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Cancun and Aruba are two tourist destinations that have been around for some time and have become popular destinations for travelers all over the world. Both offer plenty of activities and excitement to engage anyone looking for a great vacation along the Caribbean Sea. In addition, they are both excellent places for great tropical weather, white sand beaches, and lots of entertainment.
However, they also have differences that inform travelers’ decisions on which of the two destinations to visit. If you are planning a vacation to the Caribbean region and are not sure whether to visit the Mexican city of Cancun or the desert island that is Aruba, this guide will help you decide.
Here is a Cancun Vs Aruba guide:
Cancun
- Cancun is a city on Mexico’s Caribbean coast that has been attracting visitors for decades.
- With over 50 miles of beaches, the coastal area around the city provides visitors with plenty of shorelines to enjoy.
- It’s mostly an all-inclusive destination and one that attracts an enormous range of tourists from around the world.
- What is Cancun known for? There are several reasons why Cancun is such an attractive tourist destination, including its warm weather and relaxed atmosphere, along with excellent food and drink options.
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Location
- Cancun’s location makes it an ideal vacation destination for people looking to escape from the cold winter weather or enjoy a vacation in sunny weather.
- The city is located on the Yucatán Peninsula, just north of the Gulf of Mexico and on the Caribbean Sea.
- It has a tropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters.
- It experiences an average annual temperature of 80 degrees.
- In addition, the Caribbean city receives between 8 and 11 hours of sun every day.
- This ideal weather makes it an all-year-round destination.
- Travelers can enjoy beach activities as well as other activities in favorable weather all day long.
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Hotels & Resorts
- Cancun resorts are renowned for their luxuriousness and well-chosen areas.
- This makes it perfect for travelers who want to enjoy themselves without thinking about how much they are spending.
- Cancun has everything from luxury hotels to budget holiday homes.
- You will find a wide range of hotels from two-star to five-star; the choice of hotel depends on your needs and taste.
- Compared to Aruba, Cancun has a wide range of more affordable hotels.
- All these hotels and homes are located close to the city’s main attractions giving you access to the best of Cancun.
- They also offer access to the beach and some of the most beautiful views of the Caribbean waters as well as the surrounding landscape.
- In addition, hotels in Cancun are suitable for couples as well as families with children. There’s something for everyone.
- Although some hotels are categorized as adults-only, families with children will also find hotels that accommodate children.
- Some of these hotels are such as Grand Hotel Cancún, Coral Level at Iberostar Selection Cancun, and Le Blanc Spa Resort All Inclusive Adults Only, among others.
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Food and Drinks
- When it comes to food, Cancun is famous for its diverse menus which include authentic Mexican dishes, international cuisine, and seafood.
- You can enjoy these foods in the comfort of your hotel by exploring its different restaurants.
- Alternatively, you can explore the city’s restaurants and see what’s on their menus.
- This way you will be able to indulge in both cutting-edge cuisines and traditional dishes.
- Food in Cancun is more affordable compared to Aruba.
- You will also find a wider variety of Caribbean cuisine in Cancun than in Aruba.
- In addition, in Cancun, you will find a wide variety of tropical cocktails and drinks as well as some other rare drinks only specific to the region.
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Beaches
- Mexico boasts over 5,800 miles worth of beaches and most of the country’s beautiful beaches are found in Cancun.
- The city is lined up with beautiful beaches that are characteristic of sugar-white sand as well as clean and clear waters.
- Even though most of the beaches are public, some hotels have managed to secure private sections of the beaches for guests who wish for privacy.
- If you prefer undeveloped beaches, Cancun may not be the best option for you.
- Most of its beaches have been well developed to an extent that makes most travellers describe the Caribbean city as having lost its tropical charm.
- This is especially due to the many hotels that continue to be developed along the city’s coastline to cater to the growing number of tourists.
- The beauty of Cancun’s beaches is that they are characteristic of white coral which doesn’t heat.
