Aruba Ostrich Farm: Visiting the Ostriches in Aruba

If you’re looking for an offbeat and educational experience in Aruba, the Ostrich Farm is a must-visit. Located along the road leading to the Natural Bridge, just before Bushiribana, this farm offers you the chance to get up close with some of the world’s most fascinating flightless birds—ostriches and emus.

The Aruba Ostrich Farm is not just a fun activity, it’s one of the best activities for kids in Aruba. They’ll love the opportunity to feed the animals and see them up close, and let’s be real – adults love it too!

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About the Ostrich Farm Aruba

At Aruba’s Ostrich Farm, you’ll learn all about these fascinating flightless birds. This educational and interactive experience is perfect for families, animal lovers, and anyone looking to explore Aruba beyond its beaches. The farm provides guided tours where you can observe ostriches and emus, learn about their behaviors, and even feed them (with caution!).

The Animals at Aruba’s Ostrich Farm

While you might expect Ostrich to be at the farm, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find emus as well. Let’s take a deeper look at these birds to get you excited about your visit!

Ostriches

Ostriches are the world’s largest and heaviest birds, standing up to nine feet tall and weighing over 300 pounds. They are flightless but compensate with incredible speed, reaching up to 43 mph (70 km/h), making them the fastest-running birds on Earth. Their powerful legs serve not only for sprinting but also for defense, capable of delivering a deadly kick if threatened.

These birds are also known for their unique eyesight—having the largest eyeballs of any land vertebrate, they can spot predators from miles away. However, their brains are smaller than their eyes, which often leads to misconceptions about their intelligence.

One of the most fascinating aspects of ostriches is their digestive system. Since they lack teeth, they swallow stones—sometimes up to 2.2 pounds in their gizzards—to help grind food. Ostriches can live up to 70 years, and males produce deep, booming sounds that can sometimes resemble a lion’s roar.

Emus

Emus, native to Australia, are the second-largest birds in the world and can reach speeds of 31 mph (50 km/h). Unlike ostriches, they rely more on quick evasive movements to escape predators, using their small wings to stabilize themselves when running.

Male emus play an essential role in parenting, incubating the eggs and taking full responsibility for raising the chicks without eating or drinking for weeks. Their calls are distinct—a deep, resonant booming that can be heard from over a mile away.

Emus also have a unique economic importance. Their fat is rendered into emu oil, which is widely used in cosmetics and therapeutic products for its anti-inflammatory properties.

How to Get to the Ostrich Farm

The Aruba Ostrich Farm is located east of Oranjestad, along the road leading to the Natural Bridge, just before the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins. This makes it a quick and easy trip to get there – wherever you’re staying on the island.

Location

Take a look at Aruba Ostrich Farm on the map below. Getting there will take about 20 – 25 minutes from Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, and Oranjestad.

By Rental Car

Renting a car is the most flexible way to visit the farm, and you’ll find there’s plenty of free parking available. While the main roads leading to the farm are well-paved, the terrain near Natural Bridge becomes more rugged, so a vehicle with decent clearance is recommended if you plan to explore the surrounding area.

By Taxi

If you don’t have a rental car, your next best option is to take a taxi. Unfortunately, this can add up quickly with taxi fares running close to $20 – 30 one way, depending if you’re coming from Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, or Oranjestad. That being said, it will get you there for a fun time with the ostriches!

By Bus

While I love the public bus system in Aruba, the buses do not go directly to the farm. If you want to try and limit costs, you can take a bus to Santa Cruz, and then take a taxi for the remainder of the trip.

By Guided Tour

If you don’t have a car, I highly recommend booking a guided tour which includes transport and stops at nearby attractions like the Natural Bridge and Bushiribana Ruins.

• Half-Day Aruba Animal Sanctuary Guided Tour: Enjoy a half-day guided tour of Aruba’s animal sanctuaries, visiting the Ostrich Farm, Donkey Sanctuary, and Philip’s Animal Garden to interact with ostriches, emus, donkeys, and other exotic animals, with convenient hotel pickup and drop-off. Check availability now.

• Highlights of Aruba Island Tour: Discover Aruba’s top attractions on a 4-hour island tour, visiting the California Lighthouse, Natural Bridge, Bushiribana Gold Mines, Alto Vista Chapel, an aloe factory, and an ostrich farm, with convenient hotel pickup and drop-off included. Check availability now.

• Aruba Ostrich Farm Tour with Lunch: Explore the Aruba Ostrich Farm on a guided tour to learn about ostriches and emus, their behaviors, and life cycle, with a visit to the hatchery and a included lunch at the on-site restaurant. This tour does not include transportation. Check availability now.

What to Expect at Aruba’s Ostrich Farm

Going to the Ostrich Farm is not just the best spot to see emu and ostriches in Aruba, it’s also a chance to get up close to the animals and learn all about them. They’re fascinating creatures! You’ll also have to stop in the restaurant and souvenir shop.

Tours at Aruba Ostrich Farm

The primary reason to go to the farm is to take a tour around the property to meet the animals. Tours run every hour on the hour from 10am – 3pm, 7 days per week. They last between 30 and 45 minutes depending on the group size.

During your tour, your guides will provide engaging insights into ostrich and emu behavior, feeding habits, and survival skills. You’ll visit the incubator and hatchery, observe young birds in specialized pens, and even feed the ostriches—though caution is advised, as they are always eager for food!

The farm’s staff ensures a safe experience while educating visitors about these remarkable birds.

Dining at the Farm

If you’re hungry, the small on-site restaurant offers local dishes, including the unique opportunity to try ostrich meat, which is known for being low in fat and cholesterol. The restaurant also serves refreshing drinks and traditional Aruban snacks. It’s a great spot to relax after the tour.

Souvenir Shop

The other must-visit destination on site is a gift shop which sells ostrich-themed souvenirs, handcrafted Aruban items, and products made from ostrich feathers and eggs. One of the most popular souvenirs are beautifully decorated ostrich eggs.

First Sunday Market

Looking for something extra special? Head to the farm on the first Sunday of every month (except January) to visit a local market at the Ostrich Farm from 10:00am to 2:00pm. This Aruba Ostrich Farm market offers the chance to browse handmade crafts and sample local delicacies. Bring cash to ensure you can buy from even the smallest local vendors.

Planning Your Visit to the Ostrich Farm in Aruba

Here’s your need to know information.

• Hours: Open daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm with tours running 10:00 – 3:00pm on the hour

• Admission: $15 per adult, $8 per child

• Payment: Cash and major credit cards accepted

• Best time to visit: Mornings are the best time to visit, as the temperatures are cooler, and the animals tend to be more active.

Visit the official Aruba Ostrich Farm website for the latest information.

FAQs about the Ostrich Farm