{"id":14867,"date":"2023-04-25T22:21:21","date_gmt":"2023-04-25T22:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nohurrytogethome.com\/?p=14867"},"modified":"2024-01-05T01:01:14","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T01:01:14","slug":"curacao-vs-aruba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nohurrytogethome.com\/curacao-vs-aruba\/","title":{"rendered":"Curacao vs Aruba: Which Island is Better?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On the fence between Curacao vs Aruba? This post will help you decide which island is better for you!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re reading this post, chances are you’re struggling on making a decision: Should you travel to Aruba or Curacao?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aruba is a great island!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As part of the ABC islands and Dutch territory in the Caribbean, both islands seem pretty similar at first glance, but there are key differences that will help you decide on whether to visit Curacao<\/a> vs Aruba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After my recent trip to both islands, I concluded that Curacao and Aruba are both wonderful destinations to visit, but they are noticeably different from one another in terms of landscapes, culture, activities, and even their overall atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For that reason, I decided to put together a post on the differences between Curacao vs Aruba so you can make a better decision on which island fits you best!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where are Curacao and Aruba located?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both islands are located in the southern part of the Caribbean close to the coast of Venezuela. Curacao lies only about 50 miles away from Aruba, so they’re pretty close to one another!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being a part of the ABC islands and a part of the Dutch Caribbean, both islands are extremely unique compared to other destinations in the Caribbean in the sense that their culture, heritage, and overall vibes are very different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Flamingos on a beach in Aruba<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What are the similarities between Curacao and Aruba?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Both Curacao and Aruba are Dutch territories, so they have a very similar culture and heritage. Moreover, they both feature turquoise waters, beautiful beaches, and colorful buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The natural landscapes in both islands are pretty similar as well – they’re pretty dry, have lots of cacti, and both feature a few mountains here and there. Both islands have beautiful beaches and bright turquoise waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What’s the difference between Curacao vs Aruba?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though both islands are pretty similar in essence, there are some key differences I found during my trip to both islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one, Curacao feels a lot more cultural in comparison to Aruba. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most tours you’ll find in Aruba revolve around water activities, nature, and casinos, while Curacao puts a lot more focus on its food, heritage, arts, wellness activities, and nature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aruba also feels more “Americanized” while Curacao feels more authentic in the sense that it sticks to its Dutch and Caribbean roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another key difference between both islands is their beaches! Aruba’s beaches are longer, wider, and feature soft white sand, while Curacao’s beaches while beaches in Curacao are typically smaller, rockier, and hidden away in coves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Size is also a difference. Curacao is almost twice the size of Aruba, making it a bit more time-consuming to explore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Is there a ferry between Aruba and Curacao?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, there is no ferry between Aruba and Curacao. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only way to get from one island to the other independently is by plane. Aruba Airlines operates daily flights between Curacao and Aruba in the morning, afternoon, and evening and it takes only about 30 minutes each way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which island is better?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, between Curacao vs Aruba, which island is better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no simple answer to this question and it completely depends on your interests, travel style, and several other factors. Let’s dive a little deeper into every aspect of your trip so you can come up with the answer yourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curacao vs Aruba<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

✈️ Getting there |<\/strong> Tie<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Getting to both Aruba and Curacao is easy and straightforward as there are direct flights from most major cities in the United States to both islands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will also find direct flights from several European cities and Latin American countries like Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

🚗 Getting around |<\/strong> Aruba wins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At just 70 square miles, Aruba is a pretty small island that can be covered easily. You can drive from north to south in less than an hour and from east to west in 20 minutes or less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curacao is bigger than Aruba and its streets are more confusing. Moreover, I found the roads in Aruba a lot better than those in Curacao. Most of them are paved and looked after, whereas some parts of Curacao’s highways needed a lot of maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In both islands, renting a car is recommended if you want to have the ease to get around independently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taxis are very expensive and public transportation is sporadic. Taking a Jeep tour<\/a> is another option if you don’t want to worry about driving or figuring out how to get from A to B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

🎟 Things to do |<\/strong> Tie<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both islands offer a plethora of activities and things to do, so this one completely depends on your interests!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"curacao<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Curacao’s activities revolve around beach time, snorkeling, nature, culture, and arts. Some of the best things to do include beach hopping, hiking, visiting the many museums scattered around Willemstad, checking out art galleries, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aruba has plenty of things to do as well, but they feel a lot more touristy in comparison to Curacao. Lounging at the beach is huge here, but if you want to do other things, activities include exploring Arikok National Park, checking out caves, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aruba is also home to the world-famous flamingo beach<\/a>, which is part of a private island where you can find flamingos<\/a> that don’t shy away from humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"curacao<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For a full list of the best things to do in Aruba and Curacao, please refer to these posts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n