Best beach for me?

[Lowbrow]

Just got back April 13th. My vote is for Eagle Beach. I've copied a portion of my review below...

 

Aruba - We decided to do a beach day on our own. Took the local bus which was really way too easy to find and use for only $2.30 roundtrip per person. Got off at the Radisson at Palm Beach. The water was beautiful. Vendor near the pier was selling an umbrella/2 lounge chairs for $31, but when we started to walk away he offered us $25. We still didn't take it though, and just sat in the sand for awhile and took a swim. It was pretty hot though without an umbrella and the beach was a little crowded. We had passed Eagle Beach on the bus ride out which looked really nice so we decided to check it out. We were going to take the bus but one of us got the bright idea to walk. It is do-able but I don't recommend it in the heat. No sidewalks either. Took about a half hour. But we were really pleased with our decision to go to Eagle Beach. They had lounge chairs which I believe were free at the end near the rocks. But there were other lounge chairs and large thatch roofed huts in front of the New Amsterdam hotel that we plopped down at (we didn't see the "for hotel guests only" sign until later). Actually spent most of the day there with no problems. Late afternoon someone came up and said it would be $5 a person for the lounge chairs (our NCL towels gave us away). Didn't mention anything about the hut. It really was a good deal. Compared to Palm Beach, it was quieter. There was a very slight wave just at the shoreline and perhaps a bit windier but not in a bad way. We stayed past sunset. The hotel sets up tables on the beach for dinner and it was really quite lovely, but pricey, so we took the bus back to the ship for dinner. A very relaxing day. Loved it!

[tiggrbaby]

Just got back April 13th. My vote is for Eagle Beach. I've copied a portion of my review below...

 

Aruba - We decided to do a beach day on our own. Took the local bus which was really way too easy to find and use for only $2.30 roundtrip per person. Got off at the Radisson at Palm Beach. The water was beautiful. Vendor near the pier was selling an umbrella/2 lounge chairs for $31, but when we started to walk away he offered us $25. We still didn't take it though, and just sat in the sand for awhile and took a swim. It was pretty hot though without an umbrella and the beach was a little crowded. We had passed Eagle Beach on the bus ride out which looked really nice so we decided to check it out. We were going to take the bus but one of us got the bright idea to walk. It is do-able but I don't recommend it in the heat. No sidewalks either. Took about a half hour. But we were really pleased with our decision to go to Eagle Beach. They had lounge chairs which I believe were free at the end near the rocks. But there were other lounge chairs and large thatch roofed huts in front of the New Amsterdam hotel that we plopped down at (we didn't see the "for hotel guests only" sign until later). Actually spent most of the day there with no problems. Late afternoon someone came up and said it would be $5 a person for the lounge chairs (our NCL towels gave us away). Didn't mention anything about the hut. It really was a good deal. Compared to Palm Beach, it was quieter. There was a very slight wave just at the shoreline and perhaps a bit windier but not in a bad way. We stayed past sunset. The hotel sets up tables on the beach for dinner and it was really quite lovely, but pricey, so we took the bus back to the ship for dinner. A very relaxing day. Loved it!

 

Was it a good place to see the sunset? Was there a place to buy drinks, or just the dinner? Thanks!

[Lowbrow]

Was it a good place to see the sunset? Was there a place to buy drinks, or just the dinner? Thanks!

 

The sunset was gorgeous. Yes, there is a bar on the beach. We actually sat right in front of it. They offer food at the bar up until dinner time, when they set up the tables on the beach. But the bar sells drinks all day long.

[maxs mom]

lowbrow.....Thanks for your comments. Can't believe you went to Palm Beach and then walked to Eagle Beach! I think we will give Eagle a try this time. What kind of food did they have to offer at the AMBR?

 

Any other comments from anyone? How about pictures?

[ncmomof2]

So I found this link to the #10 bus schedule that runs from near the cruise terminal to Amsterdam Manor on Eagle Beach:

http://www.arubus.com/schedule.htm#Schedule%20Oranjestad%20to%20Hotels%20(and%20back)

 

Now I'm a little confused, will any of these buses stop at Amsterdam Manor? What's the difference between the Malmok, Arashi, and Marriott buses? Do they just go slightly different places at the northern end of the route? :confused:

 

Also, does anyone know what the taxi fare is from the cruise terminal to Amsterdam Manor? I can find rates from the airport but not the cruise terminal.

