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Aruba Shopping
Aruba's shopping ranges from modern stores in glitzy shopping malls with gleaming stainless steel
fixtures to small "mom & pop" shops off the beaten track. The bustling shopping area in Oranjestad
is centered along the waterfront of L.G. Smith Boulevard. Upscale shops stock exquisite
jewelry, watches, perfumes, designer clothes and footwear as well as t-shirts, sunglasses,
beach & resort wear.
Look for Royal Plaza Mall, Renaissance Mall & Marketplace as well as many smaller shopping centers
along the Boulevard and side streets.
You will be pleasantly surprised to find a wide selection of hand crafted items made by
native Arubans.
Quite often the process of producing them is carried on right in front of your eyes, on
the beachfront
and at concession stands set up along the harbor.
The wharf at Oranjestad's colorful harbor side can be a bargain hunter's dream. Paintings,
T-shirts, photographs (some of them historical), pottery and jewelry are all set up along
the Boulevard.
Transactions are carried out in both dollars and florins, and bargaining is expected.
Several new and interesting large shopping complexes have transformed the high rise hotel
strip along
Palm Beach into a shopper's paradise. Look for the shops in the area of Playa Linda Beach
Resort as well as
the newest Paseo Herencia Mall featuring a cozy plaza surrounded by spectacular free
standing buildings in the typical Aruban style. Included are a number of restaurants and a
multiscreen movie theater.
An outdoor ampitheater features nighttime local artists perfomances and "liquid fireworks" shows
from a central fountain. Paseo Herencia Mall is open every night until 9pm.
Stores in the downtown areas are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through
Saturday, although some are closed for lunch between noon and 2 p.m. Shops
in most of the malls and shopping centers are open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Some stores are open on Sundays and holidays when cruise ships are in port.
Aruba is an island with historical roots in Holland. Icons such as Delft pottery, windmills
and wooden
shoes are blended together with handicrafts that feature colorful Cunucu houses that can
be seen throughout
the countryside.
Aruba isn't actually a duty free port, however the duty is low enough that some excellent buys
can be found here, especially on items such as jewelry, perfume, fashions and electronic equipment.
There are many jewelry stores located in most of the major hotel lobbies as well as the
other malls on
the island. Specialties include gold, diamonds, tanzanite and many other precious stones
as well as
watches from many of the well known manufacturers.
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Royal Plaza Mall
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Royal Plaza is the three-storied shopping center opposite the harbor markets. With Dutch
Caribbean touches and pink and white paint, it resembles a rich wedding cake. Retailers
here specialize in jewelry, apparel, accessories, linens, perfumes, cigars and souvenirs.
Stop here for a bite or a cocktail; the harbor view is awesome and there.s even an after-hours
club. The mall has an escalator and elevator.
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Renaissance Mall
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Renaissance Mall is home to luxury brands, like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Chopard, BCBG, Furla and many more.
With over 60 stores, cafés, full-service restaurants and entertainment, Renaissance Mall makes your shopping experience an enjoyable,
and exciting one. The Mall is perfectly located in the heart of Oranjestad, a short walking distance from the Main Street, and
opposite the picturesque Renaissance Marina where you'll find the Atlantis Adventure Center tour office.
Open seven days a week, from 9:30 am. to 7 pm.
For more information please call 523-6115
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Renaissance Marketplace
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A lighthearted atmosphere pervades the Renaissance Marketplace with its wide variety of shops and eateries catering to diverse tastes.
Stores are open until late at night, providing the full range of dining choices from fast-food to gourmet, shopping finds including
clothing, jewelry, souvenirs, designer sunglasses, gifts and linens, as well as entertainment options offered by the movie theater,
nightlife spots and nearby casino. Live entertainment on stage every night! Take the first trip to the Marketplace!
Open seven days a week, from 10 am till midnight.
For more information please call 523-6115.
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Alhambra Nighttime Shopping Bazaar
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Adjacent to the Alhambra Casino, this small complex has ten unique shops, an internet cafe,
hairstylist, and fast food outlet. New shops are coming soon.
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Paseo Herencia Mall
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Paseo Herencia Mall entertains shoppers with liquid fireworks, synchronized swimmers,
Carnaval shows, live music and six movie theatres while they explore the eclectic
roster of fifty retail stores and seven restaurants. The entire center is indeed a
walk through history. and is dedicated to Juan Chabaya "Padu" Lampe, Aruba's legendary
composer and musician; the amphitheatre is named after Edgar Connor, father of steel
pan music. Throughout the year there are themed events, fashion shows, talent shows and
performances. Restaurants serve everything from Belgian waffles and frites, ice cream,
sushi and Caribbean seafood to burgers, fajitas and ribs. Waltzing waters provide an
ever-changing music and light show; the music of local bands and jazz performers fills the air.
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Palm Beach Plaza
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Palm Beach Plaza is an impressive new multi-level shopping mall with ample ground level
parking located in the high-rise area, one block from the Holiday Inn Aruba. The largest
mall in the southern Caribbean, Palm Beach Plaza is an all-day family entertainment
center with prestigious retailers, an eight-screen movie theatre Mega Plex, post office,
mini-market, restaurants and food court. The children's entertainment floor features a
kiddie-train, rock climbing wall, bowling alley, electronic game zone, thrilling cable
slide and indoor supervised playroom.
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Arawak Garden
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Arawak Garden is located right across from the Allegro Aruba Resort. A jumping spot,
especially at night, Arawak features a line-up of Italian, seafood, Dutch, steak and fast
food restaurants, as well as a popular piano bar. Kiosks and small shops with handicrafts,
jewelry, souvenirs, aloe and more border the complex. Parking lot behind restaurants.
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South Beach Mall
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Relax at a giant sports bar, hard rock or Dutch cafe, al fresco bar or coffee house, or
enjoy some Oriental cuisine while exploring all the shops. The enormous parking area
makes the shopping experience hassle-free.
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Supermarkets
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In addition to a host of small markets found along every road, Kong Hing, Ling & Sons,
Certified, and Super Food are mega-supermarkets with ample parking clustered outside of
downtown Oranjestad near the low-rise area; they are generally open 8 am - 6 pm
daily, and 8 am - 1 pm on Sunday.
Certified Mega Mall is a complex of about fifty shops that offer a broad range of services
including ATM machines, shoe repair, bakery and coffee shop, fast food outlets, cafe/restaurant,
travel agency, fitness center, photo finisher and dry cleaner.
At the island's supermarkets, not only will you find everything you have at home, but
also international gourmet delights and unique local products such as Dutch cheeses, confections
and exotic condiments, international wines and liqueurs; local spirits, produce and hot
sauces; Aruba aloe products; and homemade baked goods and snacks such as the
pastechi (a deep-fried half-moon pastry with savory fillings) and pan bollo (Aruban bread
pudding) are just a few of the temptations that await you. Prices are in Aruban currency;
to arrive at the dollar equivalent, divide the price in half and add 10%.
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