1st time to Aruba Apr 27th, and I have some questions!

[IronMan1536]

I’m Jordan and new to the forum and looking forward to visiting Aruba for the first time in April! I will be going there on my honeymoon and can’t wait. I’ve never been anywhere expect Myrtle Beach, SC my whole life so should be a good time J

I’m booked to stay at the Marriot Hotel & Casino. And have a few questions….

1. Will probably go to the grocery store, I’ve read there’s a Lings and a Super Foods? I believe super foods is closer? Just looking to get some bread, ham lunch meat, sodas, cookies and snacks and such is it worth making the trip to lings!?
2. Thinking about doing the Jolly Pirate scuba adventure, anyone have experience with this?
3. Will prob eat dinner at the restaurants in the Marriot, does anyone know about what the prices are for saying a burger and fries and such?
4. Any breakfast place or lunch/dinner spots worth walking to and if so which ones?
5. How crowded is Aruba end of April beginning of May? Do the people from the cruises come up to where the Marriott beach area is?
6. Should I use mostly cash or my credit card?
7. Besides the lionfish is there any other predators I need to watch out for in the waters? Is there many rockfish in aruba?

[Andrea J.]

[QUOTE=IronMan1536;251602]I’m Jordan and new to the forum and looking forward to visiting Aruba for the first time in April! I will be going there on my honeymoon and can’t wait. I’ve never been anywhere expect Myrtle Beach, SC my whole life so should be a good time J

I’m booked to stay at the Marriot Hotel & Casino. And have a few questions….

1. Will probably go to the grocery store, I’ve read there’s a Lings and a Super Foods? I believe super foods is closer? Just looking to get some bread, ham lunch meat, sodas, cookies and snacks and such is it worth making the trip to lings!? Yes.....they are full sized grocery stores, SuperFood is about a mile closer than Lings (to the marriott)
2. Thinking about doing the Jolly Pirate scuba adventure, anyone have experience with thisYes....it is a fun time.....there are also other snorkel sail adventures such as tranquilo which is very different...very different snorkel locations...... jolly is a lively and busy adventure. tranquilo is more laid back and quiet.
3. Will prob eat dinner at the restaurants in the Marriot, does anyone know about what the prices are for saying a burger and fries and such?honestly...broaden your dinners to OFF marriott property. check out Culinary/Culture category. LaVista and Ruths Chris are at the marriott hotel as well snacks, burgers, at the beach and a place for food (sushi and other stuff ) in the hotel lobby. burgers and fries will run you about $15-$20. marriott is not inexpensive
4. Any breakfast place or lunch/dinner spots worth walking to and if so which ones? Moomba beach bar and restaurant. a 5 min walk from your hotel and is on the beach. And any restaurant at Palm beach area...............Check Culinary and Culture.....Salt n Pepper, Giannis, so very many.
5. How crowded is Aruba end of April beginning of May? Do the people from the cruises come up to where the Marriott beach area is?there WILL be lots of people but certainly not as crowded as Christmas/New years and Carnival.
6. Should I use mostly cash or my credit carddif your card does not impose a foreign transaction fee ....or cash or a combo of both. whatever you feel comfortable with!
7. Besides the lionfish is there any other predators I need to watch out for in the waters? Is there many rockfish in aruba?[/QUOTin 30+ trips have encountered nothing dangerous. doubt you'd see any lionfish in the swimming area at the beach.

Welcome to the aruba.com community forum

and..........tons are going to respond with their opinions.
take notes

[IronMan1536]

Thanks Andrea for the prompt response and the suggestions on the different restaurants and snorkeling adventures.

Also as far as on my return flight home arriving to the airport 1.5-2 before depature should be sufficent like most airports?

[Andrea J.]

re: airport timing

allow for 3 hrs at Aruba airport.
chances are you will not need that but... sometimes 3 hrs is just enough.
what day are you flying home from aruba
and remember
you will go the USA Customs in Aruba so that is where some additional time is needed.

you will also have 2 security checkpoints at aruba airport.
1 of them is right after going thru aruba immigration and the other is right after you go thru USA Customs.

Thanks Andrea for the prompt response and the suggestions on the different restaurants and snorkeling adventures.

Also as far as on my return flight home arriving to the airport 1.5-2 before depature should be sufficent like most airports?

[IronMan1536]

Great thanks!

