Cayman Islands or Aruba

[luvflorida]

We are planning a trip for April '07, but we're split as to which place to go. I am in favor of the Cayman Islands. I love snorkeling and I've read that the Cayman Islands have some of the clearest waters around. I also really want to snorkel where there are turtles.

My husband is leaning more towards Aruba. He isn't really a beach person, but he enjoys being near a beach. He likes a place that has a little more going on than the Cayman Islands, (read that to say- he likes casinos).

DD15 wants to go to California, but that's another place another time.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has been to the Cayman Islands and/or Aruba. What did you like or not like about it? How is snorkeling in Aruba compared to the Cayman Islands? Any info would be great!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Well I haven't been to either place but am interested in any responses. We have a trip to Aruba planned for February 2007. It's an early 20th anniversary trip.

 

[CathrynRose]

I wouldnt go to Aruba and Im not even going to begin explaining.

 

[MoniqueU]

I wouldnt go to Aruba and Im not even going to begin explaining.

I don't think I would either.

 

[BamaBaloo]

I totally agree with the previous poster. Aruba should be shunned by all Americans until they decide that Natalee Holloway's murder is important enough to investigate.

 

[plutolovr]

OMG!

There is no proof this girl was murdered. Maybe she should have had more control over her own behavior. For all we know she went for a swim and drowned because she was so drunk.

Once again, people jump to conclusions before having all the facts.

 

[m&m's mom]

This opinion has absolutely nothing to do w/ Natalee Holloway:
Cayman, Cayman, Cayman!!!
The water is so much more gorgeous in the Caymans. I thought the restaurants were a lot better. Another thing is the income levels appeared higher in Cayman - a lot of beautiful houses etc.
The weather is better in the Caymans. I have never felt wind like in Aruba. Overall: Cayman

 

[m&m's mom]

Another thing I thought of.
Aruba seemed to have a younger party crowd in the places we went.
Cayman seemed to have a more mature crowd.

 

[vivilasvegas]

I wouldnt go to Aruba and Im not even going to begin explaining.

Aruba is a great place!!! Really, you'll love either choice!

I wish I had your decision to make!

 

[Cantw8]

I don't think the OP started the thread for it to turn into a debate

Both places are gorgeous, tough decision to make. I would also take the Cayman's ...the snorkling looks awesome

 

[CathrynRose]

There is no proof this girl was murdered. Maybe she should have had more control over her own behavior. For all we know she went for a swim and drowned because she was so drunk.

Once again, people jump to conclusions before having all the facts.

Youre right! There IS no proof because it's been put on the backburner by the Arubian Goverment! Why isnt it being investigated?? Why is it dragging out? Why are leads that are coming in, not being followed?

THAT would be the point of NOT going to Aruba. Not *murder* itself, my friend.

Hope the explanation helped!

 

[Iluvthemouse]

I would choose Cayman. I have been there and it is beautiful.

I know alot of people that go to Aruba over and over again. I have one client that goes from January to March and rents a little apartment. They love it there.

But my first choice would be Cayman.

 

[vivilasvegas]

Youre right! There IS no proof because it's been put on the backburner by the Arubian Goverment! Why isnt it being investigated?? Why is it dragging out? Why are leads that are coming in, not being followed?

THAT would be the point of NOT going to Aruba. Not *murder* itself, my friend.

Hope the explanation helped!

Oohh, I see your point...let's punish the people who live there and support their families from tourist dollars just so we can prove a point to the government.
Great idea!

Hope you don't come into Chicago too much, because there are lot's of unsolved murders on the "back burner" here.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I've never been to Aruba, but it looks beautiful.

I have been to the Caymans twice and it's heavenly! The water is crystal clear and so blue. You'd love it!

We also took an excursion to Sting Ray City to see the rays. http://www.cayman.org/divesite/stingray.htm We got to feed, pet and even hold one. It was a great experience. My kids were 13 and 17 and they thought it was fun, too. This is one of the most popular dive spots, or so I hear.

And the rum cake in the Caymans is to die for. Mmmmm. I'm hungry just thinking about it.

 

[5wdwfans]

Another vote for cayman islands. I have been there and it is really beautiful. I would not even consider aruba.

 

[RUDisney]

I loved Grand Cayman. We went there for our honeymoon. The best belgian waffles of my life were consumed at the Hyatt Regency there. None, to date, have compared to those.

