TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Southern Caribbean Just booked Aruba July 2017 for 10 days.

After our horrible disappointment on our BVI charter we have booked a trip to Aruba at a resort. Although I would love a "do-over" charter, it just wasn't in the budget this soon after returning. I'm cautiously excited about this trip and maybe it'll live up to the dream vacation the BVI trip was supposed to be.

Looking forward to sharing info over the next few months.
Lakegirl480

We will be there in June for 10 days. Where are you staying? We love Aruba and go every year.

La cabana

Hey there - can you give the general vibe of Aruba? I am trying to decide between there and Bermuda this fall. I have been to Curacao, St Martin, Anegada, Tortola, Turks, Jamaica, St John, St Thomas, Belize etc. So I am wondering what Aruba is like...thanks!

Aruba is very Americanized, more than Dutch SXM. There's not a lot of Dutch flavor to it, and of course, no french influence like on SXM. LOTS of US chain restaurants and lots of other high end restaurants. Prices for cars and groceries and liquor are higher than SXM. Restaurant prices are perhaps a bit higher than SXM, alcohol in bars much higher. GREAT tourist transportation system, with buses which run all the time, clean, cheap. The climate is very dry, and outside of the resort areas, the landscape is desert. There is a pretty constant wind, usually 15 mph at least. There are a bunch of big hotels, highrises, and lots of timeshares and condos. The island is cleaner than SXM. The perception is that crime is much lower in Aruba. I'm not exactly sure that's true, but that is the perception anyway.

Thanks Carol - very interesting - still thinking - might just go back to SXM - HA!

Carol is right on about Aruba. It is a nice vacation island. I have been to all of the islands you have listed and I am partial to Curacao and I will say it's much different than Aruba. Have not been to Bermuda, would love to some day, it's only 2 1/2 hours away from us. One thing if you are going in the fall, remember Aruba is out of the so called hurricane belt, Bermuda is not. Enjoy where ever you go! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, I use the "sailors theme" for Hurricanes...June, too soon, July, stand by, August, a must, September, remember, October, it's over.

But that doesn't always work...ha...I was in the Turks last year in October and there was a hurricane bearing down on Bermuda and we dodged a tropical storm in T&C. I really liked Curacao, and plan on going back in 2018, just looking for a new spot for this year.

If you are into "laid back and relaxed", try looking into the Out Islands in the Bahamas. Very beautiful, beaches and water to die for. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I would kind of like the best of both...a bit laid back and a bit of nightlife close by...

What's your definition of 'nightlife'???

Um, having some places that offer some drinks and music - nothing to RAGING (lol) after dinner time until around midnight or so...

Didn't know if you meant like clubs or casinos or whatever. Have you considered the BVI?

edit--never mind, I see you've already been there.

Well, clubs and casinos are fun too...I just don't want to go to somewhere that is too remote (think Anegada...) this year...

This hotel complex is not on the beach. You'll have to cross street to get to beach---even tho' all photos we saw before we booked looked like it WAS on beach. When we stayed there a couple of years ago, unless hotel has updated, we found you have to get up and out to beach really really early to get a chair.

Isn't LaCabana a timeshare? Somehow 'timeshare' and 'dream vacation' don't really seem to fit in the same sentence to me.

We are also going in July for 3 weeks, as we did last year. We've been going annually since 2004. BUT, we have 2 weeks in Curacao and love that even more. Not so Americanized, but very Dutch and lovely. Check that out after Aruba.

We are proud timeshare junkies, beats the heck out of a measly hotel room, as long as you do your research. Try Grand Solmar in Cabo, Royal Sea Aquarium in Curacao, Renaissance or Marriott in Aruba, Marriott throughout Hawaii, Royal Resorts in St. Maarten or thoughout Mexico. Have you ever even tried one?

If that question is aimed at me, I have stayed at MANY timeshares in SXM, yes. My point was to equate a timeshare with a dream vacation, which to me means "luxury" is a non-starter. We've been to Tahiti, an African safari, and hotels all throughout the Caribbean, including several luxury all inclusives. THOSE experiences I would call a "dream vacation". Staying at a timeshare hotel, not so much. Other people's definition of 'dream vacation" might be different.

I've never heard of a "timeshare hotel" unless you mean the small 1 room lockoff units which we avoid. My timeshare usage always yield a "dream vacation" with on site restaurants, room service, full kitchen which is convenient, in unit laundry facilities, at least 4 rooms, multiple TV's, beautiful common areas, multiple pools, work out rooms, beachside cooking grills, concierge services, activities, etc. Each to her own "dream!"

OK, that does NOT describe timeshares in SXM, at least. There are NO timeshares in SXM that have room service or concierges. They have activities' desks, but concierges, no. There are very few rooms in timeshares in SXM, other than the very upper tier units, that have in unit laundry facilities. Most SXM timeshares do NOT have BBQ grills. While I'm not personally familiar with LaCabana, I kind of doubt that they would have those amenities, but not familiar with LaCabana.

This is the southern Caribbean forum, not just SXM so I was talking about timeshares in a number of places and the ones I own or trade into have all the amenities I mentioned. Simpson Bay in SXM has grills. I've grilled out at Royal Sea Aquarium in AUA, Marriotts on Kauai, Oahu, shell resort on the Big Island. Had a terrible stay this year at Costs Sur in PV, but they even had a concierge. Must have had a good time at LaCabana -- don't remember much! When we fly MIA to AUA or CUR, we pack in checked luggage a few frozen porterhouse steaks & 4 lbs of shrimp to throw on the barbie to share with other guests. Love the potlucks. Enjoy your next trips.