Donkey Sanctuary Aruba: Visiting Hours, Tickets & What to Expect

Donkey Sanctuary Aruba — Quick Facts

How to Visit Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

You don't need to purchase a tour to visit the sanctuary.

Travelers with a rental car can visit independently, meet the donkeys, and make a donation to support their care.

If you'd rather not arrange transportation yourself, a guided animal sanctuary tour can combine several attractions into one outing.

1. Visit Donkey Sanctuary Aruba Independently

Donation-supported · Approximately 30–90 minutes

Best for: Families with a rental car and travelers who prefer flexibility.

Visit Donkey Sanctuary Aruba in Santa Cruz during its published opening hours.

Allow approximately 30–90 minutes to meet the animals, explore the visitor area, and learn about the sanctuary.

Admission is donation-supported, so consider contributing to the animals' ongoing care. No paid booking is required.

2. Half-Day Aruba Animal Sanctuary Guided Tour

El Tours & Transfers · 4 hours · From $57

Best for: Visitors who want to explore multiple animal attractions without organizing transportation.

This guided excursion combines three animal attractions:

• Donkey Sanctuary Aruba
• Aruba Ostrich Farm
• Philip's Animal Garden

The featured tour listing advertises transportation, a professional guide, and attraction admissions. It's a convenient option for travelers who want to experience several animal sanctuaries in a single morning or afternoon.

From $57

El Tours & Transfers Aruba

Half-Day Aruba Animal Sanctuary Guided Tour

Best for visitors without transportation. Combines Donkey Sanctuary, Ostrich Farm, and Philip's Animal Garden, with hotel pickup, a guide, and attraction admission.

4.8(187)4 hours

Check Availability

3. Philip's Animal Garden — Explore & Feed Rescued Wildlife

Alto Vista 116, Noord, Aruba · From $20 per person

Best for: Families and animal lovers who want another hands-on animal experience.

Philip's Animal Garden is a separate nonprofit animal rescue attraction where visitors can meet a variety of rescued wildlife.

The bookable experience includes admission and an animal feeding bag, according to the Viator listing.

This experience does not include Donkey Sanctuary Aruba. It's an additional attraction you can visit separately.

From $20

Philip's Animal Garden

Philip's Animal Garden — Explore & Feed Rescued Wildlife

Best as an additional animal experience in Noord. The listing includes admission and an animal feeding bag. This is a separate attraction, not a Donkey Sanctuary tour.

Check Availability

What Is Donkey Sanctuary Aruba?

Donkey Sanctuary Aruba is a rescue organization in Santa Cruz dedicated to caring for abandoned, injured, and neglected donkeys.

Donkeys have been part of Aruba's history for centuries, originally serving as working animals for transportation and agriculture.

Today, the sanctuary provides a safe environment where rescued donkeys receive food, shelter, and veterinary care.

The sanctuary focuses on rescue, rehabilitation, education, and animal welfare.

Visitors can learn about the animals and help support the sanctuary's work.

What to Expect at the Donkey Sanctuary

A visit is relaxed and generally self-paced.

Depending on the animals and staff guidance, visitors may be able to:

• Meet rescued donkeys up close.
• Learn about individual animals and their rescue stories.
• Observe the donkeys in their sanctuary environment.
• Participate in permitted feeding and gentle interaction.
• Visit the small gift shop.
• Support the sanctuary through donations.

It's a particularly appealing activity for families with young children who want a quieter alternative to Aruba's beach excursions.

Can You Feed and Pet the Donkeys?

Feeding and interacting with the animals is one of the main reasons families visit.

The sanctuary has traditionally welcomed visitors bringing suitable treats such as carrots and apples.

Always ask staff before feeding the animals and follow their instructions about permitted food, quantities, and safe interaction.

Avoid feeding anything that hasn't been approved.

The Hug a Donkey Experience

The sanctuary is also associated with opportunities for close interaction with some of its friendlier donkeys.

Visitors may be able to spend time petting or brushing the animals under staff supervision.

Ask the sanctuary about current arrangements, availability, and any restrictions rather than assuming a dedicated interaction session is included with every visit.

Donkey Sanctuary Aruba Opening Hours

The sanctuary's published hours in our existing guide are:

Monday–Sunday: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM

Opening hours can change for holidays, special events, or operational reasons. Confirm the schedule directly with the sanctuary before traveling.

Morning visits are often more comfortable during Aruba's warmer weather.

Where Is Donkey Sanctuary Aruba?

Donkey Sanctuary Aruba is located inland in Santa Cruz, away from the main hotel and resort areas.

Approximate driving times from the existing guide are:

• Palm Beach: 20–30 minutes.
• Eagle Beach: approximately 25 minutes.

Actual journey times depend on traffic and your starting location.

How to Get There

• Rental car: A convenient option if you're exploring Aruba independently.
• Taxi: An alternative if you don't have a rental car. Arrange your return journey in advance.
• Guided tour: The half-day animal sanctuary excursion combines transportation with multiple wildlife attractions.

Donkey Sanctuary vs. Philip's Animal Garden vs. Aruba Ostrich Farm

These three attractions offer different experiences and can work well together on a family sightseeing day.

Which should you visit?

• Choose Donkey Sanctuary Aruba if you want a peaceful, donation-supported rescue experience.
• Choose Philip's Animal Garden if you'd like to see a wider variety of rescued animal species.
• Choose Aruba Ostrich Farm if you're particularly interested in ostriches and emus.
• Choose the half-day animal sanctuary tour if you'd like to experience all three without organizing separate transportation.

Is Donkey Sanctuary Aruba Worth Visiting?

For families, animal lovers, and travelers interested in quieter activities, Donkey Sanctuary Aruba is worth considering.

The experience is different from a typical commercial excursion.

It offers a chance to learn about Aruba's rescued donkeys and the people who care for them.

It's also relatively easy to combine with other inland attractions.

Tips for Visiting Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

• Bring drinking water and sun protection. Aruba's inland climate can feel hot, even when shade is available.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Some areas may have uneven or natural surfaces.
• Ask before feeding the animals. Only offer treats approved by sanctuary staff.
• Consider making a donation. Contributions help support the sanctuary's rescue and care activities.
• Allow extra time with children. Families may want to spend longer observing and interacting with the donkeys.
• Respect the animals. Avoid loud behavior, chasing animals, or forcing interactions.