There's no way we've done it all! Need suggestions...

We did a land vacation in Aruba last year and absolutely LOVED it!

Going back again for another 10 days and we like to pack in as much as we can during a vacation.

Just when you thought you possibly seen everything...you realize there's more. So, I'm looking for suggestions. I know a majority of the places still unknown to me might have to come from those that have actually stayed on the island for any amount of time.

So....here's my list of where we HAVE been and things we've DONE already:

Beaches:

Arashi

Boca Catalina

Malmok (but I might have been a little confused)

Tres Trapi (scuba dived there)

Fishermans Hut

Moomba Beach

Eagle Beach

Dunes Beach

Mangel Halto

Rogers Beach

Baby Beach

DePalm Island

Animals:

Ostrich Farm

Butterfly Farm

Philips Animal Garden

Sites:

California Lighthouse

Alto Vista Chapel

Ayo Rock Formations

Natural Bridge

Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

San Nicolas Arts Area

Paseo Herencia Mall

Other things I have discovered to do this time....If any of you have done any of the following...please let me know your experience and suggestions on anything else I have missed.

*Aruba Bob snorkeling at Mangel Halto with seadoo scooters

*Fontein Cave in Arikok National Park

*Lourdes Grotto

*Possible jeep tour or ATV tour to the Natural Pool? Worth it? I would love to see the Black Stone Beach, Andicuri Beach

*Donkey Sanctuary (which I couldn't find last time)

*Bird Sanctuary

Beaches?:

Cura Cabai in Savaneta

Barcadera Beach

Reflexions Beach

Palm Beach of course

Wilhelmina Park

Surfside Beach

Casibari Rock Formations

Tunnel of Love Cave

Quadirikiri Cave

There HAS to be more that I don't know of.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!! :D

We're doing Trikes in January. Tours the island.

I'm sure they do tours for land based vacationers.

Aruba Bob via Seadoos sounds fun.

Jolly Roger snorkeling is another option.

We're doing Trikes in January. Tours the island.

 

I'm sure they do tours for land based vacationers.

 

Aruba Bob via Seadoos sounds fun.

 

Jolly Roger snorkeling is another option.

I do remember trying to see about booking te Trikes tour last year when we were in Aruba and they were booked up. I'll have to check again although all the places they go to, we have already been. So, I guess I would have to make a decision on whether it would just be fun to do and not actually because we want the tour. :confused:

I've heard of Jolly Roger and will have to see what they offer.

Thanks crew

I do remember trying to see about booking te Trikes tour last year when we were in Aruba and they were booked up. I'll have to check again although all the places they go to, we have already been. So, I guess I would have to make a decision on whether it would just be fun to do and not actually because we want the tour. :confused:

 

I've heard of Jolly Roger and will have to see what they offer.

 

 

Thanks crew

FYI - Jolly Roger is really Jolly Pirates. They snorkel in Malmok, Boca Catalina, and Arashi areas, but they have a cool rope swing. A lot of the snorkel tours go to the same places, so the water can get pretty crowded.

FYI - Jolly Roger is really Jolly Pirates. They snorkel in Malmok, Boca Catalina, and Arashi areas, but they have a cool rope swing. A lot of the snorkel tours go to the same places, so the water can get pretty crowded.

Thanks for the name correction. Hadn't had my morning coffee yet.:D

You’re the person to ask-

What beach would you recommend if you could only see one! (Or two?)

Looking for beauty, and a nearby bar!

Black Pearl Sunset Cruise! They book up far in advance though. Wanda

Check out Aruba Explorers on Facebook.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We had been to Auba before. On our last trip we tried something very different which was a lot of fun.

We took a glass workshop at Terrafuse. Marian's studio is in Noord, about a 20 minute cab ride from Oranjestad. After a tour of her and her husband, Ciro's, studio we had a three hour session. We worked with Murano glass rods and a propane torch and made glass beads. At the conclusion we strung them to make a bracelet or keychain. Marian offered ice water and cookies.

Marian is a great teacher and very pleasant company.

We were only there for the day off a cruise but would have definitely returned for more instruction if time permitted.

