Aruba Trip Reports

Costa Linda

May 16 - June 6, 2003 by Carol

Costa Linda Resort

We’ve been going to Aruba for 18 years now, and twice a year for the past 10 years, so we pretty much have a routine now. We use this time to relax and unwind, and spend most of our time on the beach.

We own timeshare at Costa Linda and love it. We also enjoy going during off-season when it’s never a problem to get a chickee on the beach or by the pool. They unlock the beach chairs at 8:00 am, and I never went down to the beach before 8:00 am, and usually it was around 8:30-9:00 am. Even at that hour it was never a problem getting a chickee in the first row. On the few days we decided to sit by the pool (due to very high winds, and getting sand blasted on the beach), we were always able to get a chickee on the upper pool level around the same time. If we were out for the day snorkeling or shopping, we usually were able to get a chickee on the lower level by the pool in the afternoon, or we were able to get lounge chairs in the shade on the upper pool level.

Our Board of Directors at Costa Linda is doing a great job. They’ve held maintenance fees at the same amount for the past five years, and we always see our maintenance fees at work. Every time we return we can see the improvements that have been made. The annual meeting was held during our stay, and we did attend. It was nice to get an update on the future plans for our resort, and it was also good to know that financially we are in very good shape.

Alto Vista Chapel

Since we are in Aruba for at least 5 weeks every year we each get the Visit Aruba Plus Card. We use it for car rental, restaurants, snorkel trips, shopping, etc. Since we use a lot of the vendors that offer a discount with the Card, it makes a lot of sense for us, and we do save money. However, I know it’s not for everyone, so you need to look at the vendors that offer discounts, estimate how many times you would use it, calculate your savings, and see if it’s worth getting it for your needs.

The day we arrive we always go shopping for groceries. Since our room is not usually ready when we arrive (check-in time is 4:00 pm), we store our luggage with the bellmen and head for the markets. We start at Certified as we love Bart’s Bakery. He’s got great breads, croissants, danish, pastries, and we always get one Kleine Appel Taarten (yummy apple cake) for our stay. Certified is also a great place to pick up styrofoam coolers, floats, noodles, or any other beach/pool item for your stay. After we leave Certified, we go to Kong Hing. We love the meat and seafood items at Kong Hing. We used to do the majority of our shopping at Kong Hing, but only focus on the meat and seafood items now. After leaving Kong King, we end at Ling and Sons.

Ling and Sons recently opened a new market behind the old one. We love their new market, and now do the majority of our shopping there. They have a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables as you enter the store, and even sell freshly squeezed juice (nothing can beat freshly squeezed orange juice). They also have a good bakery, but seem to run out of items and don’t replenish their stock as quickly as Bart’s. Their meat and seafood counters are fine, but we prefer Kong Hing, and find Kong Hing’s prices to be a little better. The rest of the store has a big selection of items, so you should be able to find what you need. For the first time we were able to find fresh english muffins in the refrigerated section (near the cream cheese). In the past if we were able to get english muffins they were frozen, and just not the same. Lings is definitely our new favorite market, and we do the majority of our shopping there.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling Later in our trip we stopped in at the new Super Center market (formerly Cha-San, which was formerly Pueblo). It was a very nice little market, and they do have some unusual items that the other markets don’t have. Also, since they have to compete against the larger markets, they have set their prices lower than the other markets. If you’re on a budget you might be able to save a few dollars by shopping here rather than the larger markets. Some of our Aruban friends love this store, and always shop here, as they find the larger markets are too expensive.

We rented a car from Econo Car Rental and had the same usual great service from them. We usually rent a Ford Taurus (Category F, full size car) as we like the extra room, and my father always manages to hit his head getting into/out of the smaller Toyotas. We like one particular Taurus (the red one), and Econo always manages to get us that particular car. On this trip, the first time we went to use the knob to turn on the headlights, the knob fell off, and wouldn’t go back on (the plastic knob had broken apart). Luckily we were on our way back to the resort, and were able to turn off the lights once we got there. We called Econo the next morning to report the problem. They asked where the car was in the lot and advised they would come over and fix it that morning. They had a spare key for the car, so we didn’t have to wait with the car. They also said that if they couldn’t fix it for any reason, they would notify us so they could get us a different car. We got a call back within the hour advising that the car had been fixed, and that we shouldn’t have any other problems. We love dealing with Econo. Not only are their cars new and in good shape, they have great prices and outstanding customer service. They make the whole rental experience painless.