I haven't been to Aruba, and yes, I am of the opinion that if we keep our tourist dollars from the hard working people on that island that they will eventually get the government to do something about the Holloway case. If financial pressure didn't work, unions wouldn't use it.

Having said that, from looking into Aruba in the past, it seems to be an expensive island, like Grand Cayman. I loved GC. The island was the cleanest and wealthiest to which I've ever traveled. It was VERY expensive, though. Our first morning, DH said he'd go out and get us coffees. For 2 very small coffees, it cost him $10. Pizza Hut one day for lunch, 1 medium pan pizza and 2 cokes cost us $30 before the tip. There was no dinner that cost less than $150 for the both of us.... and they were all right.... nothing to rave about. The breakfast buffet at the HR was about $40-50 for the two of us.

The Turtle Farm was a lot of fun. We rented a jeep wrangler for the week and got to see most of the island. We saw Hell at which we did our best Clark Griswald impression when he was at the Grand Canyon, we mailed our obligatory post cards from Hell and left. We took the Atlantis submarine out of Georgetown and that was wonderful! We saw some sea turtles as we dropped by the Cayman Wall. The thing I regret not doing because DH was afraid was that we didn't swim with the stingrays. He wouldn't do it. I should have let him stay on the boat while I did, but it was our honeymoon and we were supposed to do things together....

We went 12 years ago next month. We have started talking about taking our kids there because it was so lovely. One of these days we'll make it there with them. There are just so many good places to choose for travel... and such a limited lifetime of opportunities to actually be able to get to all of them. KWIM?

 

[TxJasmine]

I have been to both places and would definitely choose Cayman over Aruba. The water is bluer and the sand is whiter. Aruba is a desert - Cayman is not. You can also snorkel with sting rays and see turtles at the turtle farm. Cayman is a very pretty place, and it's closer!

 

[vivilasvegas]

Just to confuse you more.... ...my boss just got back from Puerto Rico and said it was amazing!!! The beaches are beautiful with crystal clear water and Old San Juan is supposed to be fantastic!

I'm actually thinking of booking a trip there for my me and my boyfriend now!!

 

[luvflorida]

I loved Grand Cayman. We went there for our honeymoon. The best belgian waffles of my life were consumed at the Hyatt Regency there. None, to date, have compared to those.

I haven't been to Aruba, and yes, I am of the opinion that if we keep our tourist dollars from the hard working people on that island that they will eventually get the government to do something about the Holloway case. If financial pressure didn't work, unions wouldn't use it.

Having said that, from looking into Aruba in the past, it seems to be an expensive island, like Grand Cayman. I loved GC. The island was the cleanest and wealthiest to which I've ever traveled. It was VERY expensive, though. Our first morning, DH said he'd go out and get us coffees. For 2 very small coffees, it cost him $10. Pizza Hut one day for lunch, 1 medium pan pizza and 2 cokes cost us $30 before the tip. There was no dinner that cost less than $150 for the both of us.... and they were all right.... nothing to rave about. The breakfast buffet at the HR was about $40-50 for the two of us.

The Turtle Farm was a lot of fun. We rented a jeep wrangler for the week and got to see most of the island. We saw Hell at which we did our best Clark Griswald impression when he was at the Grand Canyon, we mailed our obligatory post cards from Hell and left. We took the Atlantis submarine out of Georgetown and that was wonderful! We saw some sea turtles as we dropped by the Cayman Wall. The thing I regret not doing because DH was afraid was that we didn't swim with the stingrays. He wouldn't do it. I should have let him stay on the boat while I did, but it was our honeymoon and we were supposed to do things together....

We went 12 years ago next month. We have started talking about taking our kids there because it was so lovely. One of these days we'll make it there with them. There are just so many good places to choose for travel... and such a limited lifetime of opportunities to actually be able to get to all of them. KWIM?

Thanks for the information! The Cayman Islands sound exactly what I'm looking for, except for the high prices, but that's hard to avoid.

About five years ago, we spent a day at Discovery Cove in Orlando and we went snorkeling in an area with manta rays. Well, youngest daughter was all excited and she went right into the water. Ten seconds later she scrambled back OUT of the water. The rays scared the heck out of her and she wasn't about to go back in and swim with them!

 

[luvflorida]

Just to confuse you more.... ...my boss just got back from Puerto Rico and said it was amazing!!! The beaches are beautiful with crystal clear water and Old San Juan is supposed to be fantastic!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...Puerto Rico. I'm all for clear water and beautiful beaches. May have to add it to our list.