Activities
Activities
Animal Instincts by Susan Campbell If your idea of going really wild while on holiday means seeking out nature’s creatures and critters, then Aruba has all kinds of unique adventures guaranteed to sate your desires. Take a walk in the park
On Aruba you’ll encounter lively lizards and lounging iguanas around the resorts, and traveling by car, you might also spot some wild donkeys and goats. But if you really want the lowdown on the local fauna then a trek to Arikok National Park is in order. Start at their modern visitor center to see some of the endemic creatures on exhibit up close such as the electric blue-spotted whiptail lizard (cododo), the cool Aruban cateye snake (santanero), and the endangered rattlesnake (cascabel). Then take a guided tour through the arid, cactistudded natural spread. Though it might appear that there is little wildlife, the park rangers know where to unearth it as it can be expertly hidden right before your eyes. And if you visit the caves in the park you’re sure to see lots of cool bats just hanging around as well.
golf course. Then there’s the Bubali Bird Sanctuary – a regular pit stop on the migratory routes of many seabirds. There’s also a friendly flock of flamingoes at Renaissance Island – though it’s a private beach, you can buy a day pass to visit. And if you dine at Hyatt’s Ruinas del Mar you’ll see regal black swans in their lagoon. Aruba has 236 species of birds and many organizations are in place to help you find out where to spot and identify them. The Aruba Birdlife Conservation is the best place to start. E Burrowing owl
Seek out fine-feathered friends
If bird spotting is your desire, then seek out Aruba’s cool, little burrowing owls called “shocos” at Tierra del Sol’s Blue-spotted whiptail lizard
Flamingos at Renaissance Island
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