Bask in a tropical mood on the shores of Flamingo Beach as you party with the pretty pink creatures
On a tranquil island in the heart of the Caribbean, you’ll find yourself in the company of a unique breed of sunbathers.
Flamingos flit about the sandy shore, paying human visitors no mind as they feed and chill out in the shallow surf.
This tropical paradise lies on Renaissance Island in Aruba, a Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela. An artificial island, Renaissance comprises a mangrove swamp and two private beaches.
It is also a private property of the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino.
Fancy feathers
On this adult-only beach, one may at first feel flustered as a curious flamingo wanders near your sunbathing spot. But don’t worry; the birds are used to visitors and will happily pass you by if you keep to your space.
The island, which is open daily from 7am to 7pm, is free for all guests of the resort. However, if you’re not staying there but would like to spend a day with the flamingos, simply purchase a day pass (US$99, or about $138) from the hotel on the day.
This package includes lunch, transportation to the island and a beach towel.
I spy iguanas
Have kids who’d like to chill out with animals too? The other private beach on Renaissance Island is the family-friendly Iguana Beach, which is exactly what it sounds like. While not as strikingly obvious as their feathered friends, the iguanas can be spotted every so often.
For a guaranteed glimpse at these curious creatures, look out for “lunch time” at noon daily, where the resort staff will invite children to participate in feeding the iguanas.
This is when the critters will start flocking out of their hideouts to greet the guests and munch on leaves from their hands.
If you’ve chosen to spend your day here, do note not to place your beach chair or towel underneath a palm tree. Iguanas are known to come out of hiding by dropping from the branches without warning; you don’t want to be their landing pad!
Access to the Iguana Beach is included in the resort day pass, and its shallow waters with gentle currents make it a good spot for families with children to swim and snorkel.
Getting there
Located about 24km from Venezuela, Aruba is two and a half hours from Miami, the United States (US), with direct flights from major cities in the US. Renaissance Island is an eight-minute drive from Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport.
Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, LG Smith Boulevard 82, Oranjestad, Aruba.
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