Driving across Aruba, you start to notice them — donkeys standing quietly in the scrub, ears rotating, watching the cars pass. They’re not strays in the usual sense. These animals descend from working donkeys brought to the island more than 500 years ago, long before automobiles existed here. By the 1970s, a widespread disease had reduced their population to just 20 wild individuals, according to the sanctuary’s own records. Today, the Donkey Sanctuary Aruba in Santa Cruz cares for over 130 of them, offering a safe place for a species that once carried the island’s daily life on its back.
This article covers what to expect when you visit — how to get there, what the experience actually feels like, and how the sanctuary operates as a volunteer-run non-profit. If you’re planning a trip to Aruba and want to spend time somewhere that isn’t a beach or a resort, this is worth a half-day detour.
Donkeys first arrived in Aruba hundreds of years ago and became the primary means of transportation — by the 1970s, disease had left only 20 wild donkeys on the island.
This isn’t a petting zoo or a tourist trap. It’s a genuine rescue operation run entirely by volunteers, and the donkeys have distinct personalities — some love attention, others prefer to keep their distance. Bring apples or carrots if you want to feed them from the enclosed porch, but don’t expect a polished, commercial experience. The value is in watching real care happen.
Getting Oriented at the Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
The sanctuary sits inland in Santa Cruz, on the opposite side of the island from the main hotel strip in Palm Beach and Oranjestad.
From the high-rise hotels, you take Route 4a for about 14 kilometres, passing through several roundabouts until you see a sign for French Men’s Pass. Turn left there, then first left, second right — the entrance is about 200 metres down a dirt road. It’s a straightforward drive, but the road is unpaved at the end, so take it slow if you’re in a rental car with low clearance.
The sanctuary is open every day except January 1st, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’s no admission fee, but donations are what keep the place running. The facility is modest — a covered porch with seating, a small concession stand, and a gift shop. What you won’t find are crowds, queues, or any sense of rush. Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour, though families with kids often stay longer if they join the morning feeding routine.
Families with children
Animal lovers
Travellers seeking a non-beach activity
Meeting the Donkeys and Understanding Their Stories
Every donkey at the sanctuary has a name and a history. Some were rescued after being hit by cars, others were found malnourished or abandoned.
Walking the Grounds and Feeding from the Porch
Visitors are welcome to walk through the grounds and meet the donkeys up close. The sanctuary encourages you to bring apples or carrots — the donkeys’ favourite snacks — and feed them from the safety of the enclosed porch. This setup keeps both animals and visitors comfortable, especially if you’re visiting with children who aren’t used to large animals. The donkeys vary in temperament: some will nuzzle your hand immediately, while others hang back and observe. Volunteers are on-site to share individual stories and answer questions, which adds context to what you’re seeing.
Volunteering for the Morning Routine
If you arrive early enough, you can join the daily chores of feeding and caring for the donkeys. It’s a hands-on experience that the sanctuary describes as particularly educational for children. You’ll help with distributing food, refilling water, and general cleaning — nothing complicated, but it gives you a real sense of the work involved in maintaining a rescue of this size. The sanctuary is entirely volunteer-run, so extra hands are genuinely appreciated, not just a tourist activity.
The sanctuary’s gift shop sells donkey-themed items, and the proceeds support daily operations. It’s a small space, but the items are locally made and more thoughtful than typical souvenir shop stock.
Practical Planning for Your Visit
The sanctuary is straightforward to visit, but a few logistical details can make the difference between a quick stop and a meaningful experience.
Getting There by Car or Taxi
Driving from the Palm Beach area takes about 20–25 minutes. If you don’t have a rental car, taxis are available — the sanctuary lists a taxi service at +297 587 9900. GPS coordinates N 12°48.974’ W 069°96.642’ will bring you directly to the entrance. The final stretch is a dirt road, so factor in a bit of dust if you’re heading somewhere formal afterward.
