OT: Aruba Family To Do Suggestions

[scarlet96]

Sorry for the OT, but again this board always comes up with good advice. I will be heading to Aruba shortly on a family vacation. In total there will be 6 adults and 7 kids ranging from 8-13.

I have been pre-kids and had a great time, but was looking for some recommendations for family excursions/restaurants things to do. A lot of things out there but never hurts to see if there is something out there someone really loved that I could be missing.

 

[Leonard23]

Sorry for the OT, but again this board always comes up with good advice. I will be heading to Aruba shortly on a family vacation. In total there will be 6 adults and 7 kids ranging from 8-13.

I have been pre-kids and had a great time, but was looking for some recommendations for family excursions/restaurants things to do. A lot of things out there but never hurts to see if there is something out there someone really loved that I could be missing.

Aruba is great. We mostly stay in the Palm Beach area. Our kids bounced around the Hyatt pools & beach/ocean most of the time, but we also rented wave runners & paddle boards, went on the sub to explore a sunken ship & snorkled. At night, the Palm Beach Plaza Mall usually has some music & a water light show. The kids were fine at Gianni's, Madame Jeanette's, El Gaucho, Papiamento & Gelatissimo. You can grab inexpensive food on the beach at Scott's Brats & checkout the Block R magnet on the fridge. There’s also a small hole in the wall pizzeria on the beach near the Holiday Inn which the kids liked for lunch sometimes.

 

[bwrlaw]

Great place to go. You did not say where you are staying, but the Island is very kid friendly. If the kids are old enough and want to snorkel, look up Aruba Bob. He does small groups on private tours. He provides hand held underwater blowers that held keep you moving in the right direction. Go on a Jeep tour,best way to see the island. We did the underwater sub, it was ok, but pricey. You could also rent the Black Pearl for the whole group to do a short cruise and snorkel. The guys that run it are great, the boat is small, drinks and snacks included. There are not too many bad restaurants. If you have a fridge, hit the market for breakfast and lunch supplies. Bring a cooler for drinks by the beach. Most importantly enjoy. Saw lots of RU pride on the Island July 4th week.

If anyone enjoys a cigar at the end of the day, buy a cuban if you must, but seek out Aruhiba Cigars. The Torpedo is one of the best I have had.

 

[scarlet96]

Great place to go. You did not say where you are staying, but the Island is very kid friendly. If the kids are old enough and want to snorkel, look up Aruba Bob. He does small groups on private tours. He provides hand held underwater blowers that held keep you moving in the right direction. Go on a Jeep tour,best way to see the island. We did the underwater sub, it was ok, but pricey. You could also rent the Black Pearl for the whole group to do a short cruise and snorkel. The guys that run it are great, the boat is small, drinks and snacks included. There are not too many bad restaurants. If you have a fridge, hit the market for breakfast and lunch supplies. Bring a cooler for drinks by the beach. Most importantly enjoy. Saw lots of RU pride on the Island July 4th week.

If anyone enjoys a cigar at the end of the day, buy a cuban if you must, but seek out Aruhiba Cigars. The Torpedo is one of the best I have had.

Staying at Divi resort. We did all inclusive do we wouldn't have to worry about breakfast, lunch and drinks during the day.

 

[PRH_RU]

We did the black pearl for our honey moon.

 

[bwrlaw]

Divi is great. That takes care of food. We stayed at the Marriott Surf Club 4th of July and did the Black Pearl for the first time. It was great. Aruba Bob's snorkel is also, in my opinion, is the only snorkel to do.

 

[phlop87]

second the post above to rent a jeep and drive to the wind side of the island. Great way to see the different scenes.

 

[herdof3]

Aruba is one place I would definitely recommend NOT doing an all-inclusive. I get why people do them at other islands but there are so many great restaurants to go to in Aruba and the island is safe and fun to explore. My co-worker went to the Divi for the all inclusive with her 10 year old earlier in the summer and said it was great.