FYI - Jolly Roger is really Jolly Pirates. They snorkel in Malmok, Boca Catalina, and Arashi areas, but they have a cool rope swing. A lot of the snorkel tours go to the same places, so the water can get pretty crowded.

Oh yea, it is Jolly Pirates isn't it? LOL

I believe they were there one day when I was snorkeling off Boca Catalina beach and I thought...Hmmm, I'm doing this for free and I'm right there with them. :D

Thanks for the name correction. Hadn't had my morning coffee yet.:D

Haha, I went an ENTIRE day without any pop/caffeine if that tells you anything! I'm right there with ya crew!

You’re the person to ask-

What beach would you recommend if you could only see one! (Or two?)

Looking for beauty, and a nearby bar!

Coming by cruiseship or ???

Black Pearl Sunset Cruise! They book up far in advance though. Wanda

I have heard of them. I'll have to check them out. Is it just a cruise during sunset or any swimming or do they offer drinks or food? Is it something a child would go on?

If they book way in advance, it might be too late for me since we'll be going in about 25ish days.

Check out Aruba Explorers on Facebook.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We had been to Auba before. On our last trip we tried something very different which was a lot of fun.

 

We took a glass workshop at Terrafuse. Marian's studio is in Noord, about a 20 minute cab ride from Oranjestad. After a tour of her and her husband, Ciro's, studio we had a three hour session. We worked with Murano glass rods and a propane torch and made glass beads. At the conclusion we strung them to make a bracelet or keychain. Marian offered ice water and cookies.

 

Marian is a great teacher and very pleasant company.

 

We were only there for the day off a cruise but would have definitely returned for more instruction if time permitted.

That sounds really cool and I know my artistic daughter would love that! Thanks! I'll look in to it.

Hi Kim,

We have gone to the beaches and places on your "Did That" list.

I saw you have listed Lourdes Grotto on your "not Done that" list...... I always wanted to visit there. It is not on the bus routes an is very remote. So we hired a taxi that would take us there, wait with us and then drop and pick us up from Baby Beach (closer to the Grotto) or Arashi in the other direction. ($50 for the whole van. It was a 12 seater van and just the two of us on this "tour").

The Grotto is very nice and peaceful. It is in the middle of nowhere. No parking as such. Van driver was parked at the side of the road. One side is the main Grotto and the opposite side is another small grotto with statues. Really peaceful, quiet and serene.

You will definitely need a taxi/car to go there. Bit of a ride. Closer to Baby Beach area.

Many tourists confuse it with the Alto Vista, but this is a different experience.

Kim, when we stopped in Aruba last fall, I was looking for a Segway tour for DH. I found Segway Aruba. When I went to their booking page, I found their Segway/Seabob combo tour! I have wanted to ride a Seabob for a while now, so for us, that was a winner! DH did not want to do the Seabob tour, but we both LOVED our day, the tours we did, and the service we received! David, the owner, was excellent in communicationg with me to set up our tours.

https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/segwayaruba/items/?full-items=yes

You can book just the Seabob tour if that's all you want to do. The couple who rode Seabobs with me did that. I think you will find Seabobs a bit different to ride than your normal power scooter. I know I did.

I know you don't normally like to go back to the same beach, but our Seabob tour was based at Arashi. We rode to one spot where we saw sea turtles, then on to the wreck of the Antilla. We had plenty of time to explore at both places.

When are you going to Aruba? I'll be looking for whatever you decide to post when you get back!

I have been absent from cruise critic for a while now because we have been taking land vacations instead of cruises. I’m planning our next vacation to Aruba and decided to check this forum for ideas. I have read many of your cruise reviews and was excited to see this post saying you have vacationed there. I would love to read a review of your trip to Aruba if you have one! I’m in the beginning stages - plan on staying at Palm Beach 7 nights and 1 night at the Renaissance to visit the private island - that’s as far as I’ve got so far (we aren’t going until May).

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Hi Kim,

 

We have gone to the beaches and places on your "Did That" list.

