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Aruba - recommendations?
Posted on 1/27/26 at 10:40 am
Posted on 1/27/26 at 10:40 am
Going to Aruba next month and still haven't picked where we are staying. Debating in the city area so we can walk everywhere or outside the city area in an Airbnb with private beach. Trying to avoid the $1-2K/night resorts as places to stay.
Where do people recommend to stay? Am I wrong about the resorts? In the city or outside?
Where do you recommend to NOT stay?
Where do you recommend to go and not to go?
ATV riding is on the list of things to do based on posts on here and internet searches.
Plan to rent a car. There for 5 days.
Thanks!
Where do people recommend to stay? Am I wrong about the resorts? In the city or outside?
Where do you recommend to NOT stay?
Where do you recommend to go and not to go?
ATV riding is on the list of things to do based on posts on here and internet searches.
Plan to rent a car. There for 5 days.
Thanks!
7
Posted on 1/27/26 at 11:12 am to Neauxla
Stayed at the Marriott right in town. The one with the private island that was a ten minute water taxi away. The water taxi actually comes in the lobby to pick you up. Really enjoyed that place. ATV rides and tours were a short taxi ride away. It's not a big island.
Posted on 1/27/26 at 1:07 pm to Neauxla
The island is small, but does take a while to get a round due to lack of major highways. Driving can be a little difficult, but not too bad.
We've stayed at the Divi the first time we went, but have moved over to Manchebo. We've been there 8 times now and can't give it enough of a recommendation. You can enjoy the resort as an all inclusive, but you don't have to, or you can do half and half. The beaches are the best in Aruba.
There is also Bucuti and Tara next door. We've never stayed there, but it does look nice.
Recs are for dinner - Madame Janettes - It really outstanding.
There's a tiny place called the LionFish Snack and it serves Lionfish which is great. We generally eat at Manchebo for our stay.
Bring snokeling gear (or rent it). There are a number of cool beaches and the snorkeling is fantasic (Baby Beach, Mangel Halto Beach, Arashi Beach, and the natural pool)
Local beer is Balashi, they also make Chill was is a great beer, but be warned, they coming in 7oz bottles and aren't cheap. We've started going to the store across the street and getting a case and it's half the cost of the same beer at the resort.
Overall, great island, great people and extremely safe. Enjoy!
We've stayed at the Divi the first time we went, but have moved over to Manchebo. We've been there 8 times now and can't give it enough of a recommendation. You can enjoy the resort as an all inclusive, but you don't have to, or you can do half and half. The beaches are the best in Aruba.
There is also Bucuti and Tara next door. We've never stayed there, but it does look nice.
Recs are for dinner - Madame Janettes - It really outstanding.
There's a tiny place called the LionFish Snack and it serves Lionfish which is great. We generally eat at Manchebo for our stay.
Bring snokeling gear (or rent it). There are a number of cool beaches and the snorkeling is fantasic (Baby Beach, Mangel Halto Beach, Arashi Beach, and the natural pool)
Local beer is Balashi, they also make Chill was is a great beer, but be warned, they coming in 7oz bottles and aren't cheap. We've started going to the store across the street and getting a case and it's half the cost of the same beer at the resort.
Overall, great island, great people and extremely safe. Enjoy!
Posted on 1/27/26 at 7:46 pm to Neauxla
Headed there in March. It’s the busiest part of their season right now. I imagine it’s going to be more difficult to find a place within a month. It was for me when searching in December.
When you say city do you mean Oranjestad (the capital)? I wouldn’t stay there. It’s close to the cruise ship port and airport.
You may be talking about Palm Beach which is the busier beach area with high rise resorts, restaurants and shopping. Eagle Beach is a little further south and considered to be one of the best beaches in the caribbean. It’s more laid back with low rises. There are lots of other more private beaches you can find by google searching.
All beaches are public and most have parking. There are chair and umbrella rentals around the beach bars on Palm and Eagle Beach.
Aruba is pretty modern with lots of restaurants, a couple of nice grocery stores, a dependable bus transit system, walking/bike trails along Palm and Eagle Beach. Lots to do.
Personally I’m staying on Eagle in a condo (Oceania) I found on Airbnb or VRBO. I crossed searched the listing and found the property management that will rent it directly skipping the fees.
When you say city do you mean Oranjestad (the capital)? I wouldn’t stay there. It’s close to the cruise ship port and airport.
You may be talking about Palm Beach which is the busier beach area with high rise resorts, restaurants and shopping. Eagle Beach is a little further south and considered to be one of the best beaches in the caribbean. It’s more laid back with low rises. There are lots of other more private beaches you can find by google searching.
All beaches are public and most have parking. There are chair and umbrella rentals around the beach bars on Palm and Eagle Beach.
Aruba is pretty modern with lots of restaurants, a couple of nice grocery stores, a dependable bus transit system, walking/bike trails along Palm and Eagle Beach. Lots to do.
Personally I’m staying on Eagle in a condo (Oceania) I found on Airbnb or VRBO. I crossed searched the listing and found the property management that will rent it directly skipping the fees.
Posted on 1/27/26 at 11:30 pm to Neauxla
We went in December for the first time, stayed through Christmas. Had a blast. Nice safe island. Family of 5. It’s definitely more of a culinary island compared to most of the Caribbean. A lot of great restaurants I could recommend. We rented a Jeep, a lot of fun to explore with, hit up a different beach each day.
