Budget Traveling to Aruba

[cpjones]

We stayed in a garden view room at Manchebo in June. We booked late and that was all they had. It was lovely, so quiet and peaceful! The plantings are beautiful and we were by one of the waterfalls. This trip we’re in an ocean view room but I think going forward we’d book a garden room. The rooms are the same size. Airfares are crazy and I don’t see them coming down. It’s a crap shoot when to pull the trigger and book. They say book when it’s a price you’re comfortable with. I love Manchebo and it would be hard to stay anywhere else.

At this point..... we're not gonna stay anywhere else! I took a quick peek at Amsterdam Manor...... good savings... but the sewage treatment issue and flies just don't cut it with us. We were one and done with AM before we moved to Manchebo. For us, it's all about the beach!

[ArubaAce]

Lately since staying at The DIVI Phoenix I've lean more towards bar food, local dining and maybe 1 or 2 fine dining during my one week stay. At the Divi Phoenix they have a 2 for 1 everyday from 5-6 and the menu is mostly bar food Pizza, Burger, Wings, Quesadillas etc so the first 2 days I usually just stay there and then starting Monday I head out to Bavaria, Tuesday Bingo etc. Last night I dreamt of Sultan and I never ate there. I guess Hyros video of Sultan was on my mind and I was thinking about Lamb Gyros, Hummus etc :>)

[rern73]

We travel once per year to Aruba, own 2 weeks at Playa Linda in March. Before Covid we often extended our trips to 3 weeks+ by renting from a fellow owner. The last 2 years due to Covid and some family health issues, we traveled in Sept to Aruba, stayed at Airbnbs. We always fly on points, nonstop JB out of Boston, so even though airfare is outrageous, we have managed to keep that cost under control. We rack up points pretty quickly, put everything we can on our JB+ card. When we are in Aruba we tend to do breakfast and lunch in our condo and cook some meals ourselves. Eating out every nite for over 2 weeks gets old! We do drink more in Aruba than at home (what is vaca for?) but also make our own drinks for the beach at times. I like to visit the casino, like to play slots, and hubby does not gamble. But the allure is wearing off. Now, maybe once or twice a week for us. And this year we will be back to PL for 3 weeks! Haven't stayed there since Covid forced us to leave 3 years ago!

[cpjones]

We travel once per year to Aruba, own 2 weeks at Playa Linda in March. Before Covid we often extended our trips to 3 weeks+ by renting from a fellow owner. The last 2 years due to Covid and some family health issues, we traveled in Sept to Aruba, stayed at Airbnbs. We always fly on points, nonstop JB out of Boston, so even though airfare is outrageous, we have managed to keep that cost under control. We rack up points pretty quickly, put everything we can on our JB+ card. When we are in Aruba we tend to do breakfast and lunch in our condo and cook some meals ourselves. Eating out every nite for over 2 weeks gets old! We do drink more in Aruba than at home (what is vaca for?) but also make our own drinks for the beach at times. I like to visit the casino, like to play slots, and hubby does not gamble. But the allure is wearing off. Now, maybe once or twice a week for us. And this year we will be back to PL for 3 weeks! Haven't stayed there since Covid forced us to leave 3 years ago!

Betcha you're really looking forward to your return. A three year absence is a long time!

[rern73]

Betcha you're really looking forward to your return. A three year absence is a long time!

We did visit Aruba this past September and 2021 as well. We like March better, but that could be seeing friends at PL. And the weather both Sept visits was exceedingly hot

[Aruba4ever]

I think the winds disappear the end of August and September. We went this past year in August and it was REALLY warm- almost on the uncomfortable level.

We did visit Aruba this past September and 2021 as well. We like March better, but that could be seeing friends at PL. And the weather both Sept visits was exceedingly hot

[cpjones]

Back to budgeting. Finally booked Manchebo rooms for 12 nights for 800 more than last year...... and that was moving from deluxe ocean view to garden view. So with airfare, our trip is gonna be 1100 more with a lesser room!

[Aruba4ever]

Glad you got it booked- the extra 1100 stinks for sure especially when you selected less pricey room.

[stoney4555]

Back to budgeting. Finally booked Manchebo rooms for 12 nights for 800 more than last year...... and that was moving from deluxe ocean view to garden view. So with airfare, our trip is gonna be 1100 more with a lesser room!

We stayed in a garden view room in June because that was all they had left. The room was exactly the same, in size and amenities, as the ocean view room we previously had. We found the garden view to be very quiet and serene. We only sit out early in the morning and maybe a bit at night. We spend hours under our palapa enjoying the ocean view. I think you’ll be happy with it, as you’ll be at Manchebo!

[Pegmeister]

Back to budgeting. Finally booked Manchebo rooms for 12 nights for 800 more than last year...... and that was moving from deluxe ocean view to garden view. So with airfare, our trip is gonna be 1100 more with a lesser room!

Glad you still booked. My feeling is that many of the resorts are raising rates but it’s worth it to be in Aruba. Maybe you’ll make up for it with wins from the casino. Fingers crossed!!