Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Time Share vs Tamarijin???

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Time Share vs Tamarijin???

I'm planning a trip to Aruba in the spring and need advice on where to stay. I've done a little research and the Tamarijin/Divi all inclusive seems like a good deal. I have the option of staying in the "Paradise Beach Villas" on Eagle Beach for practically free through a travel club. The air fare will be more this way though because I lose the benefit of the package and all inclusive. The time share + airfare would be around $1500 for 2 while the Tamarijin would be around $3500 but include everything. My questions are: Does anyone have any feedback on Paradise Beach Villas or Eagle Beach? Same for Tamarijin? Am I better off with an all inclusive on Aruba i.e., is food overly expensive, hard to get to, etc. Thanks for any info. Joe

Eagle Beach is beautiful - less crowded than Palm Beach, more sand than beach at Tamarijn. I've never visited an island where all-inclusive seemed less necessary than Aruba. There are restaurants in every price range (from McDonalds to gourmet) and it's easy to get around - by bus, taxi, or rented car. I'm not sure if "Paradise Beach Villas" are right on the beach - you might want to check that out. Lots of Aruba info on bulletin boards at www.aruba-bb.com and www.visitaruba.com.

In my opinion, the timeshare is a much better deal. The Divi is not a four or five star property so I do not think your accommodations with be worth $2,000 more and you will miss so much if you don't get to experience Aruba's great restaurants! The only issue is beach access, I think I recall that Paradise Beach Villas is right near beautiful Eagle Beach, I think only across the street. I'd go for Paradise Beach!

The time share will give you infinitely more space than the rooms at the Tam/Divi. We've been going to the Dutch Village for 20 years - it is on the same property as the Tam and the Tam has become a resort full of people trying to get their money's worth at the bar. Eagle beach is across the street from your time share and it is usually crowded but it is a much nicer beach than the one at the Tam which is continually eroding. You'll never spend the extra $2000 on food/drinks!!! Enjoy

I believe that the Paradise Beach Villas has beach privileges with the Manchebo Beach Resort (www.manchebo.com) You also will get information about the Tamarijn and the Divi at www.diviaruba.com-- and these websites may have additional photos and info on the resorts you're interested in: www.airtravel.com www.aruba-tours.com Be sure to check out these Aruba related websites-- they have tons of info and bulletin boards: www.visitaruba.com www.aruba-bb.com www.aruba-travelguide.com Those 3 websites also have trip reports written by visitors about their experiences in Aruba and in their hotel properties. JanGail

Checkout www.paradisebeachvillas.com. I own timeshare at LaCabana next door and toured Paradise in April. Sooooo much nicer than the Tam. The only drawback I saw was that they hadn't built their tiki huts on the beach yet. Now that it's almost a year later, maybe they have. The resort is pretty quiet but lots of action next door if you need it, Casino,couple of restaurants, bars,etc. Check out www.lacabana.com to see what you will be close to. Drinks can be expensive. Bring a cooler and a couple of insulated mugs (and of course, your duty free). Lots of happy hours to be had next door at LaCabana and I'm sure Paradise has them too. You will be within walking distance to a number of restaurants and as mentioned cheap cabs and easy bus access to everything else. The beach is directly across the street and in front of Paradise it is not crowded at never has been during my two weeks in April. Unless, you are going during Easter,that is a busy time of year as the week after Easter is a week long holiday for local Arubians. I don't find the walk across the street any inconvenience at all as Paradise grounds go right up to the road - gated. Having toured Paradise and done a walk-through of the Tam, Paradise wins hands down. Enjoy your trip.

We stay just up the street from Paradise Villas and it is on my list of places to stay. It is gorgeous. It is across the street from the beach but has a beautiful beach and a wonderful view. Lots of wonderful restaurants. We have breakfast and lunch in our unit and eat at a different restaurant each night. My vote would be PBV!