Aruba vs. Cayman Islands

[KingCrusher]

Considering a week in early January and am trying to decide between Aruba and Cayman Islands. Any thoughts?

 

[PollyannaMom]

Of the two, I've only been to Aruba (and quite a while ago) but I did like it!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am looking forward to visiting the Cayman Islands!!!
I don't have personal experience, but this would def. be my first pick.

What type of vacation are you looking for.
How do you see yourself spending your days and nights???

 

[woody5]

Aruba!!!!! We like to stay at the Bucuti.

 

[J'aime Paris]

Been to Grand Cayman twice, loved it!!

 

[Meriweather]

I have been to both, but only for a day each while on a cruise.
I would go for Cayman Islands for the turtles!!

 

[KingCrusher]

I am looking forward to visiting the Cayman Islands!!!
I don't have personal experience, but this would def. be my first pick.

What type of vacation are you looking for.
How do you see yourself spending your days and nights???

Eat, drink, and swim

 

[Floridaman999]

Go wherever you can crush the most tacos. That's my vote.

 

[sonnyjane]

I have been to both, but only for a day each while on a cruise.
I would go for Cayman Islands for the turtles!!

I have been to Cayman Islands but didn't do the turtle center (if that's what you're referring to). It's an actual working turtle farm, as in, they sell the endangered turtle meat once the turtles become adults. Definitely didn't want to support that.

 

[mnrose]

I was in Aruba one vacation because DH is a windsurfer, and Aruba is known for that. While were there, the winds were outrageous (which DH loved) but it has next to impossible to hang out on the beach without getting sandblasted. LOL. It happens there. Also, the beaches were not "soft white sand" but rather the courser sand that some beaches have. I thought the vacation was ok. Weather (other than wind) was nice. But that darn wind spoiled the beach aspect for me. DH would vote to go back. Me, not so much.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Eat, Drink, Swim....
That's simple enough!!!! Both would probably suffice.... Third World problems! Hahahaha!!!!

As a beach for enjoying, swimming, I would imagine that Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman would rate better than Aruba.
I am not sure that either are known for their cuisine and/or drinks. But, I can tell you that eating and drinking can be very expensive on Grand Cayman.
Grand Cayman has the open sand-bar with friendly stingrays, Stingray City, and gorgeous clear blue waters for sailing, snorkeling... (but I am spoiled by snorkeling Puerto Morelos south of Cancun, at the Marine Preserve!)

I might be wrong, but I think a quick comparison would show the main beach area to be more developed on Aruba.
And, it is also known for casinos, etc.

Maybe pretend you are planning a trip to each place... Choose a resort, etc. And then compare pictures, videos.

 

[KingCrusher]

Go wherever you can crush the most tacos. That's my vote.

Shouldn't I do Cancun then?

 

[Floridaman999]

Shouldn't I do Cancun then?

You should if you love tacos.

 

[Darcy03231]

I've been to both and hands down would pick the Caymen Islands over Aruba. We really didn't care for Aruba at all.

The Caymens are lush and tropical, have great beaches and amazing snorkeling. We found the people there to be warm, friendly and welcoming. You can do some amazing snorkeling right from shore at Eden Rock. The local dive shop rents snorkel gear pretty inexpensively.

Aruba on the other hand is very flat and desert-like. While the beaches were nice, I didn't think they compared to the beaches in the Caymens. One of the big draws to Aruba is the nightlife/casinos, which really isn't something we're interested in. DH said it seemed like Las Vegas out in the ocean. We also had a couple of bad experiences there trying to be scammed, once by a taxi driver and once by a tour vendor, which has also colored our experience.

 

[Wishing on a star]

We had the same/similar experience on Grace Bay Turks and Caicos as Darcy.
The beach and sand and water there on Grace Bay, and our resort, were the absolutely most STUNNING!!!!!
But, too many bad experiences.... I don't know if it has improved, but crime there, like Mexico, really became an issue.
So, sadly, we might never return.

 

[portocall]

I have been to both and I would pick Grand Cayman hands down. Aruba is nice but there is only a small part of the island that is habitable. Most is almost desert like. A pro for Aruba is that it hardly ever rains so there is that. But Cayman, it is beautiful and the beach alone is gorgeous but there was so much more to do and see there.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

You should if you love tacos.

Or Goofy.