The Donkey Sanctuary

The Spanish brought donkeys to Aruba in the sixteenth century and they were the island's transport and water carriers for four hundred years, until cars arrived in the twentieth and the animals were turned loose. The feral population that resulted suffered badly on the roads and from disease, and a sanctuary was set up in the 1990s to take them in. It now holds well over a hundred, in paddocks and open ground, and runs entirely on donations and volunteers. Visitors can walk among them and feed them with food bought on site. It is unglamorous, honest and free, which is a rare combination.

What you actually see

• The herd - well over a hundred donkeys in paddocks and open ground.
• The history - four centuries as the island's transport and water carriers.
• The volunteers - the operation runs entirely on them and on donations.
• Feeding - carrots and pellets bought on site.

When to go

Year-round; open daily through the middle of the day with earlier closing than most attractions. Mornings are cooler for the animals and the visitors. It runs on donations, so bringing some matters.

Honest expectations

It is a rescue operation rather than an attraction and the facilities reflect that: basic shade, dusty ground and no polish. Entry is free but the sanctuary depends entirely on donations. Feeding should be with the food sold on site rather than anything brought. Hours are shorter than visitors expect.

Nearby

Santa Cruz is nearby; Arikok park is east.