- This means that you can walk along the beach without burning your feet.
- Which is the most popular beach in Cancun? Playa Delfines, also known as El Mirador is undoubtedly the most beautiful and famous beach in Cancun.
- It is a public beach located in the Cancun Hotel Zone famous for being an undeveloped beach. There are no hotels, restaurants, or any structures built on it.
- Other famous beaches in Cancun are such as Puerto Morelos beach, Playa Maroma beach, and Isla Mujeres.
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Activities & Attractions
- From sugar-white beaches to ancient ruins, Cancun has a wide range of activities and attractions to offer.
- Its charming sandy white beaches with turquoise blue waters are some of the things that make this city popular among vacationers.
- But perhaps what makes it stand out are the ancient ruins, which are not found in Aruba.
- The city has an ancient history and is considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico.
- Which ancient ruins are found in Cancun?
People travel far and wide to explore the Mayan Ruins.
The ruins are found at various sites throughout Cancun and include temples, palaces, pyramids, and ball courts.
- All of these were used by the Maya people during ceremonies and games.
- The most famous site is Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can see some of the greatest examples of Maya architecture ever built on Earth today!
- Other activities and attractions you can enjoy in Cancun are a private Catamaran tour of Isla Mujeres, diving in the Mexican Caribbean, exploring pink lakes, jet skiing, parasailing, attending the Cirque du Soleil show, and the crystal caves.
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Costs
- In terms of costs, Cancun wins the battle of Cancun vs Aruba.
- You will spend less money on a vacation to Cancun compared to Aruba.
- Hotels and restaurants are also more affordable here as well as food and drinks.
- If you are planning on doing a little shopping, which is the norm while visiting new places, you are also likely to spend less money here than in Aruba.
- In addition, the cost of accessing various attraction sites and activities is lower.
- Generally, you can spend about $600 a week while staying in Cancun.
Transportation
- A Cancun vs Aruba guide is incomplete without looking at transportation. The best way to get around Cancun is by bus.
- It drives around the city on routes that connect you to different parts of the Cancun Hotel Zone.
- In general, you will spend anywhere between $1.45 and $10 to explore Cancun downtown and the Hotel Zone.
- If you prefer private transport, you can rent a car, which will certainly be more expensive than the bus.
- You can also rent a scooter or a motorbike if you are feeling more adventurous.
Aruba
- Officially known as the Country of Aruba, this island destination is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
- It is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean.
- With a population of 107,000 people and a land area of just over 69 square miles, Aruba is an incredibly small country.
- But its small size belies its importance as a tourist destination.
- What is Aruba known for?
The island’s beauty is undeniable – from white sandy beaches to lush tropical rainforests, Aruba has something for everyone.
- In addition, its Dutch-influenced architecture and culture are also a draw for travelers who want to experience authentic Caribbean hospitality.
- Aruba also offers fun activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, and much more!
- Here is a look at different factors that will guide you in making a decision about Cancun vs Aruba.
Location
- Aruba is located in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela.
- The island has warm tropical weather year-round.
- Temperature ranges from 77°F to 91°F on average, throughout the year.
- Its location and weather position it as an ideal destination for a vacation.
- Aruba’s location gives tourists access to all types of activities such as scuba diving, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking, and sailing.
- In addition, its location is suitable for dolphin-watching excursions.
- Thanks to its favorable weather, you can enjoy these activities every day, all year.
Hotels
- Aruba is renowned for its prestigious hotels which are mainly located along the beach.
- The island has a wide range of accommodations, from luxury resorts and five-star hotels to small guest houses and bed and breakfast options.
- However, the island’s top-end hotels can be pricey, with high tariffs on food, drinks, and services.
- This is due to the Island’s good location, which attracts tourists from all over the world.
- Aruba resorts are known with excellent facilities and a wide range of different accommodation types, as we always recommend checking the reviews on Tripadvisor or Booking before making a reservation.
