ARUBA

99 out of 100 blondes say Aruba is A-OK!

You can get that slogan on a t-shirt

Jay

 

i hope i'm not following correctly, because that would be horrible.

 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

we were there years ago on a cruise stopover. maybe a dozen years ago, about this time of year, May. It was ok, but back then it was a pretty boring little island, about 10' max elevation, thousands of ala vera plants, and a few casino/hotels. beaches were ok.

Personally, it's not high on my top 100 places to visit - but depends what you're looking for. Back then every hotel had casino's, bars, and beaches. I recall it was always a bit windy, weather was warm enough. Maybe they've added some new resorts since then.

The BVI's would be worth a return visit, and the Bahamas were great. But being from the NorthWest, it's all a long haul and don't do it too often.

 

I have been to Aruba, Bonaire & Curaco in October & found the weather nice on all 3 islands. One thing about these islands is; they are desert islands & the trades always bring a breeze. The divi-divi tree is representative of the winds on Aruba, they lean with the wind & grow that way. also since it is desert you will see huge aloe plants! You might get some rain in October but it still is HOT! Are you gonna dive or beach it & see the sights?.. diving is 'ok'... beaching & bar hoping is great.
Go down to south end ( I think it's called baby beach or colorado point/lighthouse) the oil company built an entire town for its workers..nice beach there & not alot of people. also there is a bar down there, you can't miss it there are advertisements for it all over the wall down by baby beach. Really just a hole in the wall but a fun place to go. They have stuff hanging from the ceiling & all...plus photos of how it used to be.

ALso california lighthouse at the other end of the island offers great views. travel around the island is easy..one day & you've seen it all. They have 'natural bridge' there ..it's basically undercut earth from ocean waves..it's ok...so are the gold mine ruins..

The weather from my experiences has always been great..

Just one thing..in their language "sushi" is Trash/garbage...LOL..the language is a combo of english, dutch, spanish & african

Enjoy, I recommend it

Hope this helps!....

 

I was in Aruba 2 years ago, around the February month. The weather was decent....about 75-80 degress IIRC.

It may be abit expensive, but it is well worth it. Lots of shopping, beaches and the city is very clean and well maintained.

I would like to stress this; Aruba is definitely NOT your typical Carribbean island 'trap' like St Thomas, St Kitts..etc which are full of tourists, jewellry stores and t-shirt stands. Aruba is a very well refined country.

I would suggest trying the March/April months.

 

I moved down to Aruba right after college for a 6 month work assignment, so my thoughts are probably from a different perspective. Mike gave some pretty good advice. Im not sure who you are going with, but here are a few things that may or may not help you:

1. It is a very arid, dry island. Don't go expecting lush forests. There are some "mountains" in the central part but it is mostly flat.
2. Just like most caribbean islands the people are laid back and do things at their own pace.
3. There is petty crime, but typically it is pretty safe.
4. Prostitution is legal in Aruba, but they try to keep it all in the area around the refinery (San Nicolas).
5. My favorite restaurants were El Gaucho for steak and the Sunset Grille at the Radisson for seafood. The Hyatt used to have a nice Sunday brunch.
6. We spent a lot of time at Moomba Beach on the weekends, they used to throw a full moon party every month that was always a good time. Its a diverse crowd, there are a fair amount of Dutch (topless) women there, so it may not be the place to take the wife and kids.
7. They do get large cruise ships in Oranjestad a few days a week, which can crowd downtown. Its not terrible, but it can make getting around and parking in downtown a hassle.

 

Here you will get all the info you need
http://www.aruba-bb.com/

My Favorite Hotels ,The Radisson ( right in the action all around a top Hotel ) ,Bucuti Beach (located on the best Beach book the Tara Suites !! ) if you want more action The Marriot ( Big )

My Favorite Restaurants, Madame Janette Restaurant ( my place ) Quepasa Restaurant ,Flaying Fishbone Restaurant ( I was the opening Chef there ) Screaming Eagle Restaurant

May I see you for a Drink

Kasi
Madame Janette Restaurant
Aruba

 

My sister lives there. If you still need info, send me a PM.

 

Love to go best in the cold of winter, makes you appreciatte it that much more.

 

i've lived in curacao for a 2 years, didnt get off it. its aruba's neighbor, just a few miles away from each other really. in the two years i've lived there, we had maybe two weeks total of rain and no sun. its pretty much the same temperature year round (maybe a couple degrees difference in total but its so humid you wont really notice).

We used to go to aruba on holiday once or twice a year before we moved to curacao, and we mostly stayed at costa linda (doesnt get much better than that...especially if you can get one of the two suites that is directly on the beach!). once we stayed at amsterdam manor, which isnt to bad. you do have to cross the (not very busy) road to get to the beach though (10 meter walk), so it may get a bit difficult with young children if they want to go to the swimming pool all of a sudden.

at costa linda, topless sun bathing is forbidden so if you have kids it may be better there for them.

all in all its a great holiday, may be a bit boring as there isnt much to do (huge minigolf course though). 2 restaurants i recommend are beni hana's (japanese, quite expensive but great food and entertainment) and the steakhouse...never i have eaten nicer steak than there!

you can also rent jetski's at about 45 US per half hour. i also recommend hiring a jeep wrangler or similar and drive around the island, to see the natural bridge (well...whats left of it after it broke!) but also, a 'natural swimming pool', basically a giant bit of rock in front of another rock, so it looks like a swimming pool to me. right next to you is a wild sea (try and spot some sharks, i believe its next to shark bay). you can climb on the rocks and jump of it into the swimming pool bit, or just chill out and listen to the sea.

then if you really feel like it, when you drive near town again on your round trip, there's a pretty big beach with HUGE waves normally. its still on the other side of the island (i.e. opposite the 'tourist' side basically) and for some reason (same with curacao), so you may spot a nurse shark or two, but they dont harm people so its all good.
i've swum there a few times, love it.

have fun

 

See www.traveltalkonline.com. And, why are so many concerned about the wife or kids seeing a bare breast at a topless beach? Like most beaches, people sunbath at topless beaches, not perform sex acts...

 

just to make it clear, i for one dont mind it at all... Having grown up in holland till i was 13 and practically living on the beach i've seen a lot of boobs lol

 

Was in Aruba for a week a couple years ago in June. Stayed at the Occidental Grande which had just finished its renovations and was very impressed, esp. for an all inclusive hotel. First class the whole way.

Restaurants I would recommend are Amazonia (Brazilian steakhouse accross from the Occidental) and the Sunset Grill at the Radisson.

Awesome island with fantastic weather all year.

 

It's like a desert in the Caribbean, and I don't know how common are they but there is a type of rattle snake that blends in with the sand color very nicely, so watch it when venturing out.