With that said - Aruba is kid friendly. My oldest turned 20 this week and we have been going there since before he was born. My kids love going there - but they are beach, pool , reading type of kids - they don't need a lot of entertaining. Snorkeling is fun - we bring our own gear and drive just north of the high rise area and snorkel at Boca Catalina - it is one of the stops that most trips stop at anyway. I have heard nothing but great things about Aruba Bob but haven't tried him yet.

In addition to the water sports mentioned highly recommend Great Mabel ---- basically a giant inflatable lounge chair like float that holds 2 or 3 people and gets towed behind the boat - lt leaves from the pier by Riu I believe. It is much better than a banana boat ride and jet skiing (IMO) and not expensive. The 1st time we tried my daughter said that she had never heard me laugh like that! Not sure if that is included in your all-inclusive package.

Explore the island either on a tour or on your own. head out to the Caves and grab lunch or a drink at Boca Prins. Head out to the lighthouse/gold mine/fort/natural bridge area and roam around - it is a unique place. Baby Beach is popular but getting more touristy. DePalm Island is an all-inclusive water park type place with probably the best snorkeling I have seen on the island but it is a little over priced. I am sure the Divi will have numerous activities during the day. Sounds like you have a bunch of kids going - if they get along they will all entertain each other also.

Not sure how many restaurants you plan on hitting outside of the Divi. If you need advice on restaurants let me know.

this link has a ton of info about Aruba. http://www.ArubaKid.com

 

[RU-ROCS]

second the post above to rent a jeep and drive to the wind side of the island. Great way to see the different scenes.

I third it!

 

[Leonard23]

Aruba is one place I would definitely recommend NOT doing an all-inclusive. I get why people do them at other islands but there are so many great restaurants to go to in Aruba and the island is safe and fun to explore. My co-worker went to the Divi for the all inclusive with her 10 year old earlier in the summer and said it was great.

With that said - Aruba is kid friendly. My oldest turned 20 this week and we have been going there since before he was born. My kids love going there - but they are beach, pool , reading type of kids - they don't need a lot of entertaining. Snorkeling is fun - we bring our own gear and drive just north of the high rise area and snorkel at Boca Catalina - it is one of the stops that most trips stop at anyway. I have heard nothing but great things about Aruba Bob but haven't tried him yet.

In addition to the water sports mentioned highly recommend Great Mabel ---- basically a giant inflatable lounge chair like float that holds 2 or 3 people and gets towed behind the boat - lt leaves from the pier by Riu I believe. It is much better than a banana boat ride and jet skiing (IMO) and not expensive. The 1st time we tried my daughter said that she had never heard me laugh like that! Not sure if that is included in your all-inclusive package.

Explore the island either on a tour or on your own. head out to the Caves and grab lunch or a drink at Boca Prins. Head out to the lighthouse/gold mine/fort/natural bridge area and roam around - it is a unique place. Baby Beach is popular but getting more touristy. DePalm Island is an all-inclusive water park type place with probably the best snorkeling I have seen on the island but it is a little over priced. I am sure the Divi will have numerous activities during the day. Sounds like you have a bunch of kids going - if they get along they will all entertain each other also.

Not sure how many restaurants you plan on hitting outside of the Divi. If you need advice on restaurants let me know.

this link has a ton of info about Aruba. http://www.ArubaKid.com

We did some sort of 4 person raft/tube ride that's pulled by a speed boat that was a lot of fun.

 

[wheezer]

Aruba is one place I would definitely recommend NOT doing an all-inclusive. I get why people do them at other islands but there are so many great restaurants to go to in Aruba and the island is safe and fun to explore. My co-worker went to the Divi for the all inclusive with her 10 year old earlier in the summer and said it was great.

With that said - Aruba is kid friendly. My oldest turned 20 this week and we have been going there since before he was born. My kids love going there - but they are beach, pool , reading type of kids - they don't need a lot of entertaining. Snorkeling is fun - we bring our own gear and drive just north of the high rise area and snorkel at Boca Catalina - it is one of the stops that most trips stop at anyway. I have heard nothing but great things about Aruba Bob but haven't tried him yet.

