 |
Beautiful island off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba is a vacationer's paradise: perfect weather, amazing landscape, and lots of sun. Tourism is the main driving economic force, but there are many undeveloped - and wildly beautiful - areas on the island. Visitors from neighboring Latin American countries and sun-lovers from North America and Holland are a common sight.
|
| Aruba Nightlife |
Aruba never sleeps. But it does doze. After a long day on the beach, most tourists are ready to call it a night after dinner. For those with more energy, a couple of the island's 11 casinos stay open 24/7, and many dance clubs start rolling about midnight and keep going as long as there are customers. Other nighttime activities include Vegas-stile shows, current movies, local musical entertainment, and dinner/party cruises.
Garufa Cigar & Cocktail Lounge
This chic cigar bar and jazz club is fashionably decorated with animal print carpet, black granite tables, and designer bar stools. Live jazz acts set the mood for revelers looking to sip and smoke. Single malt scotch, fine cognac, and port are the house's specialty drinks. And if the Cuban cigars aren't to your liking, try one of the smaller, flavored "ladies'" cigars. This is a favorite happy hour spot and also an after-dinner drink and dessert spot.
Iguana Joe's
This festive Caribbean bar and grill serves up island food favorites like Jamaican jerk chicken and Caribbean style ribs. But the real draw is the specialty drinks like the Pink Iguana and the Lethal Lizard. The Lethal Lizard is served in a half-liter carafe and is packed with four shots of liquor. If you survive the heady cocktails, be sure to treat yourself to a logo t-shirt as proof.
Kukoo Kunuku
No need to designate a driver when you take this dinner and barhopping tour. A wildly painted 1957 Chevy bus picks you up at your hotel and transports you to Arashi Beach for a glass of champagne and a Caribbean sunset. Throughout the course of the evening, you will visit six local bars and have dinner at a traditional Aruban home. The cost of an evening includes hotel pick up and drop off, dinner, and one drink at each stop.
Mambo Jambo
This festive bar is painted with bright tropical colors and features a parrot mural on the ceiling. The crowd is an international mix of Dutch and Latin American visitors dancing to the Latin tunes or chatting as they sip an exotic cocktail from a coconut.
Sirocco Lounge
This hip cigar bar and lounge features cool jazz acts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Located at the Aruba Wyndham in the Palm Beach region of the island, it is convenient to the high-rise resort hotels.
Carlos & Charlie's
This lively Mexican bar and restaurant features drinks like the Pancho Villa and the Frog's Buster by the yard - you can even keep your glass as a souvenir. The margarita is also something to write home about. Hit music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, free merengue lessons, and a tequila line keep the joint jumping.
CASINOS
All gaming in the Aruba casinos is done with US currency. The slots use either US coins or tokens of the same value depending on the casino. Many machines will accept your paper US currency directly. There are nickel slots at all the casinos and some also have penny machines. Sports betting are available at many of the casinos.
Do not expect slots payouts like Nevada or New Jersey; the machines in Aruba are very tight!
Table minimums vary depending on the casino, the craps tables, for example are $5 at some casinos and $10 at others.
EXCELSIOR CASINO
J. E. Irausquin Blvd. 230, good for all-around action
ROYAL CABANA (at La Cabana)
The Caribbean's Largest Casino
HYATT REGENCY
Beautiful Las Vegas style casino
ALHAMBRA
Free standing casino and bazaar, open late, very unique
CRYSTAL CASINO
In the Sonesta Hotel Building, right in the heart of Oranjestad
|
|
|
