Enjoy Aruba and all it has to offer!
While the island of Aruba is only 21 mile long and approx 5 miles wide, there are unlimited things to do while you are visiting. Below are suggestions and links to sigthseeing, restaurants, shopping and a few other things to do while you are in Aruba.
Want to watch the NFL on Sunday? Ravens or Eagles?
The Groom and a few guys from the Wedding Party will be headed over to Buster's Garage to watch the Ravens play at 1pm on Sunday. The Eagles are also playing at the same time, so we should have a pretty good crowd for the games.
Buster's Garage Sports Bar & Grill, located at Palm Beach # 55, Noord, Aruba, is a great place to watch all the NFL games. They have good specials and their wings are top notch. We'll be showing our Purple Pride on Sunday, so bring your jersey and come along! And of course, Eagles fans are also welcome.
Sightseeing
You can book sightseeing trips through the Divi resort or arrange your own. There are island tours to all the major attractions, ATV tours, jeep tours, birdwatching, hiking and bus tours. There are also sunset cruises, moonlight cruises and party cruises.
De Palm Tours is the largest operator of tours in Aruba and has a wide variety of tours and activities to choose from. There is a De Palm desk at the Divi resort where you can book any of the activities offered by De Palm Tours. http://www.depalm.com/
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Restaurants & Bars
Bon Appetit
Lovers of Good Food instantly feel at home in Aruba. Culinary specialties from all over the world can be enjoyed there in a seemingly endless range of fine restaurants. You want to feast on the deep sea delights of the Caribbean, apply your chop sticks to an Indonesian Rice Table or have a romantic French Dinner à Deux? You will find it on Aruba, and much more.
Link to the top restaurants in Aruba: http://www.restaurantsaruba.com/topten.html
Some recommendations and favorites:
Restaurants
- Window's on Aruba (Located at Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort - Ranked 2010 #1 restaurant in Aruba): http://www.windowsonaruba.com/
- Madame Janette : http://www.madamejanette.info/joomla/
- Ristorante Sol Mare: http://giannisaruba.com/restaurant_aruba_solemare.aspx
- Hostaria da Vittorio: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/aruba/D54012.html
- Iguana Cantina (Greg: "Loved this place - great burrito & great prices"): http://www.iguanacantinaaruba.com/
- Casa Tua Pizzeria (Captain's choice - "Best Pizza on the island"): http://www.casatuaaruba.com/pizzeria/index.php
- Pinchos Grill & Bar: http://www.arubarestaurants.com/international/pinchos-grill-bar/
- El Gaucho (Kevin O's choice): http://www.elgaucho-aruba.com/
- Flying Fishbone (another KO favorite): http://www.flyingfishbone.com/
- Papiamento Restaurant: http://www.papiamentorestaurant.com/Welcome.html
Bars
- MooMba Beach (laid back beach bar): http://moombabeach.com/component/
- Soprano's Piano Bar: http://sopranospianobar.com/frontpage/
- Buster's Garage Sports Bar & Grill (behind Hard Rock Cafe)
Shopping
Not only can you find great deals in Aruba, but you will also find a variety of shopping districts to browse and compare prices.
Shopping in Aruba is most known for its various selections. Shoppers often visit Aruba for its shops devoted to jewelry, table linens, perfumes, leather goods, designer fashions, electronics, locally made handicrafts, Cuban cigars, Dutch Delft, Dutch Cheeses, and many more superior and favorably priced goods.
Oranjestad Shopping
If you are serious about shopping in Aruba, then take the trip to downtown Oranjestad. As the capital of Aruba, shopping in Oranjestad is top notch.
Shopping in Oranjestad, Aruba is often turned into a grand event. Occasionally the main street is made car-free, and on those days more than others, it's great time to stroll and check out the many clothing and jewelry stores.
You will also find shopping in the Renaissance Mall, Renaissance Market Place, the Royal Plaza, Port of Call Market Place, Aventura Mall, the Holland Aruba Mall, the Sun Plaza and the Atrium Mall.
Aruba traveling tip: Some stores close between noon and 2pm, and many shops and malls close by 6pm. If you plan to make a special trip, call ahead to be sure the stores you want to visit are open.
Jewelry
Looking for a great jewelry store with top notch service. Visit our friends at Kay's Fine Jewelry (http://www.kaysfinejewelry.com/default.asp) in Oranjestad. Ask for Tesh and tell him "The Captain" sent you. He'll take good care of you and likely offer you a cold "beverage" while you shop. (Family owned - not affliated with with Kay's chain in the U.S.)
Flea Market
For local flavor and bargain purchases, visit the island’s fun, informal flea markets. Find a mix of Caribbean products, local snacks and even BBQ meals. Inexpensive, yet charming souvenirs, can be found in abundance. Flea market is held on Saturday & Sunday in Oranjestad.
Grocery Stores
Their are two grocery stores located just minutes from the Divi Resort.
- Ling & Sons: http://www.lingandsons.com/ling/home.do
- Kong Hing Supermarket: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/aruba/S31948.html
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Sports & Recreation
Activities
The Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort features The Links at Divi Aruba- a 9 hole luxury golf course and training facility. Visit www.divigolf.com for detailed information. Divi guests receive preferred tee times and rates.
Active guests enjoy lighted tennis courts, and weekly tennis clinics sponsored by the Divi Tamarijn. Poolside games and beach walks are held in the early afternoon, and are a favorite for families.
Aruba's only 30 foot rock climbing wall is located on the Divi beach. Exciting climbs are available daily from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
An on-site watersports center operated by De Palm Tours features catamarans, raft, sunfish, and canoe rental, as well as snorkeling excursions and windsurfing lessons.
Activities can be arranged through the resort or on your own.
Other activies to consider: Deep sea fishing, golf at Tierra del Sol (http://www.tierradelsol.com/), scuba, jet ski rental, parasailing or windsurfing.
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Other things to do
De Palm Island
Visit this private island and find endless activites for a full (or half) day of fun. The island features some of Aruba's finest snorkeling and is home to the friendly blue parrotfish. The island also features a waterpark, banana boat rides, snuba, sea trek, volleyball and white sandy beaches with lounge chairs and cabanas. Included with your trip to the island is all-inclusive food & beverage at the restaurant, snack pavilion and bar!
http://www.depalm.com/de_palm_island/de_palm_island.html
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Kukoo Kunuku (party bus)
Rated # 1 by "E" Entertainment TV as their favorite tour in Aruba. This original dinner and bar-hopping adventure is still the BEST as it takes you into the countryside and down city alleys for a true island experience.
Hop aboard the Kukoo Kunuku and shake your maracas to the beat of Caribbean music on the way to a Champagne toast. Then you are off to dine in the gardens of Residencia Sylvia, the beautiful home of former Chief of protocol or at Laguna Pier, a romantic seaside location. Here you will be served a typical local meal under the stars. After dinner you are off to Aruba's favorite pubs and "watering holes" where the first drink of your choice is on the house and all other drinks are at local prices. Along the way, you will learn the island rhythms, catch the island spirit and have a whirlwind of foot stompin' FUN...
http://www.kukookunuku.com/index.asp?id=42
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Casinos
Wherever your preference lies, be it in blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, baccarat, Aruba's casinos offer it all.
Alahambra Casino - Divi's favorite Aruba casino with world-class gaming; located across the street from the Divi Resort. Complimentary transportation is provided to the Alahambra Casino from the resort.
Link to top casinos: http://www.10best.com/Aruba,Aruba/Attractions_&_Activities/Casinos/
