Hello,

We're newbbies to Aruba and we're wondering if we should rent a car. We'll be there for a week in August, mostly for diving. The dive shops seems to pick you up and drop you off. So do you really need a car? Are taxies good enough to get around for dinner?
Great Forum...learned lots already.
Stephanie
Coffs Harbour, Australia

YES, RENT A CAR. You can rent a Echo Yaris, 4 door, with air, automatic, $175.00 a week. Lots of fun to drive, about $50.00 in gas for a week. Cost $50.00 total, to and from the airport ( taxi). Pick up rental car at airport, come and go as you like, and cost about the same for a week, even if you ride the bus most of the time.

Stephaine, we rent a car so we are free to go out, to the grocery store, casinos, take a drive, go into town. My husband is often out late and having a car makes it easy to get back to the Timeshare. even w/diving, you may want more freedom. Also go to www.tripadvisor and go to aruba forums for more info.

Hi Stephanie,

In my opinion, renting a car gives you much more flexibility. Plus, it is completely safe, other than some of the drivers are a little dicey.

George

We've been to Aruba 8 times so far and are going back in a month. We usually go for 2 weeks and have only rented a car three times and each time for only one day (just to explore the north side of the island). Taxis and buses are plentiful, reliable and affordable. Hope this helps. Enjoy Aruba, we do!!!

Stephanie:

Welcome to the forum! Renting a car is not always necessary, especially if you are going to be diving most of the time. All of the reputable dive shops will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. For that matter, most of the other activities like horse back riding, kayaking, etc on the island offer pick up service as well. If you are staying in the high rise area and looking to go downtown the bus lines are safe, clean, and cheap, and taxis are readily available as well. People often rent cars for a day or two if they plan on driving around the island to explore on their own or if they are planning on driving to a distant restaurant like the Flying Fishbone. Either way, enjoy your trip and dive the wreck of the Antilla if you get a chance.

Roy

Rent a car and see all of Aruba. We rent from More4less for the past 8 years and are very satisfied. Enjoy the entire Island!! We are long term visitors, 31 years, and we hope you really see what the Island has to offer.

Stephanie-

It really depends on where you are staying. There are lots of restaurants easily walkable from the high rises, and some restaurants walking distance from the low rises. Downtown (Rennaissance Hotel and Talk of the Town), you will want a car to spend most of your time OUT of Downtown.

Taxis are reliable and easily had. Driving on the island is easy, but one might note there are no drunk driving laws and signage is not great. So, there is some peril to late night driving.

While there are some attractions you could drive to, at either high rise or low rise hotels, you can buy tours to them that include the transport. As you will be mostly diving, these won't be terribly important.

Neal

>>>> "Are taxies good enough to get around for dinner?"
----- Where are you staying?? I think so but lots depends where staying. From some resorts a short walk to a lot of fine restaurants. But its usually a personal thing. Some like to casino hop so car would be best for that. I like cabs myself.

It depends on how much sightseeing you want to do. The past few trips we've just done a 2-3 day rental to roam around the island and drive to dinner. Some of the restaurants in town have limited parking so we found it easier to do the taxi thing. Most places also have taxi's readily available or they will call one for you. Plus we can have a few drinks and not drive. I hope you have a wonderful experience in Aruba.