First time to La Cabana

[funandsun Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funandsun]

My husband and I are going to Aruba the end of March. It will be our first time. I am looking for any information on La Cabana and Aruba travel tips. I have decided that a taxi will be the most economical transportation from the airport to the resort. Does anyone have any other ideas? I would like to stop at the grocery store to get a few things. If anyone out there has any ofther tips on anything or experiences, I would appreciate hearing them. Thank you, FunandSun

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Diner at the light house just bfore sunset is a most do.

[Tom in GA Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tom in GA]

Let Us Know About Your Trip

If you wouldn't mind, please post a post trip email as we are thinking about a visit. Thank you in advance.

[Dean Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dean]

My husband and I are going to Aruba the end of March. It will be our first time. I am looking for any information on La Cabana and Aruba travel tips. I have decided that a taxi will be the most economical transportation from the airport to the resort. Does anyone have any other ideas? I would like to stop at the grocery store to get a few things. If anyone out there has any ofther tips on anything or experiences, I would appreciate hearing them. Thank you, FunandSun

I would suggest you reconsider not getting a car. You should be able to get a car for around $250 for a week. We had one in Jan for under $400 for 12 days. A car is a real plus for Aruba in my opinion. Last trip we did a hybrid, taking a taxi to and from the airport and renting a car for a week in the middle. It was a little cheaper than a car for the entire time.

There are several grocery stores. My preference is Ling and Son's. Additional options are Hong Hing, Certified and there's a new one (forget name) on the road to Noord. I felt the new one had better prices but not nearly the selection. Certified is supposed to build a new store out that way as well. The 3 above are all close near the redlight that marks the start of the low rise (Eagle Beach) area, maybe 2 miles from LCB. Some are closed on Sundays and holidays, remember they have different holidays than the US.

Remember groceries are VERY expensive in the islands. Anything you can take with you is a plus both from a time and cost standpoint as well as freeing up extra space on the return trip which I always seem to need. Groceries were nearly double what we're accustomed to paying, restaurants were 60-80% more for most options than we pay at home. We paid more than in HI from 3 years ago.

Restaurants I'd recommend include:

Downtown
El gaucho's
Paddock
Iguana Cantina

Near LCB
Matthew's
Tulip
Las Ramblas (at LCB)
?Passion's next door (didn't eat there but had a lot of people suggest it)

High Rise area
Iguana Joe's for Ribs
Salt and Pepper
Simply Fish (Beach Dining, Get Marriott dining for 2 certificates for $109)
Fishes and More
Hastaria Da Vitorrio
Aqua Grill

Other
Linda's Dutch Pancake (Noord)
B55 & Marina Pirata toward Saveneta

Did not enjoy
Wacky Wahoo's (tried it 2 times in 2 trips, not good for us either time) but many put it at the top of their to do list.
Moomba Beach Bar

There are many other options and many others I had on my to do list, just didn't get them all. You might look at the Aruba Plus Card for discounts and look at early bird options.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I would suggest you reconsider not getting a car. You should be able to get a car for around $250 for a week. We had one in Jan for under $400 for 12 days. A car is a real plus for Aruba in my opinion. Last trip we did a hybrid, taking a taxi to and from the airport and renting a car for a week in the middle. It was a little cheaper than a car for the entire time.

There are several grocery stores. My preference is Ling and Son's. Additional options are Hong Hing, Certified and there's a new one (forget name) on the road to Noord. I felt the new one had better prices but not nearly the selection. Certified is supposed to build a new store out that way as well. The 3 above are all close near the redlight that marks the start of the low rise (Eagle Beach) area, maybe 2 miles from LCB. Some are closed on Sundays and holidays, remember they have different holidays than the US.

Remember groceries are VERY expensive in the islands. Anything you can take with you is a plus both from a time and cost standpoint as well as freeing up extra space on the return trip which I always seem to need. Groceries were nearly double what we're accustomed to paying, restaurants were 60-80% more for most options than we pay at home. We paid more than in HI from 3 years ago.

Restaurants I'd recommend include:

Downtown
El gaucho's
Paddock
Iguana Cantina

Near LCB
Matthew's
Tulip
Las Ramblas (at LCB)
?Passion's next door (didn't eat there but had a lot of people suggest it)

High Rise area
Iguana Joe's for Ribs
Salt and Pepper
Simply Fish (Beach Dining, Get Marriott dining for 2 certificates for $109)
Fishes and More
Hastaria Da Vitorrio
Aqua Grill

Other
Linda's Dutch Pancake (Noord)
B55 & Marina Pirata toward Saveneta

Did not enjoy
Wacky Wahoo's (tried it 2 times in 2 trips, not good for us either time) but many put it at the top of their to do list.
Moomba Beach Bar

There are many other options and many others I had on my to do list, just didn't get them all. You might look at the Aruba Plus Card for discounts and look at early bird options.

Nice post I would like to add that across the street from El Gaucho's is there Cigar/bar/night club Lounge. Very nice high class lounge with REAL CUBAN Cigars at a decent price.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Diner at the light house just bfore sunset is a most do.

I agree with Frank, this was very nice.

