Inexpensive Beach Day

[jasonfromohio]

We sailed on the Carnival Horizon and spent the day in Aruba December 19th getting into Port at 9 AM. We originally booked a day resort for me and my wife for $169 - I placed a $15 deposit. On arrival we needed to pay a taxi ride $24 each way to the Resort. We decided to just take the Bus to a beach instead based on another cruisers advice. Let me tell you - this was great. All the beaches in Aruba are Beautiful and Free for public use. So we asked around and were told the Marriott was a great spot. 

 

Bus Pass - $5 per person for round trip transport. Bus Stop just across street from cruise port. Buses run every 20 minutes. 

 

We boarded the bus and arrived at the Marriott in 20 minutes. There were 2 stops before this and other cruisers went to Eagle Beach. 

 

We walked right through the lobby - onto a beautiful beach with Free Beach Chairs and Covered Umbrella type shelters all over.  We spent about 4 hours on this beautiful beach. There is a full service bar on site also with Happy Hour specials and some food items. 

 

Total cost was $10 for 2 of us - plus my $15 deposit I cant get back.  

 

I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a day at the beach in Aruba. It was inexpensive, easy transportation , and a beautiful beach. 

[bonsai3s]

Totally agree with jasonfromohio!

We did exactly the same thing...we went to Palm Beach...the next stop after Eagle's Beach.

Note: Just a thought...the cruise terminal in Aruba was lined with vendors/sellers offering taxis to the beach and/or "Around the Island" tours...most passengers are not aware of the local bus or too apprehensive to use it...perhaps fear of not getting back on time to the ship.

For those wanting to DIY, we agree with jasonfromohio, it can't be any easier to get to the beach in Aruba. 

 

For bus tickets, there's a ticket booth located next to the bus stop.  There's a person inside that will sell you the tickets and answer any of your questions.  Buses also return every 20 minutes.  Remember, you can only use the "bus ticket" on buses called "Arubus". 😊

[CLS/KAS]

On 12/26/2019 at 5:57 PM, bonsai3s said:

Totally agree with jasonfromohio!

We did exactly the same thing...we went to Palm Beach...the next stop after Eagle's Beach.

Note: Just a thought...the cruise terminal in Aruba was lined with vendors/sellers offering taxis to the beach and/or "Around the Island" tours...most passengers are not aware of the local bus or too apprehensive to use it...perhaps fear of not getting back on time to the ship.

For those wanting to DIY, we agree with jasonfromohio, it can't be any easier to get to the beach in Aruba. 

 

For bus tickets, there's a ticket booth located next to the bus stop.  There's a person inside that will sell you the tickets and answer any of your questions.  Buses also return every 20 minutes.  Remember, you can only use the "bus ticket" on buses called "Arubus". 😊

Where did you end up at on Palm Beach..and did you have access to free chairs/etc.. thanks..want to go to this beach to para-sail in Feb.  hearing Umbrella's are $40!  would appreciate your input.. tks

Edited December 28, 2019 by CLS/KAS
grammer

[Mparis184]

On 12/26/2019 at 12:43 AM, jasonfromohio said:

We sailed on the Carnival Horizon and spent the day in Aruba December 19th getting into Port at 9 AM. We originally booked a day resort for me and my wife for $169 - I placed a $15 deposit. On arrival we needed to pay a taxi ride $24 each way to the Resort. We decided to just take the Bus to a beach instead based on another cruisers advice. Let me tell you - this was great. All the beaches in Aruba are Beautiful and Free for public use. So we asked around and were told the Marriott was a great spot. 

 

Bus Pass - $5 per person for round trip transport. Bus Stop just across street from cruise port. Buses run every 20 minutes. 

 

We boarded the bus and arrived at the Marriott in 20 minutes. There were 2 stops before this and other cruisers went to Eagle Beach. 

 

We walked right through the lobby - onto a beautiful beach with Free Beach Chairs and Covered Umbrella type shelters all over.  We spent about 4 hours on this beautiful beach. There is a full service bar on site also with Happy Hour specials and some food items. 

 

Total cost was $10 for 2 of us - plus my $15 deposit I cant get back.  

 

I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a day at the beach in Aruba. It was inexpensive, easy transportation , and a beautiful beach. 

