Packages can save you a ton of money, and most people vacationing in Aruba came on a package deal. You'll be on your own, but in most cases airfare, hotel, and transportation to and from the airport are included -- and the whole kit and caboodle will cost you less than the hotel alone would if you booked it yourself. All of Aruba's hotels work closely with tour operators, and some packages even cover meals.
Start your search for a deal in the travel section of your local Sunday newspaper. Check the ads in national travel magazines such as Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, National Geographic Traveler, and Travel Holiday, too.
Powerhouse travel agencies offer some of the best deals. American Express Vacations (tel. 800/297-2977; www.americanexpress.com/travel) has offices nationwide. Liberty Travel (tel. 888/271-1584; www.libertytravel.com) is one of the biggest packagers in the Northeast and usually takes out full-page ads in Sunday papers.
The airlines themselves are another good resource. They often combine their flights with hotels at attractive prices. Try American Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/321-2121; www.aavacations.com), Continental Airlines Vacations (tel. 800/301-3800; www.continentalvacations.com), Delta Vacations (tel. 800/654-6559; www.deltavacations.com), United Vacations (tel. 888/854-3899; www.unitedvacations.com), and US Airways Vacations (tel. 800/422-3861; www.usairwaysvacations.com).
To save time comparing the prices and value of hotel packages, contact TourScan, Inc. (tel. 800/962-2080 or 203/655-8091; www.tourscan.com). Every season, the company computerizes the contents of travel brochures that contain about 10,000 different vacations at 1,600 hotels in the Caribbean, including Aruba. TourScan selects the best-value vacation at each hotel.
Large tour operators serving Aruba include Apple Vacations (www.applevacations.com; must be booked through your travel agent); Funjet Vacations (www.funjet.com; book online or through a travel agent listed on the Web page); GOGO Worldwide Vacations (www.gogowwv.com; must be booked through your travel agent); GWV International (www.gwvtravel.com); Cheap Caribbean (tel. 800/915-2322; www.cheapcaribbean.com); MCM Tours (tel. 888/ARUBA-4-U; www.aruba4u.com); and TNT Vacations (tel. 800/262-0123 or 617/262-9200; www.tntvacations.com).
