Just back from 1 week in Aruba...thanks for the help everyone!

[Wildewoman]

I just booked us a 2 bedroom/2bath villa at the Marriott Aruba Surf Club for netx May!!

 

Then today I find your posts!!

 

Your pictures are awesome!!

 

Just some quick questions - please forgive me if they have been answered already.

 

Customs - did I read where you go through customs at the Aruba ariport & NOT back in the states?? We live in CA & have to change planes - either Atlanta or Miami & our last trip (St. Maarten) left us with literally seconds to spare. Our luggage didn't make it.:( But if we clear customs in Aruba then that fixes that.:D

 

Why are people waiting in line for an umbrella on the beach? Not enough to go around??:rolleyes:

 

You said next time you'd stay at the Marriot Ocean Club - is the Surf Club too busy or too something?? We are a couple - not a family. When we booked it - they told us the Surf Club was better - so we took it!!:confused:

 

We plan on diving & doing some tours - any place that was an absolute MUST DO - or someplace that you stay away from?

 

Thanks so much!!

Linda

[Arubalisa]

Customs - did I read where you go through customs at the Aruba ariport & NOT back in the states?? We live in CA & have to change planes - either Atlanta or Miami & our last trip (St. Maarten) left us with literally seconds to spare. Our luggage didn't make it.:( But if we clear customs in Aruba then that fixes that.:D

Yes, you go through both US Customs and Immigration in Aruba, prior to return to the US. There is an excellent and concise explanation of check-in, US Customs and Immigrations procedures at the airport in Aruba at http://www.orrin.org/aruba/ just scroll down to the bottom of the page to "airport notes".

[Wildewoman]

Yes, you go through both US Customs and Immigration in Aruba, prior to return to the US. There is an excellent and concise explanation of check-in, US Customs and Immigrations procedures at the airport in Aruba at http://www.orrin.org/aruba/ just scroll down to the bottom of the page to "airport notes".

 

Great!! Thanks so much!! We don't plan on renting a car - as our excursion will pick us up at the Marriott - is the a grocery store within walking distance - or do they have some sort of market on site?? We only need coffee, milk, eggs, etc.

 

Thanks again!!

Linda

[Arubalisa]

Great!! Thanks so much!! We don't plan on renting a car - as our excursion will pick us up at the Marriott - is the a grocery store within walking distance - or do they have some sort of market on site?? We only need coffee, milk, eggs, etc.

 

Thanks again!!

Linda

You are welcome!

 

You can probably find some helpful info at http://www.arubaoceanclub.com/ especially http://www.arubaoceanclub.com/pages/resortinfo.html The Ocean Club has a convenience store. If you are taking a taxi from the airport to the resort, you can also have the taxi driver stop at the supermarket for you. It is along the way, and he will wait for you, for a charge of course.;) http://taxiaruba.com/

 

For tours you may want to check out http://www.arubahelitours.com/ We are giving them a try in December. They come highly recommended. There are some terrific photos posted at http://community.webshots.com/album/552502427gCVzdt and

http://picasaweb.google.com/dreamingwithyou/ArubaHelicopterTour2007

[Wildewoman]

Lisa - again - thanks!!

 

I have been doing a lot or research - & the boards you sent to me have been an absolute find!!

 

We want to check out some of the local flavor for dinners while we're there. Is taking a taxi to say - Flying Fishbone a good idea - or is a bus easier to do?

 

Also, we just got back from Acapulco where you could "bargain" with the cab driver - is that done in Aruba - or do they have meters?:confused:

 

Linda

[Arubalisa]

Sorry, there is no bargaining with taxi drivers in Aruba. All of the fares are set by the government and there are no meters. For a list of fares see this website http://taxiaruba.com/new/farelist.html

 

The Flying Fishbone is a $26 cab ride EACH way from the Marriott. I suggest, rather than miss out on the dinner, rent a car for the day. During the day you can tour the island on your own at your own pace and/or, since you mentioned you are divers, there are some decent snorkeling spots where you could spend a few hours. Then of course, you could always use the car for a trip downtown to Oranjestad for some shopping.

 

Right now you can rent an economy size car for about $30 a day, so it is much cheaper than that taxi ride to the FFB.

 

Feel free to email me any questions, though I will also gladly answer them here. Just don't want to get in trouble with the moderators. :)

[Wildewoman]

Sorry, there is no bargaining with taxi drivers in Aruba. All of the fares are set by the government and there are no meters. For a list of fares see this website http://taxiaruba.com/new/farelist.html

 

The Flying Fishbone is a $26 cab ride EACH way from the Marriott. I suggest, rather than miss out on the dinner, rent a car for the day. During the day you can tour the island on your own at your own pace and/or, since you mentioned you are divers, there are some decent snorkeling spots where you could spend a few hours. Then of course, you could always use the car for a trip downtown to Oranjestad for some shopping.

 

Right now you can rent an economy size car for about $30 a day, so it is much cheaper than that taxi ride to the FFB.

 

Feel free to email me any questions, though I will also gladly answer them here. Just don't want to get in trouble with the moderators. :)

 

 

O.K. - we've decided to bring you with us!!

 

How do I e-mail you??

L

[Arubalisa]

I do not refuse free trips to Aruba ;) ... trip #16 in December and pushing dh for #17 June 2008. Much of that is going to depend on how nice Delta is to us.

Lisa