Aruba food and transportation budget

[MeridaAndAngus]

DH and I will be taking a trip to Aruba this summer for 5 days. He has a ton of hotel points so our accommodations will be covered -- we are looking into how much to budget for food and transportation. We are planning one or two day trips away from our hotel, and we typically eat one large meal a day (usually like to do a sit down meal for lunch or dinner) and two smaller meals (sandwich, grab 'n go, quick service type of meals). We are also fans of finding small, local, hole-in-the-wall type places to eat; in other words, our sit down meal doesn't have to be something fancy. I've heard food can be pricey in Aruba (as is typical in the Caribbean). I'm looking for:

--suggestions on places to eat around Palm Beach/Eagle Beach
--suggestions for how much to budget daily for meals for two adults (one sit down meal and two snack/casual/quick service type meals)
--suggestions on how much to budget for transportation to/from the airport and also for two day trips (or is it better to rent a car?)

TIA

 

[cepmom]

following because we are also going to Aruba for 5 nights this summer. We haven't been in 21 years! DH travels for work so air and hotel are covered by points, so also looking for an idea on budget. A friend told to us make sure we eat at Fishbones and Madame Janettes for sure.

 

[Daniela Rose]

Better to rent a car. Cabs back and forth to dinner were so expensive!
For restaurants:
Madame Jeanette's
Screaming eagle
El gaucho

I'm sure they're more...

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I don't have any specific restaurant advice, but from experiences on many islands.

As a PP mentioned, look into renting a car and parking costs at the hotel. Cab fare going to dinner can reall be shocking when it all adds up.

I also tend to advise anybody heading to the Caribbean to be careful of the fish. Many places in the Caribbean (and Florida) have problems with Ciguatera that affects reef fish. It causes really nasty problems in humans. Generally the fisherman know which reefs to avoid, but in smaller hole-in-the-wall type places where it could be just a guy and a spear getting his fish, I worry more lol. Unfortunately there's really no practical way to test for it, but on the upside it's fairly rare.

 

[tinka-belle]

Madame Janette might top most suggestions you get, food is wonderful, atmosphere is a backyard garden, it's a little out of the way but close enough to Palm or Eagle beach areas.

When we go to Aruba and just want good food at a more local price we go to Bingo. It's a sports bar/restaurant about a mile inland from the Hilton on Palm Beach. Definitely not sports bar food though, we've had some great meals there. Menu ranges from burgers and salads to fish or steaks. We see lots of locals and regular timeshare owners there as well as families, prices are reasonable, staff is pleasant and helpful.

Best to rent a car and drive if parking at your hotel is free or reasonable. Taxi fares are flat rate and regulated, higher at night and on weekends. Can add up pretty quickly, car rental might work better.

 

[MinnieForMe]

I agree with the above choices for nice restaurants. If you want very reasonable, our favorite is Bugaloo Beach Bar. It's on the pier in front of the Rui. Sunsets are beautiful and there is a live band many nights. We also liked Salt and Pepper (again very reasonable). In the low rise section, we enjoy Mulligans and Window on Aruba both at the Divi Golf. Barney's is known for large portions and reasonable prices ($15-$30 per person).

Budget wise for food: it all depends on where you go. Make a list of where you want to go and google their menu. Almost all of them have prices on line. At Bugaloo and Salt/Pepper meals run $10-20. At higher end restaurants you might spend $40-50+ per person for the meal. I don't drink so I can't help you with alcohol prices.

As far as car rentals, we've used Top Drive twice and More4Less last year. We had no problems with either agency although our car was practically brand new at Top Drive. If you rather go with a taxi, I can highly recommend Bully. He does private island tours as well as being a taxi service. He's such a gentleman and so knowledgeable about his country. You can reach him at: bullytaxi79@hotmail.com. His name is Amador.

Honestly, the island is safe and I would not hesitate to rent a car. However, on our third trip we did an island tour with Bully and we wish we had done it sooner. There is nothing like local knowledge!

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help. Aruba is our favorite island!

