Aruba Grocery Stores
Apr 28th, 2003, 12:50 PM
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Aruba Grocery Stores
My husband and I will be staying at the Aruba Marriott Ocean Club from July 1st-8th. We plan to eat breakfast and lunch in the condo to save some money. Can you suggest a grocery store in Aruba? How do the prices compare with the grocery stores in the States? Do they have "normal" brands like, for example, Oscar Mayer luncheon meats? Though I know that the water is perfectly safe to drink, will we need to buy distilled water for making iced tea, kool-aid, etc.? I know when we go to the beach in South Carolina, the water doesn't taste good out of the faucet, so we always buy distilled water. Thanks for any information!
Apr 28th, 2003, 03:47 PM
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Hi Becca,
There are 2 grocery stores pretty close to the Marriott. If you rent a car, or even if you take a cab, it's easiest just to stop at the stores on the drive through downtown on the way to your hotel--you will pass them on the way. Sorry I can't remember the names, one's in a shopping center and has a samller selection, more locals shop there, and the other is much nicer (and more $$) and caters more to tourists. Both have basic brands, but you will pay more--up to twice as much as at home. Just ask the name of the stores on the road to Palm beach and anyone can tell you. Also, do drink the tap water--it probably tastes way better than what you have at home. Other than in the middle east, Aruba is one of the few places that has spent considerable money on a big de-salination plant so their tap water is great. We were told the reason it tastes so pure is that it's filtered through coral. Anyway people always seem to talk about how good the water there is.....Also for less epxensive meals or happy hours, right next door to the Marriott on the left as you face the sea is the Fisherman's Co-op, a little bar/restaurant that is the closest thing to a local beach bar we found. Barbecues a couple of times a week and you could get good grilled fish/chicken etc with sides for a very reasonable price compared. The island's restaurants are fabulous! I highly recommend Madamme Janette's. The concierge can make reservations for you and give directions if you drive yourself. Lots of great places for dinner --more than you'll be able to try in a week. Another money saving tip is to rent your blue float mats from the guys on the beach if you can, they charged us half as much as the Marriott.
Have fun!
There are 2 grocery stores pretty close to the Marriott. If you rent a car, or even if you take a cab, it's easiest just to stop at the stores on the drive through downtown on the way to your hotel--you will pass them on the way. Sorry I can't remember the names, one's in a shopping center and has a samller selection, more locals shop there, and the other is much nicer (and more $$) and caters more to tourists. Both have basic brands, but you will pay more--up to twice as much as at home. Just ask the name of the stores on the road to Palm beach and anyone can tell you. Also, do drink the tap water--it probably tastes way better than what you have at home. Other than in the middle east, Aruba is one of the few places that has spent considerable money on a big de-salination plant so their tap water is great. We were told the reason it tastes so pure is that it's filtered through coral. Anyway people always seem to talk about how good the water there is.....Also for less epxensive meals or happy hours, right next door to the Marriott on the left as you face the sea is the Fisherman's Co-op, a little bar/restaurant that is the closest thing to a local beach bar we found. Barbecues a couple of times a week and you could get good grilled fish/chicken etc with sides for a very reasonable price compared. The island's restaurants are fabulous! I highly recommend Madamme Janette's. The concierge can make reservations for you and give directions if you drive yourself. Lots of great places for dinner --more than you'll be able to try in a week. Another money saving tip is to rent your blue float mats from the guys on the beach if you can, they charged us half as much as the Marriott.
Have fun!
Apr 29th, 2003, 01:04 PM
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Becca-
Also know that the grocery stores all accept US currency. Their machines are programmed to give the price in florins or dollars. You will usually get change in florins.
Your plan is exactly what we've done on each of our 3 trips to Aruba. Expect to pay a lot more, but expect to see a lot of familiar products.
Try Tejas de Brazil for a great meal out. It's a Brazilian steak house that cuts and serves you at your table from large skewers. Good food and great variety!
Enjoy!
Also know that the grocery stores all accept US currency. Their machines are programmed to give the price in florins or dollars. You will usually get change in florins.
Your plan is exactly what we've done on each of our 3 trips to Aruba. Expect to pay a lot more, but expect to see a lot of familiar products.
Try Tejas de Brazil for a great meal out. It's a Brazilian steak house that cuts and serves you at your table from large skewers. Good food and great variety!
Enjoy!
May 22nd, 2003, 02:03 PM
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Hi Becca,
Since I always stay at a resort with kitchen when I go to Aruba, I always go shopping to the large supermarkets. The best ones in my opinion are: Hong King (big building painted green) and the Mega Mall. They're all located in the same place, one right beside the other on the road to Oranjestad (about 5 minutes drive from the Marriott). You can't miss them because they have large signs. There are also two more supermarkets in the same area, both with chinese names..but I don't recommend them because they tend to be more expensive. Both the Hong King and the Mega Mall have tons of products to choose from (with your typical american brands like Tropicana Orange juice for example)and they look somewhat like a typical US supermarket. The best thing is that not only do they have american products, but they also carry lots of european products which are even more exquisite.!
Of course the prices are not those you'll find in the US but making your own meals will sure save you some bucks in breakfasts or lunches and snacks.
And about the water..the poster above is quite right. Water in aruba tastes great so don't even worry about drinking from the tap.
Have fun..
Paulie
Since I always stay at a resort with kitchen when I go to Aruba, I always go shopping to the large supermarkets. The best ones in my opinion are: Hong King (big building painted green) and the Mega Mall. They're all located in the same place, one right beside the other on the road to Oranjestad (about 5 minutes drive from the Marriott). You can't miss them because they have large signs. There are also two more supermarkets in the same area, both with chinese names..but I don't recommend them because they tend to be more expensive. Both the Hong King and the Mega Mall have tons of products to choose from (with your typical american brands like Tropicana Orange juice for example)and they look somewhat like a typical US supermarket. The best thing is that not only do they have american products, but they also carry lots of european products which are even more exquisite.!
Of course the prices are not those you'll find in the US but making your own meals will sure save you some bucks in breakfasts or lunches and snacks.
And about the water..the poster above is quite right. Water in aruba tastes great so don't even worry about drinking from the tap.
Have fun..
Paulie
May 23rd, 2003, 06:26 AM
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Milk is also imported as far as I can remember..I don't think there are many cows in Aruba..anyway, supermarkets rarely sell un-pasteurized milk. This is the twenty first century after all..and it's not like you're going to the african jungle...
May 23rd, 2003, 12:02 PM
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In response to girlonthego, we just recently returned from Aruba and you might have trouble buying milk at the grocery store that your kids will drink. At the couple of stores we were in all we could find was canned milk which looked less than appetizing. Luckily, we aren't big milk drinkers so it wasn't a big deal.
May 23rd, 2003, 12:40 PM
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Sorry to say this information is not quite accurate.
My brother is now in Aruba on a work assignment, and he just commented that he buys regular pasteurized Dutch milk in the supermarket. Not canned milk.
Maybe you didn't go to the larger supermarkets where these products can be found.
My brother is now in Aruba on a work assignment, and he just commented that he buys regular pasteurized Dutch milk in the supermarket. Not canned milk.
Maybe you didn't go to the larger supermarkets where these products can be found.
May 23rd, 2003, 02:17 PM
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The water is fine even for making tea and Kool-Aid. It is a little warm out of the faucet, no such thing as really cold water because it is piped across land above ground. Just chill it in the frige and it is great water. I live in the mountains in NC, and we have great fresh spring water and the taste of the water in Aruba was about the same once it was chilled.
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