Aruba vs. Bonaire: Which Caribbean Island Is Right for You?

Have you ever looked at a map of the Caribbean? If so, you know just how many Caribbean destinations there are to explore. While travellers often choose to vacation in Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, the smaller island nations (*cough* Aruba and Bonaire *cough*) shouldn’t be overlooked.

But which one is right for you? Keep on reading to learn why you should visit Aruba vs. Bonaire — and vice versa! We’ve done an in-depth comparison of the two islands so you can plan your incredible beach getaway.

• Geography and climate
• Language
• Transportation
• Accommodations
• Beaches
• Attractions and nightlife
• Currency and affordability

Aruba and Bonaire are both a part of the Leeward Antilles, a chain of islands just off the northern coast of South America. Along with Curaçao, they’re among the most popular destinations in the Dutch Caribbean — and form what’s known as the ABC islands. Cute, right?

While each of the three ABC islands offers a distinct vacation experience (more on this later), their climates are super similar. With little annual rainfall, both Aruba and Bonaire are dry and desert-like. That said, they also benefit from cooling trade winds; temperatures sit comfortably between 28–32°C throughout most of the year, meaning there’s never a bad time to visit! The fact that Aruba and Bonaire sit outside the hurricane belt is another major draw.

Dutch is the official language of Aruba and Bonaire, but visitors may also hear Papiamentu (a creole language) and Spanish.

English, though not spoken fluently by everyone, is widely understood on both islands. This makes it relatively easy for you to navigate and communicate with people, but — as with every other destination — it’s helpful to learn a few common words and phrases in the local language before visiting.

It’s not too difficult to travel to these destinations. Aruba and Bonaire have international airports (Queen Beatrix International Airport and Bonaire International Airport, respectfully) that welcome flights from several cities in Canada and the US, including direct routes from Toronto, New York and Miami. Just keep in mind that you’ll have more itinerary options travelling to Aruba, since it’s larger, more touristed and situated closer to Venezuela.

Of course, flying isn’t the only way to get to this region of the world. Each island is also frequented by cruise ships — Aruba alone was visited by more than 817,000 passengers in 2023!

Once you’ve arrived in either Aruba or Bonaire, car rentals and taxis will be your primary modes of transportation; both destinations also have a reliable bus service that you can use. Even more fun, Bonaire is such a small island (just under 300km²) that it’s possible to get around by bike.

You’ll find all sorts of accommodation options on both Aruba and Bonaire, from all-inclusive resorts to boutique hotels and vacation rentals — but the quantity of each does vary depending on which island you’re on. While Aruba boasts a larger selection of high-rise hotels, Bonaire is known for its more modest properties and dive resorts.

Here are a few of our top picks:

• The Bellafonte: The studio apartments, suites and penthouses at this boutique hotel are equipped with air conditioning, private balconies and full kitchens, giving you a dreamy home away from home.
• Corallium Hotel & Villas: Drawn to the Dutch Caribbean islands for their bright and cheerful architecture? Look no further than Corallium Hotel & Villas. Its colourful accommodations are just begging for a spot on your Instagram feed.
• Harbour Village Beach Club: With an on-site water sports centre and dive shop, this resort is perfect for those who prefer to spend more time under the sea than they do on land.

Given that Aruba and Bonaire are in the Caribbean, it should come as no surprise that they’re chock full of great beaches. Whether you want to relax on the shore or try water sports like kitesurfing, you’ll have no shortage of options on either island.

Still, there are some key differences to keep in mind. While Aruba’s beaches are postcard-perfect, Bonaire’s coastline is rockier. That’s not to say you can’t find pristine shores on the latter — you’ll just find less of them (hidden-gem beaches for the win!).

Here are a few of our favourite beaches on each island:

• Boka Slagbaai: If you prefer a sandy beach, this isn’t the best option — but if you’re okay stepping on some rocks, this is a great place to cool off while exploring Slagbaai National Park.
• No Name Beach: Located on the small islet of Klein Bonaire (Little Bonaire), No Name Beach is only accessible by water taxi. In other words, it’s secluded, calm and idyllic.
• Te Amo Beach: In addition to being one of Bonaire’s most beautiful beaches, Te Amo has crystal-clear waters that allow for some fantastic snorkelling and diving. 

Aruba and Bonaire are quite different in terms of tourist attractions. So, before deciding which island you want to visit, think about the activities you’re interested in doing and the experiences you’d like to have.

If a more traditional all-inclusive beach vacation appeals to you, Aruba is the way to go. Here, you can spend your days relaxing at stunning beaches or a sparkling pool, visiting historic sites, exploring caves, immersing yourself in the local art scene and more. And then spend your nights out on the town. The island has some great luxury shopping malls, casinos and nightclubs.

Bonaire, on the other hand, has a quieter, laid-back vibe. Not only that, but it’s home to some of the world’s best snorkelling and most spectacular diving spots (for both shore diving and boat diving). Take the Bonaire National Marine Park, for example: this UNESCO World Heritage Site contains the least degraded coral reefs in the entire Caribbean Sea and is teeming with more than 350 varieties of tropical fish. For this reason, it’s a hit with nature lovers and outdoor adventurers.

The Caribbean is one of the world’s most diverse regions, so currency (along with culture, traditions and language) varies across each island. If you’re travelling to Aruba, make sure to bring some Aruban florin and US dollars with you. If you’re travelling to Bonaire, you’ll need to exchange your Canadian bills for either US dollars or euros.

In terms of affordability, Aruba and Bonaire can both be quite pricey — especially compared to sunny destinations like Mexico and the Dominican Republic, which are easier to get to and more popular with travellers. Aruba is more expensive than Bonaire for these same reasons. For those seeking a budget-friendly vacation, choose between the two islands carefully.

Aruba, Bonaire… Bonaire, Aruba. The scale doesn’t really tip in favour of either. Your choice comes down to what you like doing on vacation. Do you enjoy diving and immersing yourself in a destination’s natural beauty? Bonaire is calling! Prefer soaking up the sun at world-class beaches and resorts? Aruba will be more your speed.

Check out our current deals or, if you need a little more help choosing your island vacation spot, chat with one of our Travel Experts today.