nicolino

wondering where to eat? where to go? what to do? the do's and the don'ts.....should we rent a car? etc etc etc

shirleyk

Which timeshare? Some are in town, but most near the beach. Depending on the location of the timeshare and what you would like to do will help us answer your questions.

nicolino

we have a choice of several. one is the costa linda, others are the divi hotels, casa del mar, playa linda, aruba beach club. we basically are looking for beach during the day and great restaurants at night. maybe a catameran ride or possibly a great bar for drinks and dancing. wondering if a day trip to venezuela is possible? and how to do it? most of all do we need a car or is it easier to just cab it?

shirleyk

All the above mentioned timeshares are on the beach. Playa Linda is in the "high rise" area, all the others you mention are in the "low rise" area. Aruba has many, many great restaurants that you can either take a cab to or drive your rental car. Rental cars in Aruba are very inexpensive and driving is very easy. Catamaran trips are abundant and easy to book. Many great bars. I would not recommend a trip to Venezuela.

KVR

If you choose Costa Linda it is on Palm Beach. Across the street from the hotels on Palm Beach is a strip of resturants, bars, shopping and entertainment. Easily walkable. There is also various bus stops that can take you to the Eagle Beach area and downtown. The bus is easy, inexpensive and convenient source of transportation. If you choose a hotel on Eagle Beach that area is more spread out, so the bus would be useful. Depending on what restuarants you choose to dine out a cab may be needed. We didn't think a car was necessary.

There are several companies for catamarans. For snorkeling look at the Tanquillo. They take you to areas not typical of the other snorkel tours. Other companies include the Octopus, MiDushi, Black Pearl, Red Sail Sports and DePalm.

There are several beach bars in front of the hotels on Palm Beach. Moombas by the Marriott and Bugaloos by the Hyatt are popular. The Sopranos Piano Bar is also good. You may need a cab to get there.

There is a lot of political unrest in Venezuela. It is not advised to go over there. Aruba doesn't really offer day trips to Venzuela. If you really want to go you could probably book air on either DAE or Insel. You would have to check with those airlines for schedule information.

nicolino

Thanks to KVR and ShirleyK. Can you recommend any restaurants? We are from New York and like great food. Buses sound fine with me. I'd hate to rent a car and have it sit all week. How is the Playa Linda?

KVR

There are literally hundreds of resturants. Try this site for more information and customer reviews:

http://www.restaurantsaruba.com/all.html

We stayed at the Holiday Inn on Palm Beach. Couldn't tell you much about The Playa Linda. We enjoyed the location though. Close to everything. Check Trip Advisor for hotel reviews.

nicolino

Thanks again we have a choice of 2 time shares.....one is in orangstad the other is in noord. wondering what area is nicer or closer to everything.

shirleyk

The timeshare in Orangstad is in town. You would have to take a boat to get to their private island. The Timeshare in Noord is probably the Caribbean Palm Village which is not on the beach, but inland a few miles. Do you have the names of the places - that would make it easier to give you more acccurate information. Are you going through Interval International?

nicolino

Not going with the timeshares. They were not available. Rented a house in Oranjstad with a private pool. The House is minutes from Eagle beach.

KVR

Sounds nice. Hope you have a good trip. At least with a private house/pool you won't have to worry about the July crowds at all the hotels.

nicolino

Thanks KVR....Is it really that crowded in July? I heard the Island is very small. We rented a car and figured we try different beaches everyday. Also did some research on places to eat and it seems there are many good restaurants on the Island

KVR

We prefer adult only hotels. We were married in a July and have only celebrated in the actual month of July once (fixing to be twice as our 10th is this year) We usually go somewhere in September, November or the first part of December when the prices are lower and so are the crowds especially if it's not an adult's only hotel.

I wouldn't worry so much about public spaces though. There are so many restaurants and bars for people to go to. There have been many new ones open since we've been there. We enjoyed the stone cooking at La Petit. We did the AI at the Holiday Inn, which in hind sight was a bad idea as we didn't get to try all the really great restuarants which is part of the over all Aruba experience. Our next trip, we would like to try Madam Janette, Driftwood, Pinchos, Passions on the Beach, Screaming Eagle, and Wacky Wahoos.

I would definitely go to Baby Beach, Rodgers Beach, Arashi Beach and Mangel Halto. We didn't rent a car, but took a beach hopping tour and loved it.

I really wanted to return in July for our 10th wedding anniversary, but DH wanted to go somewhere we have never been. We're going to Key West. I will enventually get back to Aruba. It's one of my favorite Islands.

nicolino

Congrats on your 10th. We have been everywhere in the Caribbean except Aruba and Tobago. We try to do a different Island every winter and a biggie in the summer. Key West is great, very small and very quaint. Public Beaches are not great and far and in between. I will take your advice on the must do beaches and restaurants. I've actually heard very good things about all of the eateries you mentioned. Thankls again for your input.