Are you planning a tropical getaway and can’t decide between St Lucia and Aruba?
Both islands are popular destinations in the Caribbean, but they have different features and attractions that may suit your preferences and budget.
In this article, we will compare and contrast St Lucia and Aruba on various aspects, such as climate, beaches, activities, culture, cuisine, and cost.
By the end of this article, you will have a better idea of which island is better for you.
Climate
One of the main factors that you may consider when choosing a destination is the climate.
You want to enjoy the sun and avoid the rain as much as possible, right?
Well, both St Lucia and Aruba have tropical climates, but they differ in their rainfall patterns and temperatures.
St Lucia’s Climate
St Lucia has a wet season from June to November and a dry season from December to May.
The average temperature ranges from 23°C to 31°C throughout the year.
The island is located in the hurricane belt, which means it is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes during the wet season.
However, most hurricanes pass north of the island, so the impact is usually minimal.
Aruba’s Climate
Aruba has a semi-arid climate, meaning it receives very little yearly rainfall.
The average temperature ranges from 26°C to 32°C throughout the year.
The island is located outside the hurricane belt, which means it is rarely affected by tropical storms and hurricanes.
Aruba is known for its constant trade winds, which keep the island cool and breezy.
Climate Comparison
Based on the climate comparison, Aruba has an advantage over St Lucia if you prefer dry and sunny weather.
Aruba has less rainfall and more sunshine than St Lucia, which is also safer from hurricanes.
However, if you don’t mind some rain and humidity, St Lucia has a more lush and green landscape than Aruba, which may appeal to nature lovers.
Beaches
Another important factor you may consider when choosing a destination is the beaches.
You want to relax on the sand and swim in the clear water, right?
Well, both St Lucia and Aruba have stunning beaches, but they have different types and qualities of sand and water.
St Lucia’s Beaches
St Lucia has over 100 miles of coastline, with many beaches. The island has both black sand and white sand beaches, depending on the volcanic activity of the area.
The black sand beaches are more unique and exotic, but they can get very hot under the sun.
The white sand beaches are more common and cooler, but they can get crowded during peak seasons.
The water around St Lucia is generally turquoise and clear, but it can vary in depth and wave intensity depending on the location.
Aruba’s Beaches
Aruba has over 20 miles of coastline, with many beaches to choose from.
The island has only white sand beaches, which are soft and powdery.
The white sand beaches are very clean and well-maintained, but they can also get busy during peak seasons.
The water around Aruba is generally azure and calm, but it can vary in temperature and visibility depending on the location.
Beaches Comparison
Based on the beaches comparison, Aruba has an advantage over St Lucia if you prefer a white sand beach with calm water.
Aruba has more consistent and comfortable beaches than St Lucia, and it is also easier to access them from most hotels and resorts.
However, if you want to experience a black sand beach or a more diverse water environment, St Lucia has more variety and uniqueness than Aruba.
Activities
Another factor that you may consider when choosing a destination is the activities.
You want to have fun and explore the island, right?
Well, both St Lucia and Aruba have plenty of activities to offer, but they have different types and levels of adventure and excitement.
St Lucia’s Activities
St Lucia is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
The island has many natural attractions, such as the Pitons, which are two volcanic peaks that rise from the sea.
You can hike up to the top of the Pitons for a breathtaking view of the island or visit the Sulphur Springs, which are the world’s only drive-in volcano.
You can also explore the rainforest, which is home to many exotic plants and animals, such as hummingbirds, parrots, and monkeys.
You can zip-line through the trees, ride horseback, or take a guided tour.
If you prefer water activities, you can snorkel or scuba dive in the coral reefs, teeming with colorful fish and marine life.
You can also kayak, sail, or surf in the Caribbean Sea, which offers a range of water sports and experiences.
Aruba’s Activities
Aruba is a paradise for beach lovers and culture enthusiasts.
The island has many cultural attractions, such as the Oranjestad, the capital city of Aruba.
You can stroll through the streets and admire the Dutch colonial architecture, visit the museums and art galleries, or shop at the local markets and boutiques.
You can also explore the Arikok National Park, which covers almost 20% of the island.
You can see the ancient rock paintings, the natural bridges, and the caves scattered throughout the park.
You can also spot some of the native wildlife, such as iguanas, donkeys, and birds.
If you prefer water activities, you can snorkel or scuba dive in the Antilla Shipwreck, one of the Caribbean’s largest shipwrecks.
You can also windsurf, kite-surf, or parasail in the Atlantic Ocean, which offers a range of water sports and challenges.
Activities Comparison
Based on the activities comparison, St Lucia has an advantage over Aruba if you prefer a nature-based and adventurous vacation.
St Lucia has more diverse and thrilling activities than Aruba and offers a more scenic and lush environment.
However, if you want to experience a cultural and relaxing vacation, Aruba has more charming and laid-back activities than St Lucia, and it also offers a more sunny and breezy climate.
Culture
Another factor that you may consider when choosing a destination is the culture.
You want to learn about the history and traditions of the island, right?
Well, both St Lucia and Aruba have rich and diverse cultures, but they have different influences and expressions.
