My husband and I have been to Aruba and loved it. We would like to visit the Cayman Islands, perhaps in June 2005, and I have done quite a bit of research on it. I would just like to know first person accounts of the differences between the two, if they prefer one over the other, etc. Thanks in advance for your responses!

Do you mean Cancun or Grand Cayman? If GC it is pretty nice but way more expensive, esp. for eating out. IMHO Aruba is better. That is ti has more to offer, better shopping, great beaches, friendly people,gambling if yo prefer. GC is certainly more lush topographically so it that regard it is nicer. Overall ARUBA does it for me. JM2C.

I was talking about Aruba Versus Grand Cayman. I went to Aruba last year and loved it. Grand Cayman Island sounds very nice based on my research, very similar to Aruba, so I was wanting some first hand accounts of the differences.

How much more expensive would you say GC is in dining costs? I know the exchange rate favors GC. How much would you say a typical nice dinner costs two in GC? Would you say the restaurants are about the same in terms of quality and choices on both islands?

The biggest question for me is how do the beaches compare? I loved Palm Beach, Aruba, the water so calm and I would just float the day away. Is 7 Mile Beach GC like that also? How does the snorkeling in GC compare to Aruba? I know GC is famous for it's diving, but I don't dive.

Thanks so much for all your help!

Loverly-you sound just like me when I wanted to go to GC. I went to Aruba, loved it, wanted to go to GC, but I just snorkle-so scuba didn't excite me. Definately go to Grand Cayman.GC is more lush than Aruba. YES it is can be more expensive (depends on what you define as expensive). YES Aruba may have more to offer activity wise and restaurantwise, but IMHO I think that GC has better water.

One of the days at GC, no joke, there were 6 ft waves. We asked if this usually happens and an employee at the Westin responded "No, usually the water here is calm like glass". Low and behold the next 6days that it was and never have I seen such beautiful water.

I will return to both destinations. They are our favorite among other islands in the Caribbean. Research your accomodations for GC. We stayed at the Westin (next to Villas of the Galleon).When we return I would definately follow the advice of many posters here and stay at a condo. Good Luck!

Hi. Here is a link to my Shutterfly album of my wedding/honeymoon in Grand Cayman in Dec 2003.

http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=...21b35fa0154564

We also loved Aruba and almost went back but wnated to try somewhere new.

Once you account for the exchnage rate, the prices for dinner etc.. are pretty comparable. GC definitely has a lot of good restaurants. Reef Grill and Smuggler's Cove were our favorite. And for a casual fun meal we liked Coconut Joe's.

Seven Mile beach is beautiful but be sure to stay on the middle section. North and South ends are eroded. I would give Palm Beach the edge though overall. Since we went when the water tends to be rougher I will say thatPalm Beach was calmer, but in June, 7MB should be flat (we did have a couple flat days but those Norwesters we had made the water rough some days). The snorkleing is much better in GC and you can do it right off the beach. 7MB had a bit more shells & coral on the beach in the water but that is why the snorkleing is better there. For the most part though central 7MB is very sandy (not rokcy).

Where are you planning to stay? WE stayed at Villas of the Galleon condos which I would recommend. Also nice were Plantana, Casa Caribe, Lacovia and The Westin Resort.

The island of GC itself is prettier and more upscale.

I really loved both islands and will return to both. I think it's safe to say that if you like Aruba you will like GC!

here is that link...

disregard the end of my message..I moved the photo link to the top.

Also, sorry for all the typos. When I go fast, my typing stinks!!!

As for the cost of dining expect to pay ALOT more in GC, perhaps as high as 60-70% more. We had dinner at the Reef consisting of 2 entrees, 2 appetizers, 2 desserts, a beer, one drink and a soda. That cost $100.00--in 1991! Aruba for 4 in 1999 at Faro de Blanco was $125.00 and included a special tiramisu cake as a surprise for my wifes BD.

I agree GC is expensive but I wouldn't go so far as to say it is 60 - 70% more expensive. It all depends on what you order too.

I loved Aruba but aside from El Gaucho (which is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere), I think the food in GC surpasses that of Aruba.

loverly~

another option you may want to consider is Anguilla. We just returned (I can send you my photo link for that trip trip as well if you'd like).

Anguilla's resturants beat both Aruba and GC hands down. It's not super expensive either. The beaches are gorgeous...comparable to Aruba's if not better. A perfect place to float the day away on a raft

only downsides...snorkeling is mediocre and if you want a lot to do (nightlife, casinos, watersports), you won't find it here. there are a few local nightspots and you can take fun daytrips on a catamaran etc, but there definitely isn't as much to do as in Aruba or GC.


But we loved it there too!

The title of your post is confusing..it says Cancun yet you keep referring to GC??Anyway, having been to all 3 , I would rank Aruba last.Other than the food , I really cant see the attraction of Aruba. To me, it all seems very "appeal to the masses". There are some good places to dine and I mean the beaches are ok but so are the beaches on many many other islands. I loved the Caymans in 1994 but since I havent been since..it may be different.We visited Aruba in March and between the two...I would choose GC ...no question.

I just saw where you wanted a beach/ocean comparison.GC has much much better water for activities, snorkling, etc.The water in Aruba was so rough at the shipwreck site that many people did not snorkle or snuba. The snorkling/scuba in GC is fantastic...To me, there is really no comparison of the two..have fun!

On the thread about how ecomonical GC is "Arc" reports two nights eating out for 5 (3 teens, 2 adults) came to >$250.00 EACH meal or about $50.00 pp and of course no alcohol for at least 3. Many folks on that thread report bringing food with them to ease the strain a bit. Last summer during a port stop in Aruba we paid about $55.00 for lunch for 4.

Thanks for all the responses! Sorry about the incorrect title, I must have been more tired than I thought!