Take the bus to the beaches

[rainforestgirl]

We just got back from a cruise and thought the public bus system in Aruba was great. Located just a few short blocks from the dock, it was cheap ( about $2.30 round trip) and quick to all the beaches (Eagle, Palm, and Fisherman's Huts). Bus runs every 20-30 mins. And the drivers were very helpful if you asked them for help (like when do I get off!).

[Lady Chew]

thanks for the info ... we'll be in Aruba next month and are planning to take the bus up & back ...

[dpw]

does anyone know if the bus goes to the Marriott Ocean Club? thanks

[TraceyP]

Agreed OP. We toke the bus to Boca Catalina on December 22. Easy and inexpensive. The bus driver told us when we arrived and the beach was just across the street. And easy to get back on too.

[maggie3]

The bus sounds like a good idea. Can someone who has done this please give specific directions for where we might locate the bus to the beaches from the cruise pier? Are there specific bus numbers, or a destination sign we should look for on the front of the bus? Thanks for all advice.

[willift]

does anyone know if the bus goes to the Marriott Ocean Club? thanks

 

Yes it does, you want to get on bus to the High Rise District, it's almost impossible to miss

 

Willlift

[Arubalisa]

The bus sounds like a good idea. Can someone who has done this please give specific directions for where we might locate the bus to the beaches from the cruise pier? Are there specific bus numbers, or a destination sign we should look for on the front of the bus? Thanks for all advice.

Bus #10. http://www.arubus.com/ Bus drivers appreciate exact change. When you get on the bus tell the drive where you would like to be dropped off. Try to sit up front so he can easily notify you. The bus station is a short walk from the terminal just north of the Royal Plaza

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5202435&lon=-70.040288&z=18&l=0&m=b

[hammers]

The bus sounds like a good idea. Can someone who has done this please give specific directions for where we might locate the bus to the beaches from the cruise pier? Are there specific bus numbers, or a destination sign we should look for on the front of the bus? Thanks for all advice.

 

Hi Maggie, it's really easy, off the ship, walk straight ahead out of the port, at the top when you reach the road, turn right, walk 50 yards, cross the road and the bus station is there. I think the bus is number 10, with 'Hotels' on the front.

 

Terry

[maggie3]

Thanks, everyone! This is exactly the information we needed about the bus. I love these boards for just this kind of helpful advice.

[CleoSushi]

Wow this is an awesome thread. We are going to be in Aruba in September and were looking at the bus to go to the beach. Has the price changed? Can we use US dollars? How long do the buses run? Just want to make sure we make it bk to the ship on time.

:cool:

[Arubalisa]

Buses accept US dollars, preferably exact change.

Request a round trip ticket upon boarding.

Let the driver know where you would like to be dropped off and try to sit up front so he can signal to you when you arrive at your stop.

Buses run 5: 40 am to almost midnight

[trish1c]

This sounds like just what we wanted. Thanks!

[topcop]

Which bus goes to the New Amsterdam Hotel, (Eagle Beach)?

 

And, if we decide to take a taxi, what should that cost?

[Arubalisa]

Bus #10 goes to the Amsterdam Manor

http://www.arubus.com/ Bus drivers appreciate exact change. When you get on the bus tell the drive where you would like to be dropped off. Try to sit up front so he can easily notify you. The bus station is a short walk from the terminal just north of the Royal Plaza

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5202435&lon=-70.040288&z=18&l=0&m=b

 

A taxi will take a maximum of 5 people and is $10 each way to the Amsterdam Manor. Add another $3 on Sundays or holidays.

[tjschwalm]

Just back it was 2.30 US Rt per person . Went early and the locals were not only helpful they gave us their business cards if we needed any help on island .

We went to Boca Catalina and the snorkeling was Excellent , we were there about an hour when the excursion boats showed up . We brought our own drinks and snacks so we spent under $5 for 4 or 5 hours of great snorkeling , wonder what the snorkel excursions charge ? I told my wife we have to stop spending money like this lol ! Thanks Arubalisa , you helped make the PERFECT

day !!! Ted

[Arubalisa]

You are very welcome Ted. I am happy you had such a great day! :)

 

Did you happen to take any photos? I had seen some video during one of the storms in November and there was not much sand left on the beach at Boca Catalina and was wondering how it looked now.

[Floridiana]

Do Eagle or Palm Beach have restrooms for visitors arriving by bus or taxi? I know that the beaches are public but I wonder about facilities.

[Arubalisa]

Any beach bar will allow you to use their restroom with the purchase of a beverage. :) Off the top of my head, there is a restroom behind the Radisson's beachside restaurant/bar and the Amsterdam Manor has a restroom as well.

[Floridiana]

Thanks Lisa.

[mbuffalo]

Are the hotels ok with people just taking a bus there and walking thru to get to the beach? If you are renting chairs and buying drinks, do they care that you are not staying at the hotel?

[Arubalisa]

Are the hotels ok with people just taking a bus there and walking thru to get to the beach? If you are renting chairs and buying drinks, do they care that you are not staying at the hotel?

Read the thread on Palm Beach/Eagle Beach and do a search on day passes.

 

Different day passes permit use of different amenities.

 

Any resort which is non all inclusive will allow you to purchase food and beverage and use their rest room.

 

Use of resort chaise lounges or shade palapas without purchase of a day pass will not be permitted.

 

Most if not all resorts request that anyone passing through the lobby be dressed appropriately, ie., shirt and shoes. If you want to go to Palm beach and do not want to go through a resort lobby it is very easy to walk the concrete walkway between the Riu and Radisson resorts from the street out towards the beach.

[willift]

Are the hotels ok with people just taking a bus there and walking thru to get to the beach? If you are renting chairs and buying drinks, do they care that you are not staying at the hotel?

 

You shouldn't have any problem. For the most part you don't really have to go thru the lobby, there is plenty of beach access. Up by the Holiday Inn there is a walk way that brings you from the bus stop right to the beach, very convenient. We saw plenty of CruiseShip "people" coming that way, there is a beach chair guy in the area.

 

You could walk thru the lobbies if you want but there really isn't any need. Assuming there isn't a large number of you, it's probably possible to slip into a bathroom and change. These resorts are large semi public places with large numbers of people moving thru them, you should just become part of the traffic. But don't set up camp in there and remember there isn't a cabin steward to staighten up after you.

 

Have a great time, enjoy Aruba, check out some resorts for a possible future return trip.

 

Willift

[emenheiser]

Just back it was 2.30 US Rt per person . Went early and the locals were not only helpful they gave us their business cards if we needed any help on island .

We went to Boca Catalina and the snorkeling was Excellent , we were there about an hour when the excursion boats showed up . We brought our own drinks and snacks so we spent under $5 for 4 or 5 hours of great snorkeling , wonder what the snorkel excursions charge ? I told my wife we have to stop spending money like this lol ! Thanks Arubalisa , you helped make the PERFECT

day !!! Ted

 

Which bus number would we take to get to Boca Catalina? Thanks so much!!!

[indiaksue]

We are going to Aruba for the first time and are the only ship in port on our day so we are going to try Palm Beach. Does the bus just have one stop at Palm Beach or are there several along the way? I couldn't tell from the bus website.

[cinnam0n]

Along that line, if we take a bus to the beach, how do we know when to expect the bus back for the return trip? We are considering Eagle Beach for the afternoon.