 

TIA!!!!

[Terry in NJ]

We went to Eagle Beach on March 25th and frankly, I was not impressed. 6 of us took a cab, and I asked the driver to drop us off at the Amsterdam. I'm not sure where he dropped us, but it was at a parking lot in the middle of "trailer heaven". There were small tents and pop up trailers, all camped along the beach. Someone explained to us that it was a vacation week in Aruba (Easter week) so there were many campers there. It was kind of unnerving because it was pretty, well, is it PC to say cheap looking? We just walked in the other direction and waited for someone to offer us chairs to rent. Then, further down at the other end of the beach was a huge crane, and I guess bulldozers, making horrible noise.

I don't know, I just didn't think this beach was as pretty as the pictures we saw here on this board. I won't go back.

Now, if you want a beautiful beach, try Porto Playa Mari in Curacao and get there early to get a prime spot!

(I'm assuming if you're on this Aruba board, your cruise will also be going to Curacao. ) ;)

[Arubalisa]

In regards to Easter on the beaches in Aruba, yes, the locals camp out for the week. Big vacation time for them all. The government allocates permits to allow it's citizen's to do this.

 

The heavy equipment was on the beach that week to move sand around. Approximately March 19 - 21 the island suffered 2 days of 7 - 10 foot waves (one tourist drowned swimming) which moved a great deal of sand around. Not all of the sand was brought up onto the sand by Mother Nature in the right places and in other spots was washed away. All in all the campers and heavy equipment were a temporary situation. One caused by Mother Nature and the other by the native Aruban's enjoying their own island.

 

Beach at the Amsterdam Manor

 

There is a bus stop directly in front of the Amsterdam Manor. The bus you would need to take is

Line 10 "Oranjestad to Hotels" (and back)

Oranjestad to Malmok, Arashi

 

Oranjestad is the beginning of the route heading northward and Malmok, Arashi are two separate stops, but the terimus of the route. The bus then heads back southward with the final stop being the bus station in Oranjestad. Fare is $2.30 pp.

 

...AND Playa PortoMari IS a beautiful spot.

Click on thumbnail to enlarge

My review of our day there

My photos of our day there

[ncmomof2]

All in all the campers and heavy equipment were a temporary situation. One caused by Mother Nature and the other by the native Aruban's enjoying their own island.

 

I thought that was probably the case -- I remembered your earlier post about the waves in March and the resulting "beach reconstruction." And since we won't be there Easter week, I won't worry about the tents. I just hope there's not another storm like that next March as that's exactly when we're going to be there! :eek:

 

There is a bus stop directly in front of the Amsterdam Manor. The bus you would need to take is

Line 10 "Oranjestad to Hotels" (and back)

Oranjestad to Malmok, Arashi

 

Oranjestad is the beginning of the route heading northward and Malmok, Arashi are two separate stops, but the terimus of the route. The bus then heads back southward with the final stop being the bus station in Oranjestad. Fare is $2.30 pp.

 

So, when looking at the schedule, any of the Line 10 buses will take us to Amsterdam Manor, regardless of whether it's a Malmok, Arashi, or Marriott bus? I want to be sure, because if that is the case, then they run about every 10-15 minutes which gives us plenty of flexibility, but if only one or two of those will work, we may need to spend the money on a taxi instead because we probably only have about 3 hours on shore since we'll want to get back to the ship for dinner.

 

...AND Playa PortoMari IS a beautiful spot.

 

I'm leaning towards KonTiki in Curacao because I don't think my kids will want to spend the time it would take to get to Playa PortoMari. I also like being close to the Seaquarium so that that's an option. I have heard great things about Playa Portomari, though.

 

Thanks for all your info Arubalisa!!

[maxs mom]

Terry......Thanks for reporting back in. Sorry you were disappointed in Eagle Beach. Sounds like that situation is a temporary one. I hope so. I think we will still give it a try in June/July, soooooo........anyone else going in the meantime......stop in and let us know what you find. The taxi fares aren't that much out to the beach.

