Map Of Aruba

Click Here To View Aruba Hotels & Locations

What To Bring To Aruba Checklist

Here is a list of items to bring or have for Aruba.  Highlighted items are of the utmost importance while visiting Aruba.  If we are missing anything, please let me know and we’ll update the list.
  • Travel Insurance – invest in your trip; without it all payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
  • Travel Passport Holder – perfect for holding passport, cell phone, credit cards, tickets and boarding passes, and other important travel documents. 
  • Sunscreen 100 SPF!!! Don’t worry…you will STILL get a tan!!!
  • Lip Balm with Sunscreen
  • Shades/Sunglasses
  • Portable Cell Phone Charger
  • Hats/Caps
  • Inflatable Foot Bath – trust you will want to invest in one because a lot of walking and sand will be hell on your feet.
  • MOSQUITO REPELLENT!!!!!
  • Waterproof Camera
  • Waterproof Container for Keys, Phones, Money, Etc. -http://www.amazon.com/SODIAL-TM-WATERPROOF-CONTAINER-AIRTIGHT/dp/B008YBP8YU OR you can view other waterproof container options for your preference.
  • Towel Trap or Clips – www.toweltrap.com OR http://bit.ly/1K1cPxR
  • Insulated Cup with Straw
  • Small First-Aid/Hangover Kit
  • Swimming Cap
  • Water Shoes – especially if you plan to go tothe natural pool
  • Portable Cooler Bag for Ice and Drink
  • Wine and beer bottle openers

REMEMBER…
  • CREDIT CARD & DEBIT CARD PROVIDERS- contact your credit card and/or debit card providers with the dates you will be traveling to Aruba to avoid a potential freeze on your cards, and for monitoring purposes to protect your cards from fraudulent charges.
  • CELL PHONE PROVIDERS – contact your cell phone provider if you wish to activate an international roaming and/or data plan while visiting Aruba. Cell phone providers vary in the international services they provide. Determine what plan (if applicable) best suits your needs. At resorts you may find free Wi-Fi access while on the resort. others may have access for an extra fee.

(List Credit: ASBMF-WITT)

Insider's Guide - Best Places To Eat In Aruba

As one of the most beautiful islands in all of the Caribbean, it is no secret that Aruba also has some of the best world-class dining experiences.  Your best places to eat in Aruba options are endless and delicious, and veteran visitors to Aruba share a list places they have tried and recommend. Will continue to update as more suggestions become available.
Breakfast Menu

DIANA'S PANCAKE HOUSE
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147248-d6555005-Reviews-Diana_s_Pancakes_Place-Oranjestad_Aruba.html

LINDA'S DUTCH PANCAKES
http://www.lindas-aruba.com

SALT & PEPPER
http://saltandpepperaruba.com

BUGALOE
http://www.bugaloe.com


Lunch Menu

PASSIONS ON THE BEACH
http://www.passions-restaurant-aruba.com
Lunch & Dinner

LA GRANJA RESTAURANT
http://www.lagranjarestaurants.com/index.php
Chicken, Steak and Seafood

BARNEY'S
http://menuinternational.com/aruba/portfolio/barneys/

MOJITOS CANTINA GRILL
http://www.aruba.com/things-to-do/mojitos-cantina-grill


Dinner Menu

2 FOOLS AND A BULL (reservations are a MUST!)
http://2foolsandabull.com

THE DRIFTWOOD
http://driftwoodaruba.com/index_restaurant.php

CARPE DIEM
http://www.carpediem.aw/main/

AQUARIUS - RENAISSANCE HOTEL
http://www.arubarestaurants.com/caribbean/aquarius
It may be in a hotel but its not your average hotel restaurant....think 'seafood buffet.

GOSTOS
http://www.gostosoaruba.com/home.html
Portuguese yumminess.  Try something different.  Also does breakfast.

BAREFOOT
http://barefootaruba.com
Right at the beach.  Reasonable.  Also does breakfast.

LATRATTORIA ITALIAN
http://www.aruba-latrattoria.com

L.G. SMITH'S STEAK & CHOP HOUSE
http://www.lgsmiths.com


Late Night & Early Mornings
Food Trucks

(List Credit: ASBMF-WITT)

Travel Links Of Interest - Aruba

The following links are provided to assist you with your travel plans and your search for information related to and for Aruba and Soul Beach Music Festival.

(Credit: DP-ASBMF-WITT)

It's Happy Hour! Aruba's Best Happy Hour Restaurants & Bars

Veterans who have traveled to Aruba have been able to discover cheap eats and drinks on the happy island. For those who have not been looking at the prices of items , here are some restaurants and bars that offer happy hour.


