Aruba on a budget

[kentuckychris]

I read somewhere that there is an Island Tour in an open air bus for $15pp. I can't find the info anywhere now. Looking for an inexpensive way to see the island.

[kentuckychris]

I found the comment, but it just said to go down the street. I have read on other places that they also have an open air bus at the terminal and the employees are wearing blue shirts. When I asked where they took you, I didn't get an answer. Has anyone taken this tour and what did you see? We really just want an island tour. Possibly the rocks and bridge, but other than that, not too picky. The poster said they will drop you at a beach on the way back too. Anyone????

[Ashland]

I did answer this question recently on a few posts. We were just in Aruba a couple of weeks ago and I would recommend just outside the terminal there are guys in blue shirts (the info center inside the terminal directed us to them) from a company (can't remember the specific name) that were offering an island tour for $20.00pp. They had large new airconditioned buses..we went to the rock formations, lighthouse etc...had a great guide/driver..well worth it to us and we enjoyed the 3 hour tour. After seeing the open air bus group (they looked HOT) at the rock formation I'm glad we paid the extra $5.00 for the bus we were on

 

Someone from Kentucky always gets my attention :) :) Originally from Ashland.

Edited October 15, 2014 by Ashland

[kentuckychris]

did it go to the natural bridge?

[Ashland]

did it go to the natural bridge?

That collapsed in 2005...so no and no mention about it on our tour.

[volfan22701]

we were there in august and took the tour on the open air bus. it was kind of hot, but so much fun. would do it again, we went to the rock formations, the California lighthouse and drove thru some of the housing areas as well as down thru the hotels and along the beach, was about a three hour tour and then let us off at the beach if you wanted and came back in a couple hours to pick up. great island an going back in January.

 

doug

[Ashland]

we were there in august and took the tour on the open air bus. it was kind of hot, but so much fun. would do it again, we went to the rock formations, the California lighthouse and drove thru some of the housing areas as well as down thru the hotels and along the beach, was about a three hour tour and then let us off at the beach if you wanted and came back in a couple hours to pick up. great island an going back in January.

 

doug

Sounds like you did the same tour we did (but on an enclosed bus) a few weeks ago..Wasn't too sure about Aruba but actually loved it...enjoy your return trip.

[6rugrats]

did it go to the natural bridge?

 

True, this is long gone. A bus couldn't get down to where it was, or to where the natural pool is. You'd have to hike down. Not worth doing, IMO anyway.

[KroozFoolz]

then let us off at the beach if you wanted and came back in a couple hours to pick up. great island an going back in January.

 

doug

 

What beach? Availability and costs for chairs, restrooms, etc?

[sccoast]

What beach? Availability and costs for chairs, restrooms, etc?

 

best beach is Palm beach near the high rise motels, you can go to Moomba bar and restaurant and rent chairs. also beach areas near low rise hotels and further east of high rise in what is called wind surfer beach where snorkeling off shore is good. no lack of beaches. although baby beach is not a favorite of mine since its man made.

you can hop the bus for like $2.30 cash and go all the way to the lighthouse and windsurfer beach to snorkel and back to high rise area and moomba and then to low rise area with mall and shops and back to port. its easy to get around in aruba by bus or taxi.

Edited October 19, 2014 by sccoast

[KroozFoolz]

best beach is Palm beach near the high rise motels, you can go to Moomba bar and restaurant and rent chairs. also beach areas near low rise hotels and further east of high rise in what is called wind surfer beach where snorkeling off shore is good. no lack of beaches. although baby beach is not a favorite of mine since its man made.

you can hop the bus for like $2.30 cash and go all the way to the lighthouse and windsurfer beach to snorkel and back to high rise area and moomba and then to low rise area with mall and shops and back to port. its easy to get around in aruba by bus or taxi.

 

Thanks, I was asking about what specific beach the island tour being discussed in this thread drops you.

[Ashland]

Thanks, I was asking about what specific beach the island tour being discussed in this thread drops you.

Sorry..but since we were staying onboard the bus I didn't take notice of the specific beach name I just remember it was towards the end of hotel row in Palm Beach between two very upscale hotels where there was a walkway..and the bus driver did tell those going to the beach about where the restrooms were etc. etc. and where and what time to meet back up for the bus ride back to the port....Enjoy.. I'm sure what ever beach it was will be amazing...after all you're in Aruba :)

[Arubalisa]

..I just remember it was towards the end of hotel row in Palm Beach between two very upscale hotels where there was a walkway..

The only true walkway from the street to the beach is on Palm Beach between the Riu Palace and Radisson resorts. So yes, it is Palm Beach.

 

[KroozFoolz]

Thanks!

[Belfast Castle]

We will be on Carnival Liberty mid January 2015 - one of our stops will be Aruba.

We havent been here before - so any advice on what we should do would be so welcome - thank you.:)

[QUIGONATOR]

I did answer this question recently on a few posts. We were just in Aruba a couple of weeks ago and I would recommend just outside the terminal there are guys in blue shirts (the info center inside the terminal directed us to them) from a company (can't remember the specific name) that were offering an island tour for $20.00pp. They had large new airconditioned buses..we went to the rock formations, lighthouse etc...had a great guide/driver..well worth it to us and we enjoyed the 3 hour tour. After seeing the open air bus group (they looked HOT) at the rock formation I'm glad we paid the extra $5.00 for the bus we were on

 

Someone from Kentucky always gets my attention :) :) Originally from Ashland.

 

I would love to get the name of this company & book prior to arrival!! if anyone else has done this It would be amazing if we could get the name!

Edited October 26, 2014 by QUIGONATOR

[QUIGONATOR]

best beach is Palm beach near the high rise motels, you can go to Moomba bar and restaurant and rent chairs. also beach areas near low rise hotels and further east of high rise in what is called wind surfer beach where snorkeling off shore is good. no lack of beaches. although baby beach is not a favorite of mine since its man made.

you can hop the bus for like $2.30 cash and go all the way to the lighthouse and windsurfer beach to snorkel and back to high rise area and moomba and then to low rise area with mall and shops and back to port. its easy to get around in aruba by bus or taxi.

 

So where do we catch this bus, when coming in on a cruise?

[Arubalisa]

So where do we catch this bus, when coming in on a cruise?

Detailed instructions, make sure you scroll down to the maps

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1545009

[Ashland]

I would love to get the name of this company & book prior to arrival!! if anyone else has done this It would be amazing if we could get the name!

Sorry I can't remember the name (and really) it isn't necessary...Just walk outside the terminal and the blue shirt guys standing alongside their new large buses will give you all the info you need...Absolutely NO need to pre-reserve and I wouldn't..pay your $20.00pp on the spot and step on the bus...enjoy !!

[gracie65]

Sorry I can't remember the name (and really) it isn't necessary...Just walk outside the terminal and the blue shirt guys standing alongside their new large buses will give you all the info you need...Absolutely NO need to pre-reserve and I wouldn't..pay your $20.00pp on the spot and step on the bus...enjoy !!

 

About how many people do these buses hold? I'm looking for something to hold about 12-14 people but don't want one as large as like a Greyhound type bus.

Thanks

[kelkel2]

How long did this tour last? I am interested in the bus tour as well!