Where Should We Go--Aruba or Curacao?
 

We are a family of four--2 adults, and two teens aged 17 and 15--who have the option of going to either Aruba or Curacao during the second week of April. We love uncrowded beaches with good sand, snorkeling, sailing, hiking and almost any outdoor activity. We do not like crowds, shopping, partying or fancy restaurants. I thought we might try an AI so that we don't have to bother finding a place to eat everyday and so that our teens can eat on their schedule. I was looking at La Cabana and the Divi in Aruba, but then I found out about the snorkeling in Curacao. Can you help me decide which island (and accomodations) our family would enjoy more? Thank you!

We are taking our first trip to Aruba in Sept. 06. I've been doing tons of research. If you don't like crowds, shopping or partying, then Aruba is probably not the destination for you. I'm told going AI in Aruba is a mistake since there are many really good resturants. We always go AI if the destination offers it and we choose not to for our Aruba trip.

I understand that Aruba will probably have the better beaches over Curacao. Check out Breezes Curacao. They offer an AI plan and is next to the Sea Aquarium.

Been to both and second the vote for Curacao, Aruba is starting to remind me of Miami, too crowded, too American and too overbuilt. However, I think AI in Curacao would be such a waste as the restaurants are one of the attractions. However, as a Mom of one teen and one 8 year old boy who eats like a teen, I understand why you would appreciate the convenience of an AI. We stayed at the Marriott, a wonderful resort and I think they have an AI option.

We've been to both - Curacao was spectacular and we were very disappointed with Aruba. The beaches in Aruba had lots more people, it was very Americanized and full of fast food restaurants. We just found Curacao to be more interesting. I agree with Eileen about the Marriott. We didn't do the AI option, but our friends did and were very satisfied with it. the Marriott is a terrific hotel and the food in two out of three restaurants was excellent. Big bathrooms and nice rooms.

Been to Aruba and it was the worst holiday I have ever had....

The second week of April is spring break for many schools, so you might run into crowds no matter where you go.
Curacao has a special charm about it.

moschops

I've been to Aruba and it was one of my best vacations!

Would you care to give the OP more insight :-?

I've been to Aruba four times I am not sure it fits your needs... especially La Cabana. La Cabana is pretty big and very crowded... I've never stayed there but everytime I've gone over there, I've been overwhelmed with people and couldn't wait to get back to my smaller more intimate resort. I'd suggest, if you choose Aruba, look into the Manchebo, Bucuti, or Costa Linda, all on Eagle Beach. While I've never stayed at the Divi, I've heard good things about it (beach may not be quite as good as the other I mentioned, though).

If Curacao is available, it might be a better option. The beaches in Aruba are generaly better but the snorkeling in Curacao is much better... also, Curacao is much more laid back and less developed.

I like to mix in casinos and lots of restaurant options so that's the main reason, I've more often chosen Aruba.

Good luck.

I suppose it depends on what you look for - the island was completely over touristed with the beaches ruined by resort hotels, the island itself is ugly, we found it completely 'Americanised' - with no Caribbean charm to it at all -
My only previous experience of the Caribbean was Belize which was superb, so I suppose I was comparing Aruba to Belize - no comparison can be made.

sorry - forgot to add - my last post was replying to Alya

Another concern you may have about Aruba is that it may be crowded with television crews because it will be 1 year since Natalie Haloway went missing.

Moschops

We stayed on Eagle beach has a completly different feeling for Downtoen or the high-rise area. If we'd have stayed on Palm beach we certainly wouldn't have enjoyed our vacation.

It is very Americanized - but that's what some people are looking for. We didn't visit the casinos or any US chain restaurant.

You are right the island doesn't have any charm apart from the locals - who were wonderful.

Belize! Now that's high on my list of Islands to visit. We met a woman from there at the Jamiaca Inn who made it sound idyllic - am I going to be disappointed?

We have travelled a fair amount in the Caribbean and Mexico and for us Aruba was our least favorite vacation. Aruba is very commercialized/Americanized and has a lot of American fast food chains and a few American restaurants such as Hooters & Tony Romas and has high rises on Palm Beach and lots of people and motorized water activity. I felt like we were on a beach in the U.S. We didn't find the snorkeling anything great either. We were disappointed in the water clarity as well and the way the beach was being used as an ashtray. Too bad people don't respect nature. :'(

Sorry I don't know about Curacao.

Definitely Curacao over Aruba. No contest. Unless you like really commercial, tourist trap type places which Aruba is...

Definitely Curacao. Check out Sunset Waters Beach Resort. It is an AI and sounds just like what you are looking for. Great off-the-beach snorkeling. Good food, with plenty of choices for teenagers. Not fancy but very comfortable, with a management that goes out of the way to meet your needs. Lots of choices for activities arranged by the resort. Only drawback is that it is about 40 minutes from town, but the resort provides a free shuttle most days.

Longhorn55:
In Aruba, you'll feel like you haven't left the U.S. because it caters to the American tourist in all aspects (assuming you're American). You'll find plenty of compatriots there. We went in October '99 (supposedly low season) and it was crowded.
In Curacao, you'll feel like you're in a different country (as it should be) due to the architecture, the people and just the feel of the island. Good snorkeling but not really "good sand" as you mention in your post. Most beaches (I can't say all since I didn't visit all of them) are rocky (some worst than others). We went in February '05 (high season) and it did not feel overrun by tourists. There's a nice mixture of tourists there (Americans, Europeans and Latin Americans).

Oh and if you do pick Curacao, please don't do AI. Too many great restaurants there to do that. Enjoy!

Hi longhorn55,

We LOVED Curacao. Stayed for a wonderful week at the Marriott. Here is our trip report if you care to peruse, although I know there are many good ones on this board:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34487472

Enjoy! And post back when you decide, Tiff