If you’re looking for your next vacation destination, then you can’t go wrong with choosing Aruba. Not only is it home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world, Aruba also hosts various other attractions and activities for you to enjoy once you’re done hitting the beach. Among these include partaking in the monthly Island Fest where you can get a taste of the local cuisine and music scene, going on a tour in the mural art-filled streets of San Nicolas, and visiting the breathtaking rock formations found at the Arikok National Park. This wide array of attractions makes Aruba a premier vacation destination for all kinds of travelers, no matter if you’re the type who enjoys taking it easy or one who is always looking for an adventure.
With so many activities to enjoy in Aruba, many visitors opt to stay longer to experience as many of them as possible. This has given rise to a thriving market for vacation rentals, which allows visitors more flexibility on how to spend their time on the island. When it comes to booking Aruba vacation rentals, however, it’s important to fully understand how the process works to ensure you won’t encounter any problems along the way. Here are some common mistakes you’d want to avoid when booking.
1. Not Checking the Rental Location
Location is a crucial consideration for any vacation rental as it can spell the difference between ease of access to your itineraries and additional transportation expenses. For instance, before heading to Aruba, you’ve most likely come up with a list of attractions that you want to visit. Perhaps, you want to go to Baby Beach to see its famous half moon-shaped bay. To make transportation to the beach much easier, you should then book a vacation rental located in San Nicolas as that’s where the beach is located.
Failing to verify where your vacation rental is located could mean being far away from the spots you’d like to see, hence you’ll end up having to factor in extra travel time that you could’ve spent enjoying your itinerary. In addition, check with the host if the vacation rental is close to key establishments such as restaurants, grocery stores, or pharmacies to make purchasing necessities convenient for you as well.
2. Booking on a Global Travel Booking Website
When looking for vacation rentals, many people tend to use third-party booking websites as they believe these sites to have the best deals for them. However, if you want rentals that give you the most value for your money, then it’s much better to book from a locally operated vacation rental agency instead. For one, you get to eliminate the middleman and thus save on those additional fees they tend to charge. Moreover, since local travel rental agencies work closely with the owners of the properties themselves, you can always rely on accurate and up-to-date information about the rental.
Another advantage of booking with a local travel rental agency for your Aruba vacation is the insider knowledge that they can offer you. Being Aruba residents themselves, they can give you recommendations on hidden gems to explore and tips on how to interact with locals, and they can even help you find other Aruba vacation packages you may need during your stay, such as car rentals or tour guides. With all these perks, you’ll surely get more value out of your booking.
3. Not Paying Attention to Reviews
Vacation rentals and hosts can vary greatly, so it’s always valuable to hear from previous guests what they thought of a particular property before booking it yourself. Not paying attention to reviews can lead to a scenario where you book a vacation rental that looks good in the listing photos but doesn’t actually live up to its promises. Therefore, make sure you always read reviews first to gauge whether or not the property received positive responses from former guests or if there are issues with it that you need to be aware of right off the bat.
4. Failing to Confirm Amenities
Not all vacation rentals may be able to meet your required amenities. For instance, some properties may list that they have a kitchen but you’ll have to confirm first if the kitchen is stocked with the appliances you need or if it only has basic cookware. Similarly, check beforehand whether the vacation rental has enough rooms and bathrooms for everyone should you be traveling with a large group. By confirming your required amenities before booking, you can avoid the stress of arriving at the rental only to discover that it doesn’t meet your expectations.
5. Overlooking the Rental Agreement
Before booking your vacation rental, make sure you understand all the fine print that comes with it. Different hosts may have different rules for their guests, so it’s important that the terms that come with a particular property suit your personal requirements. For example, some hosts may forbid holding parties within the premises, while some may allow it but only up to a certain time in the evening.
Check the agreement as well for the property’s housekeeping arrangements. Are you expected to pay additional fees for housekeeping? Are there chores that the host expects you to accomplish? If you book the property without fully understanding all the rules that the host has set, then it may lead to issues later on.
Don’t let carelessness and unfamiliarity with the booking process get in the way of you enjoying a stellar holiday. Start your Aruba getaway on the right foot by avoiding the mistakes listed in this article so you can just focus on having fun and relaxing during your vacation.
