Why a Rental Car Beats Taxis for Families
Aruba is compact, safe and easy to drive, which makes it one of the most family-friendly islands in the Caribbean once you have your own wheels. Nowhere is more than about 45 minutes away, the roads are well maintained, and having a car means your day runs on your children's schedule rather than a taxi dispatcher's.
The alternative gets expensive fast. Aruba has no ride-hailing apps, so every trip means booking a taxi in advance and waiting in the sun. A round trip from Palm Beach to Baby Beach for a family of four can run $80 or more, and that is just one outing. A rental car covers that same drive plus grocery runs, sunset trips and every spontaneous detour for the cost of fuel, with insurance and unlimited kilometres already included.
Best of all, once we fit your child seats they stay put for the whole trip. No wrestling them in and out of a different taxi every time, no forgetting them at a restaurant, just buckle up and go. Compare our full range on the fleet page or see current rates on the prices page.
Child & Booster Seats: $8/Day
Aruban law requires young children to travel in an appropriate car seat, and we make that simple. We rent clean, well-maintained child seats and booster seats for $8 per day each, fitted and safety-checked before you drive away. Tell us each child's age and rough weight when you book and we will bring the right type, whether that is a rear-facing infant seat, a forward-facing toddler seat or a booster for older kids.
Add-ons that make family trips easier:
- Child and booster seats, fitted and checked, from $8/day each
- Window sun-shades to keep the back seat cool on request
- Free airport pickup so seats are ready the moment you land
- Hotel delivery to any resort on the island
Prefer to bring your own seats? They fit our vehicles without issue. See everything we can add in car rental extras.
The Right Family Vehicle for Your Group
SUV: Families of 4-5
Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson
from $85/day
The sweet spot for most families. Room for two adults, two or three kids, a stroller and beach gear, with a higher seating position that makes unfamiliar roads far less stressful. Strong air conditioning handles Aruba's midday heat, and the raised ride copes easily with the rougher road out to Baby Beach.
View SUV OptionsMinivan: Big Families & Groups
Ford Tourneo, 8 seats
from $124/day
When you are travelling with grandparents, a larger family, or two families together, the 8-seat Ford Tourneo keeps everyone in one vehicle instead of splitting across taxis. Sliding doors make loading car seats and beach bags easy, and there is genuine luggage room behind the back row for a full day at the beach.
View Minivan OptionsNot sure which fits? Fleet starts from $46/day for economy cars, and every rental includes insurance, unlimited kilometres, free airport pickup and no hidden fees. Message us your group size and we will recommend the best match.
Aruba's Best Family-Safe Beaches
Baby Beach
Best for toddlersAt the far south-eastern tip near San Nicolas, Baby Beach is a shallow, horseshoe-shaped lagoon protected from the open sea. The water stays knee to waist deep a long way out, so little ones can paddle safely while you relax nearby. It is a 40-minute drive from Palm Beach, which is exactly why it stays calmer than the resort beaches.
Palm Beach
Best for facilitiesThe main resort strip, calm and gently sloping, with the widest range of family facilities on the island: restrooms, showers, loungers, watersports, and dozens of restaurants a short walk away. Ideal when you want an easy day with everything within reach and no long drive back for lunch or a nap.
Arashi Beach
Best for snorkellingA quieter, softer-sand beach on the north-western tip past Malmok. The water is clear and calm with good snorkelling close to shore, so older kids can spot fish without heading into deep water. Fewer vendors and crowds than Palm Beach make it a favourite for families who want a mellow half-day.
Mangel Halto
Best for older kidsA mangrove-fringed spot on the calm south coast with sheltered pools and one of the island's best shore-snorkelling reefs. The entry has some rock and the reef drops off, so it suits confident swimmers and older children rather than toddlers, but the calm water and marine life make it memorable.
Want the full guides? Read up on Baby Beach, Arashi Beach and Mangel Halto before you go.
Practical Tips for Family Days Out
Aruba's constant trade wind is wonderful, but it also masks how strong the sun is, so kids can burn without feeling hot. Plan the big beach sessions for the morning and late afternoon, and keep the middle of the day, roughly 12 to 3pm, for lunch, shade or a hotel nap. Pack high-factor sunscreen, reapply often, and bring hats and rash vests for the little ones.
Shade is the resource that runs out first. Palapas at popular beaches like Baby Beach and Arashi are claimed early, so either arrive before 10am or bring a pop-up beach tent in the boot, another reason the extra space of an SUV or minivan pays off. Always travel with plenty of water and snacks, since the quieter beaches have few or no shops nearby.
Finally, keep the car stocked: refillable water bottles, wet wipes, a small first-aid kit and a bag for wet swimwear. With everything already in the vehicle, you can chase the best light, follow the kids' energy, and turn an ordinary beach day into the trip they will remember.
Family Rental FAQ
Why rent a car instead of using taxis with kids?
Taxis in Aruba are reliable but add up quickly with a family, and Aruba has no ride-hailing apps, so every trip means calling ahead and waiting in the heat with tired children. A single taxi from Palm Beach to Baby Beach and back can cost $80 or more. A rental car does that same journey, plus grocery runs, sunset drives and spontaneous stops, for the price of a tank of petrol. With car seats fitted once and left in place, you also skip the daily hassle of loading and unloading them.
Do you provide child and booster seats?
Yes. We rent child seats and booster seats for $8 per day each, fitted and checked before you drive off. Just tell us your children's ages and rough weights when you book so we bring the right type. If you prefer to bring your own seats from home, they fit our vehicles without any trouble.
Which car is best for a family in Aruba?
For most families of four or five, an SUV like the Toyota RAV4 or Hyundai Tucson from $85 per day is ideal: enough space, easy to drive, and comfortable on every road you will use. If you are six or more, or travelling with grandparents, the 8-seat Ford Tourneo minivan from $124 per day keeps everyone together in one vehicle. Tell us your group size and we will match you to the right car.
Is it safe and easy to drive in Aruba with children?
Very. Aruba drives on the right, the same as the USA and mainland Europe, roads are well signed, and the island is small enough that nowhere is more than about 45 minutes away. Traffic is only busy around Palm Beach and Oranjestad at peak times. Seatbelts are required, and children must use an appropriate car seat, which is exactly why we offer them.
How do we manage the heat with young children?
Aruba is warm and sunny almost every day, with strong trade winds that can hide how intense the sun really is. Plan beach time for the morning and late afternoon, keep the middle of the day for lunch, shade or a hotel nap, and always carry water, high-factor sunscreen and snacks. Our cars have strong air conditioning, and we can fit window sun-shades on request to keep the back seat cool for little ones.
Can you deliver the car to our hotel or the airport?
Yes. Free airport pickup is included, and we also deliver to any hotel or resort on the island. After a long flight with kids, having the car and fitted seats waiting for you means no queue at a rental desk and no paperwork with tired children in tow. Just send us your arrival details when you book.
Book Your Family Car for Aruba
Send us your dates, group size and your children's ages via WhatsApp. We will recommend the right vehicle, fit your child seats, and have everything ready when you land.