Private tour for just the two of us?

[Marmarjudy]

Has anyone prearranged a tour for just two? We don't want to do beach or hiking, just a couple of hours, or three, seeing the highlights of the island and the out of the way places.

 

And are there places worth seeing other than beaches?

 

Any suggestions other than grab an unknown cab at the pier? And any idea of the cost, though that's really not the top concern. We are more than willing to pay for quality versus the unknown.

 

Thanks,

Judy

[CaribbeanBound]

Oranjestad, Aruba

We prearranged two activities here. First we headed to MooMba Beach on Palm Beach for Jolly Pirates' "Sail, Snorkel, Swim, and Swing" from 9:30am to 2:30pm. You can easily get to Palm Beach via taxi for $10 or via local bus for $1.30 per person. There is a free shuttle from the ship to the cruise ship terminal. To catch a bus, simply exit the terminal, turn right, and cross the street to the Bus Terminal --- an orange building with white columns and benches. Take the #10 "Hotels" bus. Palm Beach has several stops. Get off at the Holiday Inn, walk through the lobby to the beach, turn right, walk about 100 yards to MooMba Beach. Jolly Pirate's office is just behind the large thatched roof beach bar. Check-in for Jolly Pirates was at 9am. It's $53 per person (less a 15% online booking discount) plus tip. We set sail in a pirate ship for three snorkel sites: two reefs and a WWII sunken German cargo ship. We also got to enjoy swinging off the ship into the ocean. We were fed a very tasty lunch which included pork ribs, chicken skewers, pasta salad, slaw, fried banana and a roll. The free bar offering up rum, whisky, Pirate Poisson, Pina Colada, sodas and water, was open the entire trip. Snorkels, masks, vests, and fins were provided. This is a very fun excursion for all ages. Recommended! Hint: if you are just looking for a nice beach, consider Eagle Beach which is on the way to Palm Beach.

 

We enjoyed drinks and an appetizer at the MooMba beach bar from 2:30pm to 3:30pm. At 3:30pm, our taxi driver, Bully, picked us up in front of the Hadicurari Restaurant next door. Our traveling companions ate lunch here and said the fish was outstanding. Bully took us on a nice two-hour tour of the island and returned us to the pier. His rate is $40 per hour (just $10 per person per hour in our case) plus tip. Recommended!

Here are more of our Secrets of the Caribbean!

http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/caribbean-secrets.html

These are our very detailed personal reviews, hints, and tips for ports of call that you will be visiting.

[StanandJim]

Marmarjudy,

 

We've been going to Aruba, annually for twenty years, and honestly the only sight really worth seeing in Aruba is the Natural Pool.

 

Getting to the pool involves off road driving, so it's not a cab thing, but

for good or for bad, it's the best thing in Aruba. It is both beautiful and unusual.

The Moomba bus is one of those awful puke inducing bar to bar to bar things that are popular with the Spring Break set

 

Almost every city in Florida has a jolly pirates operation going, so I'd skip it in the Caribbean.

 

If you do want to snorkle, the catamaran cruises offered by Pelican or Red Sail are far superior to the Jolly Pirates cruise.

 

Eagle beach is a beautiful beach, but restrooms and chair rentals are much more available at Palm beach.

 

Hope this helped-

 

Stan & Jim

[Marmarjudy]

Marmarjudy,

 

We've been going to Aruba, annually for twenty years, and honestly the only sight really worth seeing in Aruba is the Natural Pool.

 

Getting to the pool involves off road driving, so it's not a cab thing, but

for good or for bad, it's the best thing in Aruba. It is both beautiful and unusual.

The Moomba bus is one of those awful puke inducing bar to bar to bar things that are popular with the Spring Break set

 

Almost every city in Florida has a jolly pirates operation going, so I'd skip it in the Caribbean.

 

If you do want to snorkle, the catamaran cruises offered by Pelican or Red Sail are far superior to the Jolly Pirates cruise.

 

Eagle beach is a beautiful beach, but restrooms and chair rentals are much more available at Palm beach.

 

Hope this helped-

 

Stan & Jim

 

Thanks for the info...we'll probably just go to a casino :-) since we don't do the beach/water stuff....the last time I took a bathing suit on a cruise was about 15 cruises ago.

 

(I'll wave at you tomorrow as I drive by on my way to our daughter's house in Brookfield...not looking forward to the COLD!!! but it's time for a grandkid fix)

 

Judy

[dot73]

Are there any taxi vans outside the terminal that we (a group of about 10) hire on an hourly basis or should these be booked ahead of time. Any phone numbers and/or internet addresses would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Arubalisa]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=aruba+private+tour

 

I also suggest using Bully for a tour. He can customize to your requests.

