Newbie to Aruba

[Kathy M]

Hello folks,

I just booked my first flight over to Aruba for this fall (10/31-11/5). This is my alternate trip to what was suppose to be the Tokyo Olympics back in 2020. The flight vouchers from then were running out, so I thought, why not give Aruba a try!

I am excited to visit this island that so many of my friends have raved about. Looking for opinions and experiences with a few realms, including lodging, Scuba diving and exploring the island without traditional tours. I will have a car rental, so getting around, shouldn't be an issue (I hope!).

I am traveling solo, from the Boston area, and have often hit the Hostel route, but this time around I am looking to find a simple and safe apartment type lodging. Was looking at Bananas Apartments, Ladybug Apartments and such. Curious if folks have positive or negative experiences with either fo these places.

Also looking to get back under the water with some Scuba dives. It has been a LONG while since I last dove, so I know I will need a refresher course. I have reached out to both SE Diving and Pure Diving, and both have responded. Again, curious if folks have any positive experiences or things they find concerning with either?

Finally, my usual M.O. is to go into a place and just experience it or get suggestions from the locals once I arrive. But, this is a pretty short trip for me, so if anyone has some "Must See" kind of things, please share.

A smidge more about me. Many of my international travels for the past couple decades have mostly been in conjunction with the Olympic & Paralympic Games, as was kind teased with why I had flight vouchers to use up. When I get to work/volunteer at the Games my travels are limited to the immediate areas I am working near. When I am not selected to work/volunteer, I use the Games as my excuse to get to that country and explore for few weeks, and then check out a few days at the Games themselves. I love photography. Don't know what I am doing, but I enjoy playing with the lighting and shadows and such, especially with nature, landscape and architecture. Really enjoy exploring and discovering... so much more than tours and guides.

Very excited to explore Aruba, and to get to know y'all a bit on here as well.

Thanks in advance for any information, insights or suggestions you may care to share!

Kathy M
Boston

[cpjones]

Welcome to the forum. You made a great choice of places to visit.

[Andrea J.]

Hello Kathy M


WELCOME!!
Check out JADS diving and Aqua Windies for SCUBA.

For your dates, I would also look into MVC Eagle Beach, which is a nice little resort across from the beach and includes breakfast.

Again welcome and LYG

Hello folks,

I just booked my first flight over to Aruba for this fall (10/31-11/5). This is my alternate trip to what was suppose to be the Tokyo Olympics back in 2020. The flight vouchers from then were running out, so I thought, why not give Aruba a try!

I am excited to visit this island that so many of my friends have raved about. Looking for opinions and experiences with a few realms, including lodging, Scuba diving and exploring the island without traditional tours. I will have a car rental, so getting around, shouldn't be an issue (I hope!).

I am traveling solo, from the Boston area, and have often hit the Hostel route, but this time around I am looking to find a simple and safe apartment type lodging. Was looking at Bananas Apartments, Ladybug Apartments and such. Curious if folks have positive or negative experiences with either fo these places.

Also looking to get back under the water with some Scuba dives. It has been a LONG while since I last dove, so I know I will need a refresher course. I have reached out to both SE Diving and Pure Diving, and both have responded. Again, curious if folks have any positive experiences or things they find concerning with either?

Finally, my usual M.O. is to go into a place and just experience it or get suggestions from the locals once I arrive. But, this is a pretty short trip for me, so if anyone has some "Must See" kind of things, please share.

A smidge more about me. Many of my international travels for the past couple decades have mostly been in conjunction with the Olympic & Paralympic Games, as was kind teased with why I had flight vouchers to use up. When I get to work/volunteer at the Games my travels are limited to the immediate areas I am working near. When I am not selected to work/volunteer, I use the Games as my excuse to get to that country and explore for few weeks, and then check out a few days at the Games themselves. I love photography. Don't know what I am doing, but I enjoy playing with the lighting and shadows and such, especially with nature, landscape and architecture. Really enjoy exploring and discovering... so much more than tours and guides.

Very excited to explore Aruba, and to get to know y'all a bit on here as well.

Thanks in advance for any information, insights or suggestions you may care to share!

Kathy M
Boston

[Pegmeister]

Welcome to the forum. I’m sure you will love Aruba and there are certainly plenty of photo ops.

[robin]

Welcome!

[LisaGrn]

Another New Englander! Yeah!! Welcome to the Forum, Kathy! I am sooo jealous of your Olympics trips. I live for those weeks every two years.
Many others here who can better assist you with lodging. Only thing I can offer is don't wait much longer to book your lodging. Aruba is just about back to 100% capacity and places are filling up quickly.

[WaltVB]

Welcome to the forum Kathy. You're gonna love Aruba!

[SuperBunches]

Welcome! You will LOVE Aruba! I have traveled alone to Aruba in the past and it was an excellent decision. The Aruban people are wonderful. The island is very safe; just use the same common-sense precautions you would use anywhere. It is also very easy to navigate. I don't have any advice about the accommodations you listed, but I do have SCUBA advice. I am an avid SCUBA enthusiast, and I dive here every year. My husband was PADI OW certified here last year and he had a great experience. I cannot highly enough recommend the outstanding professionals at JADS dive shop. They are wonderful, kind people. The core staff has remained consistent for all of the years I have been coming here, and that to me says a lot.

[Kathy M]

I like your handle. I just went to type my regular appreciation and began to laugh... what I normally say to folks is "Thanks bunches" ... That adds another layer of fun when I am thanking 'SuperBunches'!

Thanks Bunches...and take care!

Kathy

[Kathy M]

Lyg!!!