St Lucia’s Culture
St Lucia has a Creole culture, blending African, European, and Indian influences.
The island was colonized by the French and the British, who fought over it for centuries.
The island gained its independence in 1979, but it still retains some of its colonial heritage.
The official language of St Lucia is English, but most people also speak French Creole, a mixture of French and African languages.
The island has a vibrant and colorful art scene, which includes music, dance, literature, and crafts.
Some of the most popular forms of art are calypso, soca, reggae, zouk, and steel pan music, as well as carnival, which is a festive celebration that takes place every year in July.
Aruba’s Culture
Aruba has a Dutch culture, which is a blend of European, African, and Latin American influences.
The island was colonized by the Spanish and the Dutch, who still have a strong presence on the island.
The island is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but it has its own autonomy and constitution.
The official languages of Aruba are Dutch and Papiamento, a mixture of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and African languages.
The island has a lively and diverse art scene, which includes music, dance, theater, cinema, and museums.
Some of the most popular forms of art are tumba, merengue, salsa, bachata, and cumbia music, as well as bon bini festival, a weekly cultural show every Tuesday in Oranjestad.
Culture Comparison
Based on the culture comparison, St Lucia has an advantage over Aruba if you prefer a Creole culture with African and French influences.
St Lucia has more unique and exotic art forms than Aruba and offers a more historical and political perspective on the island.
However, if you want to experience a Dutch culture with European and Latin American influences, Aruba has more familiar and accessible art forms than St Lucia, and it also offers a more modern and cosmopolitan vibe on the island.
Cuisine
Another factor that you may consider when choosing a destination is the cuisine.
You want to taste the local flavors and specialties of the island, right?
Well, both St Lucia and Aruba have delicious and diverse cuisines, but they have different ingredients and dishes.
St Lucia’s Cuisine
St Lucia’s cuisine is influenced by its Creole culture, as well as its tropical climate and volcanic soil.
The island has many fresh fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, mangoes, papayas, pineapples, coconuts, yams, cassava, breadfruit, and dasheen.
The island also has many seafood dishes, such as fish stew, conch soup, lobster curry, saltfish, and green figs.
The island’s signature dish is green banana salad, made with boiled green bananas mixed with mayonnaise, onion, garlic, celery, parsley, salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
Aruba’s Cuisine
Aruba’s cuisine is influenced by its Dutch culture, as well as its proximity to Venezuela and Colombia.
The island has many imported foods from Europe and South America, such as cheese, ham, bread, pastries, chocolates, coffee, tea, rice, beans, corn, potatoes, pasta, noodles, sauces, spices, herbs, meats, poultry, eggs, milk, yogurt, ice cream, fruits, vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, candies, jams, honey, syrups, sauces, condiments, oils, vinegars, pickles, relishes, olives, capers, anchovies, sardines, tuna, salmon, shrimp, crab, lobster, squid, octopus, mussels, clams, oysters, scallops… (I won’t list them all).
The island also has many local dishes influenced by the native and African cuisines.
Some of the most popular dishes are keshi yena, which is a cheese stuffed with meat and vegetables; pastechi, which is a pastry filled with cheese or meat; arroz con pollo, which is rice with chicken and vegetables; and pan bati, which is a flatbread made with cornmeal.
Cuisine Comparison
Based on the cuisine comparison, St Lucia has an advantage over Aruba if you prefer Creole cuisine with tropical and volcanic ingredients.
St Lucia has more unique and exotic dishes than Aruba and offers a more spicy and flavorful taste.
However, if you want to experience Dutch cuisine with European and South American ingredients, Aruba has more familiar and accessible dishes than St Lucia, and it also offers a more mild and varied taste.
Cost
Another factor that you may consider when choosing a destination is the cost.
You want to get the best value for your money, right?
Well, both St Lucia and Aruba have different costs of living and traveling, depending on your budget and preferences.
St Lucia’s Cost
St Lucia is considered a moderately expensive destination in the Caribbean.
The island has a high standard of living, but it also has a high inflation rate and a weak currency.
The official currency of St Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), which is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 2.7 XCD = 1 USD.
However, most hotels and resorts accept US dollars as well as credit cards.
The average cost of a hotel room in St Lucia is $200 USD per night, but it can vary depending on the season and the location.
The average cost of a meal in St Lucia is $15 USD per person, but it can vary depending on the type and quality of the food.
The average cost of transportation in St Lucia is $10 USD per day, but it can vary depending on the mode and distance of travel.
Aruba’s Cost
Aruba is considered a very expensive destination in the Caribbean.
The island has a very high standard of living but a very high cost of living and a strong currency.
The official currency of Aruba is the Aruban florin (AWG), which is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 1.79 AWG = 1 USD.
However, most hotels and resorts accept US dollars and credit cards.
The average cost of a hotel room in Aruba is $300 USD per night, but it can vary depending on the season and the location.
The average meal cost in Aruba is $25 USD per person, but it can vary depending on the type and quality of the food.
The average cost of transportation in Aruba is $15 USD per day, but it can vary depending on the mode and distance of travel.
