diann24

My husband and myself will be going to Aruba this December returning home on Christmas Day, This will our second trip there. We went 5 years ago. At that time we took a jeep tour that was insane! Although it was fun and rugged would not want to repeat the same itinerary. We will have a rental car. I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions of what to do. We are young "60's" and do like to snorkel, do water activities and enjoy history. Any suggestions? Thank-you.

schmerl

We enjoyed taking a boat out to DePalm Island and snorkling there. Lots of coral and fish to see there.

KVR

Have you looked at the tours offered by DePalm? www.depalm.com

We did the full day De-Palm Island and loved the walk in snorkeling there. The buffet was a little iffy, but the grill hamburgers and hot dogs were pretty good.

DePalm offers a sunset sail in which they sail from Palm Beach to DePalm Island for dinner.

A good snorkeling trip is the Tranquillo or the MiDushi. Both go to different areas.

I love the jeep tour we did with ABC, but I agree it was a very long bumpy day. You may want to just take your rental car and a map and do a sight seeing drive around the Island. Just be careful about leaving your car unattended in remote area and do not keep any valuables in the car or trunk.

With a car, you could the restaurants Old Man and the Sea and The Flying Fishbone.

diann24

Thanks. Yes I have been to the Flying fishbone before. Old Man and the Sea I have not been to nor the depalm tours. I will try one of there all day tours it does seem like fun. Good reviews. Yes it was ABC Jeep tours we took. I will NEVER forget that tour!! I went with some girlfriends to Aruba and I told them they will never speak to me again if I take them on this tour. haha. My husband and I literally had sand embedded in our ears! It was so windy and rough. Not for the faint of heart. once was enough-----thanks again.

Keith

We (ages 49 & 56) went there for a week, a year ago. My trip report goes into detail on the activites we did and the restaurants. http://www.mightymac.org/aruba/

Keith

davewolinsky

Aruba is great. I've been there twice now. It's a flat land but it's really laid back. If you've never been there, go to TravelExplosion.com to see a video of what the island has to offer. I think you'll love it.

P_M

We enjoyed Baby Beach on the south tip of the island. You will find clear, shallow water and good snorkelling by the jettys. It's an interesting drive as you will go through residential neighborhoods and past the prison. Once you get there you will see mostly locals which we enjoyed very much. We went 3 times to Baby Beach and would go again.

KVR

I agree with Baby Beach if have not already been there. De Palm used to have a beach hopping tour. We did that tour on our trip. We went to Baby Beach, Mangel Halto, Arashi Beach and Rodgers Beach (next to Baby Beach) Not something they advertise on-line, but offered at their tour desks.

travelertime

Driftwood is a nice restaurant. Also you can try golfing at the Tierra Del Sol golf course if you're into golfing and the Numisimatic Museum.

travelertime

There is also a nice beach near the Califronia Lighthouse

LisaEvans

Hi there,

I just read all the replies and I agree about Baby Beach, if you like to do snorkeling and water activities.

For history I recommend the National Archaeological Museum of Aruba, is a green building in downtown area very close to the Hugo Boss store. The Fort Zoutman is great as well On Tuesday from 7 to 9pm, the museum hosts the Bon Bini Festival.

You can go to the Aruba Aloe Factory, although there is not much history around, is a great place to visit and the building was dedicated to the Posner from their children.

I hope you find this helpful, if you need anything else let me know, I can tell you everything you want to know about Aruba attractions. (Ostrtich Farm, Casibari, Rock, Bushiribana Rocks)

Keith

The Bon Bini Festival is an amature show which may not be for everone. When we were at it, most people had left after about 30 minutes.

alya

diann

I agree about the ABC tour - what really freaked me out was when the owner asked the crowd of us who wanted to drive but didn't check that the people he chose (all guys) had drivers licenses.

We were in a car with a guy from LA and it wasn't too bad but we had to keep stopping to wait for the straggler - he was driving his family not a bunch of strangers so he was more careful than the other drivers. I have to say that I was shocked that every car didn't have a local driver who was used to the terrain. Never again!

If either of you have a motorbike license? I can recommend the Harley Davidson tour. So much fun and a lovely way to see the back roads.

I did a trip report somewhere here if you need to find more info.

Have a lovely time - I'm jealous

diann24

alya,

Yes we did did the Harley tour it was all day and will more than likely do that again. My husband is PB rider and rides every all the time. When we did the ABC tour they also had just drivers who were part of the group as well. They do not have enough staff apparantly. What a way to run a business. I cannot believe those never topple OVER. It really seemed dangerous to me but then again perhaps I have sense of adventure. I am primarily now seeking good restaurants I have not been to before. I love the Driftwood as someone mentioned, and we love seafood and the grouper. madame Jeaneants is another place I love. the lighthouse was a wonderful view but the food left me not enthused unless it was just what I ordered.(??) Any other restaurant suggestions? My trip is less then 2 weeks away. YEAH!! THanks everyone for your suggestions. Yes Baby beach is a must.

alya

diann
On the Harley tour ('We're Brits living in MA) I felt like the Queen Mum doing the royal wave there were so many guys stopping what they we doing to look as we passed by and waving back

Have you tried Pizza Bobs - we loved their pizza.
http://www.restaurantsaruba.com/view...ml?REST_ID=178

We stayed at Bucuti on both of our visits

alya

http://www.fodors.com/community/cari...-and-aruba.cfm

I found the trip report - but the Aruba part is halfway down because we went to Nevis first.

diann24

thanks a great report. I have heard always positive things about the place you stayed. The location is not near where I will be. Now I need to ask people about night life there. I have been there now twice and have never found any real 'night life" anyplace. Like music etc. I guess I just don't know where to go. Thanks for your inputs.

IngridL

Just curious...how was your trip? We're getting ready to go in a few days, so any advice you have is very much welcomed!!! Thanks!

diann24

IngridL, I was here and left again for Florida to spend time with our families. I just returned you are probably left all ready. sorry--I hope you had or are having a great time in Aruba. Let me know when you return.

OceanBreeze1

diann, how was Aruba?
Where did ou stay?
How was the weather?