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I'm having a tough time deciding on a destination for our anniversary/New Year's celebration.

We are looking forward to 5-7 days of sunshine, temp in the 80s, not too far from home (NY), 6 hrs max. The idea is to soak up sun, listening to surf while reading or just being lazy, with dinner where food id good, in a casual atmosphere.

Activities are not important, fine dining is. Walking on the beach is about all we intend to do, we are 55+ and 71. No club scene necessary ...


Aruba? Puerto Vallarta?

Thanks!

KVR

Two totally different places in style, atmosphere, topography and geography.

For fine dining and walking the beach, I would say Eagle Beach in Aruba. Aruba has some of the best resturants and are easy to get to. Eagle Beach is a nice long stretch of beach and great for walking.

Look at the Amsterdam Manor, Tamarijn, Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa or the Divi.

Here's Aruba's Restaurant Guide with ratings and consumer's reviews.

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

suze

I answered this question on the Mexico forum. I personally love Puerto Vallarta, but I think your post sounds more like Aruba.

TCall

ARUBA all the way!! This is a great place for folks your age! I was there a few months ago and really enjoyed it. Although, I am in my mid 20's, I noticed that Aruba has more of a laid back, couple, family, relaxing vibe. There was little to none when it came to the club scene. The restaraunts were fabulous... lots to choose from!! A very safe island with lots to do!

I suggest renting a Jeep for the day and adventuring out. We did it, and loved it. The island is VERY easy to get around and there is a lot of great beauty to see... from beaches, to bridges, to churches, to light houses, to even just the massive homes in Aruba.

If you just want to beach bum it out for a week then Aruba is beautiful for this. The weather is almost perfect!!! Very hot with a nice breeze!!! People dont bother you here like they do in Mexico!!

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KVR, suze [again, ] and TCall, thanks for answering.

This is why I'm having a hard time deciding - I know both places are quite different. My impression is that beach-bumming would be better in Aruba. And how can one not love the color of that sea? But I also know that sunsets on the pacific are hard to beat, and I do love the sound of crashing waves ...

Thanks for the link KVR, I'm off to check it out now!

BellaClaire

I would have said Aruba hands down until I saw a friends pictures recently of a place she said I guess 40 miles or so from Puerta Vallarta.....she said it was stunning.....http://www.haramararetreat.com/

screen_name_taken

Thank you Bella, it looks fabulous!

Will be showing it to DH tomorrow, keeping my fingers crossed for a positive response.

Did your friend elaborate on towns nearby? restaurants? beaches? golf?

Thanks again for a fantastic link.

BellaClaire

I'll ask her! After looking at her pictures - which I swear could have been an ad for the place itself.....I have to go there!

BellaClaire

Hi - I heard back from my friend - perhaps not a place for everyone - see below - her pictures looked awesome to me and she raves about the place.....this is directly from her below.

The beach was lovely and it's near the town of Sayulita - which is about an hour south of PVR. It's a small town so only restaurants are in Sayulita and I'm not sure about the golf.

Haramar is a retreat and i'm not sure you can just book into the retreat.. i think you have to book into one of the sessions.. i.e. yoga retreat or a detoxification cleanse week..etc. It's not like a hotel. You can look at their calendar and see upcoming retreats.

It's quite hilly and rustic.. so hard on older people ..also, no electricity..only oil lamps and candles.

It was a great experience and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Keith

bookmarking

suze

Keith, Check out this same question posted on the Mexico forum. There're more and different replies there, if you're interested.