Aruba Car Rental
Road conditions are good, and traffic, while heavy in downtown Oranjestad, is not as difficult to navigate. As in the U.S., cars drive on the right side of the road. Aruba car rental prices average about $150-$180/wk for compact, $225-$300/wk for full-size, $275-$400/wk for SUV (including Jeep rental). Please note that all are estimates and vary by time of year and car rental company. On the first day we were in Aruba, we rented a 12 passenger van Optima Rent-A-Car. We had flown in with 6 of our wedding guests from Chicago. There were 8 of us total, plus all that luggage, and of course, my dress and the tuxedos, that needed transportation from the airport to the Boardwalk Hotel. The next day, we returned the van and rented a jeep for the remaining 9 days of our trip. The Best Man, Jim, also rented a Jeep. Most of the wedding activities were within walking distance of our hotel, but, having rental cars (or in our case, Jeeps) available made it very convenient when we wanted to hit the town. The folks at Optima were great. Their customer service was impeccable. They got us checked in and on our way in no time. Their office is not located directly in the airport, so we did have to take a 5 minute shuttle ride. But, since they do not have to pay the extra fees associated with the prime airport location, this was reflected in their cheaper prices. Some travelers may find that car rental is unnecessary. If you plan on spending most your Aruba vacation on the beach near your hotel, and only plan on venturing outside the resort area occasionally during your stay, using taxis and buses can save you money. If you are thinking about spending a few days exploring the island, consider renting a car for three days, since Aruba car rental agencies often have 3-day specials. The following are some of the most popular local and international agencies: BusThere are buses that run from the main station in Oranjestad going to the resort areas, to Malmok, and to Arashi. There is also one that runs to San Nicholas on the South East side of Aruba. Find the complete Aruba bus schedule here.TaxiTaxi rates are set by the government and are based on destination and number of passengers. Drivers should each carry a rate card. Here are some examples:Between the airport and High Rise hotels = about $20. *NOTE: This does not include gratuity. Please remember to tip your driver. Another thing to remember is that in Aruba, it is not customary to "hail a cab" on the street as it is in many U.S. cities. Taxis are readily available in front of hotels or other tourist destinations. However, if you're planning an off-the-beaten-track excursion, you may want to arrange to have the same driver return at a set time. This will help you avoid the difficulty of finding or calling another driver. When you're out to dinner, most restaurants will be happy to make the call for you.
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