Donkey Sanctuary

We did go into Oranjestad one day to shop. My father had two pairs of eyeglasses made while we were there at Optica Oduber & Kan (their main store on Main Street - Caya G.F. Betico Croes 42-44), one regular and one sunglasses. They have an excellent selection of frames, and their prices are very good.

At the end of the block that Optica Oduber & Kan is on, is a store called Riviera. They have excellent prices on tee shirts, cover-ups, sweatshirts, hats, bags, etc. We always like to stop here to pick up a few things for ourselves and for gifts.

Near Optica Oduber & Kan and Riviera, but across the street, is Weitnauer. We picked up perfume at a good price there, and also got some nice gifts in their $10 corner. Everything in one corner of their store on Main Street (Caya G.F. Betico Croes) is $10. They have waterproof watches, watches that look like expensive watches (Movado, Cartier, Rolex, etc.), manicure sets, desk calculators, agenda books, fancy pens, jewelry, belts, ties, scarves (these were actually 2 for $10), evening bags, etc. I think this is the only Weitnauer store that has the $10 corner, so it’s worth going to this one on Main Street to check it out.

The Beggar

We stopped at the Little Switzerland store on Main Street (Caya G.F. Betico Croes) as they have the nice coasters with Caribbean scenes. A box of 6 is $10 (retails for $15 or more in the US), and they make great gifts. We also got a nice vinyl beach bag with our purchase when we used the Visit Aruba Plus Card.

After leaving Little Switzerland we had lunch at Rumba (an excellent lunch), and then went into the Seaport Mall. We only went to three stores here: Scuba Aruba, D’Orlahn’s, and Boolchands. All three are old favorites, and we always like to see what they have. Scuba Aruba had some nice items that we picked up as gifts. D’Orlahn’s is our favorite place to shop for good watches, and they didn’t disappoint us on this trip. Boolchands has both jewelry and electronics, and we were interested in a new Minolta digital camera that they had been advertising in the Aruba Today newspaper. This is a small, easy to operate camera that will easily fit into a pocket. However, the biggest selling feature for us was the fact that it fits into a waterproof marine case, so it’s easy to use when snorkeling. We think we got a good deal (based on similar cameras at home), but it’s hard to know for sure as that particular camera isn’t in our local stores yet.

Green Iguana

When we left the Seaport Mall we headed to the Royal Plaza Mall, but stopped at Kay’s Jewelers first. I had a coupon for a free 5-carat gemstone (which I got at Costa Linda during their orientation meeting), which was a blue topaz, and I had them set it in a pendant for me. I also bought some gold chains and gold charms. Their prices are good (don’t be afraid to bargain with them) and their quality is excellent.

In the Royal Plaza Mall we only went to two stores. The first is Little Holland, as we love their linens. We picked up some nice tablecloths, both for ourselves and as gifts. The second store is new, and I think it’s called Le Soleil. Everything in the store changes color when exposed to sunlight. We each bought a tee shirt, and we each got a free gift, which was a canvas tote bag (Costa Linda gave out the coupons for the free gift). Both the tee shirts and bag were just a beige/linen color, with a black outline for a design. However, when you go outside the design turns beautiful colors.

Later in the week we went to the Tierra del Sol country club, where we got some nice buys on sale merchandise. We also went to a tee shirt warehouse, Anly Printing, which was advertised in the newspaper. They had 4 for $10 tee shirts and neon hats.

Iguana at Costa Linda

The only other activities we did were snorkel cruises and an island tour. After traveling to Aruba for so many years, we have tried most snorkel boats, and now only go on the ones that we love.

