I can say I've travelled to Aruba - its a small island but granted, for even its size, theres plenty to be had and see.
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Is this a good vacation destination?
Yes it has been a vacation destination for honeymooners, wedding anniversaries and newlyweds for a long time.
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Where did you stay?
Time-share condos - the one we stayed at was La Cabana time share condos located a bit up the shore from Oranjstead. (Also has the largest casino on the island located by it) http://www.lacabanabrc.com/ thats their website.
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Did you explore the island?
My parents and my brother explored the island before I came ( they had the benefit of a 2 week vacation where I only had one week on the island)
Went there about 7 years ago. My general impression of it was that it's like Las Vegas with a beach. If you like high rise hotels and casinos, it's a fun place. The wife and I aren't really in to the all night partying though. The people there are very friendly and the beaches are beautiful, but very coarse. You need to wear shoes on most of them. We stayed there for 4 nights and took a Windjammer to Curacao and Bonaire too. I enjoyed Curacao much more than Aruba. More history, culture and better shopping there, and the snorkeling was incredible too.
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Songdog
If you're being chased by a police dog, try not to go through a tunnel, then on to a little seesaw, then jump through a hoop of fire. They're trained for that!
-- Milton Jones
I've been there a couple of times. Honestly have to say for me it's just an "OK" vacation destination - not great. I prefer any island in Hawaii over Arbua by a longshot.
I've got some pictures uploaded from a trip in 2003. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba which was a nice place, but made moreso because I had top tier status and got upgraded rooms, club access, etc.
The hotel (and others) have a bit of a racket going if you want one of the cabanas on the beach or even a chair to sit in... extra $$$ for pretty much everything you want to do.
Pictures I took from one of the trips here from 2003 - we did explore the island extensively so pics from a lot of spots mixed in here Aruba April 2003
The beaches are very nice, water is clear and stunning. The tourist areas of the towns have some quaint dutch architecture but once you get outside of that it's a pretty depressing place. Small & dirty housing and it's pretty much a desert outside the area they water for the hotels - ugly and brown. I lived in Nevada for a couple of years so the gambling wasn't all that attractive to me but its there if you want to do it.
The one thing that was great in Aruba was the snorkeling - excellent spots all around the island with great shelter for abundant fish. Also around the beach areas are some interesting natural bridges and old fort structures.
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I appreciate the replies and honest comments ~ keep them coming.
Additional information:
I am looking for a honeymoon destination...
I have no experience with the "all inclusive" resorts.
Nightlife dancing is a must.
Gambling is not anything I'm interested in.
Awesome room service is a must.
Smaller crowds is a plus.
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I appreciate the replies and honest comments ~ keep them coming.
Additional information:
I am looking for a honeymoon destination...
I have no experience with the "all inclusive" resorts.
Nightlife dancing is a must.
Gambling is not anything I'm interested in.
Awesome room service is a must.
Smaller crowds is a plus.
Check this place out. Cozumel Palace (Cozumel, Mexico) - Resort Reviews - TripAdvisor Took the wife there a couple of years ago and it was fantastic. Not a mega-resort with tons of amenities, but great rooms, excellent staff, and very good food for an all-inclusive. No sense in honeymooners paying for all that stuff they aren't going to have time to use anyway. Being on the island and off the mainland of Mexico makes it nicer too.
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Songdog
If you're being chased by a police dog, try not to go through a tunnel, then on to a little seesaw, then jump through a hoop of fire. They're trained for that!
-- Milton Jones
Aruba
Re: Aruba
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