 

Regarding Curacao.......we went to the Sea Aquarium Beach (same as Kon Tiki) the last time we were there and loved it. We hung out more towards the Sea Aquarium, though....and I liked it a lot better than the Kon Tiki area. It was a little less crowded. We had a wonderful relaxing day there.

[ncmomof2]

Regarding Curacao.......we went to the Sea Aquarium Beach (same as Kon Tiki) the last time we were there and loved it. We hung out more towards the Sea Aquarium' date=' though....and I liked it a lot better than the Kon Tiki area. It was a little less crowded. We had a wonderful relaxing day there.[/size']

 

Hmmmm...maybe we should take this to the Curacao board, but... :rolleyes: Do you remember what hotel you were in front of? I was thinking it might be nice to be closer to the Seaquarium end of the beach, but I couldn't figure out which hotels were there and whether they rented lounges to non-hotel guests. Also, was there a restaurant?

 

Thanks for the info!!

[maxs mom]

Yes... It was the Lion's something or other. But......we were dropped off at the Sea Aquarium and we walked over to the right a little ways.....I'm thinking across a bridge.....not far.....and just walked onto the beach there. Someone came up to us and charged us $3pp to be on the beach. Then we saw some comfortable looking green adirondak chairs and just sat down under some trees. No one ever came and charged us for using those. It was very lovely there, so we just stayed and didn't walk down to Kon Tiki. It just looked too crowded down that way. There was a place to get food and drinks nearby. It was a great day. I'm looking for the same kind of day in Aruba. That's why I am leaning towards Eagle Beach.

[Arubalisa]

we may need to spend the money on a taxi instead because we probably only have about 3 hours on shore since we'll want to get back to the ship for dinner. Thanks for all your info Arubalisa!!

For $9 each way to and from the Amsterdam Manor to the cruise terminal, I would take a taxi to maximize your time on the beach. That fare is per taxi ride, NOT per person, and for a maximum of 5 people.

http://taxiaruba.com/new/farelist.html

[maxs mom]

I agree with Lisa. Take a taxi! You will have so much more time at the beach.

[loves2cruz]

Eagle Beach sounds really nice. We really enjoy snorkeling. Do you know if there is good snorkeling on this beach. Reef and sea life?

 

Thanks

[Arubalisa]

Do you know if there is good snorkeling on this beach. Reef and sea life?

Thanks

Eagle Beach -- Any Snorkeling?

[SanNic44]

I have photos of several beaches in Aruba on my blog. Check it out by clicking on the Aruba Beaches topic on the side bar.

[LiznMartin]

Can Arubalisa/anyone please tell me if the camping on Eagle beach at Easter is during the week leading up to Easter Sunday, or the week following Easter Sunday? We will be there on 7th April '09 which is the Tuesday before Easter Sunday and would like to know if the beach is likely to be busy with local campers. Thanks! :)

[Arubalisa]

I cannot give you a definite answer, but if you google easter camping aruba you will get some info. From what I understand Arubans are required to have some type of permit to camp and permits are only issued for a set of dates, approximately 2 weeks?

Not know specifically where you had in mind to go, FWIW, the campers will not be in front of any of the resorts. To name a few, it is places like Arashi and the sections of Eagle Beach where there are no resorts which will be jam packed with campers.

[LiznMartin]

Thanks for the info - I will check it out on Google. We were thinking of spending the day at Amsterdam Manor so, if the campers don't go in front of the resorts, we should be able to find a spot! :D Nothing against campers of course... just liked the idea of a quieter beach compared to Palm Beach.

[bamboo29]

the bus ride is only about 10 minutes...i'm not sure how often they run though

see Arubus website and look for #10 schedule

 

http://www.arubus.com/

[bamboo29]

In researching this thread came across wiki map and followed down to Cruise ship terminal and also shows nearby arubabus terminal

 

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5203901&lon=-70.0412214&z=17&l=0&m=a&v=2

 

According to the Arubabus website:

The rates we charge for bus trip are very reasonable priced. A single bus trip costs 2.25 florins and a 2-way ticket costs 4.00 florins.

 

Does anyone know do you have to use florins, all the previous posters quoted fare in US dollar amounts.

[Arubalisa]

Does anyone know do you have to use florins, all the previous posters quoted fare in US dollar amounts.