Cost Comparison
Based on the cost comparison, St Lucia has an advantage over Aruba if you prefer a moderately expensive destination with a high standard of living.
St Lucia has lower costs than Aruba for accommodation, food, and transportation, offering more value for your money.
However, if you want to experience a very expensive destination with a very high standard of living, Aruba has higher costs than St Lucia for accommodation, food, and transportation, but it also offers more luxury and comfort for your money.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both St Lucia and Aruba are beautiful islands in the Caribbean that have different features and attractions that may suit your preferences and budget.
St Lucia is better for you if you prefer:
- A wet and humid climate with lush and green landscape
- A black sand beach or a diverse water environment
- A nature-based and adventurous vacation
- A Creole cuisine with tropical and volcanic ingredients
- A moderately expensive destination with a high standard of living
Aruba is better for you if you prefer:
- A dry and sunny climate with constant trade winds
- A white sand beach with calm water
- A cultural and relaxing vacation
- A Dutch cuisine with European and South American ingredients
- A very expensive destination with a very high standard of living
We hope this article has helped you decide which island is better for you: St Lucia or Aruba?
Whichever one you choose, we wish you a wonderful trip!
Top 5 Quick Facts, Stats & Trends About Beaches in St Lucia and Aruba
1. Aruba has more white sand beaches than St Lucia
Aruba is famous for its iconic white sand beaches that contrast with the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The island has about 43 miles of coastline, and most of it is covered with soft white sand.
Some of the most popular beaches in Aruba are Baby Beach, Eagle Beach, Palm Beach and Malmok Beach. St Lucia, on the other hand, has fewer white sand beaches, and some of them are actually man-made.
The island has about 98 miles of coastline, but most of it is rocky or volcanic. Some of the best beaches in St Lucia are Jalousie Beach, Reduit Beach, Anse Chastanet Beach and Pigeon Island Beach.
Learn More Here: St Lucia vs Aruba: An Honest Comparison, The best beaches in St Lucia, St Lucia Vs Aruba (Which Is Better For Vacation)
2. St Lucia has clearer water than Aruba
St Lucia’s water is known for its clarity and visibility, which makes it ideal for snorkeling and diving. The island has a rich marine life and coral reefs that attract many underwater enthusiasts.
The water temperature ranges from 79°F to 84°F throughout the year, and the visibility can reach up to 100 feet. Aruba’s water is also clear and warm, but not as much as St Lucia’s.
The island has a lot of wind and waves that can affect the water quality and visibility. The water temperature ranges from 80°F to 84°F throughout the year, and the visibility can vary from 50 to 80 feet.
Learn More Here: The Clearest Water In The Caribbean: St Lucia, St Lucia Vs Aruba (Which Is Better For Vacation)
3. Aruba is outside of the hurricane belt, while St Lucia is not
Aruba is one of the few Caribbean islands that lies outside of the hurricane belt, which means that it is less likely to be affected by tropical storms and hurricanes.
The island enjoys a dry and sunny climate year-round, with an average temperature of 82°F and a rainfall of about 18 inches per year.
St Lucia, on the other hand, is within the hurricane belt, which means that it is more prone to experience bad weather during the hurricane season (June to November).
The island has a tropical and humid climate year-round, with an average temperature of 80°F and a rainfall of about 60 inches per year.
Learn More Here: St Lucia vs Aruba: An Honest Comparison, St Lucia Vs Aruba (Which Is Better For Vacation)
4. St Lucia has more natural attractions than Aruba
St Lucia is a volcanic island with a lush and mountainous landscape that offers many natural attractions for visitors to explore. The island has two iconic peaks called Gros Piton and Petit Piton that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and offer stunning views of the surroundings.
The island also has a drive-in volcano called Sulphur Springs where visitors can see bubbling mud pools and hot springs. Other natural attractions in St Lucia include waterfalls, rainforests, botanical gardens and wildlife reserves.
Aruba is a flat and arid island with a desert-like landscape that has fewer natural attractions than St Lucia.
The island has a natural bridge called Arikok National Park where visitors can see rock formations, caves and cacti. Other natural attractions in Aruba include flamingo beach, butterfly farm and donkey sanctuary.
Learn More Here: The best beaches in St Lucia, St Lucia vs Aruba: An Honest Comparison
5. Aruba has more nightlife options than St Lucia
Aruba is known for its lively nightlife scene that caters to different tastes and preferences. The island has many bars, clubs, casinos and restaurants that offer entertainment and fun until late at night.
Some of the most popular nightlife spots in Aruba are Palm Beach Plaza Mall, Gusto Night Club, Senor Frog’s Bar & Grill and Stellaris Casino. St Lucia is more laid-back and quiet when it comes to nightlife options.
The island has some bars, pubs and restaurants that offer live music and local cuisine, but they usually close early.
Some of the best nightlife spots in St Lucia are Gros Islet Street Party, The Lime Bar & Restaurant, The Coal Pot and Treasure Bay Casino.
Learn More Here: St Lucia vs Aruba: An Honest Comparison, St Lucia Vs Aruba (Which Is Better For Vacation)
