Hiking along the Spanish Lagoon, or the Spaans Lagoen as said in Dutch, we’ll explore the ancient mangroves of the Seven Shells Midens, the Balashi ruins, and the Frenchman's Pass! All the wonders surrounding this natural spot in Aruba.
Trip Details
At the designated time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel or the Oranjestad cruise port. From there, we'll take a short 30-minute drive to Pos Chiquito, where the trail around the Emerald Lagoon begins, one of Aruba’s hidden treasures!
We’ll start a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) moderate hike, arriving at the Seven Shells Middens, ancient shell mounds that preserve the memory of the Amerindian peoples who lived on the island thousands of years ago.
Amid the salty air and birdsong, we'll continue to the site of Aruba’s oldest aloe vera plantation, a testament to the ingenuity of the island's early inhabitants.
The trail will lead us to the mangroves and the area where barges were once loaded. With some luck, we may spot a shoco, Aruba’s iconic owl! Did you know it’s a symbol of the island?
Next, we'll explore the Balashi gold smelter ruins, over a century old, still echoing its former glory. We’ll climb points for the best photos of the Spanish Lagoon.
Finally, we'll reach the enigmatic Frenchman's Pass, surrounded by cliffs and dense vegetation. This site was the scene of battles between the Caquetío indigenous people and French corsairs! Many say they’ve heard echoes of cries along this stretch.
From here, we'll return to the vehicle and head back to your hotel or cruise port, completing the tour three and a half hours after pickup.