There’s no doubt about it: The islands in the Caribbean region have some of the most beautiful beaches. Apart from often-talked-about destinations like Jamaica and the Bahamas, there are many other Caribbean destinations. If you’re weighing an Aruba vs. Turks and Caicos honeymoon, this is the ultimate comparative guide you need.
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Aruba
Aruba is part of the so-called ABC Islands, together with Bonaire and Curacao. It’s a Dutch island in the southern part of the Caribbean region and a territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Though it’s small in size, it has a lively atmosphere, especially after sunset. It also boasts excellent diving spots where you can encounter shipwrecks. This is the destination to visit if you want a tropical getaway that’s more than just lounging by the beach.
Turks and Caicos
If a more laid-back post-wedding holiday is what you envision, Turks and Caicos is the place for you. This archipelagic British Overseas Territory is situated in the western Caribbean Sea, southeast of the Bahamas.
Larger than Aruba, this group of 50 stunning islands boasts a more rustic feel. If you and your new spouse want to swim, go sunbathing, and be immersed in local culture, this tranquil haven has the best beaches that suit your preference.
Beaches
The Caribbean is on the bucket list of many wanderlusts primarily because of its pristine white sand beaches. Whether heading to Aruba or Turks and Caicos, you’ll enjoy a selection of gorgeous beaches.
Aruba
Aruba has a wealth of beautiful coastal gems. If you want to soak up the sun, swim, or stroll along a stretch of pristine coastline, visit Eagle Beach. Palm Beach has you covered if you seek watersports and thrilling aquatic adventures (e.g., windsurfing). It also boasts a lively seaside scene, courtesy of the beach bars that dot the area.
Down the south, Baby Beach offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. This is the beach to hit if you want to swim with sea turtles and explore vibrant reefs. You can also hop on a boat from Aruba and head to De Palm Island. Here, you won’t only be greeted by picture-perfect coastal views, but you’ll also see friendly flamingos.
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos generally has brighter white-sand beaches. Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales (also called Provo, one of the most popular inhabited islands of the archipelago) is the epitome of its tropical beauty.
Grace Bay, protected by an offshore coral reef, has sparkling turquoise waters and powdery sand. Thanks to its calm nature, it’s perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunset-watching. If you want to go horseback riding by the beach, Long Bay Beach offers a fantastic backdrop. Many reputable businesses offer such tours, which make use of rescued ponies.
You can also find several secluded beaches as you explore the island of your choice here. The territory generally has quieter beaches you can enjoy if you want to relax with your loved one.
Excursions
From water adventures to on-land excursions, both Aruba and Turks and Caicos offer honeymooners plenty of activities to add to their itineraries.
Aruba
Aruba’s beaches are fantastic for scuba diving because of the shipwrecks found in its marine world. You can find the Jayne C and Antilla shipwrecks, the latter being the largest shipwreck dive in the Caribbean region.
Apart from hitting the beach, you can also go on an ATV tour at the Arikok National Park, which has rugged terrains and dramatic scenery and is also home to a magnificent natural pool. You can also explore the Casibari Rock Formations, visit the Natural Bridge, and enjoy a romantic dinner at the California Lighthouse (this structure is named after the ship that got Titanic’s distress signals).
In the capital city of Oranjestad, you can wander around historical landmarks and culturally significant places such as Fort Zoutman and Museo Historico Aruba. For a memorable day trip, visit the other gems in the ABC Islands: Bonaire and Curacao.
Turks and Caicos
The surrounding crystal clear water in Turks and Caicos is lauded for its colorful marine life. It’s a paradise for snorkeling enthusiasts because the territory has the second-biggest barrier reef system in the Earth’s Western Hemisphere. Apart from exploring coral reefs, you can also hop aboard a cruise ship departing from the only cruise port in the archipelago, the Grand Turk Cruise Center.
On Grand Turk, the capital island, you can visit the Turks & Caicos National Museum and Cockburn Town Lighthouse. Additionally, you can embark on an island-hopping adventure and explore some of Turks and Caicos’ best-kept secrets. You can meet friendly and exotic iguanas on Little Water Cay (a.k.a. Iguana Island).
Weather
Like many other Caribbean destinations, Aruba and Turks and Caicos Islands are generally fabulous year-round destinations. But when comparing the two, Aruba wins in terms of weather because it sits outside the hurricane belt — which means the hurricane season there is not as disruptive and frequent.