We stayed at The Cove. Awesome location. Private apartment in the middle of everything.
Eagle Beach was our favorite beach.
ETA:
Baby Beach worth the trip spending the day at. All beaches are nice there, we’ll save the north as it’s rocky desert. Nice to look at but not actually get in the water.
Aruba is a desert island so it rarely rains there even during the “wet” season, so you can almost count on some great days when you are there. It was pretty windy during December when we went, but I didn’t mind it’s the Caribbean and felt nice.
We stayed at The Cove. Awesome location. Private apartment in the middle of everything.
Eagle Beach was our favorite beach.
ETA:
Baby Beach worth the trip spending the day at. All beaches are nice there, we’ll save the north as it’s rocky desert. Nice to look at but not actually get in the water.
Aruba is a desert island so it rarely rains there even during the “wet” season, so you can almost count on some great days when you are there. It was pretty windy during December when we went, but I didn’t mind it’s the Caribbean and felt nice.
This post was edited on 1/27/26 at 11:39 pm
Posted on 1/28/26 at 10:01 am to Neauxla
Avoid.
Posted on 1/29/26 at 6:40 pm to Neauxla
Haven’t been since our honeymoon in 1983 but I remember I was surprised that it was much more Arizona Desert than Hawaii Tropical. Not bad at all but just not what we had expected (in the pre-internet info research days.)
Posted on 1/30/26 at 8:43 am to Neauxla
The sparsely inhabited north side with the intense ocean waves and rocks is the best part of the island.
The off the beaten path areas where the locals live and tourists don’t go is the 2nd best.
The off the beaten path areas where the locals live and tourists don’t go is the 2nd best.
This post was edited on 1/30/26 at 8:44 am
Posted on 1/30/26 at 11:34 am to weagle1999
quote:any specific areas you recommend?
The sparsely inhabited north side with the intense ocean waves and rocks is the best part of the island.
The off the beaten path areas where the locals live and tourists don’t go is the 2nd best.
Posted on 1/30/26 at 2:13 pm to Neauxla
Just start at one end and start driving on the north side (dirt roads start near the lighthouse). A Jeep would be good to have.
Posted on 2/1/26 at 6:39 am to jbgleason
quote:Agreed. I've stayed at that resort 6-7 times. The adult hotel is directly across the street from the marina. I don't like it nearly as well as the family resort across the street. Both have access to the private island, which is awesome, but the family hotel has a much nicer, larger pool and a beach area with a man-made lagoon.
Stayed at the Marriott right in town. The one with the private island that was a ten minute water taxi away. The water taxi actually comes in the lobby to pick you up. Really enjoyed that place. ATV rides and tours were a short taxi ride away. It's not a big island.
Do yourself a favor and make a reservation at the Italian restaurant adjacent to the California Lighthouse. Make sure to look up what time is sunset and plan accordingly. The food is pretty good, but the ambiance is off the charts.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 8:00 pm to Neauxla
Look up the Aruba Reef Beach apartments. Have stayed twice, it’s great.
Posted on 2/3/26 at 9:56 pm to greygoose
quote:Faro Blanco Link (White Lighthouse Restaurant)
Do yourself a favor and make a reservation at the Italian restaurant adjacent to the California Lighthouse. Make sure to look up what time is sunset and plan accordingly. The food is pretty good, but the ambiance is off the charts.
Would also recommend. I rent a car when I go there. The rocky & undeveloped beach on the Northeastern coast is a trip to see.
Posted on 2/4/26 at 10:46 am to weagle1999
quote:any particular hidden beaches you recommend or snorkeling areas? We rented a car.
weagle1999
The sparsely inhabited north side with the intense ocean waves and rocks is the best part of the island.
The off the beaten path areas where the locals live and tourists don’t go is the 2nd best.
Anyone try that lionfish shack open on Saturdays?
Posted on 2/4/26 at 10:47 am to greygoose
quote:booked! V-day was booked but got it for the 13th.
Do yourself a favor and make a reservation at the Italian restaurant adjacent to the California Lighthouse. Make sure to look up what time is sunset and plan accordingly. The food is pretty good, but the ambiance is off the charts.
Posted on 2/4/26 at 10:48 am to soccerfüt
quote:any specific coves you recommend?
The rocky & undeveloped beach on the Northeastern coast is a trip to see.
Posted on 2/4/26 at 12:11 pm to Neauxla
Baby beach is great for snorkeling. The fish will eat white bread.
The Conchi natural pool is probably what he’s talking about. You can take an ATV tour there, but I found a map online somewhere. We drove to a spot and hiked the beach to it. It was fun. Go early and you can beat the crowds. Pack a lunch if you want, there are nice views along the beach to stop and eat it that interests you
The Conchi natural pool is probably what he’s talking about. You can take an ATV tour there, but I found a map online somewhere. We drove to a spot and hiked the beach to it. It was fun. Go early and you can beat the crowds. Pack a lunch if you want, there are nice views along the beach to stop and eat it that interests you
Posted on 2/4/26 at 12:28 pm to Lester Earl
quote:
Look up the Aruba Reef Beach apartments. Have stayed twice, it’s great.
I stayed a few buildings away at Coral Reef Beach Apartments in 2016 and enjoyed it. For restaurants Flying Fishbone is next door and Zeerover a five minute walk.
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