Aruba recommendations

[katygirl]

We are going in April! So excited, we can't wait! Any recommendations food or other wise?

TIA!

[fudi2000]

Being a former Travel Counselor, and not actually getting to go, I must say this, I hope you got an All-inclusive package. From what the clients have told me, it ain't cheap. Most of all their money ended up on food and drinks.
On the plus side, rent a motor scooter if you can while your there. I hear it's a great way to see the island.
MAN am I envious. ;)

Please indulge us with every luscious detail. I shall live vicariously through you.

Thanking you in advance,
Theresa

[katygirl]

Thanks for the scooter advice! I never thought of that. Actually we went to Aruba last year too. But we pretty much stayed at our resort and sat on the beach from 9-5, ohh, and went to happy hour at our beach too :) Went in our rooms, took naps, got changed for dinner, went to dinner, came back went to bed...and repeated this for about 6 days and nights! It was wonderful! As far as prices go, I didn't find it too crazy... But we ate light breakfasts and lunches and went crazy at dinners. Although we had a blast last year, and plan on doing a similar plan of attack, I was just wondering if anyone had any MUST DOs. I think we are going to do a sunset Catamaran ride (sp) this year.

[donleyk]

Katygirl,

It really depends on your idea of vacation. There are a few good attractions there. We really enjoyed the tour of the island- in an air-conditioned bus. (Skip the Jeep tours - they call them Shake and Bakes and that is fitting.) First stop was California Lighthouse. I would recommend going there. I wasn't really impressed with the food (we went back for dinner) but that could have just been us. You also go to the Natural Bridge (highly recommended) and a church then end up at Baby Beach. This was highly recommended - we were glad we saw it but it wasn't a big deal. Beautiful area surrounded by industrial sites. All in all I think it was 5 or 6 hours. Worth it to me not to have to rent a car and get around. Streets in Aruba are NOT well marked. They drive something other customary to - me, at least. Not much for obeying traffic laws as we know them. When we had to go anywhere we walked or taxied and we were downtown. We also went snorkeling. Worthwhile also.

We went off season. In May. I must say, there wasn't much going on in the night clubs. We are old farts and by midnight we are wiped out from all the sun and fun. I think a lot of the clubs really don't get going until 2AM.

Are you into seafood? It was our quest to find the best and will make recommendations if you are interested.

Editing to say there is a wonderful Cuban restaurant. Live entertainment - we bought one of their CD's- we enjoyed it so much.

[615bride]

There's a restaurant called the Flying Fishbone which is amazing. When you get there it looks like a nothing-great house. You go through the house to the back and eat on the beach - literally feet from the water. Reservations near sunset are obvisouly the best. Great seafood.

There's also a great steak restaurant (they serve other things) serving Argentinian beef (if you eat beef). I forget the name but I'm sure my DH will know if you want me to ask him.

We LOVED Aruba. Honeymooned there in 2002.
Have a great trip!

[JLK]

Aruba is fantastic! I also recommend Flying Fisbone mostly for the scenery. If you like French food you must go to Chez Matilde. For a great Italian place go to the Marriot; I'm almost positive that the name of the restaurant is Tuscany's.

You must see the natural bridge and there is also a natural pool that is neat.

Have fun; the weather is perfect!

[Jodi]

DH and I honeymooned in Aruba in 2001. The view at the lighthouse restaurant is gorgeous, and we had mixed views about the food. DH had a seafood dish that was excellent; my pasta was only so-so. We ate outside and watched the sun set, though, which made the night incredible in spite of the so-so meal (for me, anyway).

I agree wholeheartedly about the jeeps -- I spent the entire afternoon ready to hurl (sorry if that's TMI!) because of the bumpy ride. The natural bridge is cool. Aside from those couple things, we pretty much stayed at our resort as well. DH got sun poisoning, so there was lots of room service and sitting in the shade :rolleyes: during our trip, but it was amazing nonetheless.

Have a great time!

[katygirl]

Great advice guys! I probably should have given you guys the list in my original message but I was at work and was trying my dardest to correct a bunch of papers but instead was on the BB. It was my lunch period I swear! Anyway, last year we went to Flying FishBone, so pretty, my fish was great, my husbands was a little chewey, but I don't think it was their fault, it was the type of fish. Went to Tuscany at the Marriott, it too was great, but I hated eating in a restaurant IN a hotel, it kind of just felt like we could have been ANYWHERE. Not a ton of atmosphere. El Gauchos was a steak place that was scrumptious too. We also have heard mixed reviews of the California Lighthouse place. I would love to just go for an app and a drink to enjoy the sunset.

I would love the recommendation of the cuban restaurant, DonleyK, as well as any seafood recommenations you may have.

This is great, I know have Chez Matilde on my list of to dos as well! I'm embarresed to say I don't know if I know what french food is really. I'm off to find their website.

[615bride]

Katygirl - El Gaucho was the place I was talking about in my first post - yummy!

[donleyk]

Katygirl,

We ate at the Driftwood on a couple of occasions. We always ordered the fresh fish. The owner actually goes out and catches fish that morning then they are on the menu that evening. We were happy with the appetizers - calamari for sure and one other that escapes me right now. They offer to prepare the fish 3 different ways. Very yummy.

Cuba's Cooking is the other one I'd recommend. I just really enjoyed the whole evening. (Drank mojitos which were wonderful) I had a lobster dish that surprised my DH because as a rule, I don't eat lobster. (I don't like paying for it - I can only eat a couple of bites usually it is a very rich tasting food to me.) It was awesome. DH got a combo plate of Cuban food. Excellent also.

We had a little trouble finding the Driftwood but we had a advantage of having walked there and staying downtown so it was just a matter of weaving back and forth until we found it.