An 8-Day Adventure-Filled Winter Escape to Aruba (With Teens)
Day 1 – Escaping Winter & Settling In
Winters in upstate New York are… long. Gray skies stretch from October into April, and by February, the cold feels endless. They make me miserable. They make The Hubs miserable. Even The Middle and The Baby grow restless under layers of blankets and winter gloom. By February break, our sun-starved souls were desperate for light.
Stepping off the plane in Aruba felt like opening a door into summer. Warm air wrapped around us, a soft breeze carried salt and sunscreen, and my shoulders dropped for the first time in months. No wonder they call it One Happy Island; the mood shifted instantly.
Travel has a way of jolting you out of routine, and that first rush of warmth felt like permission to set winter — and everything heavy it carries — aside.
We rented an AirBnB in Noord, a quiet area away from the hotel strip. Our house had laundry, plenty of space, and best of all, a private pool shimmering under the palms. The Eldest couldn’t join us this time, but we kept a room ready just in case.
Aruba is only 21 miles long, so driving is easy once you adjust to the roundabouts. Having a car meant freedom: freedom to chase hidden beaches, linger at restaurants, and start each day on our own terms.
✦ Pro tip: skip the chaos of Super Food Plaza. It’s always packed, and you’ll leave with only half your list. Instead, head to Ling & Son’s: organized, well-stocked, and quiet. It became our go-to for groceries and tropical fruit.
Day 2 – Lighthouse Hike, Deep-Sea Fishing & Euchre Nights
While the kids slept in, The Hubs and I laced up for a walk near California Lighthouse. The Westpunt Trail curved along the rocky northern shore, volcanic stone crunching underfoot as waves slammed into the cliffs. The morning sun painted the water turquoise, and seabirds wheeled overhead. It felt like the island was stretching awake with us.
There’s something grounding about starting the day before the kids stir—like a reminder that even on family trips, it’s okay to claim a little space for yourself.
That afternoon we joined The Hooker Charters for deep-sea fishing. The Middle had requested it, eager to test his luck. The Baby and I strapped on Relief Bands (motion sickness is not our friend), and to our surprise, they worked. We didn’t reel in dinner, but snorkeling was its own feast: sunlight slicing through blue water, fish flashing below, salt spray on our faces.
We’d planned to bring our catch to Hadicurari, a pier restaurant that cooks up your fish. With empty hands and hungry stomachs, we pivoted to Smokey Joe’s, where casual comfort food was exactly what we needed.
Evenings often ended with a family ritual: Euchre and movies back at the house. The clink of cards, the laughter at bad hands, the glow of a screen under island night—it anchored our days as much as any adventure. I even had my first loner hand (though I never got to play it).
Day 3 – Eagle Beach & Jet Skis
The next afternoon brought us to Eagle Beach, home of Aruba’s iconic divi-divi trees. Their branches curve southwest, sculpted by constant trade winds. The sand was soft as flour, warm against our feet, and the water gleamed like glass.
We rented jet skis from Julio’s Watersports, and I let The Middle drive. Teenage confidence at the helm was equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. The motor roared, salt spray drenched us, and I clung so tightly my arms ached for days. Everyone else called it the highlight of the trip. Even my cautious self felt a thrill as the wind tangled my hair and the horizon drew closer.
It struck me then how quickly our kids are outpacing us—not just in strength or daring, but in the way they lead the adventure now. Traveling with teens means letting go a little, and sometimes hanging on for dear life.
Day 4 – UTV Adventures & Dutch Eats
This day was all about adrenaline. We joined an afternoon UTV tour rattling across Aruba’s rugged east coast. Dust rose as we bumped along rocky trails past Alto Vista Chapel, Baby Bridge, Bushiribana Ruins, Natural Bridge, Shark Bay, Andicuri Beach, Ayo Rock Formation, and the Cave Natural Pool, where cliff jumpers hurled themselves into turquoise water.
In hindsight, we’d rent a UTV for the whole day next time. Driving at our own pace would have meant more time to linger, to swim, or just stop for a cold drink. For anyone planning it: bring swimsuits, water, snacks, and wear closed-toe shoes. UTVs can’t enter Arikok National Park, but you can park at Daimari Beach and hike to Conchi Natural Pool.
