Aruba all inclusive: Divi Aruba vs Barecelo?

Never stayed in those places but I wish we had done an all inclusive in Aruba! we spent a ton on food and were only there for 6 days!

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I have always been told by many people who go there that all inclusive is a waste. It's an island known for having amazing restaurants ! Maybe try to get a breakfast and liquor plan or something and go out for dinners or if u don't mind go out to at least a few dinners and skip the free dinner at resort !

FH and I went to divi almost 4 years ago. I can't say enough good things about it. FH has been asking since we left when we're going back. He begged to go for the honeymoon but I wanted somewhere we haven't been yet.

I'm planning a surprise 30th trip for him next year. He's gonna die.

I could go on all day about it. Let me know if you have any other questions about it. We stayed 10days.

ETA: we Also went In sept

This is where we're wanting to go, too! Does anyone mind sharing about how much a week cost? I went on their site today and they don't have prices yet for this time next year.

My Aunt has her timeshares through Barcelo and loves their resorts. She offered to give us her timeshare for a week and we contemplated Aruba. It's so pretty!

@Melissa - for 10 days with airfare out of Philly with a layover in Atlanta it was about $2400pp. We got a garden view, so cheapest room.

ETA to add pictures

Estimating for a week for september next year, with airfare I'm finding it to be about $4000 total. (This is estimated based on what I'm finding for this year) And i think I was checking out beach front rooms.

Their sister resort, literally a walk down the beach (we walked between the two daily either via the beach, or the paths through the resorts. It cheaper by a few hundred. I'm also considering that. I believe if i'm not mistaken, the Divi side is adult only and the Tamarijn side is family. All bars, pools, restaurants, activities are interchangeable no matter which side you're staying on.

I have to say, of all the caribbean beaches I've been to, this sand and water at these resorts are the best i've seen!

Double post

FromAtoB, is Tamarijin all inclusive too? We just want all inclusive for drinks so we can go to either resort for food and drinks??? I will look into that one also. Our flights are paid for. Just have to figure out which resort

@Melissa, we are staying at RIU Antillas and with air fare and a Saturday to Saturday day stay in October, it's about $5000. October is their off season. We bought ours in January this year and got 20% off? So we upgraded our room to an ocean front suite.

I forgot to mention it's all inclusive and the flight is from Michigan.

Price difference of all inclusive is $1800.

Sara C. You said you spent a ton so do you feel the extra nearly 2k is worth it?

@FutureMrs92317 -- we didnt keep a log or anything but even going super simple for breakfast and minimal for lunch and all dinners we probably spent probably $500 -800 on food for 5.5 days. This did not include a drop of alcohol either. We even had a kitchenette in the time share so we went to a grocery store and bought food to cook ourselves for some meals...still expensive.

@Sara C. I understand. I am now looking at non-all inclusive options but some include breakfast or we could add to our total up front lunches or dinners. I'm thinking this route for a few of our days and venturing out the others. I am however interested in average bar expense considering we wiki most definitely be shooting some cocktails. Esp on this kid free trip!

@fromatob and @stacy k thank you!

I told FH to expect it to be between 4-5k, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't way off. This is my dream hm and I'm so over the moon FH is finally caving on spending the money.

@ Melissa- You can typically book 9-10 months in advance. It is very important you book as soon as you can because you are getting married during spring break season. Not to push RIU Palace Antillas, because I haven't been there yet, but I did read they have a "no spring breakers" policy. They will ask rowdy, obnoxious parties to leave. That is something you might want to inquire about with other resorts or hotels if that is not your scene.

I stayed at the RIU Palace and I loved it. I remember someone there also recommending the Divi for a similar atmosphere.

The RIU was mostly couples and it wasn't too rowdy at all. We were really young at the time, and wanted to have a good time, but not obnoxiously.

I was skeptical the first time I did all inclusive, but it was so worth it. It was nice to be able to get drinks casually throughout the day and a snack whenever we wanted. We were in college, and neither one of us was hungover or sick once the whole trip. It was a constant buzz and the most relaxed I've ever been.

Also considering the Divi (and yes the Tamarijn is the sister resort and you can use everything there the same as the divi) it's more secluded. It's on a different beach than the high rises so it's quieter and not as roust or crowded. I loved it and I'm a lovely person.

Taxi ride to town with the restaurants and bars and the high rise hotels was like $14 for the two of us and a quick ride.

Safe, locals are awesome and don't bother you like say Jamaica or Mexico where they bother you and want to sell you stuff. They do no such thing in Aruba.

ETA: roust= roudy and "I'm a lovely person = I'm a LIVELY person.

Sounds like I'm talking myself up there.