What type of original souvenirs are available? I mean other than t-shirts, shotglasses, etc. I want to bring my family and friends something original. Thanks!

At the juggling fish, located beach front at la playa linda, they have these cool painted metal lizards/iguanas that you can wall mount. They look great and provide a humorous reminder of the island. make sure you buy one for yourself!

ralph

In the fruit/straw market area they sell licence plates 3 for $10.00 in Michigan we dont have front plates but i have 1 now

One night (each week?) while we were at the Renaissance Beach Tower last November, there was an outdoor poolside crafts show ... tons of novel items, many *handmade* by the folks at the tables.

I presume other hotels have similar events. Ask your conciege or hotel front desk clerk, or call the Ren while you are there to see if *they* are still running this.

When you're shopping downtown, there are not that many nice places to get decent souvenirs. Don't get me wrong, there are some but the majority of the shops there are ritzier (Rolex, lots of jewelry stores for examples). There were some side shops that have blankets and bags, shotglasses, bottles of sand. You'll find what you need. The clothes are expensive downtown- even the t-shirts. We paid on the average $25.00 shirt. And they ended up shrinking after one wash.

They don't have a lot of original souveniers. A lot of the stuff is made in Peru (cheaper labor). I managed to find some hand painted magnets and little clay jars. Also, a little painting framed in a box with actual sand in it.

What I recommend doing is when you fly to aruba take a nice jar with a lid/cover with you. Go to the ocean, scoop up some white powdery sand and a shell or two and dump in some salty crystal clear water. Cap it and bring it home.
This is what I plan on doing with my wife on our honeymoon. I'm sure it will gain more significance over the years.

Ohhhhhh ... reminds me ... ...

On the way OUT of the country, there are some great shops at the airport (and duty free to boot)!

Not all items are necessarily Aruba made but some are at least DUTCH made: cheese wheels (smal to large), chocolates (from large boxes to single bars) ...

Consider that possibilty, but make sure you build in more browsing time.

John, Your idea sounds good. Hate to bust your bubble but believe it or not it is illegal to take sand from the beaches in Aruba.

We stared a band of Coconuts. Hand carved We have been to the island 5 times and we have 5 players to our band. Guitar, Sax, Acordian, Bongo's, and maraca's. Going back in May to get another.I also have a really cool hand carved and painted Parrot made from a coconut to hanging in my kitchen.