Honeymoon in Aruba

mego721

So we are planning on going to Aruba for our honeymoon, looking for people who have been here before. Any and all info welcomed. Did you do all inclusive or not? Where did you stay? Places you loved, and didn't? Excursions? Thanks in advance!!

KatWAG

Aruba doesnt have a ton of AIs. We are going in a few weeks and staying at the Hyatt. We will be going deep sea fishing, snorkeling, and paddle boarding. I have heard these restaurants are good: barefoot and passions on the beach.

Ctrossello

You don't really need an AI in Aruba - the food is so good outside the hotels!!!  I have been twice and can't wait to go back. I have always felt safe getting in a cab with my husband or friends when going out in the evenings.  If you stay in the high rise section you can walk to a lot of restaurants too - again always felt safe.

Hotels will depend on your budget.  Personally I've stayed at the Westin when I went, but the Hyatt looked so beautiful.  If I had my pick I would say the Hyatt.  I've also have two friends who stayed at Bucuti for their honeymoon which is in the low rise section.  Both loved it and want to go back.  

High Rise section is all high rise hotels on a strip on the beach.  Across the street from the hotels are restaurants/bars/shops.  The low rise section is more quiet and spread out.  Tallest building is only 4 stories (I think).  I don't think anything is really in walking distance from this area.  However, I have heard the beaches are nicer in this section. 

Good luck planning

rf1583

From what I hear the beaches are nicer and less crowded in the low rise section. We stayed in the low rise and absolutely loved it. Nice and quiet and relaxing. We actually walked to the Bucuti to eat at the Pirates Nest romantic dinner for two which i highly recommend. It was a 15 minute walk but so nice to walk along the ocean. Anywhere else was a quick cab ride though there are buses running all the time. I would also recommend Windows on Aruba.

TinyDancer06

I've been to Aruba three times now, and I love it!  My parents have a time share at the Costa Linda (low rise), and we love it there.  If you're looking for all-inclusive, check out the Riu Palace, which is where the high rises are.  The Marriott may be all-inclusive as well, but I'm not too sure what the other all-inclusives are.

Excursions and things to do:
The Mi Dushi for snorkeling.  Hands down the best excursion I've done.  You cannot go wrong with this one!
California Light House
Jeep tour to the other side of the island.
Sometimes the jeep tour will take you to Baby Beach, but if it doesn't, a day trip down there is a must!
De Palm Island.  More snorkeling, a water park, food, etc.
The Cucu Canucu party bus.  This is a blast!  Mama is the best leader to have!
Although I've never been, there are also caves you can go exploring in, too
If you're near the low-rises, get your picture taken at the Bucuti on their web cam!  There's a sign where you can stand in front of, it takes your picture, and posts it on their website so all your family and friends at home can be jealous   I think it takes two pictures a day, one is at 9:15 I believe

Food:
Madame Janette's - Incredible food, great ambiance
Passion's on the Beach - for a romantic dinner on the beach.  My brother and sister-in-law had their anniversary dinner there when we last went
Pinchos - This restaurant is located on a pier right over the water.  There are lights underneath that light up the water.  It's also near the airport so you can see the planes coming in.  Definitely go here to watch the sunset, the food and service is equally as amazing. 
El Gaucho
We also went to an Italian restaurant that's attached to a steak house down where the high rises are, I forget the name of it, but they made my dinner in a massive wheel of parmesan cheese right in front of me and lit it on fire!
If you stay where the low rises are, we always do Pizza Bob's on our first night since it's easy, and you don't have to get dressed up.

Eagle Beach (where the low rises are) is definitely the best beach.  If you're over in that direction, definitely check out the Divi's breakfast buffet one morning.  We used to walk over there for one morning during our trip to enjoy their breakfast!

Hopefully this is helpful!  Enjoy Aruba!

msgrinn

I haven't been there but upon hearing what others have to say about the place, I'm  so excited to see the place too. Not for honeymoon because we already have plans but for a vacation and tour. I love beaches and if we have time and money, we want to see all the great beaches in the world.

cruffino

I've been several times with family. My parents have a timeshare at the Marriott in the high rise section. It's beautiful.

You can snorkel, kayak, go hiking, ride a jetski, or just lay out. It's pretty much a paradise.

I agree with pps that AI isn't necessary. The food is good and the island is easily navigated. I'm not sure what kind of room you have, but if you have a kitchenette, the easiest thing is to get some groceries for breakfast and lunch and just go out for dinner.

I also recommend renting a car for at least a day so you can drive across the island and see it from a somewhat less touristy perspective. I've done this the last two times we visited. Car rental is cheap and the driving is easy. Check out the lighthouse, then head down to arikok, the national park and check out the caves. Then head to baby beach. The island is small and you can hit the hot spots in a day.

Enjoy!

KatWAG

I just got back from Aruba a few days ago. And to be honest, I was REALLY disappointed. H and I were bored within 3 days. If you are okay with laying on the beach/ reading most of the day then you will be fine. H and I need activities. The island is tiny and so renting a car and driving the island might take you 2 hours max. We went snorkeling and deep sea fishing, both were horribly expensive. The fishing cost $350 for 4 hours, but H really wanted to do it. Both were half day excursions and we were stuck filling the time again.

Also, I found that the island had very little or no culture. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency and withing a 5 minutes walk from our hotel was McDonalds, Taco Bell, Quiznos, Sbarro, Fridays, Senor Frogs, Hard Rock Cafe, Starbucks, and Dominos. We couldnt find Aruban food, and we tried.

We ate out most nights because the food at our hotel was crazy expensive ($60 for breakfast?) I agree that Passions on the Beach was nice and romantic, I personally like Barefoot better. It is the same concept. I assume you will stay at Palm Beach since that is where most of the hotels are. If you do, try to find Scott's Brats. It is on the beach by the Playa Linda hotel. Really good and cheap place for lunch.

Our hotel, Hyatt Regency, was very nice and beautifulbut a ton of kids. If I had to go back (which I never will) I would stay at the Rui, an AI which is very new, or the Marriott which has a lazy river.