5 of the Best Things to Do in Aruba on Your Family Vacation
The sunny island of Aruba often ranks in the top of a list of Caribbean vacation destinations. But just what is it that keeps families wanting to come to the island? This list of the best things to do in Aruba shows the island has a little something for everyone.
Known for its beautiful beaches and great weather, Aruba is a top family vacation destination for sure. And it was a place our family had wanted to visit for a long time. So, we were thrilled to be able to explore the country known as “one happy island”.
We couldn’t wait to log lots of beach hours and time in the clear waters off the island.
And it turns out, that is one of the best things to do in Aruba.
But there are also some fantastic things to do other than enjoying beach time..
In fact, we found Aruba to be all that we expected. Mixed with a few things that surprised us. And intertwined, as always, with the people and nature that define it.
Here are our 5 favorite things to do in Aruba that we hope you might enjoy in a visit there too.
Enjoy the Most Popular Thing to Do in Aruba - Explore the Sun, Sand, and Surf
Aruba’s climate and landscape make it a perfect fit for family beach days. In fact, it’s almost hard to find a day that’s not a great day to hang out on the beach.
The beautiful beaches of Aruba are what most travelers have come to the island to see. With year-round daytime temperatures in the 80s, it’s no wonder why.
Aruba also only gets about 15 inches of rainfall a year, making it the driest island amongst the approximately 700 islands in the Caribbean. So finding a nice, dry day to enjoy the white sand beaches and ocean water activities is certainly easy.
The ocean water off the coast of Aruba is also warm enough to enjoy all year. Temperatures are a comfortable 79 to 84 degrees throughout the year.
Aruba boasts a beach for every kind of traveler to enjoy. Options range from popular, easy to get to spots to less crowded stretches of sand.
Palm Beach is located steps away from your room if you’re staying in the hotel district. Boca Prins, in contrast, requires a 4WD vehicle to access but offers views of nature without buildings nearby. And Savaneta Beach is, in many ways, somewhere in the middle. It will require an easy 30-drive, but has fewer crowds and access to some amenities not far away.
Not sure which beach in Aruba is right for you? Check out PlanetWare’s list of the 11 best beaches in Aruba.
Explore the Island of Aruba on a UTV or ATV
Exploring Aruba on an all terrain or utility vehicle helps you see the varied “personalities” of the island. You’ll see some neighborhoods, visit pristine beaches and traverse the more rugged side of Aruba.
UTVs and ATVs are permitted in many parts of Aruba. And exploring on one is definitely one of the best things to do Aruba
We did a UTV tour, which included stops at places off the beaten path and rides on paved roads.
Our tour, and many of the ones offered in Aruba, included stops at 5 places. We saw the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, Natural Bridge, California Lighthouse, Andicuri Beach, and Boca Cave Pool.
Some tours include other stops at places like the Breathing Rocks, Eyes of God, Tres Trapi Beach, and BlackStone Beach.
And if you’re already familiar with the island, renting a UTV or ATV on your own is a great option. ATV riding with just your own group is a fun alternative to a group tour. Several companies like Jeans Rentals Aruba and Ruff Riders offer rentals without requiring you to sign up for a tour.
Wether you take a tour or go on your own, you’ll want to take along a few essentials for your ride. Be sure to bring:
Water shoes or sneakers that can get wet
Swimsuits and towels
A camera or phone to take pictures
Water or other non-alcoholic beverages
A driver’s license and extra cash for souvenirs and snacks.
Learn About Aruba’s Local Wildlife
It’s not just the people and places of Aruba that are a part of the island’s story. The plants and animals that inhabit the unique desert landscape are also an integral part of this small country.
You don’t need to go far to enjoy this favorite thing to do Aruba. Lizards, exotic birds, tropical plants and other native vegetation and animals are visible all around you.
My kids loved seeing the iguanas and lizards crawling around our resort. We spotted gorgeous birds on many walks. And we noticed the plant life that is unique to the area, especially the desert cacti.
If you really want to learn about nature in Aruba, several places offer an opportunity to do that. And learning about aloe is a great place to start. Aloe is plentiful on the island and one of the country’s main exports.
You can get up close and personal with the healing powers of aloe at the Aruba Aloe Factory Museum and Store. There you’ll find aloe products for sale as well as have an opportunity to take a tour of the factory. And yes, my fellow history lovers, you can learn about the history of aloe.
Visitors can also explore animal wildlife beyond the beaches and in the wild in Aruba. To do that, check out De Palm Island or the Butterfly Farm. De Palm Island offers a chance to see flamingos, fish, and enjoy the beach. The Butterfly Farm is a fun place to see not just butterflies, but also flowers, tress, a waterfall and ponds.
Snorkel The Waters Off of the Aruban Coast
Snorkeling is sure to make the list when looking for things to do in Aruba. The island is a great spot for trying this popular tropical destination activity.
Snorkeling in Aruba is a great option for things to do in Aruba. Guests can enjoy the ocean and see the abundant plant and animal wildlife in their natural habitat.
And some avid snorkels even say Aruba is among the best spots to snorkel in the entire Caribbean. The clear waters and often calm currents offer great views and comfortable conditions. (Even the most seasick prone in our family did just fine!)
Colorful fish, coral, turtles, and other sea life can be found while exploring the waters of Aruba. Visitors can rent or bring equipment to venture out on their own or book a group snorkeling trip.
To adventure on your own, check out Aruba.com’s list of Aruba’s top snorkeling beaches. You’ll find the perfect spot for whatever kind of snorkeling you’re looking for. And you’ll be able to snorkel right from a beach of your choice.
If snorkeling from a catamaran sounds like just your style, check out visitaruba.com or talk to the concierge at your hotel. Both can provide a list of sail and snorkel cruises.
Group trips can be done in 1/2 a day as most of the top snorkeling spots are located fairly close to shore. Stops usually include reefs and shipwreck locations. And tours often include lunch and drinks.
Learn About the History of Aruba
The island has a fascinating history. And learning about the people and places that define the country was one of our favorite things to do in Aruba.
The first people known to have lived on the island were the Caiquetio Indians from what is now Venezuela. From about 2500 BC to 1000 AD, the Caiquetio survived in Aruba mainly by fishing and hunting. They later established villages and started growing a few vegetables.
The Caiquetio were on the island in 1499 when it was discovered by the Spanish. The Spanish began the colonization of Aruba (and the enslavement of many Caiquetio.)
And then in 1636, the Dutch took over the island. The island remains an autonomous country within the Netherlands Antilles to this day.
Aruba also has become an island that represents more than 92 nationalities. In some ways the country’s native language, Papiamento, is a lesson in it’s multicultural composition. It’s a combination of Spanish, English, French, Portuguese and Dutch.
To learn more about the history of Aruba, guests can visit the National Archaeological Museum of Aruba.
Or you can visit cave paintings and carvings created by the Caquetios. Fontein Cave in Arikok National Park and the Ayo Rock Formation both have paintings.
Other great spots to explore are the Natural Bridge, the California Lighthouse, and gold mine ruins to learn even more about the history of Aruba.
