an island tour director for Kini Kini transfer and tours, Elroy. He was so friendly. His tour group, like all the others had left for the afternoon tour--we were devestated! I worked the phones for a solid 15 minutes until he found a taxi driver that would tour us on the island for a flat rate.
What an incredible experience!! He also let me barrow his phone to change reservations we had at El Gaucho. If on the island for any length of time and wanting a guided tour; use KINI KINI TOURS!!
We were so blessed to have been paired with COSME ALBERTS who has his own taxi service. It took him 8 years of working for someone else to be able to afford his own taxi; It is brand new--He was fabulous. A native to Aruba he knew the place I wanted to go and took mt mom and I on a whirlwind 3.5hr tour of Aruba. He hiked up cliffs with me, he waited on me to take pictures, he was kind and courteous. All this for $105US!! It was an experience of a lifetime.
For an extra $13 he dropped us at El Gaucho and when we called he picked us up and dropped us at the airport.
El Gaucho is another must experience!!!!
We got there at around 5 PM and it was very quite and the ambience was fabulous, take in the decor upstairs; so unique. We got autographs from the staff, including the co-owner who was socializing with the guests. We got pictures and they accomodated by taking our pictures. The food was unequalled; I love steak and mine was done to perfection. You cannot go wrong with the tenderloin--WOW!!!
Be sure to use Taxi Service Aruba; Cosme Alberts, Taxi #58; cell phone# 568-4852; central #: 582-2116; you won't be disappointed with this experience.
Kind Regards,
Helen Marie Pell, Lebanon IN

We are going to Aruba in May for a week.
We are thinking of taking a day trip to Curacao. Would you reccomend this? Also I cannot find any transportation (air or boat) to get there other than DePalm Tours which I thought was expensive. Over $300 PP. U.S. Also thought about a day trip to Venezuela since we will be so close.
Thanks for your input.
Vicki, Omaha, Nebraska USA

What was Curacao like? Compare it to Aruba.

Recently took a trip to Curacao - I was very dissappointed - nothing like Aruba! The beaches were nothing compared to Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. Restaurants were nothing special - downtown had poor quality stores and nothing fun to do.
However, the one good thing i can say is that if you are a diver or snorkeler, the coral is in much better shape than in Aruba and the water was crystal clear with beautiful fish to see.
In regard to Venezuela, several years ago I took a flight to Caracas from Aruba - don't waste your time - enjoy Aruba while you are there.....Cheryl
visit us at www.arubavacationhouse.com

Hi,
We did take a hopper flight to Aruba. We learned that Aruba has basically seperated from the other 4 islands. There is no communication between them and no exchange of information. Thus it was quite difficult to book a flight and we had to wait until we were in Curacao. We also lost our reservations to the tour company and El Gaucho, as I had made those in advance for Friday. Though when I went to book the flight they were full every day but Wed. the only outbound was at 1:00 PM and in bound was 9:00 PM; thus the short time spent there--didn't even have time to shop. We flew on BonairExel; wish we would have had the local airline prior so we could have made prior reservations. Flight are always full and hard to get the week you are there. We spent $330 US for two tickets, but the airport tax is not figured in and was ~ $55 and $72 at either end (you only pay twice) for both of us. A little expensive, but worth it to see the beauty.
We did want to go to Ven. but heard the crime was high and kidnapping was #1; stayed away.
We LOVED Curacao. We rented a car and had a blast both on the Punda and Ottrabunda side. Driving took about 20 minutes to get the hang ofbecause of the rings; get a good map of the island it helps.
We also fell in love with Christoffel National Park; wildlife spectaular, views of the North coast breathtaking. Then we went up the road 5 minutes and viewed Boca Tabla--again splendid!! ($10 PP +$1 map; Boca $3 PP) Only took 40 minutes to drive from the Hilton, near Ottrabunda.
Shopping was less than expected, I'd stick with the gift shops in the airport. That is where we got our things, the Marriot also has a nice gift shop.
To see local culture you need to be downtown Wilmstead for a day. The floating bridge and market are incredible--Punda side. Also see the Govenor's Palace there is still a cannonball stuck in the wall! There is also the wonderful Curacao Liquer Factory--So much to see. And you must try a Amstel beer made locally!! It is the only place you can get it, mom said it was the best beer she had every tasted--(I don't drink). The snorkeling was phenomenal!!
As for dining I would suggest the Resturant and Cafe Govenour. It is located on the Ottrabunda side. It is a red building, just past the bright blue Ottrabunda Hotel and Casino. You will need reservations more than likely. We got in just before the onslaught and were lucky to get a table on the outdoor terrace. I would definately research the island first and have your bearings.
In my opinion Aruba felt the other Islands were holding them back?? I think it is too bad. There is alot of tourism out there and if they would realize that much could be made from working back and forth; the old world NA and the new--WOW what a trip. I think Aruba is focusing on improvements and doesn't want to be held back.. Curacao is coming along (new airport under construction) and we liked the old world charm.
Hope this helped :^) and Happy Trails,
Helen Marie

Mark,
It would be hard for me to compare my 1/2 day trip to Aruba and 4 days in Curacao. We were so limited on time in Aruba, all we got to see were the highest of highlights; that I was told were a must. We Had a wonderful Taxi driver, Cosme Alberts, who was so knowledgable and took us everywhere I had on my list. Didn't get to see any of the charm of Aruba, except one grocery where we stopped for drinks, got some local candy for the kids--quiet unique :^)
What we saw of the island was beautiful .. I love to photograph everything and I was in heaven.
El Gaucho was especially nice--great food and hospitality was supurb, very accomodating! I had to change my reservations because we couldn't get a flight.
I thoroughly enjoyed Curacao because of its old world charm. Seeing the beauty of culture and steeped in heritage. Had such a wonderful trip here and can't wait to get back. Very diverse island. There was the beauty of Wilmsted (both sides) then we went to the National parks and saw a whole other, untouched natural side of the island, very little tourism here--just natural breathtaking beauty. Very quiet and peaceful drive though the mountain region and then the spectacular North Coast! We moved on to Boca Tabla from that point. Again splendid! My only wish is that I would have had time to snorkle on the south coast :^( I wanted to so badly, but we had to get back for a reservation at the Sea Aquariurm for the Dolphin Encounter, the experience of a lifetime!
The reason we didn't reverse the trip and spend more time in Aruba was due to cost. The trip would have been almost double to Aruba! I think it is becoming more commercialized, and with that comes a need for funding.
I wish Aruba and Curacao would mend the fence. There are alot of people wanting to go both places "while we are so close," lets do both islands.
We almost decided not to come to Aruba due to flight cost and inconvenience. It is very difficult to get a flight into Aruba and back.
My take on the situation is let Aruba be the commercialized pampering island, "the happy island." But promote the bigger sister as "the fun one!" For its hisotrical value and old world charm and beauty.
There would be much $$ to be made by such a union, for both islands. Getting tours together of the highlights for each island, then swap tourists--WOW what a money maker that would be. People would have the best of two unique worlds.
PLease let me know if you have other questions, I am still high on my trip and I love re-living it!!
Happy Trails,
Helen Marie

Enjoyed reading your posts, Helen Marie. Having been to many Islands but never Aruba or Curacao I was also hoping to be able to visit both Islands. I loved your descriptions of both destinations you visited. It would be nice if the Islands in that area would come together and make it easier for the tourist to Island Hop!
Thanks for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!