ARUBA ARUBA ARUBA! (Sorry if this is a repeat)

clem2011 · January 2013

Hey All - I apologize if this is a repeated question.

My fiance and I have booked our honeymoon to Aruba!! (YAY!!!) My parents have timeshares in the US and they were able to trade one for us to stay the week at Divi Village (NOT AI).

I'm looking for recommendations for restaurants (both fancy and more low-key) and for recommended excursions/trips (like jeep tours) that you recommend.

Also, anywhere that you recommend staying away from that would be most welcome too!

Thanks!

Ctrossello · January 2013

I have been to Aruba twice, but never stayed in the area you are so I can't comment on restaurants that are super close to your hotel. However, I can say I did always feel safe when going out and about. Like anywhere you travel just keep to the main areas of Aruba and you should be fine!

Try looking at TripAdvisor.com. I used this when planning my trips and found it was really helpful in choosing restaurants.

Some restaurants I love but there are so many more I want to try

Flying Fishbone

Madam Janette

Texas de Brazil

El Gaucho

Salt and Pepper (great breakfast spot, but in Palm Beach)

Gianni's (really good italian food. We ate there twice!)

Sopranos Piano Bar (if you head to the hotel zone for dinner get drinks here afterwards. Fun piano bar.)

B2Z728 · January 2013

Within the Divi Resort, there is a very good restaurant that you should definitely check out - Windows on Aruba. It was one of H and I's favorite meals of our honeymoon. They have a dessert sampler that is to die for. http://www.windowsonaruba.com/

We also ate at:

• Passions - on the beach

• Flying Fishbone - on the beach, but far away from all the hotels

• Hostaria Da Vittorio - Italian

• El Gaucho - don't go here on your last night. Portions are very large and you can eat your leftovers for lunch if you have a fridge and microwave in your room.

• And the restaurant at our hotel, Bucuti and Tara.

This website was very helpful in our research of restaurants:

http://www.restaurantsaruba.com

For jeep tours, I recommend ABC Tours.

http://abc-aruba.com/our-tours/

We did the full day "Island Safari". Our tour guide was great and even the food, which I didn't have high expectations of for lunch, was very good. They stop back at their headquarters to feed you some great bbq and afterwards you're on your way again to the next destination. Be sure to where lots of sun screen and reapply a couple times! This was the only day we got burned because we were not diligent.

nycrose2013 · January 2013

I have been going to Aruba every year since I was a little girl. I second all of PPs suggestions, but choose either El Gaucho or Texas De Brazil, not both. I also recommend Barefoot, since it is on the sand on the beach and you will not have to take a very expensive cab ride to get there (unlike flying fishbone, which is on a remote part of the island). Also, see if you have the budget to eat at the restaurant at the California lighthouse, it is a one in a lifetime experience

As far as activities go, I ALWAYS do a snorkel tour through Red Sail Sports. They take you on a catamaran in the morning, you sail and suntan to 3 different snorkeling spots, and lunch and bar is included. It is absolutely my favorite activity to do on vacation. You even snorkel over a sunken ship!

As far as jeep tours,take the one offered through ABC, not DePalm. We did a half day to show my FI the island, and that was really plenty. We were tired by the end. Make sure you wear sunglasses, preferably wrap-arounds, since you are going to get a ton of dust in your eyes! THis is the perfect way to see Baby Beach, since otherwise you would need to rent a car and possibly get lost on the almost hour-long drive. Also, Baby Beach has gotten really touristy and not as nice in recent years, so really an hour or so for snorkeling there is all you need.

If you want to dance and party, go to Moomba on the beach on Sunday, and Senor Frogs any other night. Otherwise, Aruba doesn't have much by way of nightlife.

Enjoy One Happy Island! ( I swear I don't work for them!)

Jager1219 · January 2013

I second Madame Jeanettes. I would skip Passions (overpriced for the food quality). And I'd check out Papillon - very good French food.

maithile · January 2013

I second the all day Jeep tour by ABC tours! It was a great value, we saw the whole beautiful island, and had SO much fun! (And we are not normally tour people!)

Was just in Aruba celebrating our one year wedding anniversary in fact!

http://newyorkremix.blogspot.com/2013/01/aruba-part-one.html

Have so much fun and congratulations!

Lisa50 · January 2013

We've been to Aruba three times, including for our honeymoon in 2011. The place I'd recommend not on these posts so far is The Old Man and the Sea. Food is great; staff is attentive. The ambiance is fantastic. Enjoy!

allychase · January 2013

We loved Aruba! Madam Janettes was very very good. Barefoot was my absolute favorite, passions is similar but less quality food as PP said. We also ate at windows on Aruba, Papillon, wacky wahoos and did the sunset cruise which was a lot of fun. Aruba was so beautiful and I miss it, can't wait to go again!

ARUBA ARUBA ARUBA! (Sorry if this is a repeat)

Re: ARUBA ARUBA ARUBA! (Sorry if this is a repeat)

Choose Another Board

Search Boards