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Ahhhhh…Aruba! I totally understand why people go back year after year. From relaxing on the world’s most beautiful beaches with white, powdery sand and crystal clear turquoise water to the adventure of the West Coast with it’s rugged terrain and wild, untamed Caribbean Sea. The landscape is like nothing I’ve experienced before, where the desert meets the sea. If you are looking for a family vacation, this may be your place. While traveling is always a priority, money can be tight. I’ll show you where you can scrimp in order to splurge on the family vacation to Aruba!

Getting There

I know this is a given but before even getting to Aruba, you will need to have passports for each traveler. If you already have passports, make sure they don’t expire before traveling. In addition to passports, you will also have to complete an ED card for each traveler within 7 days of traveling. Be sure to be on the official Aruba ED website as there are scams out there. Each ED card (one per traveler) will cost $20 per person. Once you complete the ED card online, you will receive email confirmation for each traveler with a green check mark. I recommend taking a screenshot of the confirmation email with checkmark as you will need to show this proof several times at the airport when disembarking to Aruba. You will fly into Oranjestad, Aruba.

Getting Around

Once you arrive in Aruba, it is very easy to catch a taxi to your resort as they are lined up outside of the airport. You will want to have Aruban Florin (Aruba’s currency) on you for the taxi ride and tip. Transportation is where we chose to save some money. Instead of taking a taxi to the resort and booking several tours throughout the week to explore the island, we decided to rent a car and explore on our own. We rented a car at the airport and I would highly recommend dong this. We didn’t reserve a car ahead, as this was more of a spontaneous decision, and it was very easy to do. We paid just over $200 for a 7 day car rental. This enabled us to explore the island without breaking the bank on different tours. Renting a car also allowed us to follow the lead of the kids if someone was hungry or needed a break.

Where to Stay

There are two main areas to stay in Aruba…the Palm Beach area and Eagle Beach Area. Palm Beach is considered the High Rise area. In all honestly, this term “high rise” initially didn’t meld with my vision of a Caribbean beach so we chose to stay in the Eagle Beach area. After exploring both areas, however, they are both incredible. Eagle beach is quieter and is one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Palm Beach area has many shops, restaurants and bars within walking distance from the resorts. Both areas are within a 10-15 minute drive of each other so you are able to easily explore both. If you are looking for the best resorts in Aruba, look no further! Although Aruba offers several all-inclusive resorts, I don’t think you need to do an all-inclusive. Aruba feels very safe to explore and leave the resort grounds. Additionally, the food options were incredible. Explore the island, try different types of food and save money!

1. La Cabana Beach Resort and Casino

This is where we stayed and absolutely loved it! Located across from Eagle Beach, this resort boasts 3 beautiful pools (a kid’s pool, an adults only pool and the main pool). Activities are planned all day long, and change on a daily basis so you never get bored. From water aerobics, dance lessons by the pool, pool bingo, live bands, happy hour, cookie decorating, crafts by the pool, aloe making…you honestly could spend all week without leaving the resort! There were days where we bounced back and forth from the beach to resort (all walking distance) and the kids didn’t want to leave (nor did we!)! La Cabana Resort & Casino exudes family. I was so impressed by the multi generations of families splashing by the pool. You get the feeling that families come back year after year during the same week as you can hear old friends reunite at the pool. We loved the bike path that stretched along the turquoise sea with water view restaurants all within walking distance. The cactus alongside palm trees is an anomaly that is breathtaking! The gelato shop by the pool and the Cinnabon Bakery in the lobby are the icing on the cake! Plus, the rooms have a kitchen so you can save lots of money by making your own breakfast or lunch.

👉 Check current rates and availability for this hotel here.

https://expedia.com/affiliates/oranjestad-hotels-la-cabana-beach-resort-casino.3iNKjN3

2. Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino

If you are looking to stay in the heart of Palm Beach, with walking access to the beach, restaurants, shopping and nightlife, this may be the resort for you! With multiple pools, daily activities, and a kids club, you’ll never get bored. Oh, and did I mention you are right on a white, powdery sand beach with palm leaf roofed palapas?

