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Do most of you rent cars while staying in Aruba? We're going in January and I was wondering if it was easier to take the bus and/or cabs or rent a car? How easy/hard is it to park places? We'll be at the Marriott- are most thing in walking distance (restaurants, etc.) or would getting a car be easier for the week?
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We rented a car for two days and then took the bus. Rented it from the aiport, stopped to get groceries and then to the Marriott. Took it around the island and that was about it. The bus is cheap and convenient. There's a stop just outside of the Marriott.
There are many restaurants in walking distance and they are listed here if you do a search.
Which Marriott are you staying at ?
Oh, forgot to say that parking in town isn't always easy.
If you type in Aruba in the search topic, you'll get excellent advice and suggestions.
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I think it would depend on what you plan on doing, while in Aruba. There are restaurants in walking distance of the Marriott, but you would need a car to get to some of the most recommended ones.
Also, if you are planning on doing any site seeing, golfing, snorkeling, etc., it is much easier to have the car.
The bus will take you into town, but you will need to drive, or take a cab to certain sites, and restaurants.
I found the cars rentals to be very reasonable in Aruba, and am planning on renting once again this winter.
If you are going to stay on the beach every day, and don't mind being limited on restaurants, than you can get away without a car. Or, as Beags has suggested, you can rent for a couple of days, and then chill out on the beach.Angela
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
BTW, I'm still keeping track of how many times you annoy me.
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We were there for 2 straight weeks last year and had a car for maybe half the time.
Aqua Grill and Hosteria Vitoria are within walking distance and are VERY good restaurants.
The rental rates were favorable enough to definately get one on arrival to get from airport to Marriott <and do market shopping> and well worth having for last day of trip. Most companies have drop-off at airport and will not charge you to do so.
You should have a car for 2 days of exploring and restaurant hopping in town.
It will depend on the rates and what you'd like to do while on Aruba wether having a car for 4 days vs 7 is worth while for you. For us in the hi-rise area you can get by just fine without. Particularly if you have already been there.
Lawren
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There are many wonderful places in the world, but one of my favourite places is on the back of my horse.
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Seems like you're divided on this question as well, but I do appreciate the responses. It sounds like for first-timers we might be better off renting and deciding if we should do so later for future visits.
We'll be at the Surf Club for the first time. Have been to Aruba before for 1 day stop-overs on cruises (we loved the island) but this will be the first time for a week (we just bought at the Surf Club-
- just waiting for the paperwork).
Any recommendations who to rent from? We'll need a minivan (my parents will be with us for the entire week and our daughter for part of the week). I guess if we rent we might as well do it for the whole week, because we'll need it back and forth from the airport at arrival and departure and then also on Thursday for our daughter (she needs to get back early for school). Given that we will be 5 for most of the week and that my parents are gettting on in years the convenience would be worth the money.Comment
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I had intended to use the bus when I went, but found a car to be much more convenient, so I rented one after I got there.Comment
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Toyota Rental
Just down a little is the resort, Playa Linda. When we were in Aruba a few years ago we walked down to the http://www.visitaruba.com/trac/Toyota Rental store to rent a car. If I had it all over to do again, I would rent it first thing at the airport and rent it for about 3 days and return it at the Playa Linda. Then at the end of the week I would rent it again on my last full day in Aruba and use it to tour around again and then use it to get to the airport. The three days in between use the bus system or just enjoy the beaches!
Enjoy!!!
JEMartin Comment
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We go for 3 weeks each year and ALWAYS rent a car. We use Jansen because they have a 5 door which will hold our golf clubs (although we end up leaving them at Tierra del Sol). Check out www.visitaruba.com and www.aruba-bb.com for a discussion on rental agencies. I believe one of the ones just mentioned has a minivan. You CAN walk to some restaurants from the M but I have to say it could be hot and I, for one, don't want to be bothered. I work out but the heat is intense and I'm on vacation. Also, some of the BEST restaurants are not in walking distance. LindaComment
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We go for 2 weeks at a time and always get a car....just convenient and most of the restaurants we go to you have to drive to. We also like to go snorkeling down at Baby Beach at least twice and this year we will also go back to the east side of the island. I have never been down to the caves....Get the car - very easy to get around.
My parents are 78 and 76 and they always rent and drive around easily.Comment
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I second the car notion for the entire trip. We just returned on 11/21 from a week at the Marriott hotel. We rented a 4 X 4 but honestly the Toyota Yaris (small car) would have been fine. We drove to dinner every night since Marriott is a ways north of most restaurants. Also drove throughout the island almost every day. Piece of cake.Originally posted by GrayFal View Post
Tropic, Economy and Econo are three good names. Don't forget to take the ABC land rover tour and take a lunch sail on the Tranquilo: http://www.tranquiloaruba.com/
Marc
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