Spanish Lagoon Mangrove Trail & Bird Watching

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. We start at the Local TV sender, TeleAruba in Pos Chiquito, and from there we start the hiking along the Spanish lagoon and go upstairs to the old bridge and have the view of the begging of the Spanish lagoon

   30 min

2. After passing the new bridge under, then we hike along the Spanish lagoon mangrove trail. We will pass along one of the oldest Aloe Farms at the top before we head back down to meet the trail again. At that point, you will see one of the 7 shell middens located at the Spanish Lagoon that has been carbon-dated between 1465 - 1280 BC Proceeding inland along the mangrove trail you will see quite different flora and fauna as this is our only inland water area on the island. You will also see a point in the trail where they loaded the barges with the gold to take out to the ships over 100 years ago. At the end of this amazing trail we will pass by the protected “Shoco” nest area. If we are very lucky and very quiet we can see these amazing creatures. Aruba’s national symbol is the Shoco. This burrowing owl is only found in Aruba and is the most photogenic animal on the planet. A true pleasure to see.

   1.5 h

3. We visit the ruins of the Old Balashi Gold Smelter Ruins. Right next to the old French men's pass. There is a great story of the haunted Frenchman’s Pass that you will hear first as it is located next to the head waters. Then we will show you the old ruins of the Balashi Gold smelter. Much it is still there to see. From there we will hike up along the ridge overlooking the whole Spanish Lagoon area. Best spots for your vacation sightseeing pictures. The Bushiribana smelter was built in 1825 by the Aruba Island Gold Mining Company to extract gold from the ore that was being mined in the nearby hills of Ceru Plat. It operated for ten years. The site has beautiful views and rich history also a great view of the Spanish Lagoon

   30 min

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 22 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Oranjestad

• Its from-price is 22% below the median of the 173 experiences we list in Oranjestad.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 100 of 173.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Oranjestad

Oranjestad is Aruba's small harbour capital, a Caribbean town of pastel Dutch gables, old forts and shopping streets on a dry, sunny coast.

Oranjestad sits on Aruba's leeward coast, where the island is flat and arid and edged with cacti, and its centre mixes Dutch colonial gables with Caribbean colour. Fort Zoutman, dating from the 1790s, is among the oldest buildings in town and holds the island's historical museum, with the Willem III Tower, a later addition, beside it. Wilhelmina Park, a small tropical garden by the water, is named after the Dutch queen.

Top-ranked sights in Oranjestad: Alto Vista Chapel.

See all 173 experiences in Oranjestad