Fare is $2.30 USD round trip. US currency is widely accepted on the island. If not using exact change on the bus, you may receive florins as change.

1.79 Aruban Florin (AWG)= $1.00 United States Dollar (USD)

[carbon]

Did you like Eagle beach better than palm beach?

[Arubalisa]

Did you like Eagle beach better than palm beach?

With our 12 yo, Palm Beach would be first choice, without, Eagle Beach.

 

The high rise resorts are located on Palm Beach. The low rise resorts are located on Eagle/ Manchebo/Druif Beaches. There are some pretty drastic differences between the areas.

 

Eagle/ Manchebo/Druif Beaches can have some waves, at other times it will be dead calm and lake like. Eagle Beach to Druif is wide, long and very white. Because of it's width and length it will be less crowded than Palm Beach. There is less boat activity, so the water is clearer. There are some jet ski operators near La Cabana and the Amsterdam Manor.

 

Palm Beach is also long and white, but narrower. It is less windy here because the wind is blocked by the resort's buildings. Because the beach is narrower, and the resorts are larger, the beach is more crowded. Crowded though in my mind is relative. If you grew up at the Jersey shore like I did, Palm Beach will not be that bad.

 

Water all over the island is blue, warm and refreshing.

 

Palm Beach click on thumbnail to enlarge

 

For activity, the choice would be Palm Beach over Eagle/ Manchebo/Druif Beaches. The resorts here are within walking distance of at least 5 casinos as well as some fantastic restaurants and the basics like Dunkin Donuts, Subway and TCBY. On Palm Beach you will also find loads of watersports: waterskiing, parasail, banana boats, sailboats, kayaks etc. All of the hotels along Palm Beach, with the exception of the Marriott, are connected by a beachside walk way.

 

For quiet, less crowds and wider beaches then Eagle/ Manchebo/Druif Beaches would be your choice. Each has it's tradeoffs, one just needs to decide what their priorities are in accommodations.

 

No matter where you stay, for relaxation, blue waters and great beaches Aruba is a great choice.

[cruisenfromjersey]

With our 12 yo, Palm Beach would be first choice, without, Eagle Beach.

 

The high rise resorts are located on Palm Beach. The low rise resorts are located on Eagle/ Manchebo/Druif Beaches. There are some pretty drastic differences between the areas.

 

Eagle/ Manchebo/Druif Beaches can have some waves, at other times it will be dead calm and lake like. Eagle Beach to Druif is wide, long and very white. Because of it's width and length it will be less crowded than Palm Beach. There is less boat activity, so the water is clearer. There are some jet ski operators near La Cabana and the Amsterdam Manor.

 

Palm Beach is also long and white, but narrower. It is less windy here because the wind is blocked by the resort's buildings. Because the beach is narrower, and the resorts are larger, the beach is more crowded. Crowded though in my mind is relative. If you grew up at the Jersey shore like I did, Palm Beach will not be that bad.

 

Water all over the island is blue, warm and refreshing.

 

Palm Beach click on thumbnail to enlarge

 

For activity, the choice would be Palm Beach over Eagle/ Manchebo/Druif Beaches. The resorts here are within walking distance of at least 5 casinos as well as some fantastic restaurants and the basics like Dunkin Donuts, Subway and TCBY. On Palm Beach you will also find loads of watersports: waterskiing, parasail, banana boats, sailboats, kayaks etc. All of the hotels along Palm Beach, with the exception of the Marriott, are connected by a beachside walk way.

 

For quiet, less crowds and wider beaches then Eagle/ Manchebo/Druif Beaches would be your choice. Each has it's tradeoffs, one just needs to decide what their priorities are in accommodations.

 

No matter where you stay, for relaxation, blue waters and great beaches Aruba is a great choice.

 

Lisa,

We will be in Aruba in Jan. We have discussed going to Eagle beach . We also have discussed Baby Beach because we like to snorkle. What are your thoughts on Baby Beach? I know it is the furthest beach but what is the cost of the cab ride? Do you know what the chair rentals cost? I thought I read that there was a snack bar with rentals there and bathroom facilities. Is that true? Any help will be appreciated .

 

Thank You

Peggy