Thanks for this information.  We have never been to Aruba before and I am surprised they let you use their resort facility without any charge.  We tried to do that once on 7 Mile Beach on Grand Cayman and were asked to leave the beach if we were not registered hotel guests so I am apprehensive

. 

Edited December 28, 2019 by Mparis184
Typo

[bonsai3s]

7 hours ago, CLS/KAS said:

Where did you end up at on Palm Beach..and did you have access to free chairs/etc.. thanks..want to go to this beach to para-sail in Feb.  hearing Umbrella's are $40!  would appreciate your input.. tks

 

When we got off the "Arubus", we walked across the street, in a paved alley in between two hotels.  If I'm not mistaken it was between the Hotel Riu Palace and Marriott Casino.  After a short walk to the beach, the first thing you'll see is a pier with a restaurant.  To the right were many loungers and beach umbrellas.  We did not use any of the many loungers and umbrellas available at Palm Beach, because we thought they were reserved for the hotel guest staying at those various hotels along the beach.  We simply used our towels and we had our own umbrella...plenty of room. 

[wenocancer2]

jasonfromohio,

Forgive me as I'm not familiar with this area, but when you say you went to the Marriott, is that Palm Beach?  Or is it next to Palm Beach?  Did you walk through the Marriott itself?

[cruiseapril]

Thank you for the information and review. 

 

When we went to Palm Beach, we ate at Gilligans and went to the casino.  We had a good afternoon.

[jasonfromohio]

I am not familiar with Palm Beach - we simply walked thru the front doors of the Marriott and right past the Pool and onto the beach. 

[CaribbeanCrushed]

On 12/25/2019 at 11:43 PM, jasonfromohio said:

We sailed on the Carnival Horizon and spent the day in Aruba December 19th getting into Port at 9 AM. We originally booked a day resort for me and my wife for $169 - I placed a $15 deposit. On arrival we needed to pay a taxi ride $24 each way to the Resort. We decided to just take the Bus to a beach instead based on another cruisers advice. Let me tell you - this was great. All the beaches in Aruba are Beautiful and Free for public use. So we asked around and were told the Marriott was a great spot. 

 

Bus Pass - $5 per person for round trip transport. Bus Stop just across street from cruise port. Buses run every 20 minutes. 

 

We boarded the bus and arrived at the Marriott in 20 minutes. There were 2 stops before this and other cruisers went to Eagle Beach. 

 

We walked right through the lobby - onto a beautiful beach with Free Beach Chairs and Covered Umbrella type shelters all over.  We spent about 4 hours on this beautiful beach. There is a full service bar on site also with Happy Hour specials and some food items. 

 

Total cost was $10 for 2 of us - plus my $15 deposit I cant get back.  

 

I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a day at the beach in Aruba. It was inexpensive, easy transportation , and a beautiful beach. 

 

Thanks for sharing this. We love getting off the ship and finding a great beach, and some local cuisine.

 

[Ann from SC]

On 12/26/2019 at 12:43 AM, jasonfromohio said:

We sailed on the Carnival Horizon and spent the day in Aruba December 19th getting into Port at 9 AM. We originally booked a day resort for me and my wife for $169 - I placed a $15 deposit. On arrival we needed to pay a taxi ride $24 each way to the Resort. We decided to just take the Bus to a beach instead based on another cruisers advice. Let me tell you - this was great. All the beaches in Aruba are Beautiful and Free for public use. So we asked around and were told the Marriott was a great spot. 

 

Bus Pass - $5 per person for round trip transport. Bus Stop just across street from cruise port. Buses run every 20 minutes. 

 

We boarded the bus and arrived at the Marriott in 20 minutes. There were 2 stops before this and other cruisers went to Eagle Beach. 

 

We walked right through the lobby - onto a beautiful beach with Free Beach Chairs and Covered Umbrella type shelters all over.  We spent about 4 hours on this beautiful beach. There is a full service bar on site also with Happy Hour specials and some food items. 

 

Total cost was $10 for 2 of us - plus my $15 deposit I cant get back.  

 

I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a day at the beach in Aruba. It was inexpensive, easy transportation , and a beautiful beach. 

I wonder if you just got lucky and they assumed that you either were a hotel guest or had paid for a day pass. 