 

[MinnieForMe]

Forgot to add: Taxi' prices are regulated by the government. We paid $45 an hour plus tip but the government rate may have gone up. Depending on your resort, I would think the price of a taxi from the airport to the high rise section would be about $22.00 each way. You can check out this site: https://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Aruba&lang=en

Most upscale restaurants will require a reservation. Bingo as mentioned above is a bar/restaurant. We thought we'd be able to walk in. There was a two hour wait so we went elsewhere. I was disappointed but we'll get reservations next time. No reservations necessary for Bugaloo/Salt & Pepper/Mulligans but you still may have to wait depending on the time you arrive!

Have fun!

 

[woody5]

We just returned from Aruba! Absolutely love it! Each night our dinner was around $125 including service charge and tip. We ate at local places that were nice but not over the top. Usually shared a dessert hut no appetizers. We like Passions on the Beach, Matthews, Ricardos. We stayed in the low rise area. We also grabbed a pizza one night at pizza Bob's. Lunch is about $50 on the beach for a burger, fries and drink. We don't rent a car. Have private service pick up from air port then use taxi. It is about $7 to go from low rise to high rise area. You will have an amazing time!

 

[maxaroni]

We just returned from Aruba! Absolutely love it! Each night our dinner was around $125 including service charge and tip. We ate at local places that were nice but not over the top. Usually shared a dessert hut no appetizers. We like Passions on the Beach, Matthews, Ricardos. We stayed in the low rise area. We also grabbed a pizza one night at pizza Bob's. Lunch is about $50 on the beach for a burger, fries and drink. We don't rent a car. Have private service pick up from air port then use taxi. It is about $7 to go from low rise to high rise area. You will have an amazing time!

Where did you stay in the low rise section? We have been talking about going back to Aruba, haven't been in 8 years or so. We had our DS24 with us the last time, this time it would just be DH and I. We were thinking of hi rise next time as we had stayed low rise last time. I was in Aruba 40 years ago with friends...so much had changed when I went back 8 years ago, yet stayed the same in other ways.

Interested in learning about the restaurants and yes, I do advise to rent a car. We loved going out and seeing the island.

 

[woody5]

We always stay at Bucuti and Tara Resort. Look up the reviews on Trip Advisor. It really is that good. No kids allowed. Beautiful beach eith enough lounge chairs for everyone. Then there is the red flag service!

 

[WDWFan06]

I agree with the above choices for nice restaurants. If you want very reasonable, our favorite is Bugaloo Beach Bar. It's on the pier in front of the Rui. Sunsets are beautiful and there is a live band many nights. We also liked Salt and Pepper (again very reasonable). In the low rise section, we enjoy Mulligans and Window on Aruba both at the Divi Golf. Barney's is known for large portions and reasonable prices ($15-$30 per person).

We loved the Bungaloo Beach Bar! Screaming Eagle was good as well. We also stayed in the low rise section right on Eagle Beach. We rented a 2 bedroom/2 bath condo and it was beautiful, modern, and not too many people around. We had the pools to our self pretty much every single day. We rented a car and drove to the high rise area for dinner most nights. We also cooked in the condo.

 

[badiggio]

^ looks like you might've stayed at Oceania;we stayed there before and loved it.Since then we've always stayed at Costa linda,right next to Bucuti.Imo,the place for our needs is perfect.Huge{1200sq ft}renovated 2 bed/2 bath condos,on the beach,full kitchen,balcony,service on the beach too.Never have to fight for a palapa and loungers.Water's edge restaurant is also great for breakfast,lunch and dinner.Full breakfast for 2 of us usually is around $20-$25.Burger with fries and drink about $13pp.Unless you want to do the whole island on more than one occasion,I wouldn't advise to rent a car.Palm beach to eagle beach,back and forth isn't expensive;heck we've even walked it once,lol.Plenty of restaurants within walking distance;Eliotti's,Ricardos,Matthews,La Terrazza,Chalet Suisse,waters edge,Fusions,Screaming eagle......no shortage of places to eat