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Aruba - need advice/opinions/help

justnosy

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It's been at least 4 years since we've gone to Aruba. This time we'll be taking my niece (22) so there'll be 6 of us. It'll be my niece's first time.

We'll be there the end of June. I've been on most (if not all) the aruba forums reading. I don't post on any other forum.

I have the Tranquilo Snorkeling tour booked for Tues morning.

Here's what I need help/advice/opinions about:
1. Trying to rent a mini-van. Emailed More4Less and still haven't heard from them. Any one have a good recommendation?
2. Thinking of booking ArubaBob for Monday but I'm not a strong swimmer and in their email they strongly suggest doing a private tour or skipping totally (we're good with skipping if I don't go)
3. Instead of ArubaBob tour - was thinking of the SeaBob tour. This will let my niece snorkel the south and north and the best snorkeling spots. Any advice on doing #2 or #3? or both?
4. Want to do WixTours Taste of Aruba Tour. Emailed them and still haven't heard back. Any one taken this tour before? Should I try contacting them again? or just book a private tour with Bully?

Thanks everyone!
 

nuwermj

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Here's what I need help/advice/opinions about:
1. Trying to rent a mini-van. Emailed More4Less and still haven't heard from them. Any one have a good recommendation?

Wheels2Go
https://www.wheels2goaruba.com/

2. Thinking of booking ArubaBob for Monday but I'm not a strong swimmer and in their email they strongly suggest doing a private tour or skipping totally (we're good with skipping if I don't go)
3. Instead of ArubaBob tour - was thinking of the SeaBob tour. This will let my niece snorkel the south and north and the best snorkeling spots. Any advice on doing #2 or #3? or both?

My wife and I had a lot fun on the Jolly Pirate just a few weeks ago. Can't comment on the other options, nor the best snorkeling spots. When I was preping to go, many Bluegreen members suggested snorkeling from the shore at Baby Beach in the south.
 

justnosy

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Thanks for all the responses!
(yep - read forums on aruba-bb and aruba.com for tips and info)

Back from wonderful Aruba so here's an update:

Reserved a minivan with Avis - but when we got there they didn't have any and punted us over to Jay's which gave us one of those Hyundai type vans for the same price
(I think it was listed cheaper when I was looking online but no one else had mini-vans or a vehicle that fits 6)
Avis offered us two vehicles and I said no.
The van was ok - kind of big but it worked for us.
(It was the first time we rented a vehicle in Aruba...kind of stressed me out!!)

Went with the Tranquilo snorkel lunch trip since it went to the Spanish Lagoon.
It was great! If you haven't gone on a trip with Tranquilo then give it a go - they leave from downtown - next to the submarine (Ren marina)
(My niece was diving the wreck so that's why I didn't book the Jolly Pirate which my kids did when they were younger)
They do a drift snorkel for more advanced swimmers which I am not.
My son (competitive swimmer afraid of deep water) and I sat that one out and enjoyed homemade pea soup while waiting for the rest of tour to return!
My niece and the rest of my family who did the drift snorkel said it was really good - lots of "life" (fish/coral)
The lunch was ham/cheese and tuna sandwiches as well as the homemade pea soup.
There was a dutch dessert - waffle cookie with caramel (sorry -forgot what's it's called?)
And drinks (hard and soft) were included

Went snorkeling off the beach at Catalina Bay/Cove/Beach
Same area where the snorkel boats go.
We got there early and then left just as the snorkel tour boats started coming.
It was really really good - lots of fish.
Best thing is that it's less than 10 mins (driving) from the Surf Club!

Since it was my niece's first time on Aruba, we took a drive to the Natural Bridge and the Gold Mine Ruins.
Along the way we stopped at Bright's Bakery for a snack - we all like pastechis!!
(We had our first pastechis from the Pastechi House in downtown)
Bright's is someplace to try but I wouldn't go out of the way for.

Since we had a vehicle, we went to Zeerovers for a meal.
It was good but everything is fried.
Fresh fish was tuna and red snapper.
My younger daughter had the tuna but the piece she got was very bony!
The red snapper was delicious.
I really like the french fries!
And we got totally lost getting there (drove right by it and roamed until we realized we were lost and stopped a couple of times to ask for directions.)

Sighh...I want to go back...
 
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