👉 I recommend booking early—this property often sells out in peak season.

https://expedia.com/affiliates/noord-hotels-aruba-marriott-resort-stellaris-casino.b15ywCB

3. Hyatt Regency Resort and Casino

If you are looking to stay in the Palm Beach area for walkable dining and nightlife, yet have the quiet tranquil luxury resort experience, the Hyatt Regency Resort and Casino may be for you! Home to “Casa Nona,” a fine dining Italian experience, this resort exudes tranquility and relaxation.

👉 View this hotel’s location and nearby attractions on the map.

https://expedia.com/affiliates/noord-hotels-hyatt-regency-aruba-resort-and-casino.K6oQ1Mr

Attractions to Visit

1. Arashi Beach: This was one of my favorite beaches. Located on the Northwest side of Aruba, this is the last stretch of beach on this side of the island. White sand meets gently rolling waves at Arashi beach, making the perfect setting to body surf for hours. I highly recommend packing snorkeling gear from home (you can buy inexpensive sets for about $25 from Amazon). We saw beautiful, colorful fish snorkeling here!

2. After heading to Arashi Beach, follow the road North for as long as you can travel by car. Just when you think the road has ended, you will get a glimpse of the wild ocean on the eastern side of the island! On your way, stop at the California Light House!

3. Casibari Rock Formations

This adventure was recommended by a local and I’m so glad we explored this area. This free attraction led us through the center of Aruba, where we traveled up a dirt road to the summit. Steps leading up various rock formations, with incredible views of the island led to hours of exploring. It’s windy up here so bring hair ties if you have long hair!

4. Bushiribana Ruins

Located on the Eastern side of the island, cactus and dry desert landscape set against the backdrop of the wild ocean was breathtaking. Explore the ruins, listen to the sounds of waves crashing, and view cliffs into the water. This free attraction is another must!!

5. After checking out the Ruins, head over to The Natural Cave Pool. The Ruins and Cave Pool are all in the same parking area. Bring water shoes as the terrain is sharp and jagged. There is a ladder built into the rock to climb down the rock and an area to jump into a Natural Cave pool, protected by rock set inside the thrashing ocean.

6. Natural Bridge: After visiting the Ruins and Natural Cave, follow the signs and travel the dirt road to the Natural Bridge. The scenery is stunning and a natural work of art for the family to see. This is another free landmark to visit!

7. Eagle Beach: This beach is listed amongst the world’s most beautiful beaches, and I can understand why! White sand, calm waters and palapas on the beach made this an ideal place to read a book, float in the water and watch the sunset. Eagle Beach was directly across from La Cabana Beach Resort, making this the beach we frequented daily. Buy a pool noodle and bring your own snorkeling gear to float along the tranquil water and watch the fish glide by. The kids never tired of this beach!

8. Tres Trapi Beach: This hidden gem is located on the side of the road and would easily be passed by if it didn’t come recommended by a local. Bring your snorkeling gear and a pool noodle as this beach is known for sea turtle sightings. Head over early in the morning for your best chance to spot a sea turtle. Bring water shoes as you will cross jagged terrain and climb down a set of stairs to reach the entrance to the water.

9. Baby Beach: This beach is located in Southern Aruba. We arrived in the late afternoon, around 4 pm to take a quick swim before finding a place for dinner. Let me tell you, what unexpected adventures we had! On the drive to Baby Beach, we saw wild donkey walking along the roadside. Not only were the kids so excited, so was I! Once in the water, we swam out towards the rope that signified the border of the swimming area. The water was on the shallow side (not over the kid’s heads). We brought our own snorkeling gear, and I’ll never forget the excitement as my son squealed, “sea turtle!” We ended up seeing 3 sea turtles in the one trip to baby beach and watched in admiration as they effortlessly swam in the waters around us. A core memory for sure!

10. Take an ATV tour of Arikok National Park

While we didn’t get to rent ATV’s on this trip as we were sticking to a budget, it is on our to do list for next time! Arikok National Park takes up quite a big part of the island, with many areas not assessable by car. Exploring the dirt roads through the desert while hearing the history and culture of the island would round out this trip!

