My Husband and I have a two week timeshare at the Aruba Beach Club and we go every year. We are also going to St. Thomas for the first time in December. I will tell you that Aruba is an Arrid Island, but many wonderful things to do and many great place to eat. I love it there, so much we purchased two weeks right on the beach. We travel from California every June. If you want more info on Aruba go to www.aruba-bb.com it is a great bulletin board and you will get many of your questions answered. Some of the folks on there have been to many of the carribean Island and will be able to give you the plus and minuses for both. There are also trip reports and several other Aruba bulletin boards to ask your questions. I have yet to see any bulletin boards like that for any of the other island.

Well where ever you chose to go enjoy!

I realize that everybody is different and that what one person thinks is great.... the other thinks is mediocre. With that in mind, I'll give you my 2 cents.

I have been to both Aruba and USVI. I went to Aruba once in 1996. This November, I will be making my third trip to USVI. So obviously I love the USVI and prefer it over Aruba. Here is why:

You are absolutely correct! Aruba is Arid. An island of rock and desert. The hotel belt contains the only landscaped premises and the dirt and trees were transported there from mainlands elsewhere. We also found Aruba to be extremely expensive to eat and drink. Don't ge me wrong..... we enjoyed our trip..... but USVI is more lush, tropical, and much more reasonable to eat and drink.

Oh yeah..... almost forgot. The beaches are much better in USVI. White sand and crystal clear water. The visibility of the water in USVI is soooooo much clearer than in Aruba.