[Hatteras51]

12 hours ago, Ann from SC said:

I wonder if you just got lucky and they assumed that you either were a hotel guest or had paid for a day pass. 

They definitely got lucky. I vacation in Aruba every year and believe me, this is not how it usually works. The vendors in that area rent chairs and umbrellas. Either no one noticed them come in, or thought that they were hotel guests. They usually watch people like hawks.

[sunsetme]

no free rental chairs, we were at the Marriott beach by bus last week.

[carnivalman]

On 12/28/2019 at 11:24 PM, bonsai3s said:

 

When we got off the "Arubus", we walked across the street, in a paved alley in between two hotels.  If I'm not mistaken it was between the Hotel Riu Palace and Marriott Casino.  After a short walk to the beach, the first thing you'll see is a pier with a restaurant.  To the right were many loungers and beach umbrellas.  We did not use any of the many loungers and umbrellas available at Palm Beach, because we thought they were reserved for the hotel guest staying at those various hotels along the beach.  We simply used our towels and we had our own umbrella...plenty of room. 

You were probably at the Riu since there is no pier with a restaurant anywhere near the Marriott Hotel and Stellaris Casino.

[Hatteras51]

5 hours ago, carnivalman said:

You were probably at the Riu since there is no pier with a restaurant anywhere near the Marriott Hotel and Stellaris Casino.

Pelican Pier is near Marriott Surf Club

[carnivalman]

2 hours ago, Hatteras51 said:

Pelican Pier is near Marriott Surf Club

Although the Pelican Pier is between the Holiday Inn and Playa Linda, the OP talked about the Riu Marriott hotel and the Pelican Pier is not that close to either.  My gut feeling is the OP took the walkway between the Playa Linda and Holiday Inn with the sign at the street entrance saying "Pelican Pier"   Probably rented an umbrella from a beach vendor at the Holiday Inn or Moomba's.  

[Hatteras51]

That's what I think, also. There are several vendors right there.

 

 

[Georgia_Peaches]

Glad to know about this.  Thank you for posting.  If we ever get to take our cruise, will definitely look into this option.

[carnivalman]

1 hour ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Glad to know about this.  Thank you for posting.  If we ever get to take our cruise, will definitely look into this option.

While the bus is a few bucks cheaper, take a cab straight to Moomba's and hang there for the day.  Also, have a change of clothes such as shorts, etc. since cabbies will not let you in their cab with a wet bathing suit.  Even if your suit is dry, they are not going to feel it to verify.  Food at Moomba's is good.  It's all outdoors with a bar, eating area and lounge chair service on the beach.

[KD Travel Adventures]

Here is a link to a video of walking directions to the bus stop. 

We did a tour with a taxi/tour guide initially, as she talked us into it, rather than going straight to the beach. She dropped us off at Hilton/Palm Beach (which was beautiful), but we decided to move on.  As the first poster mentioned if you took the bus to Palm Beach it would stop at another hotel on Palm Beach.  After leaving Hilton, we went to Amsterdam Manor on Eagle Beach.  We took the bus back, which is right there at Amsterdam Manor.  The chairs and palapas are not free, but were much more reasonable than at the Hilton. 

One thing that's nice about the buses is that you don't have to worry about being wet or having sand on you. These are issues if you plan to go in a taxi, and why the buses are such great options.

 

[Terab85]

On 4/18/2020 at 7:46 PM, KD Travel Adventures said:

Here is a link to a video of walking directions to the bus stop. 

We did a tour with a taxi/tour guide initially, as she talked us into it, rather than going straight to the beach. She dropped us off at Hilton/Palm Beach (which was beautiful), but we decided to move on.  As the first poster mentioned if you took the bus to Palm Beach it would stop at another hotel on Palm Beach.  After leaving Hilton, we went to Amsterdam Manor on Eagle Beach.  We took the bus back, which is right there at Amsterdam Manor.  The chairs and palapas are not free, but were much more reasonable than at the Hilton. 

One thing that's nice about the buses is that you don't have to worry about being wet or having sand on you. These are issues if you plan to go in a taxi, and why the buses are such great options.

 

Thanks for the video with the step by step instructions.  I'm a very "visual" person and this helps.