Where to Eat

If you are looking to save money, begin your trip with a stop at Super Food Plaza in the Eagle Beach area. Stock up on groceries, coffee and snacks to save money. We had a kitchenette in our room at La Cabana, which made it easy to eat breakfast and make lunch at the resort. We then ate out for dinner, which saved on money. At the grocery store, I recommend buying the Dutch products as they were much cheaper, and delicious! As Aruba is a Dutch island, be sure to stop at the Stroopwafel counter, where they make made to order Stropwafels right in front of you! If you have never tried one of these delicious treats, they are a waffle style cookie sandwich smothered with gooey caramel inside. These are a perfect treat anytime but try laying a stroopwafel on the rim of a steaming cup of tea or coffee for the ultimate experience! For dinner, we explored different restaurants. The food was delicious and the different types of restaurants appealed to varying palettes. Check out our favorite restaurants for dinner:

1. Gianni’s Restaurant Aruba: This was everyone’s favorite restaurant. Located in the Palm Beach area, the open air of the restaurant allowed you to feel the breeze, hear the live harp music playing just outside, see the vintage gelato truck just outside of the restaurant and taste homemade pasta that tasted as if you stepped in Italy. Parmesan cheese wheels lined the inside of the restaurant, as seeing families get served directly from the cheese wheel was mouth watering. A water and light show choreographed to music is the perfect way to round off the night (oh, and gelato!).
2. West Deck: This casual dining on a wooden deck overlooking the calm, turquoise Caribbean Sea is the perfect way to experience local Dutch cuisine. Mama Jo was our waitress and led us through an experience of local cuisine that you would eat “if you walked into grandma’s house” on the island. Casual, cultural, and was a great learning experience for the whole family!
3. Casa Nona: This fine dining Italian restaurant was our splurge of the week. Located in the luxurious Hyatt resort on Palm Beach, the food melted in your mouth. Chicken Parmesan was a favorite amongst the kids and a creamy bruschetta appetizer rounded off this delicious meal. We chose to eat inside, however the outside patio is more our speed. Palm trees swaying, a fire lighting the center of the patio, and a harp performer rounded out the night!
4. Terrazza Italiana: This hotel was within walking distance along the sea from La Cabana Resort Eagle Beach. This restaurant, located on the rooftop, was a perfect spot to watch the sunset while eating dinner and listening to live acoustic music. The food was excellent and the vibe, relaxed. The music inspired some families to get up and dance with their children. This was a perfect family restaurant.
   

What to Pack

In addition to the regular packing items, I would recommend bringing a few non- traditional items:

1. Snorkeling Gear- You can buy inexpensive snorkeling gear on Amazon and pack it easily in your suitcase. Everyday, at the beach, we all pulled out our snorkeling set. We saw colorful fish, angel fish, sea turtles, coral and saved so much money versus scheduling a snorkeling tour.
2. Water Shoes: While the Western side of Aruba has calm waters and white, silky sand, the Eastern side is made up of rocky coastlines and volcanic lava formation that are jagged and sharp. Everyone needs a pair of water shoes.
3. Coral Reef safe sunscreen. You will go through loads of sunscreen as the temperatures are very hot and you’ll find yourself reapplying often. Sunscreen is much more expensive in Aruba so pack more than you think you’ll need (a bottle per person is about what we went through).
4. Pack a float from Amazon…you will not be disappointed! There is nothing like floating over the soft rolling waves of the Caribbean Sea. I also recommend joining the resorts Facebook page to see if anyone is leaving floats or pool noodles behind that you can pick up at your resort.
5. If you have long hair, pack hair ties as it was breezy (but beautiful) most days and nights.

Going Home

Seven days may not be enough as we were all sad to say goodbye to Aruba. In meeting families at the resort and hearing that this was their 35th year coming back, I understand why this family destination is a popular one and hope we will be one of those families that goes back year after year. Aruba was the perfect combination of relaxation, adventure, water, sunsets, live music…and gelato! The landscape was like nothing I’ve ever seen before…where palm trees dance next to cactus…where volcanic lava separates land from sea. Aruba is truly incredible and I hope you love it just as much as we did! On your way home, you will go through customs before boarding your plane. The traditional 2 hours arrival time before your flight is not enough here…3-4 hours before departure is recommended. We arrived 4 hours before and it was necessary as the lines weaved in and out of buildings, looping inside and then outside again. Make sure to plan accordingly. But most of all, have the best time ever!!

If you’re planning multiple international trips, you may also enjoy our Ireland family travel guide. Check out our travel guide at rollingtravelingstone.com.

Love Always,

Shannan🩷