Manchebo Beach Resort

January 11 - 18, 2003 by Rick

From Cinti, we flew out of Dayton on United. Arrived at about 2pm and within 30 minutes we were on the beach. We used Jansens Car Rental just outside the airport's door. We had a Toyota Tercel for 6 days and a Jeep type vehicle for exploring on 1 day. The cost totaled $220. They drove to our resort to give us the Jeep in mid week so that was nice and we had no problems whatsoever. I'd use them again.

Manchebo Beach is an older low-rise resort. Their employees are wonderful and the entire property was kept very clean. The resort's French Steakhouse is one of Aruba's finest restaurants. The Pega-Pega bar and grill have very friendly help led by Smiley and served up great "Brown Ladies". They also have 2 for 1 Happy Hour from 5-7 daily and a BBQ on Sunday for $7 that was very good.

The beach is the finest in Aruba. SOO BIG! Safe, Clean and beautiful. I spoke to numerous persons who have stayed in the hi-rise area of the Hyatts and Marriotts and they said that they felt like cramped up cockroaches compared to what the Manchebo Beach area offers. Topless sunbathing was rather common, about 1 of every 6 women or so. Not a big deal was made of this. This is primarily an adults resort but younger moms with little kids usually used the resort pool.

We met so many nice people mostly from New England and Europe. Lots of these folks have been coming to Manchebo for the last 10-20 years.

We also dined at Iguanna Joe's, Madame Janettes, and the Paddock downtown which was a great place to watch the sunset and cruise ships leave. Aruba made you feel so much safer than other Caribbean countries we've visited. You can't go wrong if you are looking to be treated great and enjoy a beautiful beach.

I feel bad about missing the BB forum's get together on the 16th but we got so busy just kinda lost track of the time. Manchebo Beach is not the faniest place but so well cared for with great people tending to your needs.

Rick