sarajkl

I have been around the Carribbean enough to know that it is not unusual for even breakfast to costs $40+ for two people. My husband and I are looking for a stress free getaway where we won't have to worry about spending a lot of $$. My inclination is to go to Tamarijn- which is an AI and we can get airfare, etc.... for $2200. Or we could go to a non AI for about $1600. We are not huge drinkers but I know that on other Carribbean islands you food/drink costs could easily exceed $150 per day. Thoughts? Is there a way to eat relatively cheaply but well on Aruba?

KeyGal

One option is to rent an apartment rather than stay at a resort, shop for groceries, and cook for yourselves so you can afford a few splurges at some of Aruba's great restaurants, which are one of the best reasons for going there.

Wheretostay.com has info about properties other than resorts, with traveler reviews.

ejcrowe

I don't know anything specifically about the quality of food offered at Tamarijn, but if it's like most AI offerings it will be plentiful but not particularly memorable. I don't like AIs in general, and I sure wouldn't want to eat at the same place for an entire week. All the same, sometimes if you find a great deal at an AI you can make the compromise by staying (and drinking) at the AI, but venturing off-site and trying various options for lunch and dinner can still come out ahead money-wise than if you had planned all meals a la carte. Leaving the premises to dine out locally is good for the soul, good for the belly, and good for the local economy.

jacketwatch

Aruba is relatively inexpensive as the Carib. goes and my advice is to not go AI as there are so many good restaurants there and at fair prices. JM2C.

Ken_in_Mass

There are some places where AI makes a lot of sense, but Aruba has so many really good restaurants that its not a place I would recommend for AI. Also, unlike places like the Riviera Maya, AI's in Aruba are in the minority and so there is less competition.

I haven't been there for 3-4 years, but I think $150 is high for a couple for daily dining unless you're hitting the really top-notch restaurants every night.

For us, the adventure of trying new restaurants is a big part of an Aruba vacation.

If you really like the idea of an AI, and there's a lot to be said for the relaxation of not needing to worry about where the next meal is, or transportation to and from it, you might consider the Mayan Riviera or Dominican Republic where they specialize in them, and competition keeps the quality pretty high.

Ken

dancinggal

sarajkl,
We went to Aruba for our honeymoon and didn't go AI. We were really glad we didn't! Aruba has some of the best restaruants I have ever been to! Le' Dome is a pricy one but the food was out of this world!
Here's what we did to save on food;
breakfast came with the package at the hyatt
lunch we would go to salt and pepper and we also brought a softsided cooler with us and when to the grocery store for sandwich fixings. Then we picked 3 fancy restaraunts and ate at them and then the other nights we ate at a pub - type place, even had chinese takeout one night (got back so late from Curaco missed dinner). So I would recommend not going AI or if you do spend money for 2 or 3 dinners at some of Arubas great restaurants!
Have a wonderful time!
Kerri

Kristen1206

I would not recommend doing an al in Aruba. Too many great restaurants (El Gaucho, Flying Fishbone, Madame Janette, and a new one that I can't think of the name of!!) and the prices are very reasonable compared with the rest of the caribbean.

sarajkl

Thanks so much for all of your responses. I was just worried about spending an arm and a leg just to eat! Has anyone else tried the Aruba Dine-around card? Any thoughts on that? I can't wait to hit the beach!

girlonthego

go to aruba-bb.com This a website where you can ask questions and people who go to Aruba all the time or love it, etc.. answer your questions. I recieved a lot of great advice before we left from the board. I also recommend not to do AI on Aruba. The restaurants were fabulous!

MeganandJ

We just returned from Aruba last night & would highly recommend not doing all-inclusive. We ate out for lunch & dinner daily (skipped breakfast). We are moderate drinkers (ie 1 drink each w/ lunch & 2 drinkseach w/ dinner on average). Lunches, we spent about $10-$20 eating at Bucuti's restaraunt daily. Dinners we spent btw $60-$100. $100 only once at Madame Jeanettes which was worth every penny. I was surprised El Gaucho was only $70 w/ dinner, drinks, desert & after dinner drink. Aruba has so many amazing places to eat that I would have felt cheated doping AI. Have fun, you will love Aruba.

caribetraveller

The great thing about Aruba is the variety of restaurants and beach bars. With an AI, you feel locked into the food you already bought. And you may be less likely to explore the island. There are lots of great little places for lunch and down past the brewery there are some wonderful little bar/eateries. The big grocery just north (or west?) of Oranjestead has wonderful selections of meats and veggies with most of the brands you know and some others you wish you could get at home. And at the AI, you just don't get the welcoming spirit of the people of Aruba. Don't forget to try the local beer!