Transportation/Rental Car in Aruba?

[cindyandjp]

Planning a week at the Surf Club in Aruba this September and we are first timers. We are planning to go exploring 4 days and hang out at the hotel beach for the other 3 days. I am thinking of just renting a car for 4 days but is it easier to just pay for the whole week and pick up at the airport? What has your transportation experience been like in Aruba? Can I rent a car out of the Marriott? Is the shuttle service decent to and from the airport/hotel? Any tips or money saving advice welcome. Thank you!

 

[Dean]

We've done multiple options. We've always rented a car but not always for the entire time. We've used Tropic Car Rental and they will deliver the car to you or pick you up to get the car. They cannot deliver it to the airport but will arrange to pick you up and their location is around half a mile from the airport. Then on return they'll shuttle you to the airport. You can look at both options but unless you're arriving on a day when most things are closed (not likely in Sept) you shouldn't have an issue. I think when you price it out with shuttle you'll find renting for the entire time is just as cheap overall and it'll give you more options. Our last trip we checked in to Surf Club and ran back the Certified for Grocery pickup we'd arranged. They also deliver though.

 

[ljmiii]

Planning a week at the Surf Club in Aruba this September and we are first timers....

We've only been once and just hired taxis as we spent all of our time at the resort and in Palm Beach.

 

[claraj]

I traveled with a group of 6 to Aruba Surf Club for the first time in June and was surprised to find that minivan taxis were readily available to accommodate us despite reading on the internet that taxis were capped at 5 passengers. The only thing to keep in mind is that you typically do not hail taxis from the street. We were told to go to a hotel to hail one when we went downtown.

I arranged for a roundtrip airport shuttle and it was fine. We had the option to pay by cash or credit card at pick up.

 

[Pennytx]

Jays car rentals in Aruba is very reasonable
They have offsite about 5 minutes away from the airport
They will transport you there and back
Marriott also has an on-site rental company next to the casino
Toyota at playa Linda is cheaper to rent if you just want it for the day etc
It’s a short walk from the Marriott there
Playa Linda is next to the holiday inn fyi
I’d rent the car for accessibility
Good luck
Have fun

 

[cindyandjp]

Jays car rentals in Aruba is very reasonable
They have offsite about 5 minutes away from the airport
They will transport you there and back
Marriott also has an on-site rental company next to the casino
Toyota at playa Linda is cheaper to rent if you just want it for the day etc
It’s a short walk from the Marriott there
Playa Linda is next to the holiday inn fyi
I’d rent the car for accessibility
Good luck
Have fun

Thank you! This is great info!

 

[cindyandjp]

I traveled with a group of 6 to Aruba Surf Club for the first time in June and was surprised to find that minivan taxis were readily available to accommodate us despite reading on the internet that taxis were capped at 5 passengers. The only thing to keep in mind is that you typically do not hail taxis from the street. We were told to go to a hotel to hail one when we went downtown.

I arranged for a roundtrip airport shuttle and it was fine. We had the option to pay by cash or credit card at pick up.

Thank you!

 

[m61376]

We always rent for the week, although admittedly with rental prices increasing we probably break even at best and it may even cost a little for the convenience. But I like being able to run back easily to the grocery store if I want and we usually go downtown to shop when we don't have the family with us. I like the flexibility of being able to go someplace for an hour or two which I'd hesitate to do if I was spending another $50 on carfare, but that's me. Admittedly I don't like compact cars, but if you're ok with smaller cars then you'd save money renting for the week.

We started using Casamigos Aruba for rental (founded by the owners of Casablanca Jewelry), which opened less than a year ago. They have a new fleet and the cars are in much better shape than rentals from other companies. Many rentals elsewhere over the years have been questionable mechanically at best, so it's a nice change. You can reach them easily over What's App +297 593 6028. As relative newcomers they have a very easy delivery/pick-up policy, and will meet you at the hotel or airport, so you'll be able to easily rent for as much of the say as you want.

 

[hajjah]

I've been renting cars for the entire week since 2005. Usually I rent from the airport via Thrifty, Hertz, etc. Many times they were about the same price as the places off airport. I like the convenience. As travelers for the first time in Aruba, you may want to explore the island. Whenever I invite anyone new to the island, I take them to the major spots like the Natural Bridge, California Lighthouse, Baby Beach, etc. There are some great restaurants that are also away from the Surf Club. Enjoy your stay.