Going to Aruba May 2nd to 10th. Does anyone know of any activities for an 18 month old spirited child?(Staying at the Costa Linda) Any good food places for kids? (Besides McDonalds etc hate those)

IF anyone with kids of similar age that are traveling on the same dates would like to email me to arrange a play date that would be great.

lydialee30@hotmail.com

thanks

Lydia

Perhaps Costa Linda has a program for little kids, check their website. Aruba to the best of my knowledge has no attractions designed specifically for children that young aside from what the resorts offer in the way of kiddie programs, and yours may be too young.
The pool will be probably be the major draw for your child. If he/she isn't potty trained they may have a kiddie pool....some resorts, or at least ours, don't allow even swimmie diapers in the big pool due to messy things happening in spite of the claims about them.
Bucaneer will fascinate your young one with all it's fish tanks. But well behaved kids are welcome anywhere. Suggest you dine early with a toddler because normal service is at a much slower pace on the island and grows even more relaxed from about 7:00pm on. Take something to keep him/her entertained while waiting and remember most restaurants are extremely chilly so have a sweater or something handy for the little one.

Go over to the Butterfly Farm. Fascinating and your little one can run all over to catch one. Go in the morning when the butterflies are the most active. Don't forget that waterproof sunscreen.

Lydia,
We stayed at the Costa Linda in October 2001 with our then nine month old. They have a great pool area with a zero depth entry. There is also a small kiddie pool- about 6 six inches deep. The staff were great. We used one of the activities coordinators to babysit one night- $10 per hour- a little steep, but worth the time alone. There was a kids club, but she was too small to do the events- macaroni necklaces, searching for shells, etc.
Please feel free to email me if you have any other questions.
Marisa

We just went in December, we have a 16 month old---The other replies had my suggestions---The Buccanner Restaurant is perfect--there is a large fish tank on every table and the prices are so reasonable--entrees $14 or so and bottles of wine for only $12!! The food is not great, but good. We didnt make it to the butterfly farm, but we heard it was great for kids. Basically, there is so much fun in the hotels with kiddie pools and kid areas, that you really dont need separate kid activitivies. We took our daughter everywhere and had a ball. She spent at least an hour a day chasing the iguanas around the pool, and every night most hotels have bands with dance floors, she danced for an hour or so every night. If you have never been there before you are in for a great time---it was our first time. We travel alot and have never been to a more relaxing, friendly place, we are looking to buy property there now we loved it so much. I dont know if you have a fridge where you are staying but I would suggest going shopping your first day and stocking up---there is a great super market on the way to downtown,(it has an asian name, cant remember what it is) that is comparable to supermarkets back here in price and product. (the hotel stores are about triple the price at the supermarket, no exxageration) If you have any more questions feel free to e-mail back, my wife is on the computer about 10 hours a day.

Pat Keenan