I saw you have listed Lourdes Grotto on your "not Done that" list...... I always wanted to visit there. It is not on the bus routes an is very remote. So we hired a taxi that would take us there, wait with us and then drop and pick us up from Baby Beach (closer to the Grotto) or Arashi in the other direction. ($50 for the whole van. It was a 12 seater van and just the two of us on this "tour").

The Grotto is very nice and peaceful. It is in the middle of nowhere. No parking as such. Van driver was parked at the side of the road. One side is the main Grotto and the opposite side is another small grotto with statues. Really peaceful, quiet and serene.

You will definitely need a taxi/car to go there. Bit of a ride. Closer to Baby Beach area.

Many tourists confuse it with the Alto Vista, but this is a different experience.

You posted this during our stay in Aruba, so just now getting this. Since we were staying on the island for almost 2 weeks, we rented a car. We did go to the Lourdes Grotto. Not too far out of town from San Nicolas. Easy to get to.

Kim, when we stopped in Aruba last fall, I was looking for a Segway tour for DH. I found Segway Aruba. When I went to their booking page, I found their Segway/Seabob combo tour! I have wanted to ride a Seabob for a while now, so for us, that was a winner! DH did not want to do the Seabob tour, but we both LOVED our day, the tours we did, and the service we received! David, the owner, was excellent in communicationg with me to set up our tours.

 

https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/segwayaruba/items/?full-items=yes

 

You can book just the Seabob tour if that's all you want to do. The couple who rode Seabobs with me did that. I think you will find Seabobs a bit different to ride than your normal power scooter. I know I did.

 

I know you don't normally like to go back to the same beach, but our Seabob tour was based at Arashi. We rode to one spot where we saw sea turtles, then on to the wreck of the Antilla. We had plenty of time to explore at both places.

 

 

When are you going to Aruba? I'll be looking for whatever you decide to post when you get back!

I was in Aruba when you posted. We did end up doing a sea scooter trip with Aruba Bob (the number 1 excursion on the island and highly recommended). It was amazing. He does his at the reef at Mangel Halto, which is the number one reef around the island.

I have been absent from cruise critic for a while now because we have been taking land vacations instead of cruises. I’m planning our next vacation to Aruba and decided to check this forum for ideas. I have read many of your cruise reviews and was excited to see this post saying you have vacationed there. I would love to read a review of your trip to Aruba if you have one! I’m in the beginning stages - plan on staying at Palm Beach 7 nights and 1 night at the Renaissance to visit the private island - that’s as far as I’ve got so far (we aren’t going until May).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Aruba is AMAZING! So easy to navigate and so many beaches and things to see and do! I would love to stay at the Renaisaance, but only to be able to go to the private island with the flamingos...and we can't do that because they don't allow child at that beach. :mad:

I did a small review link of our last stay in Aruba last summer, which listed all the places we went with pictures (over on the Aruba section). Do you plan on renting a car to get around?

Aruba is AMAZING! So easy to navigate and so many beaches and things to see and do! I would love to stay at the Renaisaance, but only to be able to go to the private island with the flamingos...and we can't do that because they don't allow child at that beach. :mad:

 

 

 

I did a small review link of our last stay in Aruba last summer, which listed all the places we went with pictures (over on the Aruba section). Do you plan on renting a car to get around?

I will try to find the link for your last trip [emoji4]. I’m hoping since we are staying on a central location on Palm beach that we can walk to a lot of restaurants etc and not need to rent a car. It’s just my hubby and I so we are planning some R&R, but I definitely do want to see the island by booking a couple of excursions. I’m thinking possibly a UTV tour and definitely a snorkeling excursion. I’m curious how was the wind while you were there? We recently went to Negril Jamaica and loved Seven Mile beach, but there was no breeze... you had to stay in the water or it was HOT! I have read just the opposite of Aruba and that the winds can be really strong ...

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Aruba is AMAZING! So easy to navigate and so many beaches and things to see and do! I would love to stay at the Renaisaance, but only to be able to go to the private island with the flamingos...and we can't do that because they don't allow child at that beach. :mad:

 

I did a small review link of our last stay in Aruba last summer, which listed all the places we went with pictures (over on the Aruba section). Do you plan on renting a car to get around?

