Kids Stay Free and Water Sports Are In: Tamarijn Aruba Reviewed

Kids 12 and under stay and eat free at Tamarijn Aruba — and that policy, combined with direct beachfront access on Druif Beach and an all-inclusive structure that covers non-motorized water sports, bikes, and dining across nine restaurants, makes this one of the more financially straightforward family options in Aruba. It suits families with school-age children and teenagers best; the Sea Turtles Kids Club runs for ages 4–12, and a teens program adds coverage for older kids. One honest caveat: the kids’ club operates Monday through Friday only, so parents of younger children should plan for unstructured weekend days.

What the All-Inclusive Package Actually Covers

The all-inclusive rate at Tamarijn Aruba goes further than food and drink. Guests have complimentary use of kayaks, sailboats, and other non-motorized watercraft, as well as free bicycle and e-bike rentals — a practical perk on an island where cycling the beachfront boulevard is a genuine option rather than a novelty. Snorkeling equipment, clinics, and tours are also included, which removes a common extra cost for families who want to get into the water.

Dining spans nine restaurants and seven bars shared across Tamarijn and its sister property, Divi Aruba All Inclusive — accessible via a free shuttle. The range runs from breakfast buffets to à la carte dinners. Worth noting: some specialty restaurants require advance reservations, so it’s worth securing dinner bookings early in your stay rather than assuming you can walk in.

On the active side, the Divi Winds Sports Center includes a rock-climbing wall, lighted tennis courts, and full fitness facilities. These are included in the all-inclusive rate, which makes Tamarijn a reasonable fit for families who want structured activity options without paying per-session fees.

The Sea Turtles Kids Club and Teens Program

The Sea Turtles Club runs daily activities for children ages 4–12, giving parents defined windows of time during the week when younger kids are supervised and occupied. The teens club provides a separate program for older children, which matters for families traveling with a wide age range — a 15-year-old and a 7-year-old are not going to want the same afternoon.

The key operational detail: the kids’ club runs Monday through Friday only. Weekends are unsupported, which is a real consideration for families with children under 8 or 9 who rely on structured programming. Babysitting is available as a paid add-on if you need coverage outside club hours.

Location and Getting Around

The resort sits at J.E. Irausquin Blvd 41, directly on Druif Beach. Eagle Beach — consistently rated among Aruba’s best — is a six-minute drive. The Butterfly Farm Aruba is eight minutes away, a low-effort half-morning trip well-suited to younger children. Farther afield, De Palm Island (approximately 20 minutes plus a boat ride) and the Donkey Sanctuary Aruba (around 20 minutes) are manageable day excursions. Grocery shopping is available nearby, useful for families who want to stock up on snacks or keep costs down on incidentals. Free parking is on-site, and car rental is available at the property.

For day trips and guided activities around Aruba, you can browse family-friendly tours and activities or compare kid-friendly day tours to plan beyond the resort.

Get directions to the property: Google Maps directions to Tamarijn Aruba.

What Recent Guests Say

• A common theme in guest feedback is praise for the oceanfront setting, with several reviewers highlighting beautiful water views and easy beach access as standout features of the property.
• Several recent reviewers note that food quality and variety are genuine strengths, describing the dining options as delicious and well-suited to different tastes, though some guests find the advance reservation requirement for specialty restaurants unnecessarily restrictive.
• Staff consistency is a recurring mixed point — while many guests describe warm, welcoming service, others report dismissive or unhelpful interactions, suggesting the experience can vary significantly depending on who you encounter.
• Some families mention that the frequent golf cart shuttle connecting the resort to its sister property is a convenient perk, though a few note it occasionally feels slow or that rooms can be a longer walk from amenities.
• Room assignment accuracy is flagged as a concern in multiple reviews, with some guests reporting that the rooms they received did not match what they had booked or confirmed in advance, which proved especially disruptive for families with young children.

Who This Hotel Suits — and Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere

Tamarijn Aruba works best for families with children between roughly 4 and 17: old enough to use the kids’ club or teens program, young enough to fall under the “stay and eat free” threshold for under-12s. The combination of structured kids’ programming during the week, included water sports, and nine dining options across two properties gives these families a high-value, low-friction stay. Families where both adults want genuinely separate adult time will also find the spa and fitness facilities provide some separation.

Families with children under 4 will find the kids’ club unavailable to them, and babysitting comes at an additional cost. Families expecting a waterpark or waterslide element won’t find one here — there are three pools, but no water play infrastructure aimed at that age group. The weekend kids’ club gap is a real gap, not a minor footnote, for parents who were counting on daily supervised programming.

A few practical notes worth flagging: mini-fridges in rooms are empty rather than stocked, so don’t factor a refrigerated minibar into your planning. Wi-Fi in rooms carries a fee; it’s complimentary only in public areas. And if room type matters to your family — an upper-floor ocean view, connecting rooms, a specific building — the guest review pattern around room assignment errors suggests it’s worth following up in writing before arrival rather than relying on a pre-confirmation alone.

For the full amenities breakdown and Family Fit rating details, see our full Resort Finder profile for Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive.