First time to La Cabana

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

Thank you all for your great tips... We appreciate the info. I will do a trip report as soon as we get back, as I am relying deeply on other trip reports. I just want to make sure I understand, no dishwasher soap or paper towels. I am however assuming toilet paper is furnished ! We have stayed at Hammocks, C36, FV and BWC@BC. All of these BG resorts were exceptional, I hope LBC is as well. We honestly are coming to relax and enjoy ourselves. I do not plan to do a lot of cooking, but will definitely do some to help defray some costs. Neither one of us smoke, so probably won't be smokin the cigars, but I do like the smell of them sometimes ....I do hope to hit the happy hours regularly! I am not a lush, just need a VACATION! One other ?, I assume that Discover and MC are accepted at most restaurants....? Thanks AGAIN!!!

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

Thank you all for your great tips... We appreciate the info. I will do a trip report as soon as we get back, as I am relying deeply on other trip reports. I just want to make sure I understand, no dishwasher soap or paper towels. I am however assuming toilet paper is furnished ! We have stayed at Hammocks, C36, FV and BWC@BC. All of these BG resorts were exceptional, I hope LBC is as well. We honestly are coming to relax and enjoy ourselves. I do not plan to do a lot of cooking, but will definitely do some to help defray some costs. Neither one of us smoke, so probably won't be smokin the cigars, but I do like the smell of them sometimes ....I do hope to hit the happy hours regularly! I am not a lush, just need a VACATION! One other ?, I assume that Discover and MC are accepted at most restaurants....? Thanks AGAIN!!!

They do not provide soap for the DW, paper towels, coffee, etc. We did have liquid soap in one of our 2 units but not the other. I don't know if they would provide this or not. They sell all those items in the market, the DW powder was 50 cents per individual packet IIRC. They also charge you if you leave the dishes dirty. TP, hand soap, shampoo and shower gel were provided as was a hair dryer.

They do have W/D near the elevators for a charge and again, do not provide items to wash clothes.

We purposefully used our CC ONLY at places we had no choice such as the 2 resorts we stayed and the rental car. Used cash for all else. I suspect you'll have an issue with Discovery but not MC, hopefully someone else can say for certain. The last time we were in Aruba I used a CC ONE time at an ATM in the Marriott Lobby and it was compromised so I vowed not to do anything this time (or MX last Jan) with a CC I could avoid. After researching travel cash cards and national debit cards, I ended up opening a separate checking account with my CU with NO overdraft protection and the ONLY like to my other accounts where I could load AND UNLOAD the card online or at the CU. It worked GREAT and the costs for all items were essentially zero.

Realize you must let your carrier's know that you'll be out of the country and where along with the dates. For Chase and my CU cards, I could do this online, just check with them.

I took about $450, 1 CC for me, a different CC for my wife and the 2 ATM's for the checking I mentioned. Fortunately the ATM cards have different numbers even for the same account which Mastercard tends to do but not VISA.

In addition to the stated Happy hour, they tend to have 2 for 1 specials during bingo. We found the restaurant on property, Las Ramblas, quite good and a very nice setting as long as it doesn't rain (it did on us).

We've gotten in the habit of collecting any leftover coffee packets, laundry soap, etc when we travel and using them for just such trips. We also got the 3 in 1 washing sheets but we did cut them in half as the loads we were running were smaller.

Things we took with us included muffin mix, pack of foil muffin holders since no muffin tin, pancake mix, syrup packets, a few small cans of veggies, dried pasta mix, foil, the above item types, condiments left over from fast food places, and paper towels. We also took snacks for there and for the plane. If you have an early flight, make sure you take breakfast bars or similar.

The last time we were in Aruba, we rented a cell phone which worked great but was about $40 for 11 days. Since then I've bought unlocked GSM phones off ebay and used them for MX last year and Aruba this year. Bought SIM cards at the airport and it worked GREAT. $20 each with I think it was 84 minutes each. Incoming calls are free. We used them for reservations during the time and to call back and forth when we were not together. At the end we intended to use up the minutes by calling home but there was enough time left that we couldn't even use up one, much less both. If you have a GSM phone, your carrier may be willing to unlock it for you temporarily.

During the rest of the time we used SKYPE to call home. Considering getting the $2.95 per month to call the US with the intent of canceling later but ended up getting credit instead so it'd be good later. It's about 2.3 cents a minute IIRC. SKYPE to SKYPE is free.

Sorry to ramble, hope this is helpful.

