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Question about the buses

CruiseHappy14

By CruiseHappy14,
in Aruba

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Arubalisa

Arubalisa

Posted
Posted

Sorry I have never heard of Royal Beach.

 

You want bus 10 to get to Palm Beach http://arubus.com/schedules/

 

Zoom in on this map http://old.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5663186&lon=-70.0448905&z=18&l=0&m=h and you will see the official bus stops. When you get on the bus tell the driver where you would like to get off and ask if it is possible for him to let you know when the bus is at that stop and of course, sit in the front as close as you can to the driver. ;)

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  • 2 weeks later...
Frugalist

Frugalist

Posted
Posted

Looking over the arubus.com web site, I see that they now offer the use of Smartcards as an option for paying your fare. For a standard Smartcard, the site says the following: "As an introduction you will receive 20 free trips on your smart card. The value for each trip is Afl 2,25. Each time you swipe your card on the smart card reader on the bus, Afl 2,25 will be deducted from you balance." At the current rate, Afl 2,25 comes to about US$1.25, much less than the cash fare of $2.30 per ride.

 

But -- I can't find any information about where to buy a Smartcard and how much it costs (Most transit systems I've used charge a fee for the card itself - often that is offset by having a certain value or number of trips loaded at the time of original purchase).

 

Can anyone here shed some light on the question of where to buy a Smartcard and how much it costs? The ease of using a Smartcard instead of paying a higher cash fare each time we board a bus would make it worth paying a few dollars. Also, can the cost of a Smartcard be charged to a credit card (my main credit card does not charge a foreign transaction fee)?

 

A side benefit of buying a Smartcard is I would have an additional souvenir to bring home from my cruise. ;)

 

Thanks to all for you help.

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Arubalisa

Arubalisa

Posted
Posted (edited)

As far as I know you must be a resident to buy a smartcard. This was told to a member of another forum (homeowner on the island, but not a resident), by a bus driver. If you google it, you will find others who have stated that it is indeed only for residents.

Edited by Arubalisa
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Frugalist

Frugalist

Posted
Posted
As far as I know you must be a resident to buy a smartcard. This was told to a member of another forum (homeowner on the island, but not a resident), by a bus driver. If you google it, you will find others who have stated that it is indeed only for residents.

Yes, my Google search came up with that statement by the homeowner. But the most interesting find was this from the Caribseek News site, dated June 22, 2012 http://news.caribseek.com/index.php/caribbean-islands-news/aruba-news/the-morning-news-aruba-news/item/17013-soon-smart-cards-will-be-required-to-get-on-public-busses: "Arubus informs the public on how the system works ... In order to get a Smart Card, you will be required to register at Arubus. With a valid ID and photo taken at Arubus, they will prepare and issue the Smart Card. There is no charge for the Card. Once made, after showing the ID and getting your photo taken, the Card will be mailed to you ... The Smart Card will be received with 20 free trips on the Card so that you can begin using the Card immediately upon receiving it." (emphasis mine)

 

I see nothing in the article stating that one must be a resident, but of course that doesn't mean you don't have to be. The fact that you have to apply in person at the Arubus office and then must wait for the Smartcard to be mailed to you kinda makes it impractical for the typical short-term visitor to the island. Oh well, $2.30 per ride isn't that bad anyhow. I'm sure I'll be taking it when I'm there. Maybe they can come up with something in the future for the tourist - like a day pass for $5-7.

 

Curious that the information on the Arubus web site is so sketchy.

 

Anyway, it's been interesting researching this. I'm counting down to my visit there in a little over two months.

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bibbysnow

bibbysnow

Posted
Posted

Where do pick up the bus at the port?

 

Also, do you take a cab back to the port?

 

I used it several years ago, but I can't remember.

 

Also, can't remember the beach that we went to, my daughter seems to think it was near a Holiday Inn. We loved it!!

 

 

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Arubalisa

Arubalisa

Posted
Posted
Where do pick up the bus at the port?

 

Also, do you take a cab back to the port?

 

I used it several years ago, but I can't remember.

 

Also, can't remember the beach that we went to, my daughter seems to think it was near a Holiday Inn. We loved it!!

 

On Palm Beach, next to the Holiday Inn, you were at MoomBa http://moombabeach.com/component/ Fare is now $2.60 round trip. Have exact change or you will get forins for change. It is bus #10.

http://old.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5201441&lon=-70.0405128&z=18&l=0&m=m

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1840693

The Palm Beach area is a great place to head for a cheap day at the beach. The bus stop is just about a block away from where the ship docks. You can pretty much ask anyone and they will point you in the right direction. Then you'll have to ask for the bus to Palm Beach. We've never had any problems finding the stop and getting on the right bus. It costs 2.30 cents each way.

