Arubalisa

Have you been to Three Bridges and Black Stone Beach?

I saw the suggestion of Moomba on tripadvisor. Moomba will be a much further walk to the north. ;)

Taxi fare will be $13 each way for a maximum of 5 people per taxi. If a Sunday or National Holiday add an additional $3 each way.

It will most likely take no more than 15- 20 minutes to get there from the cruise terminal. To account for traffic though i would allot yourself 25 minutes and at least 30 minutes to return to the terminal.

cruisewiththekids see below

Various vendors along the beach renting chaises and umbrellas. Most centrally located to food, beverage and bathroom are those at the foot of De Palm Pier. Use the alley from the street out to the beach which runs between the Radisson and Riu.

 

Ask to be dropped off at the entrance to De Palm Pier- long red line extending from the street to beach in picture below. Take the walkway from the street out towards the beach. On the right hand side there are 2 vendors- see location in picture below- who rent chaises and umbrellas. There is also another vendor in the middle of the Radisson's beach. Bugaloe Bar and Grill is at the end of the pier. There are also hotel beachside restaurants at the Radisson and Hyatt.

 

When you are ready to depart simply walk thought the Radisson property and out to their lobby where there should be taxis waiting outside. If not the bellman will call one for you.

 

 

MoomBa Beach

Beach chairs

Float rentals

Restrooms

Free wi-?

Beach service

Kitchen open 8 am to 11 pm[/color]

 

Aruba Day Passes

It will truly depend upon the number of ships in port that day. The island will be most crowded from December 26th on to January 3.

You should be fine on Palm Beach. Once you walk across the street from the farm, turn right on the concrete "boardwalk" and walk until you see a vendor. If there are none on the beach at the Riu Antillas, there are vendors on the beach at De Palm Pier.

Also see http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=47930937#post47930937

Aruban Government's newly opened Art Gallery Cosecha

From their website:

Cosecha is a haven for locally made" arts and crafts" that provides locals and visitors with a pure representation of the Aruban heritage. Cosecha showcases the beautiful diversity in arts and crafts from all artisans whom have received the SEYO certification while encouraging Aruba’s creative industry through awareness creation and workshop provisions as to ensure a sustainable makers economy.

SEYO NACIONAL pa ARTESANIA ARUBA

Products found in Cosecha have all been certified by the national seal of craftsmanship "Seyo Nacional pa Artesania"

This seal was established by the government of Aruba through the Department of Culture Aruba, DCA, to recognize locally handmade products so they could be distinguished from imported mass produced products. Considering the growing demand of the tourist for genuine and authentic local products, the government of Aruba saw a certification seal as an opportunity to fortify the position of the artisans.

The DCA, started issuing the Seyo for artisans in 2012, represented by an appointed commission of experts who gave out the certification based on the UNESCO criteria for artisan craftsmanship which are: craftsmanship, originality, esthetics, material use, local identity and commercial value. The Seyo is considered a tool to boost Aruba's creative industry, prompting local artisans to develop more and better locally handmade products.

Cosecha is open Monday from 12PM to 6PM. Tuesday through Saturday From 10AM to 6PM

I will add that the "port" and "cruise terminal" are not located directly adjacent to Aruba's most picturesque beaches. ;)

You can get a great overview of the island in a 2-3 hour tour, but Aruba's main attraction are her beautiful white sand beaches. Unfortunately the cruise ships do not pull up on to "those" beaches. ;)

There IS a reason why Aruba has the highest rate of RETURN visitors than any other island in the Caribbean. ;)

• Aruban HAND MADE crafts
  
• Aruban art work
  
• DUTCH chocolate and cheeses are available at the supermarkets
  
• Aruba Aloe products (expensive and also sold on the internet to have it shipped to you at HOME)
  

Dutch chocolate and cheeses are just as easily available to us here in the U.S. than having to make a special trip to the grocery store and then lug it all home. ;)

Aruba license plates were always a cool souvenir. You can buy them on ebay by the boat load. ;)

Cruise season in Aruba BEGINS in October.

Many cruisers who were there last cruise season are most likely not scanning the Aruba forum to answer your very specific questions.

