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Is a car needed at Aruba Surf Club

G

gwhamm

TUG Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2009
Messages
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Location
Omaha, NE
We will be going to the Surf Club for the first time this November. Can some TUGGER veterans tell us if a car is needed for our visit to the island? We do like to get away from the resort and see the sights and some tourist activities.
Is there affordable public transportation to/from the resort from the airport? Can cars be rented at the resort for daily use, and if so what is the average charge per day? Your thoughts and insight are appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
I would have to say a car isn't really needed at the Aruba Surf Club. I know next time we go we'll forgo a car. As far as sighseeing goes, other than Baby Beach we didn't feel there was alot that required a car. The Marriott resort complex is so nice and the town accessible by low cost shuttle that there is plenty to see and many places to eat within walking or short taxi ride away.
 
I too would skip the car, you can walk to the shops which are a few blocks away or take the bus.

If you really want a car, rent one for the first day or two, that way you can pickup at airport, get to hotel and then do your own site seeing the next day around the island, then turn it in.

You can always rent them onsite, but as I remember they were expensive.

KT
 
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The wife and I got a car. Helped to get to other areas of the island. We rented a jeep in fact so we could off road on the north side of the island. Decent views. Plus you need a car to easily get to the Flying Fishbone restaraunt.
 
It depends. We were there in August and rented a Toyota Yaris from Tropic for $180 for eight days. We drove to Baby Beach and some restaurants we never went to before. You can walk from the Surf Club to numerous restaurants in the High Rise area by walking behind the Holiday INN. Now if you want to go to restaurnats like the Flying Fishbone or Mirandi rent a car. A Taxi will charge $30 each way to go to these restaurants, add in $40 for round trip from the airport and your up to $160.


Also go to Arubarestaurants.com for dining out suggestions, there are some excellent restsaurants on the island.
 
We visited Aruba for the first time in July and stayed at the Surf Club. We rented a car. The car allowed us to drive to a beach about 1 or 2 miles North of the Marriott to go snorkeling right off the beach. We also drove to the lighthouse, to pick up groceries and to go out for dinner on most nights.
 
We get a car every time.

We enjoy having the freedom to go anywhere on the island we wish, or just go to get groceries.

Could we get along without one? Sure. We just choose not to.
 
I get a car everytime I visit aruba. There are public buses and the stop is right in front of the Surf Club. You can easily purchase a rental car for $180 for 5-7 days, depending on the company you select. If there are several folks traveling with you, I would definately go with the car.
 
When we first began to travel to Aruba in the early 90's we didnt rent a car and used to rely on taxi's to get around. We had a few occassions where we had to wait for an available cab we was a pain in the ...! Then we started renting cars and found it much more convenient for us. Keep in mind that Aruba is a very easy island to navigate. If we're running out of something Dh can drive to the Ling's(our favourite grocery store) and be back within 20 minutes.
We tend to go to restaurants all over the place as well so it simply makes things easier :)
Do you "need " one ....no...but it 's handy, the roads are great and it just makes the trip better for us !
 
Pens_Fan said:
We get a car every time.

We enjoy having the freedom to go anywhere on the island we wish, or just go to get groceries.

Could we get along without one? Sure. We just choose not to.
Click to expand...

Same with us. Most of the time we make it a Jeep. Love taking the top down and hitting the north side.
 
Over 30 years of visiting Aruba, IMHO, I would highly suggest to rent a car. Make a reservation with Budget Rental. Budget is directly opposite the exit door of the airport terminal and seems to be the most reasonably priced for a reputable company. Make sure to check with your credit card company if they will cover damages that might happen to the rental car during your stay if you use that card for payment. I use my Chase Priority Visa card to pay for the rental car and I don't take the optional insurance the rental car company tries to sell me. This can save you a good amount of money. We always rent a Toyota Yaris or Corolla for about $175 to $200 for the week. Having the rental car gives you the freedom of going to the grocery store (Ling and Sons), going to Baby Beach or a restaurant without being dependent on taxis or bus transportation. We go out to dinner every night and the restaurants we go to are not within walking distance. In the long run, you will definately save money by renting a car compared to paying the taxi fares to & from the airport, grocery store, restaurants, etc. throughout your week's stay.
 
What rental agencies - late arrival?

Will be heading to aruba and arriving on late flight @ 11Pm. Some standard US agencies seem not to be open at that time. This is just a long weekend, but I like the flexibility of having a car ( and I WOULD like to get to the Flying Fishbone!).

Any suggestions for rental agencies and how much the daily rate might be?

Thanks!
 
cars in Aruba

We rent a car every time we go to Aruba (27 yrs) We have been renting from Economy Rent A Car the last 5 yrs or so. They are reliable and they now have an office at the Ocean Club. Go to the Visit Aruba website and order their card--it will be delivered to you at your hotel and you will get auto and restaurant discounts.:clap:
 
gwhamm said:
We will be going to the Surf Club for the first time this November. Can some TUGGER veterans tell us if a car is needed for our visit to the island? We do like to get away from the resort and see the sights and some tourist activities.
Is there affordable public transportation to/from the resort from the airport? Can cars be rented at the resort for daily use, and if so what is the average charge per day? Your thoughts and insight are appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
The first time you go if you want to tour around the Iisland I think a Jeep is best. If you are not likely to drive yourself around to see the Island skip the jeep or other rental vehicle and take a tour instead.

We've been there three times and this last time we turned the Jeep in early and decided that next time we don't need it at all because everything we really want to do going forward is within walking distance and the cost of cabs to go the other places is less than the cost of the car. If we decide to off road ourselves again we'll just rent a Jeep for a day.

Have fun we love Aruba!
 
Whirl said:
Will be heading to aruba and arriving on late flight @ 11Pm. Some standard US agencies seem not to be open at that time. This is just a long weekend, but I like the flexibility of having a car ( and I WOULD like to get to the Flying Fishbone!).

Any suggestions for rental agencies and how much the daily rate might be?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Tropic Rental Car the owner name is Hans. They will meet you at the airport with your car. In August we rented a Toyota Yaris for $180.
 
Renting a car is a matter of personal preference. I like being able to get up and go when I want without thinking about the taxi fare. I have friends who are going to rent for the first time this year after many, many years. Cabs or the bus makes a car unnecessary; I just like the convenience. The island is small and really easy to drive in. Money-wise it is probably pretty close to being a wash.

Have a great trip!
 
We always rent a car. My wife is not one to sit on the beach for hours at a time although I am. A car allows her to get out and about and shop for food and go to the Sunday fair. Happy wife = happy life.
 
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