On our recent trip in May we didn't get bitten at all. No mozzies about.

Different story when we went in October last year. It rained a lot more and that attracted the little blighters.

Come prepared and you really can't go wrong.

Mark

Thanks Mark will go for supplies now lol

Thinking about Aruba for August next year.

deejus69 - how did you get on and what was the mozzie situation like ?
Mark - how does Aruba compare with somewhere like Barbados ?

Thanks

Hi Crockett

The mossy situation wasn't to bad at all. I got bit a total of 5 times but that was without using any other repellant than asda own brand aftersun which contains mild repellent.

To be honest i think that was more to do with sandflies than anything else as noticed a number of people with bites like me around their ankles and bottoms of their legs.

Not half as badas when i have been to greece or Turkey to be honest. A friend recomended a kids cream from 'Poundland' which worked a treat with the itching... but to be honest not a major problem..my wife just took antihistimine every day but only got 2 bites anyway.

I should add that we spent 2 days touring the 'wild side' too and in arikok so that may be where we picked a few up so to speak. Just be prepared and have a great time

Crockett wrote:

Mark - how does Aruba compare with somewhere like Barbados ?

Now that is a question and a half

Aruba is very much "Americanised" and has a better nightlife. You have casino's in walking distance for a starter. Service tends to be a little quicker than Barbados. The island is small and rather boring. Not a lot to see really.

Barbados is more lush, more traditional customs (based on the good old fashioned English cutoms that are sadly no more). It offers more varied excursions.

We like both islands. Aruba for the beach location and the varied food options at the hotel we stayed (Tamarijn). Barbados because we have now been there umpteen times and we still love the charm it offers.

We will be going to Barbados again in November after a 3 year absence. We have fond memories of the island but I am afraid that this fondness may go as a lot has changed (not for the better) in Barbados according to various sources on the web. Time will tell.

Mark

Many thanks for the replies guys, all very useful info and well done to Mark for summarising the differences in islands so well !!

We are looking at the Tamarijn and Divi as they appear to be on a terrific stretch of beach, but can't decide between the two.
Seems the Tamarijn has all sea facing rooms and there is also a suites section (Dutch Village) at the Tamarijn, is that worth the extra ?

Mark - we were in Barbados a couple of weeks ago and had a terrific time again. The island and people are fabulous and my only complaint would be that it does have a largely British clientele and can feel like an ex-pat haven sometimes.

The Divi has better rooms thana the Tamarijn. All rooms at the Tamarijn are beach front. If you're on a ground room, all you have to do is open the patio door and you're right on the beach - heaven!

For the extra money you pay at the Divi and considering how long you really spend in the room, in my opinion this extra expense is not worth it. Once out of the room, you can make use of the facilities of both hotels.

Mark

Have to agree with Mark on that one.

The rooms at the Tam are nice enough with Flatscreen tv, 30 channels (american and bbc america) inc, a couple of movie channels max/hbo as well as premier league footy on fox sports though you get spanish commentary lol.

A guy from New york summed it up for me while at the Tam, he had been to look at rooms at divi as he was planning to return...if you do ocean fronmt rooms i don't wanna bend my neck to see it !!! lol

The Tam is great with the rooms like mark says...the dutch village slightly bigger room with seating area but hey how long you going to be in there?

You still have use of the pools at the back of the tam rooms (dutch village pools) so you have a total of 4 pools on site at the Tam alone. You also have the sports center where you can get the kayaks/windsailing/sunfish sailing/snorkels etc... (all included) though with the kayaks/windsurf and sailing you have to sign up for a lesson first.

The snorkelling tour is also quite good which uses the bikes at the tam and you are taken to a couple of good spots.

The Tam has Ginger: asian fusion resteraunt and Paparazzi: italian as well as the buffet. Heard good things about Ginger though didn't eat there. Paparazzi was just ok...i had shrimp bisque which was fantastic and beef medallioions with ravioli...the steak was unbelievable...the ravioli not quite cooked!

We also ater at the Red Parrot which is the carribbean resteraunt. The meal was superb, though a little different to the carribbean food i eat back home lol... no curried goat, or ackee and saltfish here.

The main difference for me is the buffet dining areas...I found the Divi to be a little more relaxed and a nicer laid back atmosphere in general. It just seemed better laid out than the Tam.

but all that separates you is a five minute walk along the nigh on empty (walk up the beach to towards the high rise to see what i mean) beach, or take the golf cart...

To be honest i will definitely be returning to the Tam very soon hopefully and would definitely choose there over the Divi purely for that view when i first opened my eyes and looked through the gap i purposelly left in the curtain...

Happy Days

Thanks for that guys, I must say we are very tempted to give it a go summer next year, particularly as it's an island off the usual hurricane route at that time of year.
Looks like First Choice/Thomson pretty much have the monopoly but prices are reasonable.

Definite food for thought.

augusut and sept will likely be quite mosquitoey - defo bring repellent - get something with Deet in it like Jungle Formula

I'm guessing you guys went on a First Choice or Thomson package as they seem to be the only UK operator who go there.

Question about the flight - they quote 8hr 45 going out and 10 hr 15 coming back.
Usually it's quicker coming back from the carib, so does the flight stop somewhere ?

There's no mention of it being anything other than direct on the Thomson or First Choice web sites, so all a bit strange....

If you fly Thomson Airways, both sections of the flight are direct unless they have sneaked in a stop somewhere.

Mark