First time to Aruba?

This is our first time to Aruba. It's just my husband and I. What would you recommend to be able to see most of the island? Do they have tours when you get off the ship?

Whenever you go someplace new, you should read up on it...a guidebook is MOST helpful! Libraries are free!

I would suggest a private taxi tour with the taxi driver Bully. He can tailor the tour to your budget and interests. Rates are $45 per hour for a maximum of 5 people per vehicle. A 3 hour tour for 4 people would end up being $34 per person before tip. He has a large comfortable air conditioned van. It is well worth the money and you won't be packed on a tour bus with 40 other people.

Following your tour he can drop you off at a beach of your choosing. You could make arrangements for him to return to pick you up and take you back to your ship at an appointed time or you could make your own way back to the ship via taxi or public bus.

For more info Questions on Bully Tours in Aruba??

If you want to "wing it" there are all types of operators selling excursions when you get off the ship. Do a search of this forum and you will find more info.

I'd recommend a "circle island" type tour. It's not hard to do in one day since the island is so small. It will take you into the interior of the island where you will think you are in the deserts of Arizona instead of a Caribbean island. Cactus everywhere.

This is our first time to Aruba. It's just my husband and I. What would you recommend to be able to see most of the island? Do they have tours when you get off the ship?

http://www.trikes-aruba.com/

You can always check to see if any of the shore excursions offered by the ship appeal to you.

LuLu

Whenever you go someplace new, you should read up on it...a guidebook is MOST helpful! Libraries are free!

Searching online is free and the information on sites like cruise critic and tripadvisors is always updated with new reviews from real people. You'll have so many opinions but you can weed out some of them easy. Guidebooks can be so outdated and biased to the authors choices. Arubalisa is really one of the experts of Aruba. She helped us make good choices.

I agree with trikes aruba but there are many ways of seeing Aruba if motorcycles are not your thing. You will have a full day if you just decide to go to the Palm Beach area to shop, eat, beach and/or drink. Have fun. Aruba is fun.

We just returned and just outside the terminal port and purchased a tour for $20.00pp...large new air conditioned bus...great guide..we saw all the must see spots..some were dropped off at the beach (and given a pickup time for later) some of us continued on and were dropped off just outside the terminal gate for shopping...worked out well for us.

We just returned and just outside the terminal port and purchased a tour for $20.00pp...large new air conditioned bus...great guide..we saw all the must see spots..some were dropped off at the beach (and given a pickup time for later) some of us continued on and were dropped off just outside the terminal gate for shopping...worked out well for us.

How long did this tour last ? We will be in Aruba from 1pm till 10pm.

How long did this tour last ? We will be in Aruba from 1pm till 10pm.

Approx 3 hours...just remember if you want to do some shopping all the stores close at 6:00pm...Enjoy !!

Approx 3 hours...just remember if you want to do some shopping all the stores close at 6:00pm...Enjoy !!

The stores in Palm Beach stay open until late at night. That is where "the action is" these days. I would take a cab to Palm Beach after the tour for dinner and shopping (or just taking in the sites).

We are also visiting Aruba for the first time but wanted to do a snorkelling trip to the Antila wreck. Can you tell me whether these sorts of trips were on offer to book at the dock where you booked the tour you took. What you did sounds a great price and we are most likely to get a better deal if we wait until we get there rather than prebooking on line.

We just returned and just outside the terminal port and purchased a tour for $20.00pp...large new air conditioned bus...great guide..we saw all the must see spots..some were dropped off at the beach (and given a pickup time for later) some of us continued on and were dropped off just outside the terminal gate for shopping...worked out well for us.

We are also visiting Aruba for the first time but wanted to do a snorkelling trip to the Antila wreck. Can you tell me whether these sorts of trips were on offer to book at the dock where you booked the tour you took. What you did sounds a great price and we are most likely to get a better deal if we wait until we get there rather than prebooking on line.

While we were waiting to ask about (where to get) an island tour at the info desk in the terminal a small group was getting specific info on where to go for snorkeling...I just happened to overhear but didn't take notice of where exactly..however they seemed to be getting very good info...best of luck and enjoy Aruba !!