Expert: Andy Mendyk - 7/8/2006

Question
We will be in Aruba for 4 1/2 days in September before leaving on a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise.  We're trying to decide if we should rent a car.  We will be staying at Beachhouse Aruba on Hadicurari Beach. At the most we would only spend one day sightseeing.  We're more the lay on the beach types, but I would like to go to different beaches, buy a few groceries, probably be out late a couple nights.  How late do the buses run?  Do they go by where we'll be staying?  We'll probably take a taxi to go to dinners, but that can get expensive if we take a taxi everytime we go somewhere.  

Answer
Hi Angie! Using a bus is the least expensive way to get around. The busses run quite frequently from the hotel areas to downtown and San Nicholas. For their complete schedule, go to www.arubus.com . Even for sight-seeing, I usually take a tour, and they pick you up right at a hotel. )You can arrange for them to get you at a hotel of your choice) and even paying the tour rates, it usually comes out less expensive then renting a car. Also, gas is not cheap there, and you have to return the car with a full tank. I only rented a acar my first year there (1986) and found it easier to taxi & bus it to where I needed to go!