Oh wind, oh wind where art thou?
Written: Dec 20 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Wind, beaches, people, food
Cons: Returning home, possibly cost
The Bottom Line: Go if you love to windsurf & hang out at the beach because it's one of the most relaxing places to do it. :)
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| wndsrfgrl's Full Review: Aruba |
Okay. I have to admit I'm a windsurfer and I love having wind. I've been to Aruba numerous times and have loved it more and more.
Websites for more info:
www.visitaruba.com
www.aruba.com
www.sailboards.com
www.velawindsurf.com
www.arubabeachhouse.com
On the plane:
2 1/2-hour flight from Miami.
Sit on the left side of the plane when arriving and leaving Aruba.
Weather:
It's sunny all the time, except for the flukey "hurricane" that had skirted Aruba in '99. If it rains it'll just be brief showers. Nothing to worry about. Yes, it's arid and there are a lot of cacti, but that's what gives Aruba its uniqueness. Mosquitoes can be a problem, but it hasn't rained very much in a few years so they're minimal. It does get windy, but not as if a hurricane was going through. It helps keep the mosquitoes away and to keep you cool.
People:
The people are nice. They love to see repeat customers. The only thing I didn't like was their driving. I thought the people in Houston drove like lunatics. These guys have no concept of speed limits. I was there in Feb. 2000 for Carnival and there was a fatal car accident. The driver was drunk, unfortunately. Please be aware while driving. They also love to use their horns. Be ready when the traffic light turns green b/c the drivers won't stand for hanging out at the next red light.
Ocean/beaches:
The ocean is flat & clear blue, there are no jellies & it's windy. No sharks to worry about while windsurfing. For you windsurfers that learn what the Blue Highway is keep your eyes out for turtles. The beach is sand, but if you're walking around in the water (depending on location) w/ your water shoes the crushed coral may get in your shoes and cause some raw sores.
Food:
The food is absolutely wonderful, especially at Madame Jeanette's & El Gaucho. Madame Jeanette has various choices, but I love their Salmon a la Florentine and their vanilla ice cream w/ blueberry sauce. El Gaucho is a steak house. It's more for meat lovers. These two restaurants aren't that expensive either. For informal, less expensive dining try Iguana Joe's. They have some good Baby Back ribs.
Flying Fishbone is a nice romantic restaurant, but we thought it was too expensive (bill was $120, no alcohol) for what we got. You can see a beautiful sunset at around 6pm and if you're lucky you can see a wonderful lightening show over Venezuela while eating. Reservations are required and ask to sit on the beach.
Water is drinkable in Aruba. Own desalination plant. Just grab a glass, put in some ice cubes and drink away. Oh, you don't get free refills on drinks, only for water.
I believe it's called Pelican's Nest, which is located on the beach, has good food. Get reservations for when the sun sets on a clear evening.
Activities:
People rave about snorkeling at Baby Beach. You can also take a catamaran to a wreck. As for diving, I don't really care much for wreck dives, but if you do try to choose a dive shop other than Red Sail Sports (RSS)like Unique or Pelican or Mermaids. RSS treats you like sheep in a pen. Herd you all in, and herd you all out. Plus, their safety isn't all that great. Bring a lock if you want a locker. I would also recommend renting a car and driving around the island on your own. Go to the east side of the island. The water is absolutely beautiful. Blue as can be. If you head for the Colorado Lighthouse you'll see what I'm talking about. It's Boca Grandi. The Natural Bridge is nice. We didn't like the Natural Pool. It was more like a natural pond. But others like it. The view of Aruba from the California Lighthouse is beautiful.
For the windsurfers:
There are numerous shops you can choose from like Roger's, Aruba Beach Villas, Aruba Beach House, JP's, and Vela Windsurf. We used to stay at the Aruba Beach Villas, but mgmt went downhill so started renting from Vela. Wind can be about 25mph, gusting to 40mph. The water can be flat to plane on you can cruise like a freakin' rocket. Women normally sail 3.7-5.2, while the men use 5.5-6.5. Boards vary. June is the windiest. They have rescue boats in case you are a beginner and start floating towards Panama.
Surfing:
You can surf on the northwest side of the island near the California Lighthouse, but they highly recommend going with a local because of the dangerous coral that you can land on. I've seen numerous ambulances cruising up there to get injured surfers.
Taking photos:
Take pictures at around 10am when you're on the west side of the island. The colors of the water stand out. You can get great pictures on the east side in the early afternoon.
Groceries:
There are a few grocery stores next to each other near the large resorts (Divi Resort). We always go to Kong Hing and Ling & Sons. They have American and Dutch items. Bread is wonderful and baked daily. If you need aspirin you'll have to go to the drugstore near Certified. Certified is kind of like a Costco. Or you can just get some drugs from the Marriott or other large resort.
Accommodations:
This really all depends on your needs. From luxury to budget. The only thing I wouldn't recommend is staying in a house downtown. This is a true story. A dutch couple we met were sleeping in their room and some homeless people broke into their room, chloriformed them, and stole all their money, jewelry, passports and tickets. A few days later they saw some kids on the street trying to sell their passports back to them for $75 a piece. They reported the problem, but Aruba's police are kind of difficult to deal with sometimes. Anyhow. The couple ended up staying in Aruba for 1 month while waiting for their new passports, tickets, and more money from their parents. Just be careful. I found that the upscale resorts had more security guards walking around. Plus, don't leave your patio door open, leave important items out. That's asking for trouble. Just use your common sense. Aruba isn't high on crime, but it can happen downtown in the remote sections.
Leaving Aruba:
If you're returning the car at the airport the entrance can be kind of tricky. The entrance is located on the west side of the rental car building. It's kind of difficult to describe, but if you make a mistake the first time you can always go back around and try again. :)
When going through Customs in Aruba, be sure to fill out your Declaration form right after you check in b/c you'll have to show your passport, boarding pass, and form before you go through customs. Once you go through the first customs officer you'll need to RECLAIM your luggage before going through the second customs officer. This is AFTER you reclaim your luggage. Once you're done with that you'll put your luggage back onto the conveyor belt and head off to your gate.
Don't forget to bring:
U/w cameras
Camera/camcorder
Sunscreen (the sun is VERY strong in Aruba) 1 tube for each week you're there.
Sunglasses (we found polarized to be the best)
Hat
Sunscreen lip balm
Duct tape bandage tape, bandages for windsurfers
Water shoes
Light clothes
Bathing suits
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
wndsrfgrl
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Member: Julie
Location: Houston, TX USA
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Love to windsurf, travel, watch movies, and read books.
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