Last year, my husband and I hiked a couple of beautiful trails in the Arikok park. We are going to Aruba this Saturday and had anticipated hiking the same area although when I read about the Park this past week, it talked about the Park being home to the Aruban rattlesnakes. Has anyone gone exploring there, encountered a snake, know anything about its safety or can give any feedback at all?
Thanks so much.

Hello There, I lived in Aruba for 7 myears and have never seen one.

The Aruba rattlesnake is so rare that the only place I ever saw one in my life was in the San Diego Zoo.

Don't worry about it; besides being so rare, they are extremely timid. They will hear you coming and get gone long before you ever get near one.

Was there last Saturday with another parent and his child. Two adults and two 3 year old kids.

Whiloe it is a fact that the park is the home of the snake you mentioned, it should also be mentioned that this particular snake is a very shy species and not inclined to attach humans. There are exceptions however to my knowledge this is not something to be scared of.

There are other issues that might be more interesting to pay attention to.

Make sure you take a cap or hat and sunglasses

Take at least two handkerchieves per persons or at minimum a good bandana

Wear supportive shoes and not flip flops

When you get to the plantion house, make sure to use insect repelent (OFF). There are many bees and wasps in there.

Take a minimum of one bottle of water.

We used small backpacks. The Spiderman kind work just great even though they do look a bit funy.

Happy hiking

charles

HAs anyone read anything about boa constrictors? I read something about them in Jan. I know the rattlesnakes are scarce so I don't worry near the resorts. I don't climb haystack anymore because of the snakes (fears). I am really careful near Boca Prins where we eat lunch on our drive through the park. Theresa