 

You can get off anywhere you like along the strip of hotels and walk behind the resorts to get to the beach. One of the first stops at the beach is Eagle Beach, which is before the resorts. I haven't been there personally, but it is less crowded than the resort beach area. If you just want a beach, this stop might be good.

 

If you want more amenities like restaurants, shops, water activities, then go a little further to the resort stops. I like the DePalm pier stop (just ask). It is right between the RIU (ginourmous palace like resort) and the Radisson (the most beautiful grounds imaginable). There is a sidewalk between the buildings to walk to the beach. The bus driver will know where to stop. It's about a 20-30 minute trip.

 

There will be chair and umbrella rentals and just about anything else you can imagine. There is nice bar/restaurant on the pier and plenty of others within walking distance.

 

When you are ready to head back, you can walk back to the bus stop for a ride back. Just be aware that some of the busses make a ton of stops. It took us much longer to get back- about an hour, so leave yourself plenty of time.

 

What we do now, is take the bus there and grab a cab back (less than $15 dollars) to save time. We just walked to the lobby of the Radisson to grab a cab. That took less time than trying to flag one down on the street. Cabs are usually parked in front of all the resort entrances.

 

If you want to see pictures of the area, you can click on my most recent review located in my signature. I have lots of pictures towards the end of the review as aruba was our last stop.

 

Enjoy!

Taxi fare from Oranjestad to Palm Beach and vice versa is $11 each way. That is per ride, not per person. Add an additional $3 each way on Sundays and holidays.

Capture.jpg.09f4cb932912079a7d9235e620f817f5.jpg

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  • 3 months later...
lakeguy

lakeguy

Posted
Posted
ArubaLisa, we are interested in snorkeling Boca Catalina. Can you help with the taxi cost and arranging a taxi back to the Pier, or should we consider a bus and if so which bus for us? Thanks in advance.

 

Forgot to mention that we are there on a Sunday. Thanks again.

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Arubalisa

Arubalisa

Posted
Posted

Buses run on Sundays, just a bit less frequently and would probably be less hassle than a taxi.

 

You can see the bus stop here http://old.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.604993&lon=-70.051714&z=17&l=0&m=m and directions for the bus from Boca Catalina back to the ship at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1947211

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1514904 more instructions as well as photos

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knots4crewzing

knots4crewzing

Posted
Posted

Hi,

 

I'm trying to figure out the bus route from the cruise terminal to the Occidental Grand.

Am I correct that I would take the #10 bus? And how much is the fare 1 way and what currency do we need.?

 

Also how long would the bus ride take to that area?

 

Thank you for your help:)

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Arubalisa

Arubalisa

Posted
Posted

Have exact change or you will get florins for change. It is bus #10. http://arubus.com/schedules/ Figure a half hour. Could be more or less it depends upon how many people are on the bus and how many stops it makes.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1840693

 

The Palm Beach area is a great place to head for a cheap day at the beach. The bus stop is just about a block away from where the ship docks. You can pretty much ask anyone and they will point you in the right direction. Then you'll have to ask for the bus to Palm Beach. We've never had any problems finding the stop and getting on the right bus. It costs 2.30 cents each way.

 

You can get off anywhere you like along the strip of hotels and walk behind the resorts to get to the beach. One of the first stops at the beach is Eagle Beach, which is before the resorts. I haven't been there personally, but it is less crowded than the resort beach area. If you just want a beach, this stop might be good.

 

If you want more amenities like restaurants, shops, water activities, then go a little further to the resort stops. I like the DePalm pier stop (just ask). It is right between the RIU (ginourmous palace like resort) and the Radisson (the most beautiful grounds imaginable). There is a sidewalk between the buildings to walk to the beach. The bus driver will know where to stop. It's about a 20-30 minute trip.

 

There will be chair and umbrella rentals and just about anything else you can imagine. There is nice bar/restaurant on the pier and plenty of others within walking distance.

 

When you are ready to head back, you can walk back to the bus stop for a ride back. Just be aware that some of the busses make a ton of stops. It took us much longer to get back- about an hour, so leave yourself plenty of time.

 

What we do now, is take the bus there and grab a cab back (less than $15 dollars) to save time. We just walked to the lobby of the Radisson to grab a cab. That took less time than trying to flag one down on the street. Cabs are usually parked in front of all the resort entrances.

 

If you want to see pictures of the area, you can click on my most recent review located in my signature. I have lots of pictures towards the end of the review as aruba was our last stop.

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knots4crewzing

knots4crewzing

Posted
Posted
Have exact change or you will get florins for change. It is bus #10. http://arubus.com/schedules/ Figure a half hour. Could be more or less it depends upon how many people are on the bus and how many stops it makes.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1840693

 

This is probably a silly question~~~~ but, is the bus fare $2.30 1 way American money or do we have to exchange it:confused:

 

Thank you again:)

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