My husband and I are planning a trip to Aruba to take place sometime between January and June of 1999. We have never been anywhere in the Caribbean. We are hopeful that someone has some experiences they could share with us <BR>such as <BR>1)Has anyone stayed at the Bucutti Beach Hotel? <BR>2) How bad are the mosquitos? <BR>3) Are the all-inclusives really good or are <BR> they generally repetitive and full of cheap filler foods? <BR>4) Is it worth it to stay somewhere on Palm <BR> Beach rather than Eagle Beach? Are they <BR> comparable? <BR>5) Are the beaches full of cigarette butts? <BR>6) We really don't want to stay anywhere with <BR> lots of kids...any suggestions? <BR>7) Finally, are there any really good limbo places, latin dance places, reggae, etc? <BR> <BR>I'd really appreciate a reply back to my own e-mail as I think it will be hard to find replies on this website. Thank you so much!!! [email protected] <BR> <BR>S & V Peterson

Hi! <BR> <BR>I think that I might be able to help. <BR> <BR>I haven't stayed at the Bucuti Beach. I believe that it's on Eagle Beach and would strongly suggest changing to Palm Beach. It's much better. Maybe the Americana, Marriott or Radisson. <BR> <BR>There aren't any flying bugs to speak of. The 10MPH trade winds blow everything tiny off the island. <BR> <BR>The all-inclusives are OK, but with all of the wonderful restaurants and it being a rather small (and safe) island, by all means get out and enjoy places like the Windmill, the Buccaneer, La Dolce Vita among others. The food is expensive, but have a good breakfast and then have a good dinner and it's not so much money and you'll be fine. <BR> <BR>Palm Beach is just a prettier and larger beach. <BR> <BR>The beaches are clean, sand like sugar. <BR> <BR>There aren't many children there when school is in. Avoid summer or Christmas. <BR> <BR>The Americana (I hear tht it's changing names) has a great barbeque and limbo show on Mondays. Most hotels have differents shows on various days. <BR> <BR>I'll send you a message on your email, just in case. <BR> <BR>A last word: I have been to Aruba twice and I used to live in Jamaica. I love Aruba and will go back, I'm sure. Be aware that this is not a lush tropical island, it's virtually a desert. The island is about 19 miles long and six miles wide and take a day and rent some scooters and go out to the windward (west)side and see the Casabari and the natural bridge. The hotels are all on the leeward (east) side of the island and Eagle Beach is close to Oranjestad, while Palm Beach is north. The water is calm and crystal clear. The people are fantastic. It is very safe. The temps never really get below 75F or above 90, while it rarely ever rains there. Make sure that you take a snorkel trip on one of the catamarans docked on the beach. Take sunblock and it's casual by day, shirt and slacks by night. Stroll from hotel to hotel and swim at their beach/pool and stop at their bar for an Amstel beer. The island is of Dutch heritage. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

<BR>Aruba is a favorite desitination. I recommend Palm Beach and the high rise area because there is more to do, but that's a personal choice. If you are looking for a more laid back vacation in a quiter area the low rise area is for you. Bucuti could be a good choice. <BR> <BR>For more answers to your questions, there is a very active Aruba Bulletin Board at: <BR> <BR>www.aruba-bb.com <BR> <BR>Have fun!

My husband and I honeymooned on Aruba in 1997. We had a great time. Recommend you rent your own car or jeep & do your own exploring. See the caves & the natural bridge. Someone mentioned the island is not lush - don't be surprised, it is really barren in some spots & billy goats roam around. It truly is spectacular & there is plenty to see & down in town. Recommend you stay to the north of the island (by the lighthouse). We stayed at the Wyndham (pretty good), breakfast was great there. The Hyatt & the Marriott seemed to be the best places to eat. Didn't see amy mosquitoes (Barbados has those).... <BR> <BR>Sharon

<BR>I agree with all that has been posted. You will not see any flying insects at all. I suggest that you try to arrange for one of the snorkel trips that sail off of Baby Beach--best that I've seen on this island. There's also a nice, small catamaran that operates off of a dock at the Holiday Inn. It only holds about a dozen people and the Dutch owner who sails it is very pleasant. I regret that I can't remember the name of this outfit. We used them for a sunset cruise--had any kind of beverage you wanted plus great crusty bread and dutch cheese sandwiches and other snacks. We enjoyed it so much we also booked a snorkel trip with them, but Baby Beach is better for that. <BR> <BR>We also found restaurant meals expensive-my wife, 12 year old daughter and I spent about $100 US per night. <BR> <BR>We stayed at La Cabana in a 2 bedroom with kitchen and did most of our breakfast and lunches there--nice to just step in from the beach for a quick bite. Others have posted on this forum that they don't like LaCabana--our unit was super clean and the service was very good. <BR> <BR>As strange as it sounds, we also saw a number of people who flew down on our charter flight who packed lots of canned goods. Groceries are expensive on the island-- we routinely paid $5 for the typical can of tuna. I wouldn't carry canned goods on a vacation, but whatever works for some folks. <BR> <BR> Fruit is available from a variety of stands--we bought lots of fruit from a stand located in downtown Orangestad right at the water front. Our favorite was pineapple--about $2US each. Unlike other foods, fruit seems to be very reasonable. <BR> <BR>Be sure to pack lots of sun screen, the sun is very intense due to the proximity to the equator. Also be sure everyone has a good hat, you'll need it at the beach and everywhere else. <BR>We're going back again next year, hope you have a great trip.