Visiting Flamingo Beach in Aruba: Everything You Need to Know
Planning a dream vacation to Aruba? You’re not alone! Aruba is one of the most popular and affordable Caribbean destinations. Many people are eager to jet set off to Aruba to see the famous pink flamingos strutting around the island. If this is at the top of your bucket list like it was mine, then there’s a few things you need to know before visiting Flamingo Beach in Aruba.
In this post, I’ll explain everything you need to know so you can flamingle with those funky flamingos! I’ll go over how to purchase island passes and how to get to Flamingo Beach. Then, I’ll talk about tips for how to take the most Insta-worthy shots with our feathery friends. You’ll also learn about all the other activities you can do on the private island and how to make the most of your time there. Lastly, I’ll finish up by discussing whether Flamingo Beach is worth visiting. Spoiler alert: I think it 100% lives up to the hype!
Disclaimer: Some people choose to forego visiting Flamingo Beach because they feel it is inhumane. According to my research, the flamingos came to the island on their own about 15 years ago (just like the native flamingos on the sister islands of Bonaire and Curacao). But they had their wings clipped, so now they are unable to leave. However, they aren’t in captivity because they are living in their natural environment, the mangroves. Sometimes there are even more flamingos on the island because wild ones come to visit. The only thing I know for sure is that they are well-fed by all the tourists!
Where is the flamingo beach in Aruba?
It may come as a surprise that the flamingos don’t just roam wild through Aruba. This is because they are not native to the area. In fact, there’s only one place you can find them – the Renaissance Aruba Private Island. But you can’t just show up to the island whenever you feel like it, so follow this guide for a perfect, hiccup-free day at Flamingo Beach.
The private island is actually separate from the Renaissance Hotel. So even if you’re staying at the resort, you can’t just walk straight from your room to Flamingo Beach. The only way to get to the island is via a short boat ride. It takes less than 10 minutes, and it’s such a fun part of the experience!
Once you get off the boat, there are two main areas on the island, Iguana Beach and Flamingo Beach, with a gift shop and lots of cozy hammocks and loungers in between. You’ll also find two restaurants – Papagayo Bar & Grill on Iguana Beach and Mangrove Beach Bar on Flamingo Beach.
How much Does Flamingo Beach Cost?
Guests at the Renaissance Aruba Resort can visit Flamingo Beach any time they want for the duration of their stay, and you can go as many times as you’d like because it’s included with your stay. However, the passes are on a first come first serve basis. You might need to book online or with the front desk ahead of time if you’re visiting Aruba during peak season.
If you’re not staying at the resort, don’t worry because you can still visit Flamingo Beach. You will have to purchase day passes for the island online. Currently, the total cost for a day pass to visit Flamingo Beach is $125 per person. This price includes one lunch and one drink at Papagayo Bar & Grill or Mangrove Beach Bar.
When is the best time to visit Flamingo Beach?
Like most of the Caribbean, the weather in Aruba is warm and sunny all year round. The high season typically runs from December to mid-April, when most visitors from the Northern Hemisphere are trying to escape the cold. Aruba is also a popular spring break destination, so if you want to avoid the crowds then I suggest visiting during Aruba’s low season, mid-April to mid-December. And good news – Aruba lies outside that nasty hurricane belt, so hurricanes shouldn’t affect your vacation. Although, you might get caught in a little bit of rain depending on when you visit.
How to get to Flamingo Beach Aruba
Option 1: Stay at the Renaissance Aruba Resort
If you decide to book a room at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, access to the private island is included in your stay. Since the resort owns the island, the only way to get there is on one of its private water taxis. As a guest at the hotel, you can hop on one of these boats quite easily.
The Renaissance is a luxury resort featuring 565 rooms in two settings, the family-friendly Renaissance Ocean Suites and adults-exclusive Renaissance Marina Hote which are right across the street from each other. There is a pickup spot near each hotel, so just head there with your room key and wait for your ride. The water taxis leave every 15 minutes beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 6:45 p.m.
If you have your heart set on seeing the flamingos, the best solution is to stay a night or two at the Renaissance Aruba. The Renaissance isn’t the most affordable option in Aruba, but once you factor in the cost of day passes, especially for larger groups, it might just be worth it to stay at this hotel at least for a day or two. Plus, the day passes for outside guests are not always guaranteed. A few days at the Renaissance will ensure that you have as much unlimited access to the flamingos as you’d like.
Option 2: Purchase a Renaissance Island Aruba day pass
Can anyone visit Flamingo Beach in Aruba? Yes! However, it’s a little more complicated to get to the island if you aren’t a guest at the Renaissance Aruba. Non-guests will need to secure an island day pass, which cost approximately $125 per person, and you can purchase a maximum of five at a time.
Keep in mind that getting a day pass is not guaranteed for non-guests. The property limits the number of passes offered each day based on the occupancy rate. If the hotel occupancy is high, it’s likely they won’t offer passes at all for that day.
The current booking process is to purchase the tickets online at https://renaissancearuba.idaypass.com/. Passes become available at 7 A.M. for the following day and usually sell out in minutes. So, for example, if you’d like passes for June 3, you’ll need to go online on June 2 at 7 A.M. to get them.
A valid day pass is the ONLY way for a non-guest to receive access to the Renaissance water taxis, aka the only way to and from the island. Remember that each visitor’s pass includes one lunch and one cocktail at Papagayo Bar & Grill or Mangrove Beach Bar. This is convenient because you are not permitted to bring your own food or drinks onto the private island.
Are kids allowed on Flamingo Beach?
Similar to the Renaissance Aruba Resort, Renaissance Private Island is divided into two zones. One is family-friendly, and the other is adults only. Once you step off the water taxis, Flamingo Beach, which is reserved for adults, is on the right. Iguana Beach, which is the family friendly side, is on the left (or vice versa if you are facing the boats). Iguana Beach does have flamingos, but they aren’t the famous ones. They are actually white, not pink, and they are very shy. They have their own food bucket, so they won’t eat out of your hands like the other ones. They are shy, and not very socialized, so it’s much harder to get cute photos with them.
If you really want your kiddos to visit Flamingo Beach, keep in mind that children are only allowed on Flamingo Beach from 9-10 in the morning, and they must be supervised by an adult at all times. Attempting to touch, chase, hold, or scare the flamingos in any way is prohibited, so please keep a close eye on your kiddos for the safety of them and the birds.
How do I take a picture with the flamingos?
Flamingo Beach isn’t very big, so you’ll see those vibrant pink feathers right away! It’s super exciting, but getting great photos with them isn’t as easy as it looks because they’re constantly moving around or have their heads tucked into their bodies, cleaning their feathers.
The real secret to candid picture-perfect moments…feed them! Bring some U.S. quarters, and ask around the back of the Mangrove Beach Bar. They’ll give you a cup full of pellets, and the flamingos go nuts for them!
BONUS TIP: No one tells you this before you get to the island, but one of the flamingos is CRAZY. He’s a big one that’s been there for about 11 years, and he acts like he owns the place (probably because he does). He will jab you trying to get food and honestly whenever he feels like it. He pecked me in the back when I was taking a photo, and he even poked at my camera! It hurts a little bit, but nothing too serious. Just be careful and keep an eye on your kids. Check out my Instagram and my Tik Tok for some viral videos of me getting attacked and chased around the island!
Don’t chase after the flamingos, but instead just let them come to you. Just stay calm and be patient. As long as they’re hungry, they will come. They’re usually really hungry first thing in the morning, so I recommend getting on the first boat over to the island. Plus, the early bird gets the worm, or in this case, the best pictures! You’ll have the island practically to yourself if you come as soon as the island opens. Morning lighting is the best, anyways!
The island closes at 7 p.m., so stay until sunset for another great photo op. Most of the other guests will have left by then anyways.
I recommend spending at least one full day on the island to get your moneys worth and to ensure plenty of time for the perfect photo. That way, if you aren’t able to get your shot in the morning, you’ll be able to try throughout the day and at sunset.
Remember that EVERYONE wants that perfect shot with the flamingos. I know it’s hard, but try to be respectful and patient of others on the beach. You’ll all get your shot – I promise!
What else can I do on Renaissance Private Island?
Even if you’re not interested in seeing the flamingos (*gasp!*), there’s still plenty to do on Renaissance Private Island. Don’t worry about bringing your own towels from the hotel because you can pick up complimentary ones on the island. There’s also lots of comfortable hammocks and lounge chairs, many of which are shaded. I personally think the beach on the private island is the best in Aruba, so just kick back and relax under those swaying palm trees and listen to that calming ocean breeze.