[rumrum]

Bully (bullytaxi79@hotmail.com) took our family of 5 on a personalized tour on December 26. He was waiting for us at the pier and took us in his spacious air-conditioned van. His rates are very reasonable for his services and he's a safe driver. We would recommend him very highly.

[AJI2596]

My family use Aruba Your Way Tours when they go down. IMO there is a lot more to see on the island then just the Natural Pool.

[prescottbob]

Ahoy!

 

I'll copy and paste a blurb from a recent cruise review. I can't say enough good things about David and Heather's tour company. If you decide to use them please give them a hug for us (Bob & Judy).

 

I will also link to the current review (26 day Amazon Explorer on HAL) that covers several Caribbean ports. You will need to scroll down on the "Roll Call" to find the entire review, etc.

 

 

"ARUBA (0800-2300): We had contracted Heather & David (arubayourwaytours@yahoo.com / $250 for just the two of us) prior to the sailing for a private jeep tour of the island. We had done a De Palma catamaran sail, snorkel and suds type tour in March ’08 and we were interested in seeing some of the land sites on this visit. David, our driver and guide, is a native Aruban / Arawak Indian, who met us promptly @0900 pier side and took us to the following sites (not in any particular order): the Natural Bridge Ruins, Black Rock beach, the Pet Cemetery, the California Lighthouse,, the Alto Vista Chapel, Ayo Park & Indian cave, the Natural Pool, Baby Beach for a swim and snorkel, a lunch at Ukra (local beer and burgers), a tour of the “red light district” downtown, Casibari rock formations, the eastern and western shorelines and, of course, the donkey ranch. Whew! What a great tour. We returned to the ship @1630 for a bath & a libation. I had Heather cancel my reservations at “Passions”, a restaurant on the beach, for 1930 hours since the weather was again overcast and rainy. Instead, after cleaning up on the ship we walked into town and had a fish dinner at the “Old Fisherman” (a few blocks north of the pier, close to the bus terminal). We had snapper in garlic sauce (quite good) and grouper in mango sauce (very good). We made it back to the ship by 2130."

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=434425&page=28

 

Have a GREAT Cruise!

 

Bon Voyage & Good Health!

Bob:)

[StanandJim]

Marmarjudy,

 

I think you're wise to just hit a Casino and relaxe while you're in Aruba.

 

As I stated, we've been going there annually for many many years, and, although we love it, it is definately NOT for the sightseeing.

 

The beaches are beyond beautiful, the water is crystal clear and the weather is predictably fabulous (we've probably had 5 rainy days out of 500 days on the island). There are also a ton of REALLY good restaurants (not just Caribbean good, REALLY good!) which is not typical of a lot of those islands.

 

We also find that Aruba is safe and clean with a large middle class which makes us feel comfortable getting around.

 

The Supermarkets, which ten years ago were from hunger, are now positively fantastic......the equal of anything that we have in Connecticut.

 

There was a time when we flew down with food staples tucked in our luggage. Now everything you could ever think of is for sale there (down to the Captain Crunch and the Mallomars!).

 

In an overview. If you feel like you must "DO" Aruba, expend your energy on the things that have made it a tourist paradise. Sail, Snorkle, Fish, Waterski, Scuba Dive or Parasail.

 

• Don't bounce around on a bus to look at flea bitten donkeys or smelly Ostriches.
  
• The caves, although interesting, are horrifyingly claustrophobic. If you're over 6 feet you can forget it.
  
• The Natural bridge Ruins.......are you kidding me? They bring you out there to say that there used to be a natural bridge?
  
• Baby Beach is a one note diversion that is old after ten minutes...."Look Ma, I'm 800 feet out and it's only up to my waist!"
  
• The California lighthouse is a simple standard lighthouse with nothing interesting or remarkable about it at all, except that it is in Aruba. You cannot go inside of it, and the outside is drab.......it is not even in a charming setting.
  
• The Alta Vista Chapel is a small local church built in the spanish style. It is not notable for its' architecture, and is not representative of any local art. The religious services performed there are in no way notable or different from the rest of the Caribbean. In short, there is absolutely nothing of interest.
  

I list these "supposed" tourist attractions not to be negative, but to warn others not to repeat my mistakes by paying money to visit them.

I at least had the excuse of being on the island for extended periods of time.......you probably have a few brief hours......Make the most of them!

[Marmarjudy]

Marmarjudy,

 

I think you're wise to just hit a Casino and relaxe while you're in Aruba.

