Aruba Flash Mob

Top 25 B & Bs and Inns in Caribbean

8. Club Arias B & B- Savaneta, Aruba

Hyatt Regency Aruba’s newly renovated ZoiA Spa

Immerse yourself at Hyatt Regency Aruba’s newly renovated ZoiA Spa scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2012. ZoiA – the Papiamento word for balance and poise – is reflected in the spa’s all-natural treatments. Guests will feel their cares melt away with relaxing massages, refreshing facials and rejuvenating treatments as spa specialists exude Aruba’s “one happy island” mentality.

Is there a sales tax in Aruba at restaurants?

Yes. You can see an example on a restaurant menu here (BBO Tax (SalesTax) or here (bottom of page).

Turn over Tax
The Turn Over Tax called "Belasting op Bedrijfsomzetten" (BBO) or Business Turnover Tax is an indirect tax, introduced as of January 2007. BBO is levied of the operating revenues realized by entrepeneurs within the framework of their business or profession by the supply of goods and rendering of services in Aruba. The general BBO rate amounts to 1.5%. A reduced rate of 1% is applicable for that part of the operating revenues that has been realized by the export of goods. Furthermore, certain exemptions are applicable. Most of the exemptions are connected with the medical sector, education, tourism and avoiding double taxation.

Record number of participants at the Donkey Walk 2012

The seventh edition of the Donkey Walk was record-breaking: more than 300 participants walked the 6.5 kilometer-long distance. The starting point was the Ayo rock formation and at 5 pm the impressive parade went underway, accompanied by two lovely donkeys and various police on motorbikes. Safety was a number one priority and the police was out in force, with a police car and an ambulance making up the rear. Crossroads had been closed off and everything went perfectly and according to plan.

Top 25 Bargain Hotels in Caribbean

4. Paradera Park- Oranjestad, Aruba

17. MVC Eagle Beach- Palm/Eagle Beach, Aruba

Travel Tip: Avoid Luggage Pilfering

August 3, 2011 7:00 am- "If you’re worried about items being stolen from your luggage, listen up. There are ways to avoid being a victim.

The first thing to remember is that smart luggage thieves don’t steal your bags. Instead, they take individual valuable items from your bags and hope you won’t notice until it’s too late.

Take a moment to open your bag and take inventory before you leave the airport, or it will be that much harder to file a claim with the airport and the TSA.

Holiday Inn Resort Aruba All Inclusive Packages

Information on the Holiday Inn's all inclusive package seems very difficult to find. I have been unable to find it offered through any tour operators. Through their Facebook page I did finally find where you are able to obtain pricing.

You can check availability here

If you go to the above link and enter your travel dates, it will come up with MANY different types of packages. You must scroll ALL THE WAY down to the bottom for the last offering which is the all inclusive package.

Shore Dives & Snorkeling With Kids

JADS Dive Center offers shore dives or rent tanks from Aqua Windies. Aqua Windies does rent tanks.

Using, shorediving.com Aruba as a reference, below are some of my thoughts.

Bachelors Beach, Boca Grandi & Boca Andicuri are only divable on a few days of the year when there is no wind. If there is no wind, which is extremely rare, there is all likelihood there will still be waves. They are on the windward side of the island and open to the entire Caribbean with no coral reef or barrier islands to speak of for protection.

Aruba Renovations at Divi Resorts Ready for 2012

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Jan. 10, 2012, 11:58 a.m. EST (BUSINESS WIRE) -- While the travel industry is forecast to make small gains in 2012, the CEO of Divi Resorts says his company is poised for an exceptional year. "Keeping our inventory fresh and exciting has proved to be the right growth strategy," says E. J. Schanfarber. "We were well above projections in the past two years and have recommitted those dollars to our properties to enhance the vacation experience for our guests." The investment in facilities was most significant in Aruba, home to half of the Caribbean resort company's operations. A major revamp there is wrapping up that employs sophisticated design, heightened convenience and expanded dining, shopping and entertainment options.

DIVI Resorts now Offers an RCI Platinum Membership Tier, Giving Members Exclusive Access to Dream Vacation Options

Parsippany, NJ (January 9, 2012) – RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) family of brands, recently announced an agreement with Divi Resorts that gives members at all five of its RCI®-affiliated resorts in Aruba and St. Maarten the opportunity to opt for RCI Points Platinum memberships.

“RCI Platinum is a premium-tier membership option that opens up a world of vacation opportunities for our members,” said Gordon Gurnik, president, RCI. “Since its debut last year, the RCI Platinum membership has been met with positive responses from members who notice that their vacation experiences have been taken to a whole new level, which adds value to the products that affiliates like Divi Resorts offer vacationers.”

Aruba’s Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa Presents New Deluxe Rooms

24th Jan 2011 Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa, one of Aruba's most intimate beach resorts, has introduced newly refurbished Deluxe Ocean and Deluxe Garden View rooms, following a series of extensive renovations.

Located on Eagle Beach, Aruba's widest stretch of beach, the two-storey Manchebo is a luxury boutique style resort, featuring just 71 ocean and garden view rooms with contemporary décor and top-range amenities.

Aruba Private Tour Itinerary

Think of a private tour while in Aruba? Here, in my mind, is the perfect itinerary. Totally accessible by car.

Eagle Beach

Arashi beach

California lighthouse & sand dunes

20 most riduculous complaints received by tour operators

Link: 20 most ridiculous complaints received by tour operators

Link: 20 stupid questions asked by tourists

Credit-card travel rewards worth the most cash

Link: The math can be tough but a new study points to eight top credit cards

Not Interested in the Beach? What to do in Aruba...

Aruba is well known for its beaches and other water activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing and other fun. The island of Aruba offers more than white powder sugary sand beaches and turquoise waters.

FindTheBest Awards Smart Badges to Top Travel Destination Spots

FindTheBest Announces the Top 10 Smart Rated Destination Spas and All-Inclusive Resorts for the Holidays

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Dec. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Today, FindTheBest--an unbiased, data-driven comparison engine--announced its Smart Badges in the Travel and Lifestyle category, highlighting the top destination spas and all-inclusive resorts in time for the holidays. These top rated travel destinations range anywhere from the sun-soaked beaches of Aruba to tucked away treasures in California's Napa Valley.