lly01

My husband and I will be going with our "kids" and their spouse and friend to Aruba in August. So it will be us, who are mid-50s plus 4 who are about 30 yrs old. They will want alot of activity, fun restaurants, busy beach. What are the pros/cons of Eagle Beach vs Palm Beach? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for day trips to South America...is that even feasible?

Thank you in advance!

KVR

Lots of activity, restaurants within walking distance, busy beach = Palm Beach. The Radisson get lots recommendations. Literally across the street for the hotels lined up on Palm Beach you'll have your chose of numberous resturants, bars, shopping and entertainment. On the beach side you find water sports, bars and restaurants.

Eagle beach is more laid back and spread out. The beach is wider and less crowded. Not very many restaurants, but the bus system is good.

If you like bar hopping, the Kukoo Kunuku bus is very fun.

It's not recommended to go into South America. They are plenty of day trips to Curacao or Bonaire if you want to Island hop. Insel Air and Tiara Air have flights to those Islands.

girlonthego

I agree with KVR. Palm Beach is the place for action and lots of watersports available in front of all the hotels. We have stayed at the Marriott and it is very nice and offers timeshares as well for rent. The Radisson and also the Hyatt get good reviews.
I also have heard about the kukoo kunuku party bus as a fun time. Our kids are just getting old enough to partake in that sort of fun.
I have also heard to NOT go to South America. Venezula is very close but also not recommended. I have heard Curacao is another very nice island to go visit. With a week's vacation, I would say just enjoy Aruba.
Have fun. There are many great restaurants to dine around the island.

diann24

I also agree with others. There is much to see and do in Aruba and visit to another island would be hectic at best for only a 1 weeks visit. The Kukoo bus would be fun time for you all to enjoy together. There are many restaurants on Palm Beach. Will you be renting a car? Madamn Jeanettes is the best on the island in terms of quantiy and quality. The location would require a taxi or car. I never visit Aruba w/o a visit to see the "Madamn."

A fun place in Bugabo it is on the end of the pier cheap, and a great sunset view. Good for lunch as well a flip-flop place. Sunset Bistro Grill is further down by the Divi Phoenix. It has torchlight seating with feet in the sand, a nice ambiance. Food is ok but atmohphere is awesome. Smokey Joes is favorite with the best ribs ever. Enjoy!

JeanH

I don't know a thing about traveling to Venezuela, other than it isn't even on the list of countries with US State Department travel warnings. What makes it so dangerous?

I would agree with a week long trip, it might not be worth the hassle.

P_M

We considered a day trip to Venezuela but after researching it I discovered it didn't make much practical sense for a day trip. The cost was too much and flight schedules were not practical. That was 2 years ago, it could be different now but I think the advice for Bonaire or Curacao is more sensible. We spent our entire week in Aruba and we did not run out of things to do.

KVR

Here is the Travel.State.Gov site regarding safe travel in Venezuela. Read and make your own determination. Venezuela and Columbia have some of the highest crime and drug problems. People are so concerned with the crime in Mexico, but the tourist areas are not even comparable to Central America.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1059.html

We have made the flight between Aruba and Curacao on Insel air. We were not staying in Aruba that time. Our specific destination was Curacao for a week's vacation and it was more feasible to go through Aruba and then use Insel Air, than use AA and go through Miami.

If you chose to take a day trip make sure that you are on the first flight over and the last flight back. The trip is about 30 minutes on a tiny puddle jumper plane. If you are cautrophobic or get air sick, I would not recommend. You will get very friendly with your fellow passengers and get to watch the pilots fly the plane and see out the front window.

Have something pre-planned for when you arrive. Either a tour or a rental car with an itinary. No point in wasting time trying to figure out what to do and where to go once you get there. It can be done if you use proper time management to get the most out of your trip. We have done this in Hawaii and it worked well for us.

JeanH

But, here's the list of travel warnings. Venezuela doesn't even make the list.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...w/tw_1764.html

KVR

Cabo, Playa del Carmen, Riveria Maya, Cancun and Cozumel don't make the list either, but so many people shy away from those areas because of reported info.

Even if a country does not make the list doesn't mean it shouldn't be researched throughly to weigh and the pros and cons to make a determination.

The read on Venezuela was pretty scary to me. I would venture to the tourist areas of Mexico, and I have for the past 10 years, before I ever would ever go to Venezuela. Not an destination I would be willing to take a chance on, but if others want to, then by all means. Caveat emptor.