 

As I stated, we've been going there annually for many many years, and, although we love it, it is definately NOT for the sightseeing.

 

The beaches are beyond beautiful, the water is crystal clear and the weather is predictably fabulous (we've probably had 5 rainy days out of 500 days on the island). There are also a ton of REALLY good restaurants (not just Caribbean good, REALLY good!) which is not typical of a lot of those islands.

 

We also find that Aruba is safe and clean with a large middle class which makes us feel comfortable getting around.

 

The Supermarkets, which ten years ago were from hunger, are now positively fantastic......the equal of anything that we have in Connecticut.

 

There was a time when we flew down with food staples tucked in our luggage. Now everything you could ever think of is for sale there (down to the Captain Crunch and the Mallomars!).

 

In an overview. If you feel like you must "DO" Aruba, expend your energy on the things that have made it a tourist paradise. Sail, Snorkle, Fish, Waterski, Scuba Dive or Parasail.

 

• Don't bounce around on a bus to look at flea bitten donkeys or smelly Ostriches.
  
• The caves, although interesting, are horrifyingly claustrophobic. If you're over 6 feet you can forget it.
  
• The Natural bridge Ruins.......are you kidding me? They bring you out there to say that there used to be a natural bridge?
  
• Baby Beach is a one note diversion that is old after ten minutes...."Look Ma, I'm 800 feet out and it's only up to my waist!"
  
• The California lighthouse is a simple standard lighthouse with nothing interesting or remarkable about it at all, except that it is in Aruba. You cannot go inside of it, and the outside is drab.......it is not even in a charming setting.
  
• The Alta Vista Chapel is a small local church built in the spanish style. It is not notable for its' architecture, and is not representative of any local art. The religious services performed there are in no way notable or different from the rest of the Caribbean. In short, there is absolutely nothing of interest.
  

I list these "supposed" tourist attractions not to be negative, but to warn others not to repeat my mistakes by paying money to visit them.

I at least had the excuse of being on the island for extended periods of time.......you probably have a few brief hours......Make the most of them!

 

Thanks so much for the insider info. We have been to most of the islands and since we don't do the water stuff we will appreciate the stop our way.......and have a great time, as usual.

 

Casino/bar here we come :-)

 

Judy

[SanNic44]

Judy and others,

 

I live in Aruba about six months each year. Many of the sites listed in earlier posts may or may not be of interest. I have photos and videos of most of them on my blog, which is part of my signature. You can go there and have a look around and decide for yourself.

 

I personally don't find the ostrich farm and a few of the other stops of interest. However, I have taken friends, family, and sometimes complete strangers who have contacted me, on different tours of the island. Many times people I think would not enjoy seeing some of these things actually are very grateful to have a look. They also like to have lunch at a local Colombian restaurant or other.

 

No, Aruba is not Europe, full of cathedrals, museums, and ancient ruins. However, there is a certain flair here, which is why I call it home.

 

Bon dia from Aruba.

 

44

[coltahonas]

I too am seeking something that 2 people can do that is NOT water related. I noticed the TomCar excursion at: http://www.arubaoffroad.com/about.htm. It's like a dune buggy, but not really. Anyone tried that in Aruba?

[2wheelin]

44,

Can you tell me if we could get a Jeep (ie 4wheel drive) tour for four as we get off the ship. I know a lot of spots are inaccessible by car or van.

 

Thanks

[SanNic44]

2Wheelin,

 

The only place that is hard to get to by car or van is the natural pool. Most all other sights can be seen from regular vehicles. Check in with Bully, because he has enough room for 4.

 

There are several group trips that use former military vehicles that have all the off-road capabilities you could imagine but these are not private tours.

 

Enjoy the island.

 

44

[coltahonas]

I contacted ArubaOffRoad about the TomCars in Aruba and apparently private tours CAN be arranged for an added fee.

[BabySis]

Stan and Jim, LOVE your honest posts on Aruba. It's just the two of us this time and we'd like to go to a beach that maybe isn't so crowded. Since our ship docks at noon, we'll just chill on a beach for a few hours and around 5 head to the casinos and dinner... sounds like maybe the Renaissance Island might be just the thing for a beach afternoon... anything better??

 

Dinah

[stump300]

Stan and Jim - Just searching the Aruba board and wondered if you could please list some of those good restaurants in Aruba...my husband and I will be there in April aboard the Emerald Princess. We're planning to spend some time on the beach, but it would be great to have some good restaurants to chose from for a late lunch, nothing too fancy. Thanks!