All-inclusive Aruba Vacation

Aruba is a beautiful island! I especially loved the white sand beaches and crystal blue waters.

There are many fun things to do on this island. For those who want to stay active, you can jet-ski, parasail, water-ski, bike, etc. There are also many bars located right on the beach, that offer live bands and entertainment. (there was one in particular located on the beach in front of the Radisson...my boyfriend and I hung out there almost every day) Also, if you go into town (which is only a short cab ride away), you can stroll the shopping district for souvenirs. Everything is duty-free, so you may want to buy extra! I bought my boyfriend a "Movado" watch at one of the upscale jewelry stores, and I got it for less than it would be here in the US...plus there was no tax! Yea!

While you're in town, you may want to check out "Iguana Joes" for lunch. It is an open-air restaurant on the 2nd floor. If you're lucky enough to get a table by the window, you can see all of downtown. If you're at the bar, you can get the best margaritas and other mixed drinks! The bartender that waited on us was super friendly and a lot of fun!

Also, for those who like to gamble, there are several casinos located around the island. The Alhambra casino is within walking distance from many of the hotels. (We stayed at the "Tamarijn All-Inclusive")

If you're looking for 5-star luxury accommodations, an all-inclusive resort, or just a moderately priced hotel, Aruba has a little of everything to meet your needs.

Quick Tips:

Ladies beware... don't spend a lot of time doing your hair. With the constant breeze/trade wind blowing, your hairstyle won't last long. Ponytails work best.

Best Way To Get Around:

Most things are within walking distance, but you may need a cab to get to other sights.

The Tamarijn All-Inclusive was a nice resort in general. As we arrived, we walked through the open-air lobby and made our way to the reception desk. We were promptly checked in, and made our way to our room. The resort is quite expansive, as it is made up of several different buildings. Each complex includes appoximately 8-10 guest rooms. There are only two floors, so you will either have balcony, or patio. Since my boyfriend and I were on the 1st floor, we had a private patio complete with lounge chairs and table. I would personally recommend a 1st floor room, as the beach was only a few steps away from our patio. We would just open the sliding glass door, and walk right out for a swim! (if you have a 2nd floor room, you have to go around back, and down the steps to gain access to the beach).

We had a standard room with a king size bed, coffee table & chairs, and color TV. However, there was no refrigerator, and the bed wasn't as comfortable as I would have liked. The floors are tile, (which is actually a nice feature), since they stay very clean. The bathrooms were quite small, and in need of updating. They tile and fixtures seemed a bit dated. Counter space was limited as well. However, everything was kept very neat and clean!

This resort is shared with the neighboring Divi resort; therefore you are able to dine at restaurants/bars at either resort. We often walked down the beach to the Divi for dinner or to a drink at the bar. They also have a bar that features brick-oven personal pizzas...we would get their "5-cheese pizza" for lunch every day, because they were THAT good! The Tamarijn has some fun bars and nice restaurants as well. They have a great open-air buffet that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also, there is an ice-cream machine near the lobby, which is nice if you want a snack after hanging at the beach all day.

The pool area is very nice. We were able to find lounge chairs with ease. There is also a large bar area right there, so you don't have to walk far to get a drink.

The beaches in Aruba are spectacular to say the least! The sand is powdery white, and the water is a clear blue/turquoise color. The Tamarijn offers a rock-wall on the beach that is perfect for people who want to learn how to rock climb. You can also rent rafts and float around in the ocean. (however be careful of the wind...sometimes it can get too strong and you'll drift way down the beach!) You can also go biking for the day, as the resort offers free bike rentals.

All in all, the Tamarijn resort provided a fun vacation at a good price. However, if you are looking for a 5-star resort with luxury accomodations, this probably isn't the best choice.