Customer Reviews

Frommer's Portable Aruba

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Talks about how to get the best filght and where to stay and eat with complete reviews and price. Also gives dress codes for restraunts and shows. Talks about all beaches and a ton of activities in depth. Only available in portable size and it has the most and best information about Aruba of all the guides. Plus has shopping and side trips and nightlife. Enjoy!

I found this book to be extremely helpful on my recent trip to Aruba. For a little country it really has so much to offer, but without proper guidance it might be hard to discover everything there is to see and do. The book is well-written, logical, and concise. Buy it, book a trip, read it on the plane, and refer to it while you are there! I was in Aruba for six days and looked at this book EVERY single day.

I'd like to add that I vistited a lot of hotels and restaurants while on my trip, and can attest that the reviews in the book are quite accurate. There are so many great values to be had in Aruba, and this book will help you find them.

Bottom line: the book is a great asset for a wonderful trip. And don't forget to use sunscreen!!

ps: Don't miss the JOLLY PIRATES snorkel and lunch cruise (see page 93). They are now located on Moomba Beach between the Marriott and the Holiday Inn. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!

A great reference for your Arubian vacation. We used it constantly, on the plane, on the beach, and in the desert! Great hints/tips, maps, suggested exploring routes, recommended beaches, shopping, diving sites, etc. Only gave it 4 stars b/c it is becoming slightly out of date. Need an updated version soon...However, still highly recommended!

We just got back from Aruba. We had a wonderful time. The guide was not much help. We read through the guide before we arrived and we did not open it once once we arrived, we actually left it in Aruba on purpose. We found much more updated information from the Internet and the visitor guides at the resort. There's Internet access at most of the resorts, so my advice is to save your money and use online resources. There are a lot of great websites www.restaurantsaruba.com, tripadvisor.com.

As far as snorkeling, just drive towards the lighthouse you will see snorkeling boats near the shore, those are the best spots (the beaches just before the lighthouse). Lots of great fish to see. You can rent the snorkeling equipment from the Pelican Pier, it is on Palm Beach. I would stay away from the other side of the island unless you want to get lost and frustrated, the roads are not marked well and there are lots of dirt roads. There is a cool point at the end of the island, but it was just worth our frustrations.

Our favorite things, were gambling, relaxing at the beach, snorkeling, and eating. A must eat is Madame Janette, make sure you make reservations as soon as you arrive. This is the best restaurant; ask to be in the garden. You can also make reservations online through the website. If you are visiting in the winter I would suggest you make reservations before you visit. [...]


The only other thing I that looked like a blast but we could not do, because I am pregnant, is rent an ATV. They were lots of having fun on the dunes.

The party bus. If you are a party person and like to dance, you would enjoy this. They pick you up at your hotel you go up to the lighthouse have a glass of champagne and then go to a beautiful estate where you have dinner and get to know some of you fellow drinkers. Then you go to 3 bars. There were two buses of us on a Wednesday night. So I if you do it on the weekend I am sure there are more people. It was entertaining. Of course I was sober since I am pregnant. They give you tickets so your first drink is free at dinner and the 3 bars.

Spa and salon? Well I was going to go to a Spa but after 2 salon visits I opted not to. It would be fine if you know Spanish, but if you do not I suggest you ask for someone who is fluent in English. Otherwise it is a guessing game. It cost about the same if you did it in the US.

Food and service. They take their time in Aruba. Meals usually take 1-2 hours, so if you are starving I suggest you hit one of the fast food joints. The service and locals are wonderful and nice. On off season most everything is closed on Sunday.

Bargains - hit the local flea market. I found great deals on Silver, I wish I only boght more.

We will be going back to Aruba. It so far has been our favorite vacation spot and we have been to many. Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Key West, Vegas, Sedona, New Zealand, Florida we are well travelled. Have a drink and enjoy this One Happy Island! If you have anymore questions ask a taxi driver once you are in Arbua, they know everything!

This was not my first time using a Frommer's travel guide for the purpose of having the best time possible in an unknown place. I purchased the book a day before my Aruba trip, read it on the plane and actually kept it in our rental car for consistant reference. As far as I'm concerned - these travel books tell it like it is, good or bad. I can't imagine anyone giving this book less than 5 stars! Buy it!

We found Frommer's and Fodor's travel books to possess the best of information on Aruba. My husband Alan stated he didn't feel like a novice coming into this lovely tropical paradise thanks to these guides.

The books were pretty right on when it came to restaurant prices, only a few had varied their charges. One restaurant was a nice surprise as we were expecting to pay twice as much.

To add to the information, besides the buses running to the capital city of Oranjestad, they also have $1.00 taxis and these vans function well when you don't want to wait for the next bus. Oranjestad is a must visit for shopping, eating and touring.

The books also didn't include the native poverty that exists beyond the resorts and touring areas. Few Arubans own a decent hacienda. This was a shock to my husband and me as we were expecting to see average living styles.

I purchased this book and have used it on two vacations to Aruba. I refered to it several times while I was there. Maps are very helpful, as are the restaurant reviews!

This book was very helpful on my honeymoon. I would recommend getting the most up to date version though, as things change rapidly.