I'm trying to figure out if I can afford to go to Aruba and what is the best way to go--all inclusive, dine around program, Aruba advantage card...? My husband and I would be leaving from Kansas City or St. Louis, Missouri, looking at September or October for 5 nights, and would like to keep the total cost of the trip around $3,000-3,300. I can get air and non-AI hotel for around $2,300. Can we eat decent and see most/all of the major attractions for an additional $1,000? I see meals are kind of pricey but can't find any pricing on cocktails. Maybe someone could comment on that too. Thanks.

Kristy, It's been 3yrs. since I've been<BR>to Aruba but from what I remember the<BR>beers were expensive. Most places sold<BR>8 oz. beers for $3 or $4. We ate at the<BR>Hyatt which is where we stayed and at<BR>the Wyndham and Papiamento. Most nights<BR>cost us about $130 I believe. It was an<BR>expensive trip, but we drink a lot and<BR>did no tours other than rent a jeep and<BR>I think that was about $200 for 3 days.<BR>We also did a package through Apple<BR>Vacations and I think our total price<BR>at the end of 7 days came to $4000. Try<BR>www.arubatourism.com for meal suggestions I'm sure you can do it for<BR>$3,000. Have fun.

Hi Kristy.<BR><BR>My husband & I are also considering Aruba in mid. sept. out of st. louis...what air rates did you find? or if it was a package? The air I am finding is outrageous. <BR><BR>just an f.y.i. priceline now offers resort bidding in Aruba (as well as many other spots...have not seen the Aruba results but people are getting the Westin St. John and St. Thomas Marriott for about $75 a night) I think it might be the Wyndham or a Marriott property.

UPDATE!! We just bid Aruba on Priceline and got the Wyndham for 75 a night for 7 night stay in mid september!!<BR><BR>We may have overbid a tad because it was accepted right away, but the rates we found we around $150 a night there. <BR><BR>Now we have to find air!!!<BR><BR>HTH!!<BR>Molly

Molly-<BR>Try a charter. We flew Allegro (through Funjet) out of Atlanta (we used Frequent Flyer miles to get to/from Atlanta). Other folks have used VacationExpress out of the Midwest to get to Aruba. The regular/commercial airlines charge an exorbitant amount to get there...as you have found out!

Have any of you tried MCM Tours for prices. Call 1-800-64-ARUBA or visit their website at www.mcmtours.com. I got a package at the Wyndham last September from JFK for $1,109 per person. It included Sun-Sun travel, r/t transfers, daily breakfast buffet and $100 food & beverage credit.

Kristy,<BR><BR>Frozen drinks at pool bars in Aruba are quite expensive. They are $6-$8 each, unless you go during Happy Hour, when the "drink of the day" is half price or you may get "2 for 1". Our breakfast buffet was included in our price. We allowed about $200 day for drinks, dinner and spend money. It is possible, but not easy to live on a budget like that while in Aruba. Good luck.

Aruba's motto, "One Happy Island". You will find whatever you need in Aruba. There are expensive restaurants, but there are also less expensive restaurants, cafes, and also Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, Wendy's and Subway. You can spend a lot on tours, rent a car and do your own, or you can just relax at the hotel. You can go shopping and spend a lot or a little. You can eat at expensive restaurants every day or you can buy groceries and eat on the beach. You can get a fancy hotel room on the beach for big money or you can get an inland resort one block from the beach for a huge amount less. Please don't let people scare you from going to Aruba because they themselves spend a lot of $$$$. PS. People mainly go to Aruba for the beach and weather. There aren't many "major attractions". You can see those in 1 hour by car. Shows and the casinos are where you would spend the big money or not, it's up to you. If you found a good price on airline tickets, the rest is a piece of cake.

Hey Kristy,<BR><BR>do you or your husband by chance have TWA or American FF miles?<BR><BR>they have a thing going that you can use 15,000 miles and a 225 co pay for Aruba Sept-Nov 14th. We just booked this to use with our priceline hotel. So our total for 2 of us for 7 nights at the wyndham with air is about $1100!!! <BR><BR>

My trip report to Aruba is posted at:<BR>http://www.visitaruba.com/guestarea/tripreports/trip230.html.<BR>Alcohol is expensive. But there are plenty of places to eat on a budget. Pinnacle Tours in Brooklandville, Maryland has set me up very nicely on Aruba trips. Breakfast buffet vouchers, expense vouchers, etc. Am going in April.