We will be in Aruba very, very soon (not soon enough) and we are contemplating visiting either the Renaissance Island or the De Palm Island. Which one do you think is the best? We have a very active 3.5 yr old boy!!! We would like to try some jet skiing and our son would love to love to see some iguanas and flamingos. So, which one is the best? Thank you for comments.

Renaissance Island is my favorite place on earth. That said....if I were not a guest at the Renaissance and I had a 3 year old, I would try DePalm.

....with CindyO near California Lighthouse
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If you want to see Iguanas take a walk on the sidewalk along the water at Ren Marina. The sidewalk runs along a hedge with rocks and water on the other side. The Iguanas are in the hedge, under the hedge, and on the rocks on the other side of the hedge. You'll see dozens of them if you look.

OMG! We were there last month and I have NEVER seen so many iguanas in one place in my entire LIFE! They pose well for photos too.

Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba
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re: depalm island
imo it is overpriced and has had all of its once beautiful coral reef raped by the owner's greed
the water park would be suitable for a preschooler though
depalm was once nice, affordable and the reef not trashed.

can you tell that i am anti depalm?

renaissance island is nice, and at least it has not been raped by the corporate greed monster.
again, the price is high too

my feelings are that once your preschooler hits the beach and the pool at your resort, you are going to be hardpressed to move him at all.

there will be iguanas at all of the resorts (well maybe not renaissance marina tower) and you can be sure that your 3.5 yr old can chase and enjoy the iguanas at your resort for no additional charge
andrea

I would have to say that DePalm Island is ok, but nothing to write home about. We have gone there two years in a row with some family friends. It's more fun for the kids, believe you me. Last year there was a group of about 20 of us that went. We might be doing something different this year as a group. The water park is small and after an hour or so down the slides it gets a bit boring.

SPIDERMAN FROM CONCORD, MA.
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If you are used to waterparks in the US this one is a "mini-mini" in comparison. Imho, save your money.

Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba
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The only reason I would take your son to DePalm Island is if he is going to snorkle and see the blue parrott fish. He will remember that for life. If he is to young to snorkle, don't waste your time and money. If you do go, we go at 12:3o for a half day. We eat lunch when we get there, snorkle and greab a bite before we come home. We don't drink but if you do, you can get your moneys worth with 2 meals and drinks. The food isn't 5 star but its ok.

January 23rd 2009, 16th trip to Aruba

We actually stayed at Ren. Ocean Suites last week and there are definately TONS of iguanas on the walk over from ocean suites to the boat dock. You can see these for free. We went with my toddler of 2.5 yrs old and a 5yr old. Their favorite thing to do on the island was also free (figures).... that was dancing at night where some 'live music' played nightly in the small shopping strip right next to the renaissance ocean suites on downtown. We walked to dinner and ended up there most nights. I have both girls and they loved dancing to the music there.

De Palm -- we contemplated doing this and were glad we didn't do it. We have MANY water parks near our home and some people we spoke to while on Renaissance island mentioned their kids didn't really care for it. The picture of de palm water park looks almost microscopic compared to the many large US waterparks we have. My kids loved at renaissance island to feed the fish cheezitz crackers and feed the parrots cherries that waiter Jorge gave them. We slept / napped on the hammocks under palm trees and you could easily spend a day there.

Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba
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