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Aruba - besides the beach what is there to do during the day?

jbatinker

By jbatinker,
in Royal Caribbean International

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jbatinker

jbatinker

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I am going to Aruba in April 2017 and am looking for suggestions to do during the day besides spending the day at a beach. I easily burn and am not one for sitting on a beach all day. My husband is going diving and the shore excursions did not excite me. A group of us are doing the sunset cruise at night but am at a loss as to what to do during the day.

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

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Cruisegirl6

Cruisegirl6

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We go on a land based vacation every year to Aruba in July/August for two weeks along with family members (all adults). We fell so much in love with Aruba, from the wonderful friendly kindest people we ever encountered in all our travels, to the wonderful excellent dining/restaurants, there are no hagglers/venders/people begging you to "look at their stuff", nobody bothers you on the beaches and its just heaven, and to be honest there are always Tradewinds so you have a very nice and sometimes very strong breezes. Depending upon what time of the year your going, if you go between April thru August you can have an average of 18-25mph breezes with wind gusts way higher than that, so in reality, you can sit on the beach/pool and basically not sweat.

 

I highly suggest taking a private tour of the entire island. When you dock in Aruba, your only at the most industrial place as with the other islands, you really don't get to see the true beauty of Aruba. You can see so much of Aruba in a three hour tour....I highly suggest Cerry.... his email- cyrilcroes@yahoo.com He will not disappoint you he is excellent and has a beautiful vehicle too and will show you the main sights including making a stop at the Aruba Aloe Factory!

 

Another thing I would suggest is since Aruba has so much wonderful dining, go have lunch somewhere...or the Renaissance hotel is right there near the port you can walk around the shops, grab a nice lunch and you can go to the hotel and sit somewhere outside under shade and have a cocktail while enjoying the beauty surrounding you.

 

If your interested in lunch somewhere let me know what your favorite foods are and I can make suggestions as I been nearly to every restaurant there.

 

Trikes are fun but it sounds to me you rather be out of the sun.

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grapau27

grapau27

Posted
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We go on a land based vacation every year to Aruba in July/August for two weeks along with family members (all adults). We fell so much in love with Aruba, from the wonderful friendly kindest people we ever encountered in all our travels, to the wonderful excellent dining/restaurants, there are no hagglers/venders/people begging you to "look at their stuff", nobody bothers you on the beaches and its just heaven, and to be honest there are always Tradewinds so you have a very nice and sometimes very strong breezes. Depending upon what time of the year your going, if you go between April thru August you can have an average of 18-25mph breezes with wind gusts way higher than that, so in reality, you can sit on the beach/pool and basically not sweat.

 

I highly suggest taking a private tour of the entire island. When you dock in Aruba, your only at the most industrial place as with the other islands, you really don't get to see the true beauty of Aruba. You can see so much of Aruba in a three hour tour....I highly suggest Cerry.... his email- cyrilcroes@yahoo.com He will not disappoint you he is excellent and has a beautiful vehicle too and will show you the main sights including making a stop at the Aruba Aloe Factory!

 

Another thing I would suggest is since Aruba has so much wonderful dining, go have lunch somewhere...or the Renaissance hotel is right there near the port you can walk around the shops, grab a nice lunch and you can go to the hotel and sit somewhere outside under shade and have a cocktail while enjoying the beauty surrounding you.

 

If your interested in lunch somewhere let me know what your favorite foods are and I can make suggestions as I been nearly to every restaurant there.

 

Trikes are fun but it sounds to me you rather be out of the sun.

Very helpful post.

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Ashland

Ashland

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We took a $20.00pp tour around the island that was offered just as we exited the ship...private company with a large comfortable air conditioned bus. At the end of the tour you had the option to be dropped off at the beach (with a later pickup) but we decided to go back into town for some lunch and shopping. This tour worked out great for us.

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PR1NCESSD1ANE

PR1NCESSD1ANE

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I second this, check out the trip advisor reviews. We loved it. Fun tour of the island.

 

Add another vote for this tour. We were a group of 3 "mature" ladies a little apprehensive about this tour but became comfortable very quickly and had a BLAST! I've never driven a trike before, but they are automatic and so easy to drive. Wear a long sleeve sun shirt if you burn easy.

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jsf

jsf

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Many people don't know that half of Aruba is a desert so we've rented Jeep type cars and had a blast just riding around. We have also toured the market area and visited the Casino's and beaches.There is a lot to do on this island.

J.

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Hoopster95

Hoopster95

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We rented a jeep and drove around the perimeter of the island. Many beautiful sights and a fun drive!

 

I agree with the above 150 million %. Are you visiting Bonaire on your sailing? And can your husband spend the day with you in Aruba and instead dive Bonaire instead (world famous diving there)?

If you have a little bit of time, I wish to share this photo review of a day in Aruba.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=50987004&highlight=A+couple+of+things#post50987004

 

The first part of this review quoted:

 

"A couple of things about Aruba I wish to mention here before I start the picture review:

 

(1) I already mentioned much earlier in the review that Aruba is not a port of call that you can stay close to the pier and truly enjoy, or get anything out of the island. Look at yourself in the mirror... do you cruise to stay on the ship, stay close to the pier, do a little walking/shopping around the port... most importantly are you timid? You don't like "do-it-yourself" type of days, you're perhaps scared of being in a foreign country?.... The descirption above is what many do for Nassau and Falmouth for example. But hate to say it but if you replied yes to any of the above do not bother visiting Aruba (or the ABC's for that matter). You truly need to put some effort into the day and get out there.... an excursion, take taxi to beach at bare minimum, etc. The most beautiful and exquisite sites are nowhere close to the port."