Dinner that night was at Cafe 080, a small Dutch restaurant. Coconut shrimp arrived crispy and sweet, chicken schnitzel golden and comforting. The kids looked wary — it wasn’t exactly burgers and fries — but by the end, everyone was eating happily. By the time we left, the patio buzzed with music and laughter spilling into the street.
Day 5 – Poolside Cocktails
After days of nonstop adventure, we gave ourselves permission to do nothing. We lounged by our pool, cocktails in hand, sunlight glittering across the water. The kids splashed, laughter echoing through the courtyard. Sometimes travel memories aren’t about what you do, but how it feels to stop and breathe.
Those pauses remind me that trips don’t always need another checklist item; sometimes the best gift travel gives is space to just be together.
Day 6 – Flamingos, Waterslides & The Perfect Tacos
We swapped our quiet pool for the lively scene of De Palm Island. The day pass included snorkeling, banana boat rides, waterslides, and endless food and drinks. But what made it magical were the flamingos, strutting gracefully along the sand. We splurged on premium flamingo beach seating with cushioned loungers and a private bar. At one point, a flamingo wandered close enough I could trace the curve of its feathers.
That evening, we had our favorite meal of the trip: Lola Taqueria. We started with fresh guacamole and icy cocktails, then devoured tacos: Bang Bang Shrimp, Lobster, and Crunchy Octopus. The Middle, true to form, ordered a burger and declared it just as good. We ate with such enthusiasm I never thought to take photos—the surest sign of a perfect meal. Dessert was gelato from Gelatissimo Bus, a cheerful food-truck-style bus parked next door.
Day 7 – Arikok National Park, Parasailing & Sunset Dining
We packed our last full day with everything we could. First stop: Arikok National Park. At Dos Playa, The Hubs and The Middle tossed around a coconut football as waves crashed against the twin beaches. In the Fontein and Quadirikiri Caves, we found ancient drawings and shafts of light piercing the stone. In Quadirikiri’s second chamber, sunlight cut through a hole in the ceiling to form a glowing heart on the cave floor. Magical. Fontein, however, offered a less enchanting memory: the largest centipede I’ve ever seen. And yes, I shrieked.
That afternoon, we headed to Palm Beach for parasailing. The Hubs, The Middle, and The Baby soared high above the coastline, their laughter drifting down as I stayed on the boat, content to feel the spray and watch them float like kites against the sky.
We had dinner at MooMba Beach Bar. It’s located right on Palm Beach, with plenty of seating and an extensive menu. I was excited to try the steak Pincho (a Spanish kebab) and the passion-filled mojito - neither was disappointing.
Our farewell dinner was at MooMba Beach Bar, right on the sand. My steak Pincho arrived skewered and sizzling, paired with a passion-fruit mojito that was equal parts sweet and tart. As the sun slipped beneath the horizon, waves rolled in rhythm with the music from the bar, and I felt that bittersweet mix of gratitude and reluctance that always comes with a last night.
Day 8 – Departure & Reflections
Leaving Aruba came with one final detail: U.S. Customs is cleared on the island, so allow at least three hours before departure.
As we buckled into our flight, I thought back over the week. From jet skis to flamingos to tacos too good for photos, every moment stitched itself into our family story. We arrived weary from winter and left sun-warmed, salt-soaked, and full—of food, of laughter, of memories.
More than anything, the trip reminded me how travel stretches time. A week away can feel like months when it’s packed with firsts, laughter, and a break from routine.
It also reminded me how quickly these years with teens are flying. They may tease us, outpace us, or terrify us at the wheel of a jet ski, but these shared adventures are the glue holding our family story together.
No wonder we left calling it what the locals do: One Happy Island.
I hope this inspires you to travel, to eat, and to join me as I continue sharing my journey through seven continents and infinite foods.
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If You Go – Quick Itinerary
Day 1
house pool/dinner
Day 2
Westpunt trail
Smokey Joe’s (takes reservations)
Day 3
Eagle Beach
Jet skis - Julio’s Watersports
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Lola Taqueria (takes reservations)
Day 7
MooMba Beach Bar (takes reservations)
**I would highly recommend that you make reservations in advance when available. I always book scheduled activities and typically make dinner reservations in advance. I’ve indicated with a parenthetical any restaurants that take reservations.