The Aruba Ostrich Farm is one of the island's most unusual attractions, an inland farm where ostriches are raised and visitors can see the birds up close. Guided tours explain how ostriches are bred and cared for, how the eggs are incubated, how the birds grow from tiny chicks into huge adults and why ostriches are farmed. Most visits include time near the enclosures, where the birds come right up to the fence, and you can usually see eggs and young birds as well as adults. The tour with lunch adds a meal at the farm, so you can combine the visit with a sit-down break in the middle of an island loop. The farm is in the interior, away from the hotel strip, which is why it often appears as a stop on island tours and why a rental car or taxi is the simplest way to reach it independently. Expect an informal, family-friendly atmosphere rather than a polished theme park, with a farm shop and a relaxed pace. It is a good change of pace between the beaches and the rock formations, and children tend to remember it long after the trip.
What the tour covers
A guide leads small groups through the farm and explains the life cycle of the ostrich, from egg to adult, and how the birds are fed and housed. Visitors can generally see the enclosures at close range, and many tours let you see eggs, which are far larger than a hen's egg, and young birds. Details of the programme vary, so ask the farm about feeding, photographs and any hands-on elements when you book.
The lunch option
The tour with lunch combines the guided visit with a meal on site. Ostrich is a lean red meat, and menus at farms like this typically also offer alternatives, so vegetarians and children who are not adventurous should be able to find something. Check the current menu and dietary options with the farm when you book, and remember that choosing the lunch version makes this a longer stop of an hour or more, rather than a quick walk-through.
Practical notes
Wear closed shoes, since farm ground can be dusty and uneven, and bring a hat and sunscreen for the open areas. Keep fingers and loose items away from the fences, as ostriches peck at anything interesting, and follow the guide's instructions about where to stand. Allow some flexibility in timing, because tours usually run on a schedule and are easier to join if you arrive a little early. Opening days and tour times can change by season, so confirm them before planning a special trip.
Where it fits
The farm sits comfortably between the Casibari and Ayo rock formations, the Bushiribana ruins and the Alto Vista Chapel, so it can be added to a north coast and interior loop with a rental car, and it is also a stop on some guided island tours. Families with children will probably rank it among their favorites, while those traveling as a couple may prefer to treat it as a short, amusing detour between the more dramatic sights. Allow about an hour on site, or longer with lunch, and pair it with Philip's Animal Garden or the Donkey Sanctuary if you want a day built around animals.
What to expect
The experience
A guided tour of an inland ostrich farm, with close views of the birds, eggs and chicks, and an optional lunch on site.
Best time
Morning or early afternoon, ideally as part of an island loop with the rock formations and north coast sights.
How long
About an hour, a little longer if you choose the lunch tour.
Tips
Wear closed shoes, keep hands and loose items away from the fences and confirm tour times and menu when you book.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and curious travelers who want a lighthearted, hands-off wildlife stop away from the beach.
- Families
- A highlight for children; supervise them near the fences and follow the guide's instructions.
- Couples
- A fun short detour between the more dramatic sights of the interior.
- Pair with
- Casibari and Ayo rock formations, Philip's Animal Garden and the Donkey Sanctuary.
- Time needed
- About an hour on site, longer with lunch.
Good questions
What does the Aruba Ostrich Farm tour include?+
A guided visit explaining how ostriches are raised, with close views of the birds. The lunch version adds a meal on site.
Is it suitable for children?+
Yes, it is a popular family stop. Keep children away from the fence edges, because ostriches peck at anything that catches their attention.
Where is the farm?+
It is in the island's interior, away from the hotel strip, so a rental car, taxi or guided island tour is the simplest way to reach it.
Do I have to eat ostrich at lunch?+
No. Menus at farms like this typically include other options, but check the current menu and dietary choices with the farm when you book.
How long should I allow?+
About an hour for the tour, and longer if you stay for lunch.
