I was in Ocho Rios in Jamaica and it was not safe at all. Is Aruba safe for two single women to walk around and drive around? I am afraid and worried after our experience in Ocho Rios.

Despite the sarcastic e-mail address and name, you can believe me -- Aruba is safe. We were there with our son a few years back and loved it. Very clean, no beggars .. good employment for the locals .. you get the picture.<BR>Enjoy.

Aruba is extrememly safe.

Can't ask for a safer place.<BR><BR>You can literally drive through their villages and get out and talk to the people and they are very friendly.<BR><BR>They call Aruba "One Happy Island" because they truly are happy and friendly.<BR><BR>My husband and I love Aruba, and have been there 3 times in the last two years. We will be returning in the fall again!!<BR><BR>Enjoy, this is definitely a VERY safe place to visit.

Susan: Where do you stay?

Marcy, I completely agree with you regarding Ochos Rios. I was petrified to leave the resort and hated the island. Aruba on the other hand is completely safe and a delight. We always stay at the Radisson (Palm Beach area) and I wouldn't hesitate to walk anywhere in the evening. Everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. You'll have a wonderful time!!

My husband and I spent a day in Aruba - we were traveling by cruise... We felt very comfortable there and would definitely go there without hesitation.<BR><BR>Another good, safe location is Bermuda!

Aruba is very safe and clean. No beggers. Locals are well edcuated and the unemployment rate is extrememly low.<BR>Always use common sense when travleing but there is no need to feel unsafe here. The main reason I chose Aruba over Jamaica on my last vacation was because of this very reason and I was not dissapointed. Enjoy!!

Aruba is definitely safer than most Caribbean islands, but sometimes tourists get into trouble when they falsely assume that an island is "crime free."<BR><BR>Even in Aruba, you can't leave valuables unattended, you need to lock your doors and windows, and walking around Oranjestad late at night requires some caution. I have read reports of hotel rooms being broken into.<BR><BR>So go and enjoy - it's a great island - but remember that the Garden of Eden ceased to exist quite a while ago.<BR>

Aruba is consistently rated one of the safest islands for families in the Caribbean. From the capital to St Nicholas, tourists are safe. The idiots who post otherwise have some sort of unknown problem. Ignore them, or ask any travel agent if you need further assurance.

Susantoo-<BR><BR>We stay at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellars Casino. It is beautiful. It is on the end of the high rise resort area, so you have your privacy if you want that.<BR><BR>They have a wonderful waterfall in the swimming pool. The grounds are wonderful too, just beautiful. The landscaping make you feel like you are in Hawaii...especially at the Marriott, Hyatt & Radisson.

Gary - -I hope you run into the people who robbed my condo in Aruba the next time you are in Aruba. Keep on believing Aruba is Shangr-La and nothing can happen to you - - the local hoods LOVE that stuff! YES VIRGINIA - there are hoods and criiminals in Aruba but what you don't know is that the local media and police do a wonderful job of hiding it from tourists. Gary - learn how to read Papiamento and read all about the crime in the Papiemento newspaper.<BR> Our thieves left behind their 16 inch machetti because they obviously had their arms full of our goods - jewelry - and money. Oh yes Gary - and if you get into trouble - - don't bother calling the Aruba police. They took 7 hours to arrive and just shrugged their shoulders. <BR> Who exactly do you THINK is occupying that prison at the end of the island??!!?? <BR> Wake up and smell the coffee Gary - there IS crime in Aruba and at some point it could find even you.<BR> Oh yes - and also - recently - 2 friends of mine were killed crossing in a crosswalk in Aruba because a local hood was driving so fast - he didn't see them. I've been to Aruba 12 times and I still go back.......because it DOES have probably less crime than your neighborhood - but I never forget to be on guard....and you shouldn't forget either.<BR>

<BR><BR>Yeah, right. Tell us some more stories. I LIVE in Aruba but do not earn a penny from tourism. There is some crime here, of course, but much less than 99% of the Caribbean. Most of the petty thieves are illegal immigrants from South America. The govt is doing a good job catching and deporting them.<BR><BR>Two of your friends were killed crossing the street? Okay. Whatever. Date & names please. <BR><BR>If there are humans present, then Shangri-La is not possible, but Aruba is darn close. Enjoy Aruba!<BR>

The two people killed were:<BR>Louis and Gloria Jean Love from Michigan - timeshare owners at LaQuinta timeshare. FYI

Oh - - and the date was May 5, 2002.<BR><BR>Maybe you didn't read about it in your Aruba newspaper? Or don't you read Papiamento? I don't think victims of crime in Aruba CARE if the perpetrators are Aruban or South American ...... I'm not attacking the Aruban people - just saying ---you can encounter crime in Aruba. ANd - - if you live in Aruba and are not in the tourist business - - you must be a thug or a hooker.

I was off island in early May. Very sad. I apologize for doubting. Were the victims or the driver intoxicated?<BR><BR>Still, Aruba is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. No comparison to most other islands. Partially why I moved here.<BR><BR>Retired, by the way. Former hooker/thug. HA HA HA.

And your Point is? Name me one US City, where several murders, rapes, traffic accidents, robberies are not reported on a Daily Basis. Give me a Break. Aruba is as safe as anywhere else in the World and more than most. I feel the same about Jamaica and Mexico.

In the real world there is crime everywhere even in Aruba. Who would travel to Aruba and assume it is perfectly safe, no place on earth is. Some of the motorists drive very fast--therefore when we are in Aruba we are careful when driving and as pedestrians when crossing streets. Why would 2 single women go to Ochos Rios and drive/walk around on their own? People should do some research on their destination before they go on vacation and enjoy themselves--why don't people just use COMMON SENSE!

Have been going to Aruba since 1984. It has changed remarkably since then, but one thing has remained constant, its a very safe and reasonably crime-free island. Although we take small amounts of money to the beach with us daily and a camera, we feel fairly certain that it is going to be there and not touched. Our 15 trips to the island as well as six or seven other islands int he Caribbean lead us to believe that Aruba, Turks & Caicos, St. John were relatively safe. We were nmot so sure about the safety of St. Thomas, St. Lucia and Antigua. Bottom Line.......always use caution even when a block away from home.