RULES

Lady friend and I stayed at the Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort. The resort was amazing. The room was awesome. Rented a car to be able to easily get around. We went all inclusive, and it was WELL worth it to me.

Flew with American Airlines, very smooth process.

Rented a car from the Avis at the airport, easy pickup, but a little pricey. All in with the insurance and putting a few bucks in the gas tank, about $200. Worth it to me. When you just want to run to pharmacy, or explore, it was definitely worth the cost. I will say, the roundabouts are a little nerve wracking. Also, try to get a car with a back-up camera. It would’ve made a world of difference to me to have one. xD

Divi Dutch Village all inclusive was amazing. The staff were incredibly, incredibly friendly. Room was clean and very nice, 40 yards from the beach. Screen door led to the Tiki Beach Bar and a pool and Jacuzzi. :D

We would wake up every day, eat at the Tiki Beach Bar in Divi, which had awesome breakfast and lunch. We hung out on the beach, floated in the ocean, and explored the other Divi resorts. The village seemed the best to me. Every night we ate at a different Divi restaurant and they were all very good. The food was very great quality. Only had one questionable snack at a beach bar at the other Divi. Stick to the village restaurants for sure. 

One night we went dancing at Kalibra Bar, which was really fun. The next day we explored the shops down around there. There is a really cool place called Lindan Cigars, and the souvenir shops down there were pretty cool. Before we left we hit the butterfly farm, which is a very beautiful experience!

If you want to truly go somewhere to RELAX, this is the place. Do all inclusive. Wake up, eat a great breakfast, go to the beach. Have lunch. Go back to the beach. Go to the room and freshen up in the AC, then walk down to one of the restaurants. Its. Awesome. Don’t have to think about much of anything. Frees up the mind. 

TLDR: Amazing 3 days in Divi Dutch Village. If you just want to go to a beautiful beach, float in the ocean and relax, you can’t beat it. Can’t wait to go back.

Edit: Get a pair of Crocs. They were awesome for Aruba. Great in ocean too.

Hi! We are visiting for the first time with our 22 month old. We are going for a week in November and My mom is joining us midweek to see baby and let us have some alone time. Are there any places/bars for dancing? We are going from Saturday to Saturday. Staying at the Hilton ( I heard a bout the construction do you think it will be bad?) We’ll be going to the donkey sanctuary butterfly farm, cafecito I want to rent a car but I wasn’t sure if I should stick to a local place or an international rental company. I looked at cheap rentals Aruba and a week is $185 which isn’t bad Thanks for any guidance!

Hi, we are going to Aruba for the second time in about two weeks. We are staying in Oranjestad, and though we have a car to go other places, there will be days where we will want to just eat close to the hotel. Does anyone have any good restaurant recommendations in that area?

Our family is going to spend Thanksgiving in Aruba and some are insisting on a turkey dinner. The Internet is not particularly helpful or current on what’s on offer. Any suggestions/recommendations for a restaurant that is serving Thanksgiving dinner?

Can anyone tell me what the laws are between Aruba & the United States?

Hi there. My friends are interesting in observing turtle nesting or hatching in Aruba. Are there certain beaches that turtles go to and what should they know about protocol?

Hi! Im planning to stay in the Barceló all inclusive but I couldn’t find if they have gluten free options. I would appreciate if someone staying there can guide us Thanks!

https://english.24ora.com/2024/10/30/passengers-must-now-receive-ok-to-enter-aruba-after-completing-their-ed-card/

Update from their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/InmigracionAruba

First time traveling to Aruba at the end of this week into next. Seeing rain on my weather app EVERY day. I do know it’s the rainy season, but does it actually rain all day? Just trying to pack and plan some day trips and get lucky with some sun. Thanks!

EDIT: Super helpful responses I’m ready for that sun! Thanks all!

I did a lot of searching and can’t find the answer to this question. We visit every November, and had a great time last year on them. I know they went bankrupt, but are they still available much like they were in Nov 2023?

I’m not looking for a scooter rental, as we have a car. We just enjoyed taking them from the restaurants up north if we were tired.

Just let me know, we are on Eagle Beach. Thanks.

Hotel Riu Palace Antillas, Noord, Aruba.

I fully realize this is a long shot, but I’ve exhausted multiple options with no luck…

I was a guest at the Riu Antillas resort in Aruba from 7/18-7/23/24 & I am desperately trying to locate a guest, or a friend of this guest, or anyone who may know a woman who was staying in the neighboring room 509 (my room was 511), specifically the night of 7/22/2024. I’ve emailed & called the resort & understandably they cannot reveal this information. I even asked if they could pass along my contact info to the guest from that room, but no such luck yet… Whoever was in room 509 the night of 7/22/24 literally saved my life! The man I was with on the trip beat me brutally & attempted to unalive me… was close to succeeding… & as I was being smothered, slowly dying, terrified, fighting for my life… I screamed for help with what few breaths I was able to gasp & SHE HEARD ME… OHH Thank you Lord, she HEARD ME! If she had been at the casino, or dancing the night away in paradise, I wouldn’t be here. But she was in her room & with NO reason to insert herself, she called security & prevented my broken body from being broken anymore!! She is the reason I’m here to be able to write this post… she is the reason my kids still have a mom!! I need her to know how powerful that 1 call to reception was! I want her to know my gratitude & admiration for her!! Whatever her name, whoever she is, she was my GUARDIAN ANGEL that horrifying night I owe her everything, MY LIFE most of all!!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Welcome to the r/Aruba weekly Discussion / Q&A thread.