The best time to visit Aruba is from April to August, as the prices are low and the weather is excellent. Note that January to March is peak season, which drives the prices upward.
Turks and Caicos’ peak season is from December to March, while the hurricane and rainy season is from June to November. So if you want to get the best of both worlds (i.e., lower prices and better weather), head there anytime from April to May.
The temperature levels in Aruba vary from 74°F to 93°F. Meanwhile, Turks & Caicos see a temperature range of 73°F to 84°F.
Accessibility
Though Turks & Caicos is nearer to the US (especially Florida), you can find more daily flights from the US to Aruba. For your Aruban getaway, fly into Queen Beatrix International Airport in Oranjestad. Meanwhile, Providenciales International Airport is the main hub of Turks & Caicos.
To get around Aruba, you can rely on their public bus system, rent a car, or take a taxi. Note that the bus transport system is not as reliable in Turks and Caicos. You can rent a private vehicle in either location but remember that they observe left-hand-side driving in Turks and Caicos. Several resorts on both islands also offer shuttle services and airport transfers.
Accommodations
For your Caribbean vacation on Aruba or Turks and Caicos islands, you can find beachfront luxury resorts that will give you easy access to the coastline. Many of these properties offer excursions, including a trip to a private island. As these two destinations attract many tourists, many big brands have accommodations on both, including Ritz Carlton.
If you want a hassle-free experience, you can choose from the islands’ all-inclusive resorts. For a more private experience, choose an adults-only hotel or resort. You also have various options for budget-friendly stays: hostels, guesthouses, and rental properties. For a one-of-a-kind experience, each island has at least one resort/hotel that offers overwater lodging.
Food and Dining
Delight your palate with tasty cuisine, whether in Aruba or Turks and Caicos.
Aruba
Aruba’s culinary scene showcases the island’s rich cultural heritage. Their dishes reflect Dutch influences along with influences from the Caribbean, Spain, and South America. A must-try here is keshi yena (cheese ball stuffed with meat, typically chicken). If you and your loved one have a sweet tooth, check out pan bollo, which consists of pudding, ice cream, and rum.
Turks and Caicos
Aruba also has many seafood dishes, but Turks and Caicos is the island to be if you’re big seafood lovers, particularly conch. From conch fritters to conch salad, they have a variety of recipes here. Their lobster, snapper, crab, and lionfish are also must-eat dishes.
Beyond seafood, the archipelago also offers food from other Caribbean islands (for example, Jamaica’s jerk chicken). As for your beverage, the archipelago produces one kind of rum you must also try: Bambarra rum.
Nightlife
Aruba has a livelier nightlife than Turks and Caicos. Aruba’s Palm Beach, in particular, is the best place to be if you want to hit casinos and nightclubs.
On Turks and Caicos, Provo is the hub of its night scene, where you’ll find more beachside bars than nightclubs. So when you think of their life after sundown, think of relaxing bonfires by the beach.
Cost
Each tropical paradise is within reach for most couples. Aruba is generally a cheaper place to be than Turks and Caicos. Prepare a budget of $1,500 to $3,00 for a one-week stay in Aruba. If you’re heading to Turks and Caicos, be ready to shell out anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000.
Culture
Caribbean destinations are a great way to immerse yourselves in another culture.
Aruba
You can get a glimpse of Aruba’s past and taste its vibrant culture in various ways — from visiting aforementioned historical sites and marveling at Oranjestad’s classic Dutch architecture to watching live Caribbean dance and music shows and attending Carnival festivities. There are also historical and cultural walking tours for more in-depth learning about the island.
Turks and Caicos
The British landed on the archipelago’s shores in the 16th century, and Turks and Caicos has since been under their rule. Its culture mixes British, Caribbean, and North American influences.
Cultural landmarks include the National Museum, Sapodilla Hill Rock Carvings, and Grand Turk Salinas. Another interesting aspect of their culture is ripsaw music, whose major element is a sound produced by scraping a metal across a handsaw’s teeth.
Language
Residents of Aruba and Turks and Caicos speak English. However, the people of Aruba tend to be multi-lingual. Apart from English, they also speak Dutch, Papiamento, and Spanish. Turks and Caicos locals also speak Turks and Caicos Creole.
Safety
When contemplating an Aruba vs Turks and Caicos honeymoon, you must also consider safety for a richer honeymoon experience. Luckily, both islands are considered to be among the safest Caribbean islands. Practice general safety tips to avoid petty theft and scams.