At port, are tour operators

[tinatark]

out there? In most ports we've visited, we could join an excursion when we leave the ship - is it the same at Aruba? We haven't booked yet, and aren't quite sure what we want to do!

[aSiAnRiCk]

I'd like to know the answer to this as well.

 

Thank you.

[Roscoe13]

Yes, when you get off the ship you will have to go through the port building. Once you exit that you will see little kiosks offering various tours, etc.

[aSiAnRiCk]

Yes, when you get off the ship you will have to go through the port building. Once you exit that you will see little kiosks offering various tours, etc.

Is this a pretty much a guaranteed that there will be a tour operator there or will I be taking a chance? Also, I'm going to assume it's based on a first come first served? Thank you.

[WendyVF]

I've been looking for the same type of information. We'll be in port 2-11:30 so the usual recommendations for tours don't work. I contacted the Banana Bus people and they indicated they would be at the terminal offering tours. They said if they weren't ready to go in a reasonable amount of time that they would hook me up with one of the other tour buses. They made it sound like there would be plenty around. We're there on April 11th so I'll come back and let you know.

[aSiAnRiCk]

I've been looking for the same type of information. We'll be in port 2-11:30 so the usual recommendations for tours don't work. I contacted the Banana Bus people and they indicated they would be at the terminal offering tours. They said if they weren't ready to go in a reasonable amount of time that they would hook me up with one of the other tour buses. They made it sound like there would be plenty around. We're there on April 11th so I'll come back and let you know.

 

Thank you!

[tinatark]

Just back - they're all over the port! Mostly island tours. They were everywhere!

[WendyVF]

Just back also and there are plenty of tours available. Since I had contacted the Banana bus company I found them and waited. Apparently each bus has to wait their "turn." We had an enjoyable tour and would definitely recommend it as a way to get a feel for the island.

[baby_tran]

What was the pricing for these "ad hoc" tours? How long did they last? What did you see and do?

 

Thanks

[WendyVF]

$20 pp. The island tour was about 1.5-2 hours. We stopped at the rock formation, a church and the lighthouse for about 20 minutes each. There were places there to purchase drinks and snacks. At the end we had the option of going back to the terminal or beach. We opted for a little over an hour at the beach. The driver returned right on time to pick us up.

[aikensbest]

On our last cruise to Aruba, we got off the ship, walked into downtown for a while, then returned to the port and they had then cut the price for bus tours to $10PP . We had a nice approx. 2 hour tour seeing all the places the previous poster mentioned.

[Weluv2cruise2007]

On our last cruise to Aruba, we got off the ship, walked into downtown for a while, then returned to the port and they had then cut the price for bus tours to $10PP . We had a nice approx. 2 hour tour seeing all the places the previous poster mentioned.

 

Great tip!!

[smarks]

$20 pp. The island tour was about 1.5-2 hours. We stopped at the rock formation, a church and the lighthouse for about 20 minutes each. There were places there to purchase drinks and snacks. At the end we had the option of going back to the terminal or beach. We opted for a little over an hour at the beach. The driver returned right on time to pick us up.

This sounds good. How did you get in touch with Banana Bus Co.? and what beach did you chose to go to? Need some calm water for new snorkelers. We will only be in port from 8 to 4. Thanks.

[WendyVF]

This sounds good. How did you get in touch with Banana Bus Co.? and what beach did you chose to go to? Need some calm water for new snorkelers. We will only be in port from 8 to 4. Thanks.

 

I e-mailed them. You can google Banana Bus Aruba and fine them. We didn't get a choice of a beach. They dropped us at one next to one of the big hotels/casinos. We were in port 2-12 so the sun was setting when we got to the beach. They might do things a little different if you have more time. Check out their website.

 

Should also mention that they sell tours and fill buses at the port on a first come first served basis. We had to wait about 30 minutes for the Banana Bus' turn.

[smarks]

I e-mailed them. You can google Banana Bus Aruba and fine them. We didn't get a choice of a beach. They dropped us at one next to one of the big hotels/casinos. We were in port 2-12 so the sun was setting when we got to the beach. They might do things a little different if you have more time. Check out their website.

 

Should also mention that they sell tours and fill buses at the port on a first come first served basis. We had to wait about 30 minutes for the Banana Bus' turn.

Thank You for the information. I went ahead and booked with Sonny Binns Tours. We have a large group and have his bus filled. I am now looking for a review of his bus tour. Thanks again,

 

Sandra