- Some of these small luxury hotels have become popular with those wanting to enjoy a more relaxed holiday experience than found in the large, all inclusive hotels found throughout the Caribbean region.
- Here you will also find hotels that are suitable for both couples and families with children.
- Compared to Cancun, hotels in Aruba are certainly more expensive.
Food and Drinks
- If you love good food, you will certainly have a great time exploring the dining scene in Aruba.
- The island country offers food and drinks from all over the world.
With its own unique style, Aruba is a place where you can enjoy dishes from other continents while enjoying an authentic Caribbean atmosphere.
- You can find everything from local cuisine with fresh ingredients to international dishes with international influences.
- The island has an abundance of restaurants and bars that cater to tourists and locals alike.
- Food served in resorts is a bit pricier than outside.
- If you want to explore the food scene in Aruba without limitations, you are better off visiting eateries that are located outside the resorts.
- Here you will have a taste of both Caribbean dishes and international cuisines.
- Keshi Yena, Fried Plantain, and Cabrito Stoba are some of the most famous foods in Aruba.
- In addition to this, Aruba’s food scene is also famous for its American eateries.
Beaches
- Aruba has brilliant sugar-white beaches characteristic of pure alabaster sand and turquoise blue water.
- Unlike Cancun’s well-developed beaches, Aruba’s beaches have little to no human interference and are still in their beautiful natural state.
- There are no bars or clubs on the beach, so you can relax and enjoy the surroundings – including the wildlife that lives just offshore.
- Aruba’s beaches are a glimmering gem, a view to die for, and a place to enjoy life to its fullest.
- The Caribbean island has many natural wonders, from mountains and jungles to white-sand beaches and palm trees.
- This island is also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna that make it an ideal vacation spot for any traveler who wants to relax in paradise.
Activities & Attractions
- Aruba’s beaches are not only gorgeous but also offer some of the best diving in the Caribbean.
- With crystal clear waters and soft white sand, Aruba’s beaches are beautiful and tranquil.
- Aruba’s underwater world is a popular destination for divers from around the world.
- There are dozens of dive sites on both coasts of Aruba that offer beautiful coral reefs and abundant marine life for divers to explore underwater.
- Snorkelling is also another popular activity in Aruba because of its clear waters and numerous coral reefs.
- There are also some historical buildings on Aruba that date back to colonial times such as Fort Oranje and Fort Willem, both located on Boven Digoel Beach near Oranjestad.
- In addition, there are also several museums you can visit in Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba.
- One example is the National Museum of Aruba, which features artifacts from all over Aruba’s history including an exhibit on slavery in the Caribbean.
- It might not have ancient ruins like Cancun, but Aruba sure does have a lot of interesting activities and attractions to explore.
Costs
- Is Aruba more expensive than Cancun? Compared to Cancun Aruba is an expensive destination.
- You will spend about $1,800 in a week compared to Cancun where you can spend about $600 within the same amount of time.
- Restaurants, tours, and hotels are all expensive.
- This is because Aruba has a large number of tourists and many people depend on tourism for their livelihoods.
- However, if you plan your trip carefully you can still get a good deal without spending all your money.
Transportation
- Aruba is a small island, only about 33km long.
- You can explore its length within 25 to 30 minutes of driving.
- Just like Cancun, public transport is the most recommended way of transport in Aruba.
- It is provided by a public government transport company called Arubus.
- You can also hire a car, scooter, or motorbike.
- Alternatively, you can use the local taxi service or Uber.
Conclusion
- So, Cancun vs Aruba, which is the better vacation destination? There is no right answer to this question.
- The right answer depends on your needs as a traveler and what you want out of your vacation.
- In the end, it’s all about personal preference.
- Are you looking for the serenity of the ocean or a lively resort atmosphere? Both Cancun and Aruba are beautiful destinations.
- It’s up to you to take your preferred experience and put it into action!
We hope that the above guide will help make your decision easier.
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