Flying home on a Sunday around 2-3 in the afternoon. Oh ok got to go through customs? this is my first time flying out of the country as well.

re: airport timing

allow for 3 hrs at Aruba airport.
chances are you will not need that but... sometimes 3 hrs is just enough.
what day are you flying home from aruba
and remember
you will go the USA Customs in Aruba so that is where some additional time is needed.

you will also have 2 security checkpoints at aruba airport.
1 of them is right after going thru aruba immigration and the other is right after you go thru USA Customs.

[Jacki]

Welcome to the forum!

Congrats on your upcoming wedding and decision to honeymoon in Aruba - it's the best honeymoon ever! Speaking from experience of course

We really enjoy the Jolly Pirates - tons of fun and a very lively crowd.
You will see there are many places within walking distance for shopping & dining. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive - venture out a bit - it's very safe and not a place you have to worry about leaving your hotel.

Passions at the Amsterdam Manor is a nice spot for a romantic dinner on the beach

Make sure you have your passports!

[Andrea J.]

jordan check out this thread
Reasonable, Restaurants Within Walking Distance of Radisson?

skip the burgers at the marriott for lunch and take a walk along the palm beach walkway.......along the beach from the marriott to playa linda (10 min walk or less) and grab a delicious BRAT at Scott's Brats on the beach at Playa Linda Closed Sunday. (also breakfast sandwiches and bloody marys)

[Traceyd14]

• 1. Will probably go to the grocery store, I’ve read there’s a Lings and a Super Foods? I believe super foods is closer? Just looking to get some bread, ham lunch meat, sodas, cookies and snacks and such is it worth making the trip to lings!?If you drink beer, you may want to buy some while at the grocery store, beer can get expensive. You may want to pack a softsided cooler to take drinks to the beach each day.
  2. Thinking about doing the Jolly Pirate scuba adventure, anyone have experience with this? We've done this on all 3 of our trips to Aruba. Each time was different with rowdy crowd to mellow crowd, but each was fun its own way. The morning trip with lunch is worth the money if you like bbq chicken. You can also book online ahead of time for a discount.
  3. Will prob eat dinner at the restaurants in the Marriot, does anyone know about what the prices are for saying a burger and fries and such As others have said, don't limit yourselves. Our first trip we didn't leave our hotel as much because we had a meal plan, on the second trip we really fell in love with the island and saw so much more just by venturing out for meals. Not from personal experience, but you may want to try Simply Fish for a romantic dinner on the beach if you want to stay close to your hotel. Here is a review I wrote from our last trip. Restaurant Reviews with some pricing info.
  4. Any breakfast place or lunch/dinner spots worth walking to and if so which ones? Scotts Bratts is a favorite ours for price and convenience. Pelican's nest pier bar has a grouper bites appetizers that we've had several times as a meal - we love it. Its on the pier in front of Holiday Inn on the Playa Linda side. They have a restaurant there too if you prefer the sit down meal over the bar atmosphere.
  5. How crowded is Aruba end of April beginning of May? Do the people from the cruises come up to where the Marriott beach area is? We stayed at Marriott Surf this year during this exact time and the beach did not feel crowded to us. It seemed to be more of a honeymooner or retired crowd based on our experience talking to other travelers.
  6. Should I use mostly cash or my credit card? Make sure to have some cash for taxis, tipping, and small purchases. We use credit for most meals, and I do have to pay a small transaction fee each time but for me its worth it to be able to use my card. Check out this thread How much money do you take?
  7. Besides the lionfish Don't worry on this one, you will be fine.

[Arubalisa]

5. How crowded is Aruba end of April beginning of May? Do the people from the cruises come up to where the Marriott beach area is?

All beaches in Aruba are open to the public, however the cruise ship passengers generally flock to where there are chaises and umbrellas available for rent. Cruise passengers will not be permitted to use the chaises or palapas at the Marriott.

6. Should I use mostly cash or my credit card?

We use mainly credit cards and bring a small amount of cash in $1's and $5's for tips.

[arubabob]

Consider renting a car for 2 or3 days. We did not rent a car our first trip and didn't see much. We rent one for the whole time we are there now. There are so many great restaurants on the island that you cant eat at all of them in one trip. You can see a lot more with a car. There are Spanish ruins, 400 year old church, donkey sanctuary, lighthouse, golf courses, ostrich farm, aloe factory and lots of other beaches to see. If you want something other than a burger, walk down to the Playa Linda. On the pier there is a restaurant called Pelicans nest. They have the best grilled grouper sandwiches for lunch and a grilled grouper platter for dinner. It is very reasonably priced at $8 for the sandwich and $21 for the platter, at least that's what it was last june. Enjoy your trip.