Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA MORE PICS

We went on our slightly belated honeymoon to Aruba from 12/10 to 12/15. Overall, we really liked it and had a lot of fun. I'll give a lot of info, since I know many are thinking about/going to Aruba for the HM:

Hotel: We stayed at the RIU ARuba Grand. It was really nice and quiet, while still in the high-rise section. Unfortunatly, it will be closing for renovations soon. One thing I noticed about the high-rise area was that the beaches are really narrow, and in front of most hotels the chairs and palapas are really close. Not so with the Grand.
We also looked around the Radisson grounds, which were very pretty and tropical. THe marriott also looked nice but a little removed. We didn't really get to see the low-rise section.

Message edited 2/5/2006 12:05:29 PM.

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - No pics yet

Restaurants: THere are tons of restaurants in ARuba, no reason to go all-inclusive unless you want to. We had a breakfast plan, which was great b/c we didn't have to look for a place for breakfast.

In town: Driftwood. Great place for seafood, I had the fish the owner caught that day! Hard to locate, b/c Oranjstad (sp?) hardly has any street signs and is hard to navigate. We took a bus downtown and it was fine.

By the Hotels:
Amazonia: DH really liked this place, but he is a big meat eater. It's Brazilian and they bring meat around. They advertised that they have stuff for everyone including vegetarians, but they only had a salad bar. But I was given a yummy seafood dish instead.

Tomato Charlie's Pizza - Good pizza, nice outdoor seating.

Salt and Pepper - Very good. They have some local seafood, and also burgers, salads, and such.

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - No pics yet

Activities:

On the first day, we went on the ABC Jeep Tour. It was a great way to see almost all of the island, including the wild northern part. DH didn't get picked to drive, and it ended up being for the best, b/c the drive to the natural pool was CRAZY! THe tour included a stop at Baby Beach for snorkeling. Unlike most people, I wasn't crazy about Baby Beach.

THe most fun activity we did was an afternoon snorkel sail from Jolly Pirates (leaves from Moomba bar in between Holiday Inn and Marriott on the Beach). So much fun. Only $30 and open bar. We stopped at a shallow reef first, which was beautiful and had much better snorkeling than baby beach. Then, we did a "rope-swing", where we could grab on to a rope and swing out into the water. (Well, DH did the swing, I took pictures! ) WE also snorkeled at a shipwreck, which was kind of scary since we were in 60 feet deep water, but we had lifejackets on.

Otherwise, we played tennis, etc. at the hotel, and of course lounged and swam on the beach.

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - No pics yet

Random notes about Aruba:

There is a breeze, but the sun is really strong. Wear sunblock at all times and carry water at all times.

The high-rise hotel zone of Aruba is very Americanized. There are McDonalds, Subways, etc. This was good for us for a honeymoon, b/c we both travelled extensively and just wanted to relax. Everyone we encountered spoke English and accepted American dollars.

Some of the touristy areas, such as the natural bridge (now fallen) have bathrooms that charge. They accept American money, so bring some quarters.

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - No pics yet

One more thing: When you leave ARuba, you actually go through US Customs. So its quite a PITA, b/c you have to check your luggage, pick it up, and check it again, and go through a metal detector twice. The nice thing is that when you get back home, you just have to pick up your luggage and can go home. HTH!

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - No pics yet

seems like you had exactly the same type of honeymoon I had!

The weather was gorgeous no?
I loved the restaurants- We ate at Texas De Brazil, Le Dome, Iguana Joe's, Dutch Pancake house, the Buccaneer and El Gaucho.

We loved all of them except for Le Dome....it was a bit too fancy for us- were more of like casual eaters...we're loud and didnt fit in there

Did you get any great sunset pics...ours are stunning

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - No pics yet

Can't wait to see pics!

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - No pics yet

Here are some photos - us on Baby Beach, sunset from our balcony, ancient cave markings, jeep from jeep tour

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 12/26/2005 4:23:57 PM.

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - No pics yet

More photos:Gold mill ruins, smaller natural bridge that is still standing, wild north coast

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 12/26/2005 4:25:06 PM.

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA PICS

One last thing: make sure you or your TA tells your hotel that you are on your honeymoon, b/c they will give you a free drink and gift as part of the "one cool honeymoon" program and give you a card that entitles you to discounts at restaurants, etc.

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA PICS

your pics look beautiful!

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA PICS

Thanks for the review! I am going to Aruba for my HM in 20 days!!!

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA PICS

---

Posted by hmpena

Thanks for the review! I am going to Aruba for my HM in 20 days!!!

---

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA PICS

Bumping for pupidda122505

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA MORE PICS

Yay - got one to post from the ditigal camera - this is our view from our balcony

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 1/9/2006 3:40:41 PM.

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA PICS

what hotel was this? we are thinking of Aruba and would like to know more about hotels! Also is anyone doing an all inclusive??

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA PICS

---

Posted by Nikki24591

what hotel was this? we are thinking of Aruba and would like to know more about hotels! Also is anyone doing an all inclusive??

---

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA PICS

Looks beautiful. Glad you had a great time.

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA MORE PICS

More Pics:

Image Attachment(s):

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA MORE PICS

Image Attachment(s):

Re: Aruba Honeymoon Review - ETA MORE PICS

thanks for the review.. amazing pics.. hope you had a blast..