Seven Days in Paradise
There’s something magical about direct flights—they make decisions easy. When you find out that the only Saturday departures from Dallas to Aruba exist, suddenly a week-long tropical escape isn’t just possible, it’s meant to be. That’s how we ended up booking our family trip to Aruba, and it turned out to be the perfect amount of time to unwind, make memories, and discover what makes this island so special for families.
Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions
We landed on a Saturday night. Our initial flight was delayed a few times, but we still were able to arrives in Aruba at dusk. We got our rental car as the sun was setting and made our way to our condo. With 3 families, we decided a condo stay tha we booked through AirBnb was the best option. I couldn’t have been more happy with this choice. Even though we booked through Airbnb, this condo was apart of the Divi Golf Resort so we had access to all resort amenities. We were able to use the resort pools, restauarants, and gym. Our particular condo backed up to one of the holes on the golf course. It was a ground level condo with no one but a golf course behind us. I couldn’t have asked for better.
Day 2: The Perfect Family Beach Formula
On day 1 the dads took the kids to the beach closest to our condo (walking distances) and the moms made quick trip to the grocery store. We met up with the dads and kids at Divi Beach the first day. This was a small beach, but direct access from the hotel. We spend the afternoon at the hotel pool which had a water slide for the kids and swim up bar for the parents.
Pro tip: Aruba doesn’t use plastic bags, so bring an extra bag from home. We went to Super Foods Plaza. Honestly, it felt like HEB but with a higher price. SO many people! If you can find a smaller grocery, I would do that the second time around.
For dinner, we ventured down to Palm Beach and stumbled upon a hidden gem: a Hilton restaurant on a back patio that overlooked the ocean at sunset. No reservations needed, family-friendly, and absolutely worth the short drive. There was basically no on else on the patio and we were able to get beautiful photos of the kids on the beach at sunset.
Day 3: One Day on the Water is Non-Negotiable
With seven kids, we knew a full-day boat tour would be exhausting. A morning excursion? Perfect. We found a boat company offering brunch service and an open bar—practical, easy, and the kids loved it. We hit the shipwreck and Tres Trapi for snorkeling, where the water was clear enough to see actual sea life.
Back at the hotel pool by afternoon, everyone was satisfied and happy. That rhythm—active morning, rest in the afternoon—became our secret weapon for the entire week.
Day 4: De Palm Island—The All-Inclusive Game Changer
De Palm Island is billed as a full-day, all-inclusive experience, and it absolutely delivers. After driving to Port De Palm ferry terminal and parking for free, we took a shuttle to the island and arrived at 9:30 AM for check-in.
Here’s the thing: with a large group of kids, the private cabana is not optional—it’s essential. Ours was spacious enough to fit everyone, and it had something unexpected: direct access to the island’s flamingos. The kids were mesmerized. Even better, the cabana had a private staircase down into the water leading to a roped-off snorkel spot. No navigating crowds, no safety concerns.
The buffet and made-to-order grill meant we could eat whenever the kids were hungry, and the all-inclusive model meant we weren’t nickel-and-diming ourselves throughout the day. All-inclusive resorts and islands exist for exactly this reason: to let families relax. Our group would hands-down say this was the best day. The private cabana is 100% worth the price, especially with a big group.
Day 5: Exploring South Side
Day 5 started with a exploration of Oranjestad. We hit downtown shops, grabbed lunch at Lucy’s, and yes, spent $8 on tropical drinks for the kids served in fun glasses. Worth it? Absolutely. The kids felt like they were living the vacation dream.
In the afternoon we spent a couple of hours at Eagle Beach. This beach is different from Divi —wider, sandier, but with noticeably bigger waves. The beach wasn’t crowded, which meant plenty of space to spread out. The bigger waves meant more activity and energy expenditure, and by evening, everyone was happily tired.
Moms Night Out! With 3 families we decided it was easiest for the moms to have a night out, and then the dads to have night out. That way the kids can still keep their regular bedttime routine. We decided on Barefoot Restaurant. Slide your sandals off, and feel the sand between your toes. The timing was perfect and the sunset was beautiful.
Day 6: Hike and the Best Fruit Bowl Ever
We starting our morning with a hike up Hooiberg Mountain. Totally doable with kids. I would recommend starting early so it is not too hot. 600 stetps up, 600 steps down. We brought a 5y/o, 6y/o, & 8y/o and they all did great. Worth the view at the top!
Next stop: Arashi Beach on the island’s north end. The water here was dramatically calmer than Eagle Beach. You could walk out impossibly far before it got deep. A beach bar right there meant we could grab lunch and stay longer without logistics concerns.
We also snuck in more Palm Beach exploration, this time for Eduardo’s fruit smoothie bowls (highly recommended) and a stop at Aruba Aloe. The store looks like it only sells aloe, but don’t be fooled—they have a full skincare line that makes great gifts and souvenirs that actually feel useful.
The guys got their night: a 7:30 dinner at Daniel’s Steakhouse, followed by a trip across the street for some light gambling. Everyone got their “mom time,” “dad time,” and “family time” on this trip.
Day 7: The North Side Adventure
Friday morning started with us traveling down to Baby Beach on the south tip of the island. This was somewhat of a drive from our condo — about 45 minutes. Worth if, if you think about how far away from home we were. This beach is a nestled in a crescent-shaped lagoon.
Get there early. Seriously. I had some of the best snorkeling of the entire week here. Big, beautiful fish without having to swim far from shore. The beach bar for lunch hit the spot. It’s the kind of beach that works equally well for snorkelers and families building sandcastles.
Back at the condo mid-afternoon for a recharge, then dinner at Faro Blanco—the lighthouse restaurant. The setting is nearly too picturesque to be real, but it works. You can see almost the entire coastline of the island from the restaurant patio. We finished our trip with family and group photos right in front of the lighthouse.
Day 8: The Departure (..the saddest day)
You can arrive at Aruba airport three hours early, which gave us plenty of buffer time. An important note if you’re traveling light: if you don’t have a checked bag, you don’t have to go through the separate building for US departures. You can head straight to the gates—a surprisingly smart time-saver.
Expect your passport to be checked multiple times before you reach your gate. It’s thorough but quick, so keep it easily accessible.
We took advantage of the Priority Pass lounges available in the airport. The app technically says kids under 12 aren’t allowed, but we got ours in without a single question—a nice perk for families navigating travel days. The lounge isn’t huge, but free food is free food! And the entire airport was packed.
The Aruba Family Travel Takeaway
Aruba is so perfect because it combines ease with enough variety to keep a week interesting. The beaches are accessible, restaurants are family-friendly, activities range from completely relaxed to genuinely adventurous, and nothing feels rushed or overcomplicated. Rent a car and you can explore almost every inch of the island within the week.
The fact that direct Saturday flights from Dallas make the destination so easy to reach probably helped us relax even more. There’s something about a direct flight that reduces travel friction—no connections to stress about, no tight layovers, no worrying about kids sleeping through connections.
If you’re planning a family vacation where you want to mix beach days with light adventure, where you can balance downtime with new experiences, and where seven kids (or five, or two) can all genuinely enjoy themselves, Aruba is the answer.
Book that Saturday flight. Pack an extra reusable bag for shopping. Splurge on the private cabana at De Palm Island. Get up early for the sunrise hike. Let the adults take their own nights out.
Your Aruba family memories are waiting.
