Aruba with Kids: Family Travel Tips From an Infant & Child Sleep Expert
If you are dreaming about a warm-weather escape that actually feels doable with kids, Aruba could be a great option!
We just got back from spending spring break there with our four kids, and it checked so many boxes for a smooth, genuinely enjoyable family vacation – or should I say “trip”? Anyone who has traveled with kids knows that time away from home doesn’t always equal relaxation… but it does mean new memories and quality time together. And at this stage of life, that’s exactly what I’m aiming for.
Here’s everything I’d recommend if you’re planning your own Aruba family vacation.
Why Aruba Is a Great Fit for Families
One of the biggest wins with Aruba is how easy it is to get to, especially from the East Coast. We flew directly out of JFK, and at under five hours, the flight felt very manageable—even with kids.
Another huge bonus for my fellow East Coasters: Aruba is on Atlantic Standard Time, which means there’s never more than a one-hour time difference. When we traveled in April, there wasn’t any time zone difference at all, making the transition incredibly smooth for everyone.
Aruba is also incredibly consistent when it comes to weather. You don’t have to stress about bursts of weather derailing your plans, and that predictability makes packing straightforward (although I will never call packing for 6 easy).
The island itself is compact, safe, and easy to navigate.
Once you’re there, everything feels accessible. Whether you’re heading to the beach, going out to dinner, or just moving around your resort. That simplicity goes a long way when you’re traveling as a family.
Where to Stay with Kids in Aruba
Where you stay can make or break a trip with kids—and for Aruba, I strongly recommend looking into a villa-style setup if you can.
We stayed at Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club in a two-bedroom villa on Palm Beach, and it worked incredibly well for our family. Having separate sleeping spaces, a living area, and access to a kitchen made it so much easier to maintain routines while still enjoying vacation.
When you’re booking accommodations for a family trip to Aruba, here’s what I’d prioritize:
Enough space for separate sleep areas (especially if you have multiple kids)
Blackout-friendly rooms (or the ability to create darkness)
Room for a Pack ‘n Play or crib
Access to a kitchen or kitchenette for easy breakfasts and snacks
Washer and dryer in the room (or accessible in your hotel) which helps with the fun that comes with sandy, wet bathing suits!
Standard hotel rooms can absolutely work, but having that extra space gives you flexibility, especially when younger kids still need naps or early bedtimes.
Sleep Setup: What to Bring and What to Request
Travel sleep doesn’t have to be complicated, I kept it simple this trip because I knew the hotel had a crib and black out shades.
For this trip, we packed:
Two portable white noise machines
Sleep sack for my youngest
One bedtime book
A comfort item for each child
If you’ve read my travel sleep content before, you know I’m a big believer in recreating your child’s sleep environment as closely as possible. Even in a brand new place like Aruba, those familiar cues help signal that it’s time to sleep
How to Handle the Time Zone Shift
Aruba runs on Atlantic Standard Time, which is just one hour ahead of Eastern Time during the winter, and the same time zone during the summer (after daylight savings time). Having such a small time difference is a huge win for families!
For most families, I recommend not overthinking it. A one-hour difference is typically easy to absorb.
You can either:
Shift your schedule slightly to match local time, or
Let things adjust naturally over the first day or two
With such a minimal time change, most kids do just fine without a full adjustment plan. And honestly, with all the excitement and newness of travel, your schedule is naturally going to shift a bit anyway.
TIP: If you’re dealing with a bigger time zone change, our blog How to Travel Across Time Zones is here to help!
Planning Around Naps and Bedtime
One of the biggest questions I get about traveling with kids is: “Do we stick to the schedule or let it go?” The answer is both. On this trip, we kept a general rhythm to our days:
On this trip, we kept a general rhythm to our days:
Breakfast in the room
A morning activity – pickle ball was a favorite this trip
Pool time, which included daily Bingo at the resort
For lunch, most times we went back to the room but one day we did order lunch poolside.
Midday nap or quiet time for our youngest (back at the villa or occasionally on the go)
Late afternoon pool time
Dinner and gelato (of course!)
Into bed usually by 9pm
This approach gave us structure without feeling rigid.
I always remind families: consistency at home earns you flexibility on vacation. If your child has a strong sleep foundation, you can bend the rules a bit and still have a great trip.
Beach Days Without Blowing Up the Schedule
Beach days in Aruba are a given! Our resort had easy access to the beach making a quick dip an option at any point during the day.
A few things that worked well for us:
Setting up shade early – the beaches are public in Aruba but you can reserve a palapa to ensure you have a designated shade area.
Bringing lots of snacks and activities so we weren’t running back and forth to the room
Sunscreen, hats and rashguards are a non-negotiable (bonus if you help your younger siblings apply theirs)
Palm Beach, where we stayed, was especially family-friendly. Calm water, easy access, and plenty of space to settle in for the day. We also spent a day with some friends at Eagle Beach, which was beautiful and a bit less crowded.
Dining Out with Kids in Aruba
We were pleasantly surprised by how easy dining out with kids was in Aruba. Restaurants are very family-friendly, and many are used to accommodating younger diners.
We leaned into early dinners, which helped us enjoy meals without pushing bedtime too late. It also ensured we could enjoy nice restaurants with the kids before prime time dinner service!
Some of our favorite spots included:
Malmok Bar & Grill for a relaxed, easy dinner
CAYA House for a slightly more elevated night out
Atardi for a special beachfront experience
GAIA House of Grill for Easter dinner
Agrigento for Italian at the Aruba Racquet Club
BLT Steak at The Ritz-Carlton for a classic steakhouse option
Madame Janette for a fun, lively atmosphere
I’ll be honest, these were not romantic late night dinners. Each of these reservations were made at a kid-friendly 6 p.m. but compromises must be made, and this allowed us to keep bedtime on track!
Getting Back on Track When You Come Home
Even with a relatively easy time change, it’s completely normal for kids to need a few days to readjust once you’re home.
I typically recommend:
Returning to your normal routine right away
Offering an earlier bedtime for the first few nights
Expecting about 3 to 5 days for full adjustment
The good news is that if your child has strong sleep habits going into the trip, they’ll bounce back quickly.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for a big family trip like Aruba, is never easy. Inevitably there is always a moment when I’m surrounded by clothes, packing four individual suitcases and thinking “it would be easier to stay home”. And it probably would be.
But the more you do it, the easier it gets! With a little preparation and intention, plus realistic expectation, travel with kids is a rewarding experience. The memories you make on vacation last a lifetime.
And as always, if you’re here because sleep has gone of the rails, book a complimentary consultation call and my team and I will help get you back on track!
Meg O'Leary is an Infant and Child Sleep Expert and the founder of A Restful Night. Based in Westchester County, NY, she leads a team of certified sleep coaches to provide virtual support to families across the US and around the world.