I too would recommend contacting some rental agencies for policies and availability.

I do not give suggestions for rental agencies. I have yet to find a jeep rental or agency which rents by the day which is reliable enough to get my seal of approval. ;)

Arashi beach would be the best option for the best of all worlds. See the info below, Arashi beach is last. It is also the last bus stop on that route.

For snorkeling gear, the closest place to rent it would be at Aruba Watersports on Palm Beach. Very inconvenient to stop and pick up if you are going via bus. ;)

Boca Catalina is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are a few shade palapas here but no restroom facilities. There are no "real" rest room facilities at all along the coast at either BC, Catalina Cove or Arashi. At times there are chaise lounges available for rent at Arashi beach. It is a beautiful white sand beach.

Below is Boca Catalina

If you enter at above, Boca Catalina there is a plain white sandy bottom. On some days, early in the morning, you will be able to see your feet. Put your fins on and walk backwards into the water or walk in as far as you need, sit or get into a crouched position and put your fins on there. This is the easiest spot for a beginner.

The snorkeling is a bit better at Catalina Cove below, though it is rocky which makes for a difficult entry. We normally enter the water at Boca Catalina and swim northward due to the difficult entry here at Catalina Cove pictured below. No place to sunbathe unless you bring your own chair and there is no beach at Catalina Cove, again it is rocky.

We normally enter the water at Boca Catalina and swim northward due to the difficult entry here at Catalina Cove pictured below.

Catalina Cove, I would definitely put your fins on before entering and just walk backwards as best as you can. If one of you has more tender feet than the other, have the tough foot wade in without, holding your back so you do not fall.

I have further information and photos of this area here.

When we head to Boca Catalina to snorkel there are always other tourists there. It is a popular spot for those folks staying at apartments or villas to have beach access. Dh and I generally ask someone to keep an eye on our towels and of course never bring anything valuable in the first place.

There is a minuscule beach at Malmok. This photo is from 2 years ago. There was a tiny beach here this past December. I snorkeled there and it wasn't worth the time.

Below is Arashi Beach on a day with a few waves, it can be very calm here as well.

Arashi Beach is again pictured below. You can enter here and swim south towards and around the rocks and there is a reef there on the other side for snorkeling.

It is a fairly easy walk street side from Arashi southward to Catalina Cove and then Boca Catalina. Malmok beach is further to the south.

is it true there is a water taxi that takes you from the cruise dock to the pier at palm beach??

Some of the excursion operators who contract with the cruise lines use this mode of transportation to get cruisers back and forth, but there are no water taxis that are open to the public.

As Hatteras said the Hyatt is right next door to the Occidental

http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=12.571175&lon=-70.045727&z=18&m=b

From north to south on Palm Beach are the Ritz Carlton, Marriott, Marriott Ocean Club, Marriott Surf Club, Holiday Inn, Playa Linda, Hyatt, Occidental, Hilton, Riu Palace, Riu Antillas and Divi Phoenix.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2145343 Beaches in Aruba

Aruba Day Pass information http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1100

For a "day at the beach" NOT all inclusive, there are many options listed below.

The closest location to the cruise terminal, is Reflextions Beach Bar & Restaurant at Surfside Beach. https://www.facebook.com/reflexionsbeacharuba

All taxi fares listed below include the $3 surcharge for pickups/drop offs within the gates of the cruise terminal. Fares are for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays. If you do not wish to pay the surcharge, walk the short distance to the Renaissance Resort Marina tower and catch a taxi from their lobby.

Surfside Beach

Taxi fare $10 each way or 1 mile walking distance along the new linear park

Reflextions Beach Bar & Restaurant http://www.beach-aruba.com

Beach chair and

Full day rental $12.00

Bar & restaurant

Free wifi

Swimming pool

Showers

Restrooms

Baby Beach

Taxi fare $38 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays or by bus. Baby Beach you must take the bus to San Nicolas and change to their mini van transportation which takes you to Baby Beach. Some snorkeling and clear water.

Two food vendors providing food and beverage as well as restrooms. Vendors providing chaises and portable cabanas for shade for a fee as well as a limited number of free public palapas, first come first served.

