Cheap Things to do in Aruba?

[ajaxisarobot]

I actually have a couple of questions.

 

I'm headed to Aruba on a Vista cruise in May but all the excursions are super expensive so I'm looking for cheaper things to do. We will be there 1:30-10:30 so I was hoping to find a public beach or something to visit for the afternoon, head back to the ship for dinner, and come back out to find a bar or some other evening activities before we set sail again.

 

I've seen a lot of people say there isn't much of a nightlife in Aruba, so I'm wondering why they dock there so late. About half of the cruises I have looked at have late visits to Aruba, which is something I'm not really familiar with. Every cruise I've been on we docked either early in the morning or at least by noon.

[mwsrccl]

Take the bus or taxi to Palm Beach resort area. Beautiful free beaches, plenty of bars and clubs, shopping malls, casinos, etc. A great place to walk around and very lively at night. There is a fun piano bar, etc... Very safe too.

[cb at sea]

All of the beaches are open to anyone....and nightlife is an easy walk from port!