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olemissreb

olemissreb

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My family and I were there 8 years ago and we did a TomKar tour. It was great!!!! We went all over the island and stopped at a cave and saw that. It was only a half day excursion as I didn't think my then 10yo would be able to handle a full day. So much fun!

 

To everyone else - thanks for the Trikes recommendation. That looks like a blast and I'll have to look into it further next time I make it to Aruba.

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Robo1098

Robo1098

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We rented a jeep and drove around the perimeter of the island. Many beautiful sights and a fun drive!

 

That would be my recommendation as well. We rented a jeep and had a great time going to the area sites including caves and the huge holders.

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nelblu

nelblu

Posted
Posted
I am going to Aruba in April 2017 and am looking for suggestions to do during the day besides spending the day at a beach. I easily burn and am not one for sitting on a beach all day. My husband is going diving and the shore excursions did not excite me. A group of us are doing the sunset cruise at night but am at a loss as to what to do during the day.

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

Shopping.

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ColoradoGurl

ColoradoGurl

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If you want to do the Trikes I suggest booking as far ahead as possible. They only have about 10 Trikes (each fit 2 or 3 people) and if 3,500 people are coming to the island, only 20 of you will get to go. It’s the most recommended thing to do in Aruba. We booked almost 2 years in advance, and we weren’t the only ones.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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jbatinker

jbatinker

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We go on a land based vacation every year to Aruba in July/August for two weeks along with family members (all adults). We fell so much in love with Aruba, from the wonderful friendly kindest people we ever encountered in all our travels, to the wonderful excellent dining/restaurants, there are no hagglers/venders/people begging you to "look at their stuff", nobody bothers you on the beaches and its just heaven, and to be honest there are always Tradewinds so you have a very nice and sometimes very strong breezes. Depending upon what time of the year your going, if you go between April thru August you can have an average of 18-25mph breezes with wind gusts way higher than that, so in reality, you can sit on the beach/pool and basically not sweat.

 

I highly suggest taking a private tour of the entire island. When you dock in Aruba, your only at the most industrial place as with the other islands, you really don't get to see the true beauty of Aruba. You can see so much of Aruba in a three hour tour....I highly suggest Cerry.... his email- cyrilcroes@yahoo.com He will not disappoint you he is excellent and has a beautiful vehicle too and will show you the main sights including making a stop at the Aruba Aloe Factory!

 

Another thing I would suggest is since Aruba has so much wonderful dining, go have lunch somewhere...or the Renaissance hotel is right there near the port you can walk around the shops, grab a nice lunch and you can go to the hotel and sit somewhere outside under shade and have a cocktail while enjoying the beauty surrounding you.

 

If your interested in lunch somewhere let me know what your favorite foods are and I can make suggestions as I been nearly to every restaurant there.

 

Trikes are fun but it sounds to me you rather be out of the sun.

 

Thank you so much for the suggestions. Favorite foods are Italian and Seafood.

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Cruisegirl6

Cruisegirl6

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Posted (edited)

Hello Janeanne,

 

A few suggestions where to eat....Google the restaurant and check out the menus

Pizza- Casa Tua Renaissance Marketplace near ship, although I haven't eaten here yet it has been rated very good, they also have many items on their menu, inexpensive place

Best Italian (my other half and I are Italian)- Gianni's, always go there at least twice on our two week visit to Aruba, excellent place to eat, moderate pricing. (4.6 miles from ship)

Best Seafood- Aqua Grill, expensive, dinner only, (4.6 miles)

Yemanja- dinner, expensive, (.5 mile)

Hopi Bon- inexpensive-moderate, Renaissance Marketplace at cruise ship area pier, lunch/dinner, I haven't been here its new but rated excellent, they menu isn't printed online but I contacted them as I may dine there one evening myself this year....shelled mussels 10, diced wahoo 10, grouper in cabbage too 10, grilled shrimp skewers 12, sizzling seafood mix 18 main courses- seasoned shrimp 22, fresh catch 20, grouper filler 20, grilled salmon 24, seared scallops 24, tenderloin and shrimp 24, tenderloin and salmon or scallops 28, shrimp and salmon 28, grilled salmon and scallops 30, surf turf 39, seafood platter 29

On Beach Dining-Passions- expensive, dinner, (2.7 miles)

Wilhelminia- new sister in law raved it was one of her best dining in October, we are going there on next trip- expensive, dinner, (.8 mile)

GOSTOSO the best place, excellent rated overall...tiny small place really nice, definitely check out the menu for this (1.2 miles)

 

Again, haven't tried Hopi Bon or Casa Tua and my sister in law knows good food so I know I will rave about Wilhelminia when I go there this year but as far as the places I given you, there are different options there and any of these you won't be disappointed.

 

My favorites- Gianni's for Italian, Aqua Grill and then Yemanja for seafood.

Edited by Cruisegirl6
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  • 3 months later...
westwood65

westwood65

Posted
Posted

We to did a bus tour at the last minute. The bus was parked very close to the ship and the people where set up in a booth selling tickets. We where a little leary in the beginning about doing this tour as they seemed to be waiting around for ever before leaving the pier. We had to wait for the bus to fill up to a certain amount of people. The tour was only 20 dollars per person. It turned out to be a great tour, saw so much of the island and as stated earlier in another post given the option to go to the beach and they would pick us up. I believe the tour was 41/2 to 5 hours. Was a great day overall.

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