Aruba, Any one had a vacation here?

Question

Whats the Island like? Food, drinks, beaches, locals?

Answer 1

Hi,

I owned a property there for about seven years before I sold it.  The island is a desert island....many low lying shrub type plants, and the only real tropical vegetation is on the west side of the island near all the big hotels and resorts.  It's pretty nice there but it's only around the resorts.  Most tropical vegetation was brought in from South America, so don't be disappointed that the island isn't all green and lush..... if that's what you are looking for Aruba is not for you.  Always a breeze blowing from East to west....The divi divi trees all point west due to the constant breeze.  Vary arid with rattle snakes....Yes, Rattle snakes, and goats.  It is also a pretty dirty island due to all the activity brochures caught in the thorns of all those low lying bushes.  It is one of the richest islands in the Caribbean, so you won't see too much poverty there, but it's not one of those "Paradise Islands" you may be dreaming of.  Good place to gamble if you like that sort of place, and the water sports are good due to clear water with mild temps.  If you dive or snorkel you may want to check out the old German ship wreck of the north west side of the island just below the golf course. Also, there are some pretty cool bat caves on the south east side of the island.  The East side of the island looks like another planet.... all baron and very rocky.  Cool place to visit with a great night life!

Answer 2

Aruba is more expensive than most other Caribbean Islands. Unlike most other Caribbean islands, Aruba is arid and desert like. Beaches on the northwest coast are sugary white powder and the water is a gorgeous turquiouse blue. Water clarity is pretty good, but not as good as such places as the Bahamas.

Locals are friendly: "One Happy Island", though the Aruban population has been diluted by a good number of immigrants legal and illegal from South America.

Food and beverage is similar to other islands. Food has a Dutch influence, but there is a huge variety of restaurants everything from international to Chinese to Italian.

Answer 3

Went there and would never return.