Aruba is probably most known for its variety of beaches. You and your family can enjoy such activities as sunbathing, sand-castle building or kite flying on one of the many types of beaches on the island. There are larger, busier beaches, such as Eagle Beach, located on the southwestern side of the island, or there are smaller beaches, such as Arashi Beach, on the northwestern side of Aruba and Baby Beach, near San Nicolas.
The hotel you stay at should offer a number of water activities that your family can enjoy. Most will offer catamaran tours that will have you traveling around the island, relaxing on deck and discovering the marine life that is found in the water. Your hotel should also be able to offer you snorkeling equipment that your family can use together on a beach nearby. Another popular activity for families is a visit to nearby De Palm Island, which has a water park and a 375-foot-long path below the surface of the water.
Aruba isn't just a place for enjoying the sand and surf; it can also be a place for your family to learn about local wildlife. At Palm Beach there is a butterfly farm that allows you to view the life cycle of butterflies from egg to caterpillar to butterfly. Guided tours are available. Along the road leading to the Natural Bridge is The Aruba Ostrich Farm, home to more than 80 of the native-Aruba birds. A tour will allow your family to learn about the natural behavior of ostriches and their survival techniques.
Aruba also has a number of different cultural activities your family can partake in. Aruba was once the world's largest aloe exporter, and you can learn about this history at the Aloe Museum and Factory near Paardenbai Bay. In the 19th century there was a gold rush in Aruba, and eventually more than 3 million lbs. of gold were produced from its gold mills located near on the northern coast, midway down the island. Your family can visit the remnants of one of these mills at Bushiribana Gold Mill or Balashi Gold Mill for self-guided tours.
