Savaneta Trip Overview
You are invited to hike with us along the Spanish Lagoon Mangrove Trail inland to the headwaters where you will find the ruins of the old gold smelter neighboring the haunted Frenchman’s Pass. Well-informed and enjoyably personal guides will lead you along this mangrove-laced trail while explaining all there is to know about this rarely visited part of our island. Archaeologists have recently carbon-dated various shell middens as far back as 1465 BC as Spanish Lagoon was a principal area of exploration by the Archaic Amerindian first arrivals from Venezuela.
After exploring the old Balashi Gold Smelter Ruins, we will take you to visit the “Shoco” nests. The Shoco Athene Aunicularia Arubensis is our renowned burrowing owl. And after go to the Pristine Beach of Eagle Beach to lunch at Ricardo’s restaurant.
Additional Info
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Starts: Savaneta, Aruba
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Savaneta Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Savaneta, Aruba, Aruba
You are invited to hike with us along the Spanish Lagoon Mangrove Trail inland to the headwaters where you will find the ruins of the old gold smelter neighboring the haunted Frenchman’s Pass. Well-informed and enjoyably personal guides will lead you along this mangrove-laced trail while explaining all there is to know about this rarely visited part of our island. Archaeologists have recently carbon-dated various shell middens as far back as 1465 BC as Spanish Lagoon was a principal area of exploration by the Archaic Amerindian first arrivals from Venezuela.
After exploring the old Balashi Gold Smelter Ruins, we will take you to visit the “Shoco” nests. The Shoco Athene Aunicularia Arubensis is our renowned burrowing owl. And after go to the Pristine Beach of Eagle Beach to lunch at Ricardo’s restaurant.
Stop At: Pos Chiquito, Pos Chiquito, Aruba
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
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Spanish Lagoon, F2HH+M77, Oranjestad, Aruba
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.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Balashi Gold Mill Ruins, Ao lado da Spanish Lagoon, Oranjestad Aruba
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
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ricardo’s Restaurant & Bar, J.E. Irausquin Blvd 53, Oranjestad, Aruba
After enjoying our Nature Walk/hikes we visit Eagle Beach, at Ricardo’s breathtaking ocean view Restaurant at Aruba Beach Club Resort. There you will be able to order from their regular Lunch dishes and enjoy another side of our Beautiful Island. Non Alcoholic beverages included
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Green Corridor Aruba Spaans Lagoen Parkway, Route 1 Barcadera Oranjestad, Aruba
After visiting the Balashi Gold Smelter Ruins we walk/hike our way back to Pos Chiquito through the Spanish Lagoen Hills having a spectacular view of the Spanish lagoen and Green Corridor Bridge until we are back to our starting point.
Duration: 1 hour
