In planning our Aruba trip we are trying to choose between a more expensive place on the beach or less expensive condo 1/2 mile away. If we get the condo we will need a car (thus more money) but if we need a car for Aruba anyway that doesn't matter as much. So...would it be good to have a car for Aruba anyway? Is there much to explore on the island? I'm sure if we stay at Eagel or Palm we can get to lots of restaurants etc. I just don't know how much else there is to see on the island. Thanks!
Car in Aruba?
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A car really isn't necessary especially if you stay on Eagle or Palm Beach. The public transportation system is very good.
There are some restaurants though like The Flying Fishbone and the Old Man and the Sea that you will need a car if you want to dine there.
Some people rent a car for a couple of days and do their own sightseeing thing and go to those restaurants and then turn in the car. Go to Baby Beach, Arashi Beach, Mangel Haltos, and The lighthouse. Various things that you can also reach just by doing a tour. Just depends on what you want to do.
Check www.depalm.com for things to see and do on Aruba.
We rented a car for the whole duration of our stay in Aruba. We like to explore on our own and not as part of a tour group, also we like to go to restaurants that might be a little out of the way and like to scuba dive so a car is useful for us to get around with our own equipment. We did things like horse riding excursions which was great to have the car to get to/from the ranch and it was less expensive & more convenient than taking organised tours. We tend to rent cars most places though.
We stayed on Palm Beach, so many things, including sunset and snorkling tours, were within walking distance. Other activites included picking us up and dropping us off. We did pretty much all of the the Island's activites and in a week's stay, we only rented a car for one day.
I would rent a car for a couple of days and then you can take the bus on other days. If you want to go downtown for any shopping, you can explore by bus and if there's a lot you want to buy, that will give you a chance to go back with the car!
We have always rented a car in Aruba. I know some people who have not and are fine with that, but we like to explore and go to Madamn Janettes and other restaurants downtown and not depend on a taxi although it is possible to do so. You can also do tours with tour companies for the day and not rent a car if you want to get around that way. Either way you will be fine.