And I agree with Dean - a car in Aruba is very handy to have - driving is easy and "on the right side" of the street for Americans. The island is flat and the tourist areas u will be visiting are within an 8 mile stretch.

We also like Ling and Sons - it is an IGA market.

Coming from Missouri, you will find the prices high at the grocery. We also pack staples in our suitcase but you can get everything u need at the Ling.
And when I was there last year, I found the restaurant prices had gone up as well.
Our routine is to eat in one night and out the next - with the full kitchen this is easy to do.

Our favorite restaurant by far is Madame Janette - we eat there twice on each trip.

Also enjoy Salt & Pepper for a casual tapas style meal.

Here is a link to our Aruba Stickie on the Caribbean Board
http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...-must-dos.html

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Our favorite restaurant by far is Madame Janette - we eat there twice on each trip.

.

Very romantic setting another must do!

[Dean Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dean]

I agree with Frank, this was very nice.

And I agree with Dean - a car in Aruba is very handy to have - driving is easy and "on the right side" of the street for Americans. The island is flat and the tourist areas u will be visiting are within an 8 mile stretch.

We also like Ling and Sons - it is an IGA market.

Coming from Missouri, you will find the prices high at the grocery. We also pack staples in our suitcase but you can get everything u need at the Ling.
And when I was there last year, I found the restaurant prices had gone up as well.
Our routine is to eat in one night and out the next - with the full kitchen this is easy to do.

Our favorite restaurant by far is Madame Janette - we eat there twice on each trip.

Also enjoy Salt & Pepper for a casual tapas style meal.

Here is a link to our Aruba Stickie on the Caribbean Board
http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...-must-dos.html

I forget the best restaurant of our last Trip, Chalet Suisse and very close to LCB. A little more upscale than many in Aruba but we felt it was worth dressing up and the extra costs.

One thing I wanted to point out is that LCB does not have a full kitchen. They have a modified full kitchen with a Convection Microwave and a 4 burner gas top, similar to many MX options. There are Gas BBQ grills out by the pool on both sides. Also, they do not furnish anything for the room, even paper towels, DW detergent, etc. One of our two rooms in Jan had liquid DW detergent, the other did not. They have liquid hand soap and in the shower a dispenser for shampoo and shower gel. They have towels for check out near the pool.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

First, I posted this info already but it doesn't show up on the thread. Then when I try to repost it, it say's it's a duplicate. If the first post shows up later, I apologize for the duplicate.

I forget the best restaurant of our last Trip, Chalet Suisse and very close to LCB. A little more upscale than many in Aruba but we felt it was worth dressing up and the extra costs.

One thing I wanted to point out is that LCB does not have a full kitchen. They have a modified full kitchen with a Convection Microwave and a 4 burner gas top, similar to many MX options. There are Gas BBQ grills out by the pool on both sides. Also, they do not furnish anything for the room, even paper towels, DW detergent, etc. One of our two rooms in Jan had liquid DW detergent, the other did not. They have liquid hand soap and in the shower a dispenser for shampoo and shower gel. They have towels for check out near the pool.

Because of the information you have provided in this thread I have made you a posting member, No need to wait to get to 30 posts, You will now have access to many more of our best forums here,

[smithiekid Member Find all posts View Profile Close smithiekid]

If you do take a taxi then hire a car/4x4 (a 4x4 is much more fun to explore the island) see John or Angel, the bell boys at Lacabana BRC. They will be able to get you the best deals.
Lings is more upmarket but you also have to remember that everything is imported and comes in containers and once its gone its gone so dont expect the same things to be in stock on each vist.

Phillip

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Because of the information you have provided in this thread I have made you a posting member, No need to wait to get to 30 posts, You will now have access to many more of our best forums here,

Dean isn't an old member here?? That is odd as I have 'known' him for years - Welcome Dean - a generous TUGer/BGVC Yahoo/DIS Board member and now TS4Ms member.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

If you do take a taxi then hire a car/4x4 (a 4x4 is much more fun to explore the island) see John or Angel, the bell boys at Lacabana BRC. They will be able to get you the best deals.
Lings is more upmarket but you also have to remember that everything is imported and comes in containers and once its gone its gone so dont expect the same things to be in stock on each vist.

Phillip

That is excellent advice - I like to use Fat Free Half and Half - if I see it, I buy 3 quarts for our two week stay!
Buy all your dairy items for your entire stay when u first see it.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Dean isn't an old member here?? That is odd as I have 'known' him for years - Welcome Dean - a generous TUGer/BGVC Yahoo/DIS Board member and now TS4Ms member.

He has been a memeber for years but has not posted until now. Nice to have him posting hope he continues.

[Dean Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dean]

Dean isn't an old member here?? That is odd as I have 'known' him for years - Welcome Dean - a generous TUGer/BGVC Yahoo/DIS Board member and now TS4Ms member.

I registered back when this group started. I thought I'd posted a few times but not that much. I don't have enough time to be a regular on top of everything else but do drop in from time to time.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I registered back when this group started. I thought I'd posted a few times but not that much. I don't have enough time to be a regular on top of everything else but do drop in from time to time.

All our 'hobbies' certainly do eat up time - thanks again for the info.