This thread is a hub for general discussion and questions about Aruba, that don't need threads of their own.

You have a question regarding Aruba? This is the place for you. Ever wondered which sunscreen the locals use? Or when is the best time to go to Zeerovers? Or what is the best spicy sauce on the island? Ask any question you might have here, and the community will answer.

Also, you might may want to check the Wiki/FAQ to see if the information you're looking for is already available.

Coming in November for a quick 4 day trip. Flying in on a Saturday and out on Wednesday, so only 3 days to work with. Staying right at Tres Trapi to take advantage of all the snorkeling from shore nearby. Booking a guided snorkel with Aruba Bob in Mangel Halto as well. Trying to decide on plan to see the most of island. Options I found include:

1. 4 hour UTV tour of north east coast (and miss out on natural pool)

2. UTV full day self rental, explore north east dunes area then head down to baby beach (miss out on Arikok)

3. Open Jeep Safari of Arikok

4. Explore with rental car: baby beach, Hooiberg, San Nicolas murals, downtown Oranjestad

Other ideas welcome, thanks in advance

Is one hour enough time to make my connecting flight back to Chicago from AA? Has anyone done this before? Thank you!

UPDATE: Because we cleared customs in Aruba, we were able to make our connecting flight to Chicago. Thank you all so much for your answers!

Heading to Aruba for the next week. I usually go over Thanksgiving week and wondering how the poker action is this time of year? Will I still find the usual 2-3 games at the Hilton? Does the RIU still have a table? Did they reopen a poker room at the Holiday Inn after the renovations?

Hello. I am a medical school from the States that will be attending XUSOM. I wanted to get more information about apartments and renting cars? Are there any apartments you’d recommend?

Visiting Aruba and Bonaire in January for our anniversary. I see flights to Aruba, but no flights, or ferry’s to Bonaire. We’re spending a week on both islands. How do you arrange transportation between the two islands?

I plan on celebrating my 49th birthday in Aruba come December. I would prefer an adults only hotel. My must haves: newer/updated rooms, 4 or 5 star (can do a 3 star for the right spot) and swim up bar. Any suggestions?

Renaissance Island was pretty magical. I was surprised how not crowded everything was. Is October slow season? We never saw any crowds anywhere, most restaurants were empty.

Heading there next week for the first time! But our resort doesn't have a private beach. Do some resorts offer access to their private beaches? (assuming it may come with a fee)

Hi, friends! I’ll be staying at the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba at the end of the month. Has anyone recently stayed here that could share their experience?

Also open learning what types of activities that folks staying in this area participated in and/or would recommend.

Staying a week. Should I rent a car or use taxis?

Also, is it worth having “cash” on hand?

I have a flight that gets in from the US at 15:30 to Aruba. I then have a flight down to Lima which leaves at 18:30. Do I have to clear immigration and security, and do I still have to get an ED card?

Thanks in advance!

Hello! The family and I are traveling to Aruba in 2 weeks, staying at the Aruba Hilton. We’ve been hearing all sorts of stories about the construction going on. Is it really that bad? We’re getting nervous. Is it worth looking into other accommodations? I looked at the Hyatt Regency (more money) and the Holiday Inn (less money but looks like a lower class). Perhaps there is another beach front resort that I’m missing? Any advice on what I should do here would be greatly appreciated!

Title. I can't find much info online

Looking for suggestions for restaurants for the first timers! Places you would send a friend. Thanks for your help 😁

I went to Aruba with my family 7 years ago and we went to this incredible Italian restaurant but none of us can remember the name! My husband and I are going for our honeymoon next week and I’d love to take him to experience traditional Italian food!! All we can remember about the place is it was dark inside and either the walls or tablecloths were red. I know it might not still be there or look different now I’d love if anyone had any info on it TIA!!

Welcome to the r/Aruba weekly Discussion / Q&A thread.

This thread is a hub for general discussion and questions about Aruba, that don't need threads of their own.

You have a question regarding Aruba? This is the place for you. Ever wondered which sunscreen the locals use? Or when is the best time to go to Zeerovers? Or what is the best spicy sauce on the island? Ask any question you might have here, and the community will answer.

Also, you might may want to check the Wiki/FAQ to see if the information you're looking for is already available.

We are looking to book at this resort with two teenage boys and trying to decide which location. Would love any recommendations!