The Donkey Sanctuary in Aruba: A Heartwarming Experience If you’re planning a trip to Aruba and love unique, meaningful experiences, visiting the Donkey Sanctuary Aruba should be on your list. This peaceful haven offers the chance to meet, feed, and even hug the island’s sweetest residents — and it’s an experience you won’t forget.   What Is the Donkey Sanctuary Aruba? Founded in 1997, the sanctuary was created to protect Aruba’s wild donkeys. These animals once served as the island’s primary mode of transportation, but as cars took over, many donkeys were left abandoned. The sanctuary now offers them a safe and loving forever home. Today, over 130 donkeys live at the sanctuary — and visitors are welcome to come meet them, learn their stories, and support the cause.   Where Is It Located? The Donkey Sanctuary is located in Santa Cruz, right in the heart of Aruba. It takes approximately 25-30 mins from the North-Western beach area. We used our phone for navigation without any issues.  Address: Bringamosa 2-Z, Santa Cruz, Aruba Directions from the hotel area: Take Route 4A for about 14 km Pass through all roundabouts until you see a sign for French Men’s Pass Turn left at French Men’s Pass, then take the first left and second right Follow the dirt road for about 200 meters — the sanctuary will be on your left GPS Coordinates: N 12°48.974’ W 069°96.642’ Nearby: Close to Arikok National Park, making it easy to visit both in one day.   Hours and Admission Open daily: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Closed: January 1st (New Year’s Day) Admission: Free! (Donations are encouraged and appreciated) No reservation needed — just show up during open hours and enjoy.   What to Expect During Your Visit When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by happy brays and curious donkeys eager for attention. Here’s what you can do: Feed the donkeys: Buy treats onsite (pellets or bring your own carrots/apples) Pet and interact: Many donkeys enjoy gentle attention and may even nuzzle you Explore: Walk the sanctuary grounds, enjoy shaded areas, and take it all in Learn: Volunteers love sharing stories about the donkeys and their care Relax: Grab a snack or drink at the small café, browse the gift shop, or sit in the shade Tip: Wear closed-toe shoes — it can be a bit dusty, and those donkeys love being close! What to Bring Wear comfortable clothes and shoes Hat and sunscreen  Reusable water bottle A few dollars if you would like to make a donation or buy donkey snacks Your camera — for all the sweet photo ops!   Why Visit the Donkey Sanctuary? Not only is it fun and family-friendly, but every visit supports the sanctuary’s mission. Purchases and donations help cover food, shelter, medical care, and more for these gentle animals. It’s a powerful reminder of how travel can connect us to compassion, kindness, and causes that matter. Final Thoughts If you’re looking to experience a different, more heartfelt side of Aruba, the Donkey Sanctuary is a must. It’s peaceful, rewarding, and unlike anything else on the island. Feed a donkey, make a new four-legged friend, and walk away knowing you made a small difference during your tropical escape.

Roaming with Roxie Aruba on a Budget How to Visit One of the Caribbean’s Best Islands Without Spending a Fortune Aruba is a small island in the southern Caribbean, just off the coast of Venezuela. It is famous for white sand beaches, warm weather all year, and clear turquoise water. But beyond the beauty, Aruba is also easy, safe, and surprisingly affordable if you plan ahead. This guide breaks down how we visited Aruba without overspending. It includes real prices, local experiences, and plenty of free or cheap activities you can enjoy. Why Aruba Is a Smart Pick Aruba stands out from other Caribbean destinations for a few key reasons. It is one of the safest islands in the region. The crime rate is low, the roads are well maintained, and the people are incredibly friendly. Aruba also lies outside the hurricane belt. That means you can travel here during the off-season, when flights and hotels cost less, without worrying much about storms. The island is easy to explore. It is only 21 miles long, so you can see the whole place in just a few days. English is spoken everywhere, U.S. dollars are accepted, and no visa is needed for most travelers from North America. While many islands focus only on beach resorts, Aruba offers a mix of scenery. You can relax on soft sand one day, then hike through desert landscapes the next. It is a destination where you can do a lot without spending a lot. Best Time to Visit Aruba Aruba has warm weather and sunshine almost every day of the year. That makes it a solid choice any time you want to escape to the Caribbean. The peak tourist season is from mid-December through April. During these months, the weather is dry and breezy with temperatures around 82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. This is also when hotel prices are highest and the beaches can get busy. If you are looking to save money and avoid crowds, consider traveling during the off-season from September to early December. This is technically within hurricane season for the Caribbean, but Aruba sits outside the main hurricane belt. The risk of storms is very low, and you can still expect mostly sunny days and warm temperatures. We traveled in this window and had amazing weather every day of our trip. May through August can also be a good time to visit, especially if you book early and look for deals on flights and accommodations.   How We Saved on Flights I found our flights using Google Flights with the “anywhere” feature. We booked round-trip tickets from Indianapolis to Aruba for only 350 dollars per person. Being flexible with your travel dates and looking a few months in advance can really help with price. Hello There…. Dinner Time Nature’s Bridge Carved by the Sea View of Aruba from the top fo the Lighthouse Where We Stayed We chose to stay in Savaneta, a small town on the southern coast of Aruba. It is a quiet fishing village with a relaxed local feel. Staying here gave us a more authentic experience than we would have had in the resort-heavy areas like Palm Beach. Savaneta is less crowded and still centrally located, with about a 30 to 40 minute drive to both the popular beaches in the north and natural attractions in the south and east. Our Airbnb cost just 170 dollars for four nights. It was clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed. We felt completely safe and appreciated being near small grocery stores and local restaurants. If you want to see the real Aruba and save money while doing it, Savaneta is a great base. Renting a Car We rented a small car through GMAX Car Rental for $220 for a total of four days. That price included airport pickup, drop off, and the added insurance. Aruba is easy to drive around, and having a car gave us the freedom to visit more places without paying for tours or taxis. Side note: Watch for goats crossing the road, especially in the south. Best Free and Low Cost Things to Do Go to the beachAll of Aruba’s beaches are public and free. Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, and Baby Beach were our favorites. You can rent a shaded chair for about 10 dollars per day. Explore Arikok National ParkThe entrance fee is 15 dollars for adults and free for kids under 18. You will see lava rocks, sand dunes, wild goats, and caves with ancient carvings. Guadirikiri Cave and Fontein Cave are the best. Visit the Donkey SanctuaryEntry is free, and you can bring carrots or apples to feed the animals. Donations are welcome and help with their care. Check out the California LighthouseThis historic lighthouse gives amazing views. We paid $5 per person to go up to the top. It is a short visit, but a fun stop. See the Natural BridgeAlthough the original bridge collapsed, a smaller one nearby is still beautiful. There is a small café and souvenir shop on site. Climb the Ayo Rock FormationsThis is one of the best free spots on the island. You can hike around massive boulders and spot petroglyphs carved by the island’s early inhabitants. Aruba’s Natural Bridge Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins Cave in Arikok National Park Rum Reef Pool Overlooking Baby Beach Guadirikiri Cave WAI FAT Local Grocery Store View of Aruba from the top fo the Lighthouse Spiky beauty in the Aruban Sun Massive Boulders AYO Rock Formations Petroglyphs at AYO Rock Formations King of the rock Eating Without Overspending We ate at local places and grocery stores to save money. La Granja served big plates of flavorful food at great prices. Local convenience stores were perfect for snacks, drinks, and simple meals. We also brought a soft cooler and packed lunches for the beach. Renting a place with a kitchen helped us save even more. Prosciutto di Parma on display Gourmet Sliced Cheeses at Super Food Plaza Dry-cured Sausages and Salami Small