Ive travelled all over the Caribbean, and it seemed so many people liked Aruba, so I gave it a try. For a caribbean island, it was not worth it.<BR>IF you was a dry island, with no exucursions to other islands, limited beaches, and a natural bridge, go to Aruba.<BR>I found it so boring, I would never go back. There are so many better islands out there. Turks and caicos. Anguilla st. martin st. thomas. Aruba does not compare to those.<BR>Questions? Reply.

Liked Aruba better than St. Thomas. Friendlier people. Beend to Jamaica and would never go back. Caymans are nice, but too British for me. St. Martin is not as good as it used to be. More to do in Aruba than Turks or Anguilla. Just depends on your tastes.

Im usually one not to care too much about how freindly people are. But I must admit in Turks, the women were quite cold.<BR>Turks was so good beach wise that is beat out arubas fun.

Aruba's beach is great. You can go out to DePalm Island and also take excursions to Curacao and Bonaire.

Bud,<BR><BR>Grand Cayman was too British? Are you serious? Besides driving on the left I didn't find anything British there. Interesting.

Aaron, Perhaps u could tell us a little more. Where did u stay while visiting Aruba? What time of yesr did u visit? Did u travel w/ family or alone? I am 22 & looking for a 'beach holiday' & PARTY!!! Thinking of Aruba but maybe I shd. think twice! Alternative suggestions?????? (really wanna party!!!)

Agree with you 100% Aaron, but I feel the same way about Anguilla -- not very attractive and would NEVER go back!!<BR><BR>Rebecca, your best bets would be Cancun, St. Martin and Negil, Jamaica.

didn't like aruba and found it too much like Cancun. Much better islands but it fits so many people and their wallet. people look for different things. good party place but not for tranquil quiet beaches or good Caribbean culture and food.

I've been to most of the destinations mentioned in this thread, and I love Aruba. It has the best beaches (Palm & Eagle) in the Caribbean, fantastic restaurants & nightlife, lots to do, good scuba, very low crime, and nice people. Contrast that with HIGH crime destinations such as St Martin and Jamaica. Oh, and besides Bonaire & Curacao, you can make a day trip to VENEZUELA from Aruba, which can be seen on a clear day. <BR><BR>Yes, Aruba is an arid island. But it's not in the hurricane belt so it hasn't been demolished over the years. If you want lush jungles, certainly go elsewhere. But is you're looking for an overall fantastic vacation, Aruba is the place. <BR><BR>(Cayman is, in my opinion, very British BY ATTITUDE. Conservative, comparatively quiet, stoic. I love Grand Cayman and dive there frequently.)<BR><BR>

It's all a matter of taste and expectations, but I found Aruba, like Cancun and the major resort areas of the DR, to be blunt -- the pits. It's cheap, package-tourist, scrufty, arid, windy,charmless and lacking in both character and soul. If you're a diver,T&C;if you want luxe beach,Anguilla;if you want total escapist beach,Los Roques. And needless to say, I'm quite partial to Jamaica...which is everyting Aruba is not.

Well, <BR> First, I satyed at the Hyatt. This was nice. The room was plain, but it had a nice view. The food was good outside the resort, but not close to st. martin's french. My two Aruba turnoffs would be<BR>1. Not a varierty of beaches<BR>2. Americans and high rises and lack of culture, dry, and no close islands.<BR>Now, for terry. Ive been travelling for a long time, been to about 15 countries, and I know the way this message board thinks. Let me tell you all how I know Terry, is the basic "fodors moron"<BR>"very low crime, and nice people. Contrast that with HIGH crime destinations such as St Martin and Jamaica. "<BR>High crime? The only place that has high crime is KINGSTON jamaica. <BR>How many of your friends, when you ask them about a vacation, say we likes it it was "VERY LOW IN CRIME" <BR>Give me a break.<BR>Its like any other place. Your probably not going to be a victum. But dont be stupid. Dont walk around kingston with jewlelry. <BR>Dont walk around Marigot at 10 pm with a selection of diamonds you just purchased!<BR>Please stay away from the fm's. Talk to your travel agent or real people you know.

Aaron said, "How many of your friends, when you ask them about a vacation, say we likes it it was "VERY LOW IN CRIME" <BR><BR>Well, Aaron, how about when they say, "Too slummy and will NEVER return." Same thing, if you ask me!!<BR>

Whats your point?

What is the deal with you people! Does everyone have to dislike or like what you like? So much offense taken!<BR><BR>Nothing Terry said was moronic or out of line, he is just offering another perspective. <BR><BR>Here's a point...if you are going to offer YOUR opnion, be ready to hear other opinions and not fire back like a whiney child.

Like the USA, the Caribbean is a diverse destination. Do you prefer the deserts of Arizona to the mountains of Utah? Hawaii to New York? Beaches to cities? The same is true of the Caribbean -- some islands are dry, some tropical. Some are more "Americanized," some less. There's no right or wrong, just preferences. <BR><BR>The only three impersonal observations one can really make are cost, safety, and hurricanes. <BR><BR>Some islands are more expensive than others. In general, they also are safer due to a higher standard of living. Think Bermuda & Cayman.<BR><BR>Some islands are more prone to crime, usually as a function of unemployment and hurricanes (which destroy infrastructure and jobs). St. Martin is a perfect example. <BR><BR>Some destinations suffer frequent hurricanes, some occasional, some none. <BR><BR>Opinions are just that, opinions. Take 'em or leave 'em. If you're considering a trip to the Caribbean, do your research and understand your own preferences.<BR><BR><BR>