The Right Destination

Aruba: a Caribbean Paradise for Families with Children and Teens

With its white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a variety of activities, this Caribbean island offers a superb experience for all ages.

By Caroline Sundfeld

Bon Bini to Aruba! Welcome to the “Happy Island,” a Caribbean paradise that caters perfectly to families with children and teenagers. With its stunning white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and warm climate all year round, Aruba truly is a dream destination for fun-filled family vacations.

Aruba offers a wide variety of activities and attractions that will keep both kids and adults entertained. Whether you’re exploring the colorful underwater world during a snorkeling adventure, embarking on an exciting off-road safari, or simply building sandcastles on the beach, there’s something for everyone in this tropical paradise.

The island also boasts a range of family-friendly resorts and hotels, with kids’ clubs, pools, and supervised activities, ensuring that parents have relaxation time while the little ones have fun. Furthermore, being outside the hurricane belt, Aruba’s safety and cleanliness make it an ideal destination for families.

So pack your bags and get ready to create unforgettable family memories in Aruba. This gem of the “Dutch Caribbean” (together with Bonaire and Curaçao forming the ABC islands, which were colonized by the Dutch) has everything for families seeking the perfect vacation destination.

Top attractions and activities for families in Aruba

Aruba offers a wide variety of attractions and activities for families, ensuring that everyone can enjoy special moments together. One of the island’s main attractions is Arikok National Park, where visitors can explore trails, caves like Quadirikiri Cave, and even a natural pool. It’s a great opportunity for children to learn about the local flora and fauna and even catch sight of Aruba’s famous iguanas. For an even more thrilling experience, how about a jeep or horseback ride through the desert or an exciting off-road safari with teenagers?

Another popular activity in Aruba is sailing on a catamaran or even on the Atlantis submarine, which allows families to observe marine life without having to dive. It’s an exciting experience for children and a way to appreciate the beauty of the ocean together. Just can’t be claustrophobic, because the space is small.

For families who enjoy adrenaline, Aruba offers the opportunity to practice water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding, as well as snorkeling in crystal-clear waters to see fish and turtles. These activities are suitable for teenagers and older children and provide a unique experience of family fun and adventure. The waters are truly very transparent, and even those who stay on the boat can see the bottom.

It’s worth taking a stroll in the colorful capital of Oranjestad to see colorful houses with Dutch architecture (remnants of colonization), taste typical dishes in restaurants, visit shops, and shop Duty Free, as Aruba is a duty-free zone and the import tax is zero. Many cruises make stops in Aruba, both for its beaches and for the Duty Free shopping.

Duty-Free shops in the capital Oranjestad, featuring buildings inspired by Dutch colonization

Best Beaches for Families with Children and Teens

Aruba is famous for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, and some of them are particularly suitable for families with children and teens. One of the most popular beaches for families is Eagle Beach, known for its stretch of soft sand and calm waters. It’s a perfect spot for kids to play in the sand and for parents to relax under the palm trees.

Another recommended beach for families is Palm Beach, where many family resorts and hotels are located. The beach is bustling and lively, with various water sports options and activities for kids, such as banana boat rides and floating trampolines. It’s a great choice for families looking to have a wide range of activities at their disposal.

For families seeking a quieter and more secluded beach, Baby Beach is an excellent choice. This beach with calm and shallow waters is perfect for young children (as its name suggests) and offers a relaxing experience for the whole family.

Photo 1: Traditional tree of Aruba: Divi Divi at Eagle Beach / Photo 2: Palm Beach in front of the resorts

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Resorts and Family Accommodations in Aruba

Aruba offers a wide variety of resorts and accommodations geared towards families, ensuring that everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Many of the resorts feature entertainment programs for children, kids’ clubs, and supervised activities, allowing parents to enjoy moments of tranquility while the little ones have fun.

One of the most popular family resorts in Aruba is the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino on Eagle Beach. In addition to offering a wide variety of activities for all ages, the resort boasts a private beach, several pools (including with huge water slides), and kid-friendly dining options.

Another excellent option is located on the beach next door in Palm Beach, the Embassy Suites By Hilton Aruba Resort, which also offers a variety of activities for children and teenagers, including a playground and bike rentals for a ride to the pier or along the hotels.

If you prefer a quieter and more private option or for large families, a good choice is apartments with balconies and family suites, ensuring that everyone has their own space and comfort during their stay.

Photo 1: Kite flying in Palm Beach, in the hotel zone / Photo 2: Chairs at the water’s edge in Palm Beach

Aruba is truly a Caribbean paradise for families with children and teenagers. With its stunning beaches, exciting activities, and family-friendly accommodations, Aruba offers a unique experience for everyone. The safety and cleanliness of the island make it even more appealing for families seeking a peaceful and enjoyable vacation destination.

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How to get there?

There are no direct flights to Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA); different airlines flying there make stopovers in different capitals: Copa Airlines (Panama), Avianca (Bogotá), Latam (Lima).

Brazilians do not require a visa but the International Certificate against yellow fever is required.

As Aruba is outside the hurricane belt, it can be visited all year round.

Visit Aruba: (website in Portuguese) www.visitaruba.com

Travel agencies Viajar com Crianças e Viajar com Adolescentes can help create a customized itinerary for your family.