ARUBAVILLE
Friday 4:00-7:00PM and 4:00-6:00PM

AZZURRO RISTORANTE ITALIAN
Daily 1:00-4:00PM and 10:00-11:00PM
2 For 1 @ $6.50

BAVARIA
Daily 5:00-6:00PM

BUGALOE BEACH BAR
5:00-6:00PM

CAFE REMBRANDT
Friday 5:00-7:00PM

COOKS RESTAURANT
Friday 7:00-9:00PM

ELEMENTS
Daily 4:00-6:00PM

FUSION RESTAURANT
Friday 5:00-7:00PM
With Free Tapas and Local Priced Drinks

MANGOS
Daily 5:00-9:00PM

MOOMBA
Daily 6:00-7:00PM

PINCHOS GRILL & BAR
10:30-11:30PM

SMOKEY JOE'S ISLAND GRILL
Daily 5:00-6:00PM and 10:00-11:00PM

TGI FRIDAYS FRIDAY
11:00PM - 1:00AM

THE PIRATES BEST ( Sand Bar)
Daily 4:00-6:00PM

(List Credit:  RMC-ASBMF-WITT)

Aruba:  All Inclusive vs. Non All Inclusive

Aruba offers a wide variety of resorts and timeshares in every price range. Some resorts on the island such as the Riu, Tamarijn and Divi are all inclusive only. Some resorts, including the Holiday Inn SunSpree, Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa, Amsterdam Manor,  Marriott Aruba Resort & Stellaris Casino, Divi Village, Divi Dutch Village and the Renaissance offer an all inclusive option.
There are many highly rated 3- and 4- star resorts which do not offer an all inclusive package. Some resorts such as Bucuti, Radisson and Manchebo Beach offer (also) a breakfast plan.

Most resorts have their own restaurants, as well as free-standing restaurants within walking distance. With a rental car or via taxi, you are able to eat at restaurants further from your resort. Aruba has one of the best selections of restaurants anywhere.  There are a variety of cuisines in every price range.

If you check ads in the free English newspapers normally available in the hotel's lobby, and read menus in advance, you can keep to a reasonable resort budget and have an enjoyable dine-around experience while visiting Aruba.  Beside "early bird specials", some restaurants offer multiple-course dinner specials with a choice of entree, at a reduced price from the ala-carte pricing.  You may also want to check out various coupon/promotion programs, offering savings on food and drinks at selected restaurants.  These programs include those found at websites such as: ArubaDiscountCoupons.com,ArubaDining.com and VisitAruba.com/plus.

Pro's of All Inclusive:
  1. You know how much money you will spend prior to your vacation, while still having the option of going out whenever you want to eat and explore. You are not confined to the hotel.
  2. Drinks, alcoholic and non, available anytime during the day, usually from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. The RIU and Occidental have alcohol available 24 hours with limited alcohol supplied in your room. RIU has a 24 hour Sports Bar.
  3. Unless you provide your own liquor, alcoholic beverages, including beer, tends to be quite expensive and adds up quickly over the course of a day.
  4. No need to visit the grocery store or make any meals.
  5. No need to bring a cooler with beer, alcohol, mixers, and glasses to the beach or pool.
  6. No need to run to Happy Hours to get half priced drinks.
  7. No need to rent a car to get to restaurants.

Con's of All Inclusive:
  1. Dining choices are limited to those at your resort, as well as requiring reservations for ala carte restaurants with limited dining times. 
  2. Venturing out on a small island such as Aruba is not only easy, but safe.
  3. Many vacation activities will still not be included such as tours and excursions as well as motorized watersports and spa services.
  4. If you are not big eaters or drinkers, all inclusive may be more expensive.
  5. A shopping trip over lunch time means you may pay for a meal that duplicates what you have already paid for.  The same often holds true for tours.  If you usually do these activities, this extra cost should be factored in.
  6. All Inclusive pricing is often based on guests who drink more than water during the day. All-inclusive is for those who drink a few drinks and sodas per day. Drinks at restaurants, hotels, and bars range between $5.00 - $10.00 a piece.
  7. Very few all inclusives serve truly gourmet food.

Food:  Food will consist of buffet and ala carte restaurants on property. A limited number of resort's all inclusive packages offer one night of "off property" dining at select restaurants.

Drinks:  Drinks include soda, Virgin frozen drinks and alcoholic frozen drinks. Some resorts include top shelf alcohol in their package, other resorts, charge extra fees. Beer is normally draft. The locally brewed Balashi is available, and some hotels, the Divi and Tamarijn, also have Miller Lite and Heineken.

Activities: Activities vary by hotel. Floats, snorkel equipment, kayaks, sunfish sailboats, windersurfers, a rock climbing wall and bicycles are available at the Divi and Tamarijn. None of these are available for free at the RIU.

Family Friendly: Tamarijn is a family friendly AI hotel offering a children's camp for 5 - 12 year olds. Kids ages 5 and under stay FREE. Kids ages 6 through 12 years $50. Kids ages 13 through 17 years Adult Rate. The Holiday Inn SunSpree also caters to families with their KidSpree Vacation Club and offers an optional AI package where children 11 and under stay, play and eat free.

Convenience: At an all inclusive there will be convenience of selection with a minute walk, but limited selection.  This should be balanced against the opportunity to sample island cuisine as well as available restaurants when dining around.

Rooms: Vary depending upon category of hotel.

Cost: Compare your all inclusive package pricing vs. non all inclusive pricing adding in meals and beverages.

Things to look for in a quality all inclusive package or resort:
1.  Are top shelf brand liquors available?
2.  Which non-motorized water sports are included with the package?
3.  Is there an in room mini-bar?
4.  Is 24 hour room service available?
5.  Are there any surcharges for more expensive menu items such as shrimp or steak?

(Credit:  Trip Advisor - Aruba Traveler Article)
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g147247-c121955/Aruba:Caribbean:All.Inclusive.Vs.Non.All.Inclusive.html