Hi Kim. I've been anxiously awaiting your trip report. Why don't you write it by day (day 1, day 2, etc) and post a few pics for each day, and submit it on the Aruba forum? I'm sure that there are many people who want to hear all about it . You could paste some of the highlights here , if you'd like. I'm glad that you enjoyed Aruba Bob's . That's something that I have been wanting to do. How did the house work out? Dianne

Aruba is AMAZING! So easy to navigate and so many beaches and things to see and do! I would love to stay at the Renaisaance, but only to be able to go to the private island with the flamingos...and we can't do that because they don't allow child at that beach. :mad:

 

I did a small review link of our last stay in Aruba last summer, which listed all the places we went with pictures (over on the Aruba section). Do you plan on renting a car to get around?

You really didn’t miss anything. The flamingos aren’t native to Aruba. There Are 5 there with clipped wings so they can’t leave and at $125/pp it’s more just a tourist trap.

I will try to find the link for your last trip [emoji4]. I’m hoping since we are staying on a central location on Palm beach that we can walk to a lot of restaurants etc and not need to rent a car. It’s just my hubby and I so we are planning some R&R, but I definitely do want to see the island by booking a couple of excursions. I’m thinking possibly a UTV tour and definitely a snorkeling excursion. I’m curious how was the wind while you were there? We recently went to Negril Jamaica and loved Seven Mile beach, but there was no breeze... you had to stay in the water or it was HOT! I have read just the opposite of Aruba and that the winds can be really strong ...

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Staying in the Palm Beach area, you will be around a lot of things like the mall and plenty of restaurants. It's an awesome area. There's water light show at the mall that is amazing. Also a great BBQ place where you eat outside called Smokey Joes. It's awesome bbq.

As for the breeze...gosh yes! That's all Aruba is. Download the weather onto your phone and look at the forecast and you will see every day says 82 and wind. LOL I got a kick out of it looking daily and saying "yep, 82 and breezy today" LOL We just stayed in a house with NO a/c (except for the bedrooms) and needed absolutely NO a/c at all! That's how breezy it was! Amazing! Have an amazing time! We love it there and can't wait to return.

Hi Kim. I've been anxiously awaiting your trip report. Why don't you write it by day (day 1, day 2, etc) and post a few pics for each day, and submit it on the Aruba forum? I'm sure that there are many people who want to hear all about it . You could paste some of the highlights here , if you'd like. I'm glad that you enjoyed Aruba Bob's . That's something that I have been wanting to do. How did the house work out? Dianne

Maybe I will do a daily trip report on the Aruba section. But...I have SO MANY pictures I don't know how I could possibly pick just the allowed amount per post and accomplish anything I want to say/show. :'):')

The house....:o I want to live there....forever. $1.5 million and we plan on renting it again!

You really didn’t miss anything. The flamingos aren’t native to Aruba. There Are 5 there with clipped wings so they can’t leave and at $125/pp it’s more just a tourist trap.

That may be true for us adults, but for my animal loving daughter...she would flip out over being on a beach with flamingos. You don't even understand...it would probably be the highlight of her trip! :D

Mitsugirly. please do a review!

Many interested people await your family adventures.

Cheers

@Mitsugirly, your "fans" are patiently waiting to hear all about your latest trip to Aruba!:D:D Pleeeeeeeeeeeease do a review. We're cruising there for the first time in March & I would love to hear all about where you went & did this time! You & I seem to have similar taste in things to see & do & I really enjoy hearing about your adventures. Thanks in advance. ;)

Mitsugirly. please do a review!

Many interested people await your family adventures.

Cheers

Plus one !

Ok. We are going a year later than you all. On a cruise 10/20/19. 1pm-11pm.  Thinking of going to San Nicolas and then Baby beach when we first arrive. Other beaches or things to do? When we went last time the beach was packed! Any ideas for the evening? And not the casino? Haven’t been in port at night since I might my Bostonian husband in a club 😁 in Cozumel