The Caribbean - Food costs in Aruba???

We have the option of including 3 meals & beverages at the Renaissance in Aruba - or just breakfast. Rate difference is about $240USD -

Would the average person spend $240 a day for 2 people for drinks/lunch/ dinner on resort or off? We are not big drinkers or huge foodies -

any guidance would be greatly appreciated -

TIA!

We have the option of including 3 meals & beverages at the Renaissance in Aruba - or just breakfast. Rate difference is about $240USD -

Would the average person spend $240 a day for 2 people for drinks/lunch/ dinner on resort or off? We are not big drinkers or huge foodies -

any guidance would be greatly appreciated -

TIA!You may have answered your own question. If you are not big foodies, save your money. The advantage of the meal plan is the convenience. Aruba has a great variety of eating establishments, but the convenience will depend on where you are staying and whether or not you have a vehicle. On average, you should be well under 120/day/person unless you are having a bottle of wine with dinner every night.
--
13F

We have the option of including 3 meals & beverages at the Renaissance in Aruba - or just breakfast. Rate difference is about $240USD -

Would the average person spend $240 a day for 2 people for drinks/lunch/ dinner on resort or off? We are not big drinkers or huge foodies -

any guidance would be greatly appreciated -

TIA!

There are so many restaurants within walking distance to the Ren that you will be able to eat and drink for much less,and have a greater variety of choices.

There is a restaurant on the private island if you spend the day there.When we were there we sometimes ate lunch there.Other days we brought over sandwiches from one of the eateries across from the Ren. We always pack a soft sided collapsible cooler and ziplock bags for ice,which allows us to buy food and drinks less expensively and take them to the beach.

One of the attractions that Aruba has to offer is that there are a great variety of excellent restaurants available. It would be a shame not to try some of them. There are sights that offer discounts to restaurants and yoy can look up Gastronomical site for aruba, unless you are into heavy drinking try different restaurants

ditto arubalad. unless you're sipping a lot of umbrella drinks I think you'll come out ahead financially and will get to see more of the island and probably have a lot better food choices.

bon bini

There are so many restaurants within walking distance to the Ren that you will be able to eat and drink for much less,and have a greater variety of choices.

This is 100% correct. Within five blocks in any directions you have about 50 restaurants, bars, nightclubs, etc. Unless fine dining is your thing (which it seems to not be) you will save a ton by doing breakfast only at the hotel.

Thank you everyone.

We are in Aruba now (still at the Marriott, have not moved yet to the Ren) and I can already see that you gave us great advice.

Mr. Sophie is the pickiest eater known to mankind - and he is loving the food here.

For anyone who reads this in the future - take it from a first timer - don't go all inclusive; just get a breakfast package!

:D

and P.S. - don't eat at Hooters, Hard Rock, etc etc either! There are some great restaurants here that won't break the bank, are in gorgeous locations, and have delicious food...

Great to hear things are going well. I forgot to mention that the guide books you pick uip at the airport and in hotel lobbies usually have coupons for a free glass of wine at some of the downtown restaurants, as as $5 freeplay card for ther Casino at the Marina Renaissance.
--
13F

If you want a good burger go over to Bingo's right next to Linda's Pancakes (good Dutch pancakes). Setting is not wonderful but the burger and curly fries mmmmm. Also go down to Bugaloe (pier between Radisson and Riu) for a wonderful setting and the food is good as well. Moomba's next to you has a good setting but the food - yuck! and weak drinks as well!