The Octopus is a trimaran (like a catamaran, but with three hulls) owned and operated by Jethro Gesterkamp. Jethro was born in Holland, but his family moved to Aruba when he was a baby. He takes excellent care of the boat, and provides one of the best times on the island. Jethro is one of the best sailors on the island (Captain Anthony from the Tranquilo is the other). He operates strictly under sail power, and the only engine he has is on his dinghy, the "Squid". For crew he has Jeff, an Aruban who has worked with him for many years, and a girl from Holland who only works the morning cruises. They never overcrowd the boat. They leave from the Pelican pier between the Holiday Inn and Playa Linda. We recommend the morning cruise, and they offer it on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. You make two snorkeling stops, the first is at the German shipwreck – the Antilla (deep water) and the second is at Boca Catalina (shallow water). We like going to the Antilla first, as you are there before the large crowds arrive, so the snorkeling conditions are much better. As you start out, they serve mimosas and fresh baked banana bread, apple/cinnamon muffins, and pound cake. They also have coffee and plain juice if you want it. After the two snorkeling stops, they serve lunch. They have a large salad, and dish it out in large individual salad bowls for everyone. They have a wide variety of dressings to choose from. Everyone also gets a sub roll, and then the cold cut platter is passed around. They have ham, salami, turkey, and gouda cheese. They also have mayonnaise and mustard. After that, they pass around platters of fresh fruit. For fruit they get whatever is best, but usually have watermelon, papaya, mango, pineapple, and cantaloupe. They also have an open bar on board. In the packet of information that the tourism people give out at the airport there is a flyer on the Octopus. The flier usually contains a coupon that is good for $5.00 off per couple (i.e. $2.50 off per person). We go on the Octopus every trip, and went twice this time. There really isn’t a shaded area on the boat, but it is a nice, comfortable time. They also do a nice afternoon snorkel trip (one stop at Boca Catalina), and a good sunset cruise.

Capatian Anthony - Tranquilo

The Tranquilo is owned and operated by Captain Anthony, and is a 43-foot mono hull sailing yacht. We first sailed with Captain Mike, his father, 18 years ago, and Anthony took over the business when his father died. We highly recommend the all day cruise (6 hours) to the South Side that operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. You get a lovely sail on a beautiful sailboat to the reefs on the south side of the island. This is great because it gives you an opportunity to snorkel in an area where no other boats go. Also, the reef area where you snorkel was leased from the government by Captain Mike, so it is protected and in very good condition. The first snorkel stop is in shallow water, where you’re never over your head. The second stop is in deep water, and is a drift snorkel. Captain Anthony stays with you in the zodiac raft as you do the drift snorkel, and he’ll pick you up if you get cold or tired. Again, they have an open bar (the first mate Roy is a great bartender!), and lunch is delicious homemade Dutch pea soup (made fresh by Captain Anthony’s mother), and ham and cheese and salmon salad sandwiches. They also have watermelon for dessert, and on the sail back they offer cheese snacks. It’s a great day, and something different from what everyone else offers. They do have a shaded area in the cockpit, and you’re free to go anywhere on the boat. We try to go on this every trip, but sometimes Captain Anthony isn’t sailing when we’re there. We were able to go out with him once on this trip. He also does a nice sunset cruise. They offer a 10% discount with the Visit Aruba Plus Card.

Mi Dushi

Mi Dushi is a large, old, sailboat. It is well maintained, the crew is great, and you will have a fantastic time! They have a good open bar with premium liquor, including one of the best Bloody Mary’s on the island. They are also known for a new drink they invented called Toxic Waste. We recommend the morning cruise. It really makes a nice day, and you have a choice of a "surf and turf" or barbeque lunch. The also serve a continental breakfast, and fresh fruit at various times during the cruise. They make three snorkeling stops, two at a shallow reef, and one at the sunken German freighter Antilla in about 60 feet of water. They serve the lunch after the three stops. At the last snorkeling stop, before lunch, people can use the rope swing. Even if you don’t want to participate, it’s a lot of fun to watch. They are very safety conscious and always have staff in the water with the people, someone patrolling in the zodiac, and staff watching from the boat. One plus is that they travel with the zodiac, so when they get to the first stop, they can take people ashore in the zodiac. This is great for non-swimmers, children, first time snorkelers, and nervous people. They can then walk into the water from the beach, and go at their own pace. They also have a covered area in the stern of the boat in case you can’t take any more sun. They leave from the De Palm pier between the Radisson and Aruba Grand hotels. This snorkeling trip is the most fun! You can get a discount with the Visit Aruba Plus Card (one discount per each cardholder) if you make your reservation directly with them once you are in Aruba. They also have discount coupons in the tourism packets given out at the airport, but the discount isn’t as large. Even without a discount, this is worth it! We went out once on the Mi Dushi on this trip.