If you’re traveling with a big group or just feeling extra boujee, you might want to rent a cabana for the day. Each cabana comes with water, sparkling wine, snacks, butler service, water floats, and snorkeling masks. Cabana 4001 on Iguana Beach even has a waterslide! The price per day for a cabana starts at $370 and you can make your reservation at https://renaissancearuba.ipoolside.com/. There are a total of 15 cabanas available, which are divided between the two island beaches. Remember that the cabanas on Flamingo Beach are for adults only.
If you’re the more active type, you can rent paddle boards, snorkeling equipment, and even rafts at the same place where you pick up towels. Just remember that everything has to be returned by 4:30 P.M. so they can wash and clean it for the next day.
FEED THE IGUANAS! Before coming to Aruba, I had no idea there even was an Iguana Beach. I actually first spotted one on Flamingo Beach, then there were TONS of these little guys on the dock throughout the day. They get fed around lunchtime, so several will be crowded around the dock near where the boats let you off and in front of the gift shop. There’s a sign – you’ll see it!
These little dudes are SO friendly. I actually had more fun feeding them than the flamingos. They are super gentle, and they love eating both the flamingo pellets and lettuce (someone from the bar gave me some). If you feed them by hand, they might accidentally bite your fingers, but it doesn’t hurt at all. It just might make you jump a little!
What are my options for food on the island?
Unless you’re super sneaky, you can’t bring your own food and or drinks onto the private island. You could always go back to the hotel to grab a bite to eat since it’s only a short ride away, but I recommend dining on the island because the food is GOOD.
There are two great restaurant options available on the Renaissance Island: Papagayo Bar & Grill and the Mangrove Beach Bar. You can find the former on Iguana Beach, while the latter is over on Flamingo Beach. Papagayo Bar & Grill is the best option for a full, sit-down meal and is open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It offers specialty pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven as well as sandwiches, desserts, and cocktails, but I highly recommend the roasted chicken leg with pineapple salsa and grilled plantains. So yummy!
If you’re craving a quick snack or cocktail while lounging with the flamingos, head over to Mangrove Beach Bar. You can walk up to either places and order, or you can have the waiters serve you from the comfort of you beach chair. Another Piña colada, please!
Remember – one meal and one drink are included with the guest day pass. Guests at the Renaissance have the option to purchase an all-inclusive meal plan, so you can eat your heart out all day on the island if you so choose!
They sell these adorable flamingo floaty cups with a kids cocktail, but it’ll set you back $10. It tasted like a Shirley Temple adorned with sprinkles!
How can I best spend my time on the island?
Like I said, the earlier you arrive at the Renaissance Private Island, the better. The water taxis start running at 7 a.m. I got on the first boat over with some of the staff, and I had the island to myself for about an hour. This way, you’ll be able to see the flamingos, take a million pictures, and grab a chair in the shade before the crowd pours in.
Iguana Beach definitely has more shaded areas, and the vibe is a lot more relaxed. Flamingo Beach can get a little chaotic and noisy when it gets crowded, so after checking out the flamingos on Flamingo Beach, I suggest nabbing a chair on Iguana Beach and park there for the day.
Flamingo Beach visiting hours
The Renaissance Aruba Private Island is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.The first water taxi leaves at 7 a.m. from the resort and the last taxi from the island back to the resort leaves at 6:45 p.m. The Flamingo Beach section of the private island is adults only, and children are only permitted to visit from 9-10 a.m. each day.
Is Flamingo Island worth it?
The moment you’ve all been waiting for…. was it worth the money? My personal opinion is yes, 100% yes. I would do it again in a heartbeat because where else are you going to get to feed flamingos in Aruba on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches?!
Flamingo Beach is a fun and unique destination for honeymooners, bachelorette bashes, and any type of celebration, really! Plus, Renaissance Island offers Aruba’s ONLY private beaches (that’s why they’re so nice!). All in all, no trip to Aruba is complete without a visit to Flamingo Beach because it’s SUCH a bucket list destination.
For other great activities in Aruba, check out my post on the 10 Best Things to do in Aruba and the Most Instagrammable Spots on this One Happy Island!
Trina Woodie
How much is it a person?
Sightseeing Señorita
Trina WoodieAre you talking about the day pass or how much it costs to stay at the Renaissance? Because the Renaissance actually has two different properties, so it’ll vary based on property and room. The day pass is aprox $125 per person.