In addition to the water sports mentioned highly recommend Great Mabel ---- basically a giant inflatable lounge chair like float that holds 2 or 3 people and gets towed behind the boat - lt leaves from the pier by Riu I believe. It is much better than a banana boat ride and jet skiing (IMO) and not expensive. The 1st time we tried my daughter said that she had never heard me laugh like that! Not sure if that is included in your all-inclusive package.

Explore the island either on a tour or on your own. head out to the Caves and grab lunch or a drink at Boca Prins. Head out to the lighthouse/gold mine/fort/natural bridge area and roam around - it is a unique place. Baby Beach is popular but getting more touristy. DePalm Island is an all-inclusive water park type place with probably the best snorkeling I have seen on the island but it is a little over priced. I am sure the Divi will have numerous activities during the day. Sounds like you have a bunch of kids going - if they get along they will all entertain each other also.

Not sure how many restaurants you plan on hitting outside of the Divi. If you need advice on restaurants let me know.

this link has a ton of info about Aruba. http://www.ArubaKid.com

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Agree..... Why do people jump at all inclusive so when you go o a new island for yourself.... There are at least a dozen, some mentioned already, great places to eat.... If an island or resort area is not safe outside the resort, I could understand

 

[Section124]

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Agree..... Why do people jump at all inclusive so when you go o a new island for yourself.... There are at least a dozen, some mentioned already, great places to eat.... If an island or resort area is not safe outside the resort, I could understand

Totally agree as well. Doing all inclusive is a waste in Aruba. So many good restaurants.

 

[scarlet96]

I wanted to report back that

Aruba is one place I would definitely recommend NOT doing an all-inclusive. I get why people do them at other islands but there are so many great restaurants to go to in Aruba and the island is safe and fun to explore. My co-worker went to the Divi for the all inclusive with her 10 year old earlier in the summer and said it was great.

With that said - Aruba is kid friendly. My oldest turned 20 this week and we have been going there since before he was born. My kids love going there - but they are beach, pool , reading type of kids - they don't need a lot of entertaining. Snorkeling is fun - we bring our own gear and drive just north of the high rise area and snorkel at Boca Catalina - it is one of the stops that most trips stop at anyway. I have heard nothing but great things about Aruba Bob but haven't tried him yet.

In addition to the water sports mentioned highly recommend Great Mabel ---- basically a giant inflatable lounge chair like float that holds 2 or 3 people and gets towed behind the boat - lt leaves from the pier by Riu I believe. It is much better than a banana boat ride and jet skiing (IMO) and not expensive. The 1st time we tried my daughter said that she had never heard me laugh like that! Not sure if that is included in your all-inclusive package.

Explore the island either on a tour or on your own. head out to the Caves and grab lunch or a drink at Boca Prins. Head out to the lighthouse/gold mine/fort/natural bridge area and roam around - it is a unique place. Baby Beach is popular but getting more touristy. DePalm Island is an all-inclusive water park type place with probably the best snorkeling I have seen on the island but it is a little over priced. I am sure the Divi will have numerous activities during the day. Sounds like you have a bunch of kids going - if they get along they will all entertain each other also.

Not sure how many restaurants you plan on hitting outside of the Divi. If you need advice on restaurants let me know.

this link has a ton of info about Aruba. http://www.ArubaKid.com

I wanted to report back. Some good advice here.


The Black Pearl recommendation was great, we were able to rent it out for ourselves – a group of 13. We did snorkel out by Boca Catalina – perhaps one of the smoothest snorkeling trips I have been on.


El Gaucho lived up to reputation and memory but I want to plug Flying Fishbone to anyone that goes. There was also a Block R siting at a place called Smokey Joe’s by the High Rise hotels – a big block R too! Unfortunately did not have a chance to eat there so can’t comment on the food.


Divi all-inclusive gets a big thumbs up too!


Ready for football season now!

 

[Rutgers1]

Staying at Divi resort. We did all inclusive do we wouldn't have to worry about breakfast, lunch and drinks during the day.

Awesome. Please update us after you return on how Divi is.