The price for an umbrella and 2 chaise lounges rented from over 4 vendors I questioned on beaches below was a flat $45.

The price for a chaise lounge at Arashi Beach and Boca Catalina was $7 each.

Eagle Beach

Some vendors renting chaise lounges (Paradise Beach Villas) and chaises and umbrellas (La Cabana Resort) as well as jet-ski rentals. They can also provide other watersports such as parasail, banana boat/tube rides, snorkeling excursions, at their locations or take you by boat to Palm Beach.

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

Taxi fare $13 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

Beach chair rental

Full day rental $15 each

Half day rental $10 each

Free wifi

Passions Beach Bar & Restaurant with beach service

No shade palapas available

MVC Eagle Beach Resort

Taxi fare $13 each way

Beach chair rental

Full day rental $10 each

Half day rental $5 each

Tulip Restaurant (across the street from the beach)- breakfast, lunch, dinner & drinks

Free wifi

Restrooms

Shower

Changing room

Shade palapas available

Palm Beach

Taxi fare $14 each way

Various vendors along the beach renting chaises and umbrellas. Palm beach is most centrally located to food, beverage and bathroom, especially the vendors at the foot of De Palm Pier. Use the alley from the street out to the beach which runs between the Hilton (former Radisson) and Riu.

Ask to be dropped off at the entrance to De Palm Pier- long red line extending from the street to beach in picture below. Take the walkway from the street out towards the beach. On the right hand side there are 2 vendors- see location in picture below- who rent chaises and umbrellas. There is also another vendor in the middle of the Hilton's beach. Bugaloe Bar and Grill is at the end of the pier. There are also hotel beachside restaurants at the Hilton and Hyatt.

When you are ready to depart simply walk through the Hilton property and out to their lobby where there should be taxis waiting outside. If not the bellman will call one for you.

MoomBa Beach http://moombabeach.com/

Beach chairs

Float rentals

Restrooms

Free wi-?

Beach service

Kitchen open 8 am to 11 pm

See this thread for taxi costs to each of the beaches http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=47816105

Sorry I did not see this until now.

Baby Beach is a very long and expensive taxi ride, but would be a great way to have a beach day combined with snorkeling.

The times you have estimated are correct. If you wanted to go to Catalina Cove or Boca Catalina your best bet would be to take a taxi or bus and from there to head to Palm or Eagle Beaches. Palm Beach is closest.

You can contact Bully via email at bullytaxi79@hotmail.com

The reply will be from Amador Lacle. If you believe you did not receive a reply, check your spam/junk mail folder.

$99 per person

Taxi one way will be $7 or $10 if from within the cruise ship terminal property. Fares are for up to a maximum of 5 people and one way. Add an additional $3 on Sunday and holidays.

Like Hatteras said, there are NO vendors at the Manchebo Beach Resort. YES, by all means, plop your towel down in the sand, but do NOT expect chaises or umbrellas. The best closest option are the rentals on Druif Beach (if they are still there) OR just got to the MVC Eagle Beach resort which is 10-15 minutes walk down the beach to the north.

I was asking because the tour operator told me he didn't think we would have enough time... any idea why? I've read a lot about how bad traffic can be. Do you think that might be an issue?

Once you get back into Oranjestad, there will most likely be a traffic backup getting back inside the cruise terminal. IF that were to happen you could always get out of the taxi and walk the rest of the way. We are talking about walking a few blocks.

Is it possible the tour operator does not want your business? Do they think you will have trouble finding a taxi? What resort does Octopus leave from in front of?

It should be easily doable. You can catch a taxi outside the lobby of any Palm Beach hotel. If there is not one there right that second, a bellman will gladly call one for you.

Yes

Private TAXI tours are $45 per hour with a MAXIMUM of 5 people as required by law

TOURs my charge less but will have many more than 5 people. If you want to wing it, you should be able to pick up one of these tours when you get off the ship.

If there are more than 2 ships in Oranjestad at the same time they will use the pier just to the north of the pier which the port cam focuses on. It is an easy walk between the two. :)