im coming to aruba in june with my best friend,uts the first time ive been can any one tell me how the weather is, can i use us dollars, what is the shopping like , and as we are both two girls what is the night life like ,im getting so excited we have 4 weeks left, does it cool down alot in the eve.

can you drink the water

please send me any suggestions were to have some fine and also relax ,we are staying at the hoilday in sunspree

countdown chrissy xx

The weather is great and it does not cool down at night. The water is the cleanest and the best tasting, completely safe to drink. Yes you can use US dollars. Recommend you come with ones and fives for tips. Think you will have fun on some of the party buses in the evening and snorkle sails during the day.

thanks for the info,do you live in aruba,is the shopping tax free ,we are coming from england
chrissy x

x

Temps in day around 86 to 90, temps at night around 80 to 82. water is safe, food is safe, island is pretty safe. use normal care. do the kukuu kunukoo dinner- pub crawl and the tattoo party boat. Wednesday night is ladies night. go to moomba's beach by the holiday in at night, especially for any full moon party. go to the black hog saloon BBQ bash over by adventure mini golf behind lascabana resort area. Females get a free ride on a harley motorcycle. See the let's go latin las vegas style show at the crystal casino downtown (mon-Sat.). also down there is carlos and charlies, bahia cafe, iguana joe's and mambo jambo's (salsa). good food at madame jeannette's, pirates nest at the bucuti, French steakhouse at the manchebo resort, and the flying fishbone restaurants. wednesday night is all you can eat ribs at the Paddock downtown--think it is 13 dollars each. busses run from downtown to all beach resorts for $2.30 USD round trip. do the jolly pirate snorkel tour in day. see www.depalmonline.com for land/sea tours.

We will be visiting Aruba this June as well, for our honeymoon! Are there any local treasures that are not commonly listed within the tourism sites (i.e. restaurants, activities, beaches, private beach, etc)? As in smaller, more unknown places that any locals can suggest? We often try to find the hidden gems!!! J

Thank you in advance!!!

Chrissy:

Welcome to the forum. You will have a great time in Aruba. Despite the negative press coverage recenty the island is totally safe. I have a few recommendations for you...

The weather is generally very warm and dry (it is a desert island after all) and it doesn't cool off at night all that much. There is an almost constant breeze that blows across the island that does provide some relief. Given that it is on the equator the sun is intense...BRING LOTS OF SUNSCREEN or better yet get a base tan at a tanning bed before you go. There is nothing worse than getting burned to a crisp your first day and having your vacation ruined by sunburn. The first-timers are easy to spot on the beach...they look like lobsters!

The restaurants are incredible. I encourage you to get out and explore a bit. There are several nice ones within walking distance from the hotel you are staying in. For recommendations on where to go see the dining portion of the forum or visit restaurantsaruba.com.

Get out of your hotel and explore the island. There are lots of activities and tours and most tour companies will pick you up at your hotel and drop you off. If you are really feeling adventurous rent a 4 wheel drive vehicle and tour the island yourself. You really cannot get lost even with a basic map. The side of the island opposite where the hotels are is very rugged and desert-like...it is reminiscent of the Australian outback. If you venture here bring water in case you break down.

Shopping is decent. You have the usual tourist traps downtown near where the cruis ships dock and there are some nice upscale shops in the Renaissance Mall. There are dozens of jewelry shops downtown and everything is within walking distance from the main bus terminal. Buses run from the hotels to downtown regularly and are very cheap, safe, and clean.

Have a great trip!

Water very safe to drink. Will need US$$. They are used everywhere.
Can you get your bank to sell you American Express Travel Checks in US50's.
VISA and Master Charge can be used also. Actually water in Aruba is better than some systems in the States. Go on the KK Party Bus the second or third night you are there. Get to see a lot of the island.
>>>> "(i.e. restaurants,"
----- Gasparito and Driftwood.
>>>> "BRING LOTS OF SUNSCREEN"
---- For long walks along the beach wear T-shirt and baseball cap for protection.

Chrissy
Due to a new tax system, introduced 01/01/07, most shops, restaurants (even in hotels) will add a 3% sales tax onto your bill

Honeymooners
Mi cunucu restaurant, Old cunucu house restaurant, Sabor a Peru restaurant, stop by a rumshop for a beer for some "local color," sundays at Arashi and Baby Beach - many locals, chech with tortugaruba - you might be lucky enough to experience a turtle's nest hatching, visit zeerovers (savaneta) for a drink and socialize with local fishermen, Dera Gai (bury the rooster) harvest feast is on June 24 - many festivities island-wide, so much more... Ask your friendly cab driver, bartender, etc.

The weather is always great,if it rains it does't last that long.The water is better than home,never a water shortage(it comes from the ocean).Aruba loves the American $.Shopping,you can spend days doing it,last year when we were there there was alot of new building going on ,so there must be even more places to shop. There are plenty of things to do at night, and yes it is safe,but always be careful.Go and have a great time,you will be hooked on Aruba as many of us are.It is ONE HAPPY ISLAND.