Aruba...too Americanized?

Old Jan 28th, 2015, 04:50 AM
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Aruba...too Americanized?

Planning a getaway for late March with hubby.
Mid-50's.
Like beachfront, some sun time, nice meals & drinks, local flavor, some shopping, moderate "exertion."
Never been to Aruba...
is it very Americanized and filled w fast food franchises?

Also considering Mexico or Bahamas.

Thank you.
MJfromChicagoBurbs1 is offline  
Old Jan 28th, 2015, 06:34 AM
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Yes there are many fast food franchises in Aruba but you don't have to eat at them. There are many other options, including some local places. The Aruba TA forum is a great place for information. Aruba does meet all of your requirements but you have to search out the local flavor. I suggest you rent a car and drive around the island. The area where the resorts are located, especially Palm Beach, does not really have any "local flavor".
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Old Jan 28th, 2015, 10:16 AM
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I'd head to the Caribbean coast of Mexico instead. Somewhere around Playa del Carmen (which is south of Cancun).
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Old Jan 28th, 2015, 01:33 PM
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Yes, Aruba is very Americanized, but it has everything you're looking for except a lot of local flavor. The beach- especially Eagle Beach- is very nice, and much nicer than the beach in Playa Del Carmen. However, in Playa Del Carmen you'll feel much less like you're visiting the Miami of the Caribbean.
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Old Feb 12th, 2015, 11:08 AM
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Yes, fairly American-ized in the sense that everyone spoke English that supports that tourists. I've also been to Cancun which wasn't really any different. I prefer Eagle Beach to Palm beach since there aren't quite as many people.

I found the food in Aruba to be not to impressive with just a few exceptions:
Zeerovers - it was awesome. We ordered everything on the menu and then ate it overlooking the ocean.
Passions (tied to Amsterdam Manor) - good food & service served on the beach. Not cheap but good.
A white food truck on the beach side just south of Amsterdam Manor. Awesome meats with rice and very cheap.
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Old Feb 12th, 2015, 11:10 AM
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Mexico, generally speaking, is less "Americanized" but there are fast food chains there too.
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Old Feb 13th, 2015, 04:34 AM
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To really answer the original question, YES, Aruba is one of the (most) Americanized islands in the Caribbean. Local flavor? Good luck!! You mat as well go to Florida.

Aruba has a huge following, and is very popular. Some people really love the "Americanized" feel. If "local flavor" is really important to you, I think there are much better options out there.
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Old Feb 15th, 2015, 05:42 AM
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I love Aruba and I find it difficult to even get a bad meal in Aruba and I have to respectfully disagree with the impossible to get local food. They have wonderful fish, grouper as I recall everywhere. Yes there are American chains, but one does not have to eat there. Smokey Joes, has wonderful ribs and Azul Fish. If you search you will find so many wonderful restaurants. There is huge following and Aruba has the most repeat visitor of any island.

I just returned from one week in Barbados. They have very few chains from the U.S I was told they built a TFIF and tore it down cause no one liked it--that being said I cannot say I really had a great meal there. It is a pretty island in terms of Geography much more so then Aruba. That being said the water was rough on the South side. Great if you like to boogie board. If you want a less Americanized feel you can try Barbados; People are very friendly, and mostly from England and Canada in terms of tourists. However getting around is not as easy, and the food was mediocre for me at best. I met people who have come there for 20 years and love it as you will find in Aruba as well. I found Barbados to be more $$$ then Aruba. Just my opinions.
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Old Feb 18th, 2015, 05:18 AM
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Aruba has the white sand and beautiful water. It also offers great restaurants, gambling, water sports, and some very nice resorts. We really liked Aruba.We rented a jeep and went around the island and ate in some local food establishments.

Personally, the area where the resorts are, are very lush and beautiful. The island itself is rather scrubby and desert like. It has many american chains which we did not eat in. It also has grocery stores that have some items you will definitely recognize from home. I don't think saying it is Americanized is a bad thing.
But if you want off the beaten path vacation, then Aruba is not for you.
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Old Feb 24th, 2015, 05:49 AM
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Aruba has everything on your list. I strongly agree with the recommendation to stay on the Eagle Beach (or low rise) side of the island if you want a more low-key vibe. The Palm Beach area has the larger resorts, caters more to families, and has more of that "Americanized" feel. There are many excellent restaurants throughout the island. Go and enjoy!
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Old Sep 5th, 2015, 10:39 AM
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I honestly do not understand why people love Aruba so much. I have been there once and it was enough for me and I will never return. There is no culture in Aruba. Besides a small ribbon of beaches on the island there is nothing else there besides huge American hotels, restaurants chains, fast food, casinos and malls. I wasn't sure if I was in Aruba or South Florida. The traffic sucks and the roads are terrible. I didn't find the people overly friendly on their "Happy Island". The landscape is nearly featureless, arid and it is too windy all the time. There are so many other islands in the Caribbean the trump Aruba. (St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, BVI, Martinique).
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Old Sep 8th, 2015, 05:03 AM
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AlexanderGrande17, This is why they make chocolate vanilla and strawberry ice cream. We all have differing opinions. May we agree to disagree.
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