Post # 1
Member
4 posts
Wannabee
We live in California, so obviously Maui is much closer, but we love the idea of super clear, blue water, flamingo beaches, snorkeling, etc. in Aruba.
We will only be going for 4-5 days to one of these destinations.
We are getting married in October, so it’s hurricane season on most islands, which is why we are looking at Aruba instead of other islands.
We have been to the Bahamas 3 years ago and I have been to Oahu in the past.
Our main vacation will be next year to possibly Greece, Italy, and/or somewhere else in Europe: TBD later on!
Based on your vacation experiences, which do you prefer and WHY?
Post # 2
Member
356 posts
Helper bee
I’ve never been to Aruba, but I would go with Maui simply because of the travel time involved. If you only have 4 or 5 days, you don’t really want to spend a ton of time traveling. From CA, you can take a flight first thing in the morning and get there before noon and still have a full day of fun because the time zone is working in your favor. You can also take a red eye home and get a full day in that way. Maui is different enough than Oahu that it will feel like a new location for you.
Post # 3
Member
8387 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
how long would your flight to aruba be? If you are only going for 4-5 days, realistically travel is going to be 2 of those days. If maui is much closer you’ll get an extra half day of relaxation.
I lean towards maui because of that!
Post # 4
Member
9519 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
Mrs.MackenzieS : +1! It’s so easy to pop over to Hawaii from CA. And Maui is much different from Oahu (for the better!). I say this as a former Oahuan. 😝
Post # 5
Member
3986 posts
Honey bee
I wouldn’t risk the Caribbean during that time of year. Plus the flight will be so long only to be there for a few days.
Post # 6
Member
4523 posts
Honey bee
You will waste a full day in each direction to Aruba. I would go to Maui.
p.s. the snorkeling in Aruba is not great.
Post # 7
Member
459 posts
Helper bee
Aruba travel wasn’t bad from CA. Red eye to Atlanta and then 3 hrs in the morning. Flight home, we had all morning free. But yes, snorkeling sucked compared to Hawaii – but the water was calm near our resort and we floated in the ocean for hours.
Aruba and Maui are my two favorites so you can’t go wrong either way!
Post # 8
Member
5843 posts
Bee Keeper
I’ve been to both and I wasn’t impressed by Aruba
Why: long flight for an island that felt like any other island in the Caribbean, found the service in general substandard, windy as hell, water wasn’t that clear
Post # 9
Member
12 posts
Newbee
Hawaii/Maui is beautiful, and the great thing is that it’s both familiar (i.e. your phone charger works) and so different than the rest of the U.S. That’s my vote.
Post # 10
Member
1285 posts
Bumble bee
We went to Aruba on our honeymoon because the flight there was better for us (we live in MN) and because we got married in July and the weather is basically the same 24/7 year round in Aruba so we didn’t have to worry about storms or excessive heat.
So first off, I have never been to Hawaii so I can’t comment intelligently about it — obviously there’s been a lot of stuff in the news lately about what’s going on with the volcano stuff and flooding, though, so clearly you have to make sure you’re no where near that.
As for Aruba….pluses are that everyone speaks English, you don’t need different money, the island is small so getting from the airport to the resorts is quick. We also picked an upscale, adults-only boutique resort that was very nice (we stayed here: https://www.bucuti.com/). Downside, though, is that the resorts are close to the “hub ub” so they don’t have that exotic, remote feeling that I suspect you’ll get in Hawaii. Our hotel was literally across the street from a mall with a Subway and a dunken donuts, if that gives you some idea! Yet once we entered the resort, it felt completely different – white sand, blue ocean and sky, and didn’t see any of the shops or restaurants nearby. It really felt like different worlds on either side of the hotel, and inside the hotel, everthing was top-notch. There wasn’t a ton to do though, beyond lounging around. I feel like Hawaii has way more options for sightseeing. Aruba is also very windy — which does help keep you cool on a hot day, but is a little strange.
Post # 11
Member
849 posts
Busy bee
honeybunchesofroses : Because you’re in Cali and looking for a shorter trip, I definitely say Maui. I love Maui despite travel time, but you will spend half your vacation traveling if you go to Aruba. Maui is so very special and beautiful!
Post # 12
Member
329 posts
Helper bee
Maui. Ive been to both. Maui is by far more beautiful.
Dont get me wrong. The beaches in Aruba are to die for. But the island is mostly flat and desert. Its really a place for people to come and spend money.
We stayed at the Reinessance Hotel on Aruba. Thats the hotel that owns the island where flamingo and iguana beach is. You have to take a boat from inside the hotel to the island. If you arent a guest at the hotel then I heard its $100/person per day. Drinks and food are also not cheap when you get there.
Post # 13
Member
1464 posts
Bumble bee
Either of them is good for a mini-moon IMO. Our minimoon was to Florida so I can’t say from personal expeicnce if Aruba or Hawaii is better but they sound great either way! Great decision to be stuck on lol 🙂
Post # 14
Member
335 posts
Helper bee
I vote for the shorter flight! You might also want to think about Mexico – Cabo or the Riviera Maya.
Post # 15
Member
2490 posts
Buzzing bee
I’ve only been to Oahu, not Maui, but I have been to Aruba and it was probably my least favorite Caribbean island. The beaches are nice, but the rest of the island is flat, dry, and not very pretty. My vote is Maui.