We are going to Aruba for a week in late October. It is our first time. We go to SXM in April but pick a different island each October. Any recommendations for dining and must-sees/do's is much appreciated. We are staying in the low rise district at La Cabana. Many thanks. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Good location. Alhambra Casino, Manchebo Steak House for fish; Boca Grandi Beach and Charlie's Bar on the east side of the island. A walk on Palm Beach (high rise area). The beach across from Amsterdam Manor is nice also. Take a hike up Hooiberg (haystack), which you can see from the airport, which is over 500 feet high, if I remember correctly. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Our favories include:

Driftwood
El Gaucho
DelfFrance
Mulligan's
Madame Janette
El Faro Blanco
French Steakhouse
Kowloon
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Restaurants Ratings....

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Desert touring for first timers a must - De Palm Tours suggested half day tour fun, bumpy ride - lot's to see and to do.

Alhambra Casino and outdoors mall is not far from La Cabana, even possible to reach on foot

Bus service very good - US$2.30 p.p. one way fare

Enjoy

Make sure you go to the California Lighthouse at Sunset. Spectacular view. There is a restaurant La Trattoria that you can sit in the bar and have a great view. We had drinks and appetizers, which were very good, there a couple of times but never ate dinner.
Take a 1/2 day and go to Baby Beach on the opposite end from the lighthouse. Some of the signage to get there is a little bad but it is very nice. If you go there on a very hot day, most of them are in Aruba, you'll need to rent an umbrella to get some shade.
As was already mentioned Madame Jannette is excellent. Driftwood had the biggest shrimp in their Shrimp Cocktail and all the main courses were also good.

Thanks for the recommendations. Much appreciated. Just wondered who you rent cars from and who you rent a cell phone from. Just want the phone so people can get in touch with us. Have elderly moms at home as well as baby grandchildren.

I have rented from Budget the 2 times I have been there. The last time I ended up with a car that had low air pressure in a couple of tires and an AC that was very poor. They pointed out the AC problem but had no other cars to offer. It turned out that it worked marginally enough to use for the week. At the time I was working and had used Budget because the company I worked for got a discount. Probably wouldn't use them again in Aruba.
Also had a company Blackberry that paid the international rate so can't help you on a phone recommendation.

Lobstaroll,

We have used most of the car rentals over the years. Using Yes car rental this year. Significantly less money. They are not at the airport. They pick you up and take you to there place to do paperwork.

You can rent a phone just as you walk out of the customs area in Aruba to the left. Have never rented one. We use Skype when we are down as most placed have wireless and Skype is cheap and easy on a laptop or smart phone with it turned to airplane mode and wireless turned on.

Hope you see this prior to leaving. Have a great trip.

An alternate means of transport is the excellent bus system on Aruba - fare in US currency is $2.30 p.p. one way and will take you to several beaches, most of the hotels and into town - lines L10, L10A & L10B service the hotel area --buses are A/C - private vans follow the bus route for about the same fare.

I really wish that ST. Maarten had a bus system like Aruba... Their bus system is the bomb!