Hoai

My family of 4 (2 adults and 2 teenagers) will be in Palm Beach, Aruba for 10 days starting on 07/31. This is our first time in Aruba. We are excited but a little at a loss as to what to do beside hanging out by the pool and at the beach. Please help suggest activities and help answer the specific questions below.

1. What island tours do you recommend? We are interested in the Madi tour and/or the Rancho Daimari horseback tour. I do not know whether they will cover the same locations.

2. We are also interested in a snorkeling excursion. Should we sign up for another tour (which one)? Or is it better to go on our own (how/where do we buy/rent snorkeling equipment)? Do you need to know how to swim to go on a snorkeling tour or will the tour operator provide flotation devices?

3. I am interested in giving myself and my 17-year old girl a spa treatment. Any recommendation?

4. I believe that dollars are widely accepted. However, I should probably have some cash in the local currency. What is the best way to get this? ATM machines? Are ATM machines readily available in the Palm Beach area?

diann24

You don't need any Aruba money credit carda and US is accepted everywhere. I would think you are all ready in Aruba. If that is the case this maybe too late or if you are checking you can see this---there is several jeep tours which I highly recommend. If you like more adventure take the ABC jeep tour. If not take some others that are local you will see the entire island. Take one that will take you to baby Beach. There is some great snorkeling there. Try and take the one that goes to the Natural Pool, etc.

There is a place down from Palm Beach if you have car you can walk out and snorkel from the beach. They all go to the same places. You can go for a submarine tour with Palm beach tours, they offer a lot of tours. In your hotel I am sure you will see many tours being offered. Try and Sunset cruise tour they are always fun. Enjoy. I love Aruba. I hope you have a great time.

schmerl

I know you are already there, but maybe you're checking on line.
We really enjoyed the jeep tour. We also took a snorkeling trip out to DePalm Island. GREAT snorkeling.

Hoai

Thank you for your suggestions.

We took the Madi Magical Tour to the Natural Pool. It was great fun. On the way, we saw many ATVs going to the same place. That looked exciting, however I noticed that there were much more dust involved with ATVs. Everyone on those had some sort of scarf around their mouth and nose.

We did not sign up for any snorkeling tour but bought our own equipment at a local store and did our own snorkeling at the northern end of Pam Beach - plenty of fish to see.

We did go to De Palm Island for a day. It was great fun (zip line, banana boat, high jump, snorkeling, water slide). The buffet breakfast and lunch as well as unlimited drink was a definite plus.

diann24

Hoai, Again thanks for the feedback. I am glad you enjoyed the tours. We have been to De Palm Island for the day and did those activities. Great fun for your kids.

You are correct in your thinking. My husband and I did the ABC jeep tour. We actually had dust embedded inside our ears. Our clothes were red and dusty. The jeeps go where cars cannot begin to think about. Pretty wild.

Natural pool is awesome! I am sure your teens had a great time.

gatorp

No one answered the question....do you need to know how to swim on snorkeling tours, i.e. Depalm Island??? I do - my wife doesn't.

Thank you.

schmerl

They provide life jackets that will keep her afloat, so if she can move herself through the water without fear she should be OK.

diann24

gatorp, I don't actually see where you originally asked the question---on the DePalm tour one could snorkel right in standing water. There was also a boat that took you out further. As schmerl says it depends on her comfort level. I think she would be fine as long as she can touch bottom with her feet.

There is also a banana boat which is a lot of fun. Again she would be in a life jacket.