Jolly Pirates

The Jolly Pirates is very similar to Mi Dushi (their Captain/Owner, Harald, used to be a captain on the Mi Dushi), but if we’re only doing one cruise of this type, we prefer Mi Dushi. However, if you want a dinner cruise at night, Mi Dushi doesn’t offer that, and the Starlight Dinner cruise on Jolly Pirates is a good option. This is our favorite cruise with the Jolly Pirates, and it is a unique time that no one else offers. We do go on the Jolly Pirates too, just not as frequently as the other three, and didn’t get a chance to go with them on this trip.

We have done jeep tours in the past, and wanted to try something different on this trip. We went on the Rumba Ramblers tours, and had a great time. In our opinion, one of the best ways to see the island is on the Rumba Ramblers tour. The vehicle looks like the Flintstone’s car, and it’s a lot of fun. You’ll have a guide who knows Aruba, and will be able to give you a lot of information. You’ll see the highlights, and you won’t get filthy like you do on a jeep tour. The car has a canvas covering, so you won’t get overheated sitting out under the hot sun. They only take 6 people, so you’ll have a small group instead of a lot of people to deal with. The smaller group gives them the flexibility to stay as long or as short at a site as the group wants, and also allows for picture stops whenever you want. They pick you up at your hotel and bring you to a cunucu house for a continental breakfast (mimosas, danish, fresh fruit, coffee, etc.). You pay for the tour here, and make your choice for lunch. You leave by the back gate and drive through the cactus until you’re back on the road. You stop at the lighthouse, the coast to watch the pounding surf, Alto Vista Chapel, baby blow hole, gold mine ruins, old shark feeding grounds, Natural Bridge, Ayo Rock formations, and the Donkey Sanctuary, and they have lemonade for whenever you’re thirsty.

Rumba Rambler

We really enjoyed our time at the Donkey Sanctuary. When the driver blows the horn, all the donkeys come running as they know they’ll be fed. The driver has carrots for everyone to feed to the donkeys, and there’s plenty of time to take pictures. After the tour, you have lunch at Carlos ‘N Charlies. In addition to the meal you ordered that morning, you get a fee drink of your choice. They also started us out with a shot of the Sex on the Beach drink, and then came around with a Sombrero and serape. When they put the Sombrero and serape on you, they pour tequila down your throat. However, if you aren’t interested in doing this, they won’t force you. In all our years of going to Aruba and trying different tours, we found this to be the best, and the most fun. If you go, be sure to as for Mario Maduro as your driver. He made our trip even better, and we highly recommend him as your guide.

Octopus

We ate a light breakfast and lunch in our room every day (out on the balcony of course!), except when our activities included these meals. For dinner we returned to our favorite restaurants, and also tried some new ones. I’ve posted all of our restaurant reviews in the Aruba Restaurant Reviews section.

The weather was a little strange this time. We had a few overcast days, which usually never happens at this time of year. However, the few showers we did have were at night, so nothing interfered with our daytime activities. If we heard anyone complaining about the weather on the overcast days, we just reminded them that it sure beat being at home in the pouring rain and cold temperatures! The only problem with the overcast days was that people didn’t realize you were still getting sun, so some people didn’t apply/reapply their suntan lotion and got sunburns. Other than that it was still nice to sit on the beach or by the pool.

We had our usual great time in Aruba, and can’t wait to return this November!