Aruba with kids
Aruba With Kids: A Family Guide
One Happy Island is outside the hurricane belt, sunny almost every day, small enough to drive end to end in 45 minutes and set up for families from the ground up. Palm Beach has the big resorts and calm water. Eagle Beach is quieter with the famous Divi Divi trees. Baby Beach on the south tip is ankle deep for toddlers. Direct flights from most major US cities land in under five hours.
Aruba sits about 15 miles north of Venezuela and is one of the ABC islands alongside Bonaire and Curaçao. The island is 20 miles long and 6 miles wide. Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Oranjestad receives direct flights from New York, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Philadelphia and more. Most families land and are at their hotel in 20 minutes. Driving is on the right side of the road and roads are well maintained, though the north coast and Arikok National Park have unpaved sections where an SUV helps.
When to go
Aruba by season
- 1December through April
Peak season
The busiest and most expensive months. Temperatures around 28°C (82°F) with steady trade winds that keep things comfortable. Very little rain. Spring break and the Christmas holidays are the busiest weeks. Book resorts early for this window.
- 2May through August
Shoulder season
Slightly warmer but still dry. Trade winds ease a bit in September. Hotel prices drop 20 to 30 percent. Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, so summer travel is lower risk than most of the Caribbean.
- 3September through November
Value season
The warmest months with occasional brief showers. The lowest prices of the year. Aruba rarely gets hit by hurricanes but the surrounding sea can be rougher. Still a solid time for a family trip.
Where to go
What families do in Aruba
Snorkel Baby Beach, spend a day at De Palm Island with the waterpark and zip lines, explore Arikok National Park in a rented SUV, climb the California Lighthouse, feed donkeys at the sanctuary and let the kids run Eagle Beach until the sun goes down.
Eagle Beach, Baby Beach and Palm Beach
Eagle Beach has wide white sand, Divi Divi trees and fewer crowds than Palm Beach. Baby Beach on the south tip has calm, shallow water that barely reaches a toddler’s knees. Palm Beach is where the big resorts line up with loungers, watersports and restaurants right on the sand. Arashi Beach near the lighthouse is a quieter snorkel spot.
De Palm Island, Arikok and the Antilla wreck
De Palm Island is a private island five minutes by boat from Oranjestad with a waterpark, snorkeling, zip lines and an open bar. Arikok National Park covers 20 percent of the island with caves, hiking and a natural pool. Snorkel boats visit the Antilla, the largest wreck in the Caribbean, sitting in 60 feet of water off Malmok Beach.
Oranjestad, Butterfly Farm and the Donkey Sanctuary
Oranjestad has Fort Zoutman (the island’s oldest building), colorful Dutch colonial streets and a free trolley bus through downtown. The Butterfly Farm lets kids walk through a tropical garden with hundreds of species. The Donkey Sanctuary in Santa Cruz is free and kids can hand feed the donkeys with apples and carrots.
Where to sleep
Accommodation in Aruba
Most families stay on Palm Beach or Eagle Beach. Palm Beach has the big resort chains with kids’ clubs, pools and restaurants. Eagle Beach is quieter and better for families who want space. Vacation rentals work well in Savaneta and near Baby Beach for families who want a kitchen and lower prices.
| Option | Expect to pay | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| All-inclusive resort (Divi Aruba, Barcelo) | $400 to 900 per night | Families who want pools, kids’ clubs, dining and beach included in one price |
| Beach resort (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt) | $300 to 700 per night | Families who want a pool and beach with the flexibility to eat out |
| Aparthotel or condo (Eagle Beach area) | $200 to 450 per night | Families who want a kitchen, laundry and more space than a hotel room |
| Vacation rental (Savaneta, Baby Beach area) | $150 to 400 per night | Families who want local neighborhoods, cooking at home and lower nightly rates |
The Hilton Aruba has a family pool area and is right on Palm Beach. Divi Aruba All Inclusive is a good value all-inclusive with a kids’ pool. On Eagle Beach, Bucuti and Tara is adults only, but Amsterdam Manor is family friendly with suites and kitchenettes.
Getting around
How families get around Aruba
- Fly into Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA). Direct flights from New York (4.5 hours), Miami (3 hours), Atlanta, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Philadelphia and more
- Rent a car at the airport. A standard car covers most of the island. An SUV is better if you plan to explore Arikok National Park or the north coast
- Driving is on the right side of the road. Roads are well signed and distances are short
- Taxis are easy to find at hotels and the airport but add up fast. No ride-share apps operate on the island
- The free Oranjestad trolley runs through downtown and out to the cruise terminal
- Most Palm Beach and Eagle Beach resorts are walkable to restaurants and shops along the strip
Before you go
The practical stuff
Day trips
De Palm Island and the ABC islands
De Palm Island is the big day trip on Aruba. A five-minute boat from Oranjestad to a private island with a waterpark, snorkeling, zip lines and all-inclusive food and drinks. Full-day tickets are more practical than half-day. Bonaire is reachable by a short flight (about 30 minutes) and is the best diving and snorkeling island in the Caribbean. Curaçao is also a short flight and has more history, colorful architecture and family beaches in Mambo Beach and Playa Lagun.
“Aruba is the Caribbean island I send families to when they want a guarantee on the weather. It is outside the hurricane belt, sunny almost every day and small enough that you can hit a different beach every morning without spending half the day in the car. Palm Beach has everything you need if you never want to leave the resort strip. But rent a car for one day and drive to Baby Beach. Pack snorkel gear and a cooler. The water is knee deep for 50 yards and the snorkeling past the rocks is some of the best on the island.”
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Certified Family Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Former social studies teacher, mom of three, 60+ countries.
Thinking about Aruba with your family?
Resort or rental, Palm Beach or Eagle Beach, one island or all three ABCs. I can sort the logistics and find the right fit for your crew.
Quick answers
Do you need a passport for Aruba?
Yes. Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. US citizens need a valid passport. Children need their own passports. No visa is required for stays under 30 days.
Is Aruba safe for families?
Yes. Aruba is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. The tourist areas are well lit and well patrolled. Use common sense with valuables on the beach and lock your rental car at trailheads.
What is the best time to visit Aruba with kids?
Aruba is good year round because it sits outside the hurricane belt. December through April is peak season with the best weather and highest prices. May through August offers lower prices with similar weather. September through November is the warmest with occasional brief showers.
What currency does Aruba use?
The Aruban Florin (AWG) is the local currency, but US dollars are accepted almost everywhere. Credit cards work at hotels, restaurants and shops. ATMs dispense both florins and dollars.
Do you need a car in Aruba?
You do not need one if you are staying at a Palm Beach or Eagle Beach resort and plan to stick to the hotel strip. You do need one to reach Baby Beach, Arikok National Park, the north coast and the California Lighthouse area. An SUV is better for the unpaved roads in the national park.
Is the tap water safe to drink in Aruba?
Yes. Aruba has one of the best desalination plants in the Caribbean. The tap water is safe to drink throughout the island.
What language do they speak in Aruba?
The official languages are Dutch and Papiamento. English and Spanish are widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. You will have no trouble getting by in English.
Keep planning: Bonaire with kids, USVI with kids, Caribbean with kids, international travel with kids, step by step.
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Certified Family Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Adventures We Seek is my travel blog and planning resource. Trips are booked through Favorite Grampy Travels. Prices and availability last checked October 2026 and change often.
Family trip plans
Where are you taking the kids?