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

Most helpful!!..Thank you for the phone info, that is another thing we are concerned with. We will be leaving the teenagers at home this trip and you never know what might come up.... So appreciative....... and I have begun saving the condiments

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

Lacabana

We get a taxi from the airport, and next take bus up to Ling and son's. Its back off the main drag so make sure you get directions and when you get on bus tell them market. The bus stop is in front of the amsterdam manor. The beel hops up front will help you with directions. Angel, Ernie, they all are helpful. When they roll your luggage to the room ask ?'s and they wil help, we always tip them too. If you want to chat call us we will help in any way we can. Ths Songer's
252-341-6779

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

Day Privileges ???

Does anyone know about the availability of day use privileges at La Cabana? We are going on a cruise in October with a stop in Aruba. Thank you in advance.

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

Does anyone know about the availability of day use privileges at La Cabana? We are going on a cruise in October with a stop in Aruba. Thank you in advance.

From what I've gathered LCB offers day use to their owners but not to BG owners, even those whose points are based there. Remember BG does not own nor manage the resort. It never hurts to ask. Depending on the specific week one might get a studio for around 1K points or less if it's mid week, that might be an option though you'd have to pay 3 days of the occupancy tax and energy surcharge in addition.

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

When we've gone down, we've rented a car for one night to explore parts of the island that were harder to get to by bus. If you do rent a car, make The Flying Fishbone a restaurant stop, excellent food and atmosphere, just call far enough in advance to reserve one of the waterfront tables during sunset (you can also reserve online).

But we've also got along fine without the car, the bus goes literally right past the resort (just make sure you have exact change). The taxi drivers are are very friendly, we've always taken the taxis back at night from wherever we ended up drinking (another reason we don't usually rent the car).

The beach is great, but the beach chairs and prime "spaces" fill up early (my wife and I are on the younger end, and so all of the early birds would be out way before we would even think of waking up)

Bon bini!

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

I would also recommend getting a car. Taxi's are very expensive in Aruba. When you add it all up you have the price to rent a car. We rental a soft top jeep. We traveled the island. Went to baby beach, natural bridge, which isn;t there anymore. Made a couple trips to the grocery store. Just having the convience of a car made our trip alot better. We made breakfast and lunch at the kitchen in La Cabana. We ate out every night which also put the car to good use. My favorite restuarant was Texas De Brazil steakhouse. They bring the meat right to your table and carve it there. It was very good. Thats the only one that sticks in my mind. All in all I would say the car is your best bet.

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

I would also recommend getting a car. Taxi's are very expensive in Aruba. When you add it all up you have the price to rent a car. We rental a soft top jeep. We traveled the island. Went to baby beach, natural bridge, which isn;t there anymore. Made a couple trips to the grocery store. Just having the convience of a car made our trip alot better. We made breakfast and lunch at the kitchen in La Cabana. We ate out every night which also put the car to good use. My favorite restuarant was Texas De Brazil steakhouse. They bring the meat right to your table and carve it there. It was very good. Thats the only one that sticks in my mind. All in all I would say the car is your best bet.

As I noted, our previous trip we did a combo where we took a cab to LCB, got a car for 7 days to coincide with our move to and from the Marriott back to LCB and then a Cab to the airport. We arrived on a day and after the time that rental cars would not have been available. It was only slightly cheaper than getting a car the entire time. This time we got a car for the entire time and that was preferable. Buses are certainly workable for some things, not for others. IIRC a Cab to LCB was around $16-17 one way and to the high Rise, about $20. There is a surcharge for Sunday's I believe as well. We paid $341 for 12 days through an independent and were very pleased. This was a several year old Yaris, not a Jeep, but was perfect for our needs.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

If it's still there don't eat at Brisas del Mar!! We got food poisoning I took a tour with ABC tours and it was great until I almost drowned and had to be rescued (literally) Altho it was one of the most "adventurous " trips I've ever taken I would go back to Aruba in a second. The hospital er room is great, and cheap compared to America. The one thing you will come back with is the memory of the Aruba people. They are so warm and helpful. I hope you come back with wonderful memories!! shaggy

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

This is a great thread. We should probably create one of these for every resort.

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

You will love Aruba! We have stayed at LaCabana twice. While I car is nice for exploring areas of the island you would not see without one, it may only be necessary for a few days. It really depends if you are a person who likes to take it easy and beach it on vacation or if you are more likely to want to explore on a daily basis.

Once I was there a few days prior to my family joining me and didn't have a car. I just caught the bus right outside the resort and went to the store. The bus stops right outside a couple of stores. If you decided to do this just pack some grocery bags to take with you. I took the kind with wide enough straps so I could wear it as a backpack and hand carry two others.

Enjoy your trip!