Best Time to Visit
Morning is the best window, especially if you want to help with feeding. The donkeys are more active earlier in the day, and the heat is less intense. Afternoons are quieter, but the animals tend to rest in the shade during the hottest hours. The sanctuary is open year-round, and since it’s an indoor-outdoor setup, rain doesn’t shut things down — just makes the dirt road muddier.
| Factor | Morning (9–11 a.m.) | Afternoon (12–4 p.m.) |
|---|---|---|
| Donkey activity | High — feeding and social interaction | Lower — animals rest in shade |
| Volunteer opportunities | Available — join daily chores | Limited — routine mostly complete |
| Heat | Milder | Peak — shaded porch helps |
| Crowds | Light | Very light |
The dirt road leading to the sanctuary can develop deep ruts after rain. If you’re driving a standard sedan, approach slowly and consider parking at the top of the road and walking the last 200 metres.
On the Ground: What to Know Before You Go
The sanctuary is a working rescue, not a polished attraction. That’s its strength, but it also means you should come prepared.
What to Bring and What to Leave Behind
Bring apples or carrots if you want to feed the donkeys — they’re the preferred snacks. Sunscreen and a hat are useful because the grounds are mostly open. The covered porch offers shade, but you’ll be walking in direct sun between enclosures. A reef-safe mineral sunscreen is a good choice for Aruba generally, since the island’s water activities and outdoor exposure are constant. Leave behind any food that isn’t fruit — the donkeys have specific dietary needs, and volunteers monitor what they eat closely.
Local Etiquette and Cultural Context
Donkeys have been part of Aruban life for half a millennium. They were the primary mode of transport until cars arrived, and when they were no longer needed, many were abandoned. The sanctuary exists because of that history. Volunteers appreciate visitors who treat the animals with patience — don’t chase them, don’t shout, and let them approach you. The donkeys are generally friendly, but they’re also stubborn, as the sanctuary’s own website notes. That’s part of their character.
- Bring apples or carrots — the donkeys love them, and feeding from the enclosed porch is the main interactive activity.
- Arrive before 10 a.m. if you want to help with the morning feeding routine — it’s the most hands-on experience available.
- Donations are the sanctuary’s primary funding source — cash is easiest, but sponsoring a donkey online is also an option.
Questions Visitors Ask About the Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
Is the Donkey Sanctuary Aruba free to enter?
Yes, there’s no admission fee. The sanctuary relies entirely on donations, which you can leave in the donation box at the entrance or contribute through their Support the Aruban Donkey Program online. Every bit helps cover food, medical care, and shelter for over 130 donkeys.
Can you really hug the donkeys?
The sanctuary’s website mentions that for any donation, you can cuddle and hug one of the friendlier donkeys for 15 to 30 minutes. Not every donkey enjoys close contact, though — volunteers will point you toward the ones that do. It’s a genuine interaction, not a staged photo op.
How long should I plan to spend at the sanctuary?
Most visitors stay between 45 minutes and an hour. If you arrive early and join the feeding routine, or if you have kids who want to spend time with the animals, you could easily stretch it to two hours. The grounds aren’t large, but the experience is unhurried.
What’s the downside of visiting?
The sanctuary is modest — don’t expect interpretive exhibits, guided tours on a schedule, or a slick visitor centre. The dirt road access can be rough after rain, and the heat in the middle of the day makes the donkeys less active. It’s a rescue, not a theme park, and that honesty is part of what makes it worthwhile.
Is the sanctuary suitable for young children?
Yes, but with supervision. The donkeys are large animals, and while they’re gentle, young children should be guided during feeding and interaction. The enclosed porch provides a safe barrier, and volunteers are on hand to help. Many families find it a more meaningful experience than a standard zoo visit.
One Last Thing About the Donkeys
What stays with you after leaving the sanctuary isn’t the cuteness of the animals — it’s the quiet persistence of a place that has kept 130 donkeys alive for over 25 years on donations and volunteer labour alone. That’s a rare thing on an island built around tourism. If you want to understand a different side of Aruba, one that has nothing to do with beaches or resorts, this is the kind of detour that changes how you see the place.
Sources and further reading
Donkey Sanctuary Aruba: A Place of Care and Compassion. Aruba Papers.
Donkey Sanctuary Aruba official portal. Donkey Sanctuary Aruba.
Donkey Sanctuary Aruba working to preserve donkeys in Aruba. Aruba Today, 2025. National Library of Aruba.
Explore Places to Stay in Aruba
Feel free to zoom in and out of the map to explore the area and find the best place to stay for your trip.