Aruba’s national parks are all treasures, and the Arikok National Park is no exception. We protect everything in it and so can you, just by visiting.
Nearly 20% of Aruba is a designated National Park and home to a long list of natural wonders, animal species and plant life. The Arikok National Park is home to rare priceless gems that are indigenous to our island.
The Arikok National Park is a great place to spend the entire day enjoying the dramatic landscapes. There is a small entrance fee that goes towards the preservation of the park, educational programs and the animals who roam freely throughout the 7907 acres.
There are many things to do in Arikok National Park. The place is home to a variety of unique attractions and cultural heritage sites, including spectacular caves, original Indian rock drawings, unusual land formations made from lava, quartz diorite and limestone, guided nature walks through dry river beds to secluded bays like Moro, Boca Prins and Dos Playa.The monthly ‘Movie in the Park’, watching a movie in open air under the stars, is worth a visit and a memorable experience for the entire family. Admission for this activity is free.
Animals Found in Arikok National Park
Aruban rattlesnakes, parakeets and whiptail lizards make their home in the Arikok National Park, as do numerous iguanas, goats, donkeys and migratory birds. So, if you don’t like animals, stay clear of Aruba’s southeastern quadrant, which is dominated by this ecological preserve and extremely popular tourist stop.
Natural Pool (Conchi)
Natural Pool
Experience true adventure at Aruba’s most remote, yet also most popular nature attraction, the famous Natural Pool.
In a unique rock formation, volcanic stone circles a small depression, creating a tranquil pool: Aruba’s Natural Pool.
On a deserted stretch of coastline, dramatic shows of water spraying over the rock occurs on a regular basis as the tide rushes to shore. The unique natural pool is also known as ‘Conchi’ (bowl) or ‘Cura di Tortuga’ (Turtles Cove) and located inside Aruba’s national park Arikok.
Caves in Arikok National Park
Enter a world filled with amazing stalactites, stalagmites, ancient Indian rock drawings and bats inside Aruba’s caves.
In the deep recesses of rock along the island’s windward coast, shallow cave formations intrigue visitors, who, in seeking to penetrate its damp chambers, are rewarded with mysterious views.
The caves are accessible to the public during the day between opening hours of the national park (8:00 – 4:00 pm). Ask park rangers at the entrance of the caves for a tour inside, as they can share interesting information on rock drawings, and nature’s artwork of stalagmites and stalactites.
The Quadirikiri Cave is famous for its two chambers, illuminated by the sunlight streaming through holes in the roof of the cave. The cave extends for about 100 feet. In the darker portions of the cave nest hundreds of harmless bats. The Fontein Cave is the most popular of the caves as it is the only one that has the drawings of Arawak Indians on the ceilings, providing a real sense of island history to this cave. All three of these caves are located within the Arikok National Park Aruba.
The Quadirikiri Cave is a must do if you are visiting Aruba. I had the cave and bats to myself for about 30 minutes. You can see lighted areas ahead through dark zones which is thrilling. The bats do not bother you at all. Lots of natural light towards the back of the cave.
Fontein Cave
Best Hiking/Biking Trails in Arikok National Park
Covering one-fifth of the island, the park offers an endless number of walking/biking trails and sights—knowing where to start can be a bit daunting. So I’ve highlighted four excursions ideal for newbies. Before setting out on any of them, make sure you first stop in at the visitor’s center to pay the park entrance fee, pick up your park map, and gather any other information relevant to your excursion. And yeah, go ahead and leave your car in the parking lot and lace up those hiking shoes or gear up your bike—you’ll thank me later!
Cunucu Arikok Hike
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours for entire loop
The Cunucu Arikok Trail is easy to navigate, making it ideal for families with kids. The park has gone to great lengths to make this tour appealing on many levels. Along the trail, local flora specimens are marked with informative wooden plaques. At the far end of the trail loop, a restored plantation, called Cunucu Arikok, which includes a small house rebuilt using traditional methods, tells the story of how Aruban farmers once worked and lived. A few benches in small clearings with plenty of shade make perfect spots for a picnic lunch or snack.
Miralamar Hike
Time: 2 hours, from visitor’s center to Miralamar mine shafts and back
For a slightly more difficult hike (medium level), try the Miralamar excursion. Starting out at the visitor’s center, you will make your way along a trail from which you can observe the arid landscape, native vegetation, and different rock types. Keep an eye out for birds (maybe you’ll spot a crested caracara scavenging for carrion), lizards (like the bright-turquoise kododo, indigenous to Aruba), snakes (most likely a harmless cat-eyed snake, locally known as the santanero), and goats (which roam into the park from neighboring farms). Soon you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular view encompassing both coasts. (Miralamar means “look at the ocean.”) There’s a bench nearby for a rest with a view.
Rooi Tambu Hike
Time: 2 – 3 hours, one way, from the visitor’s center to Dos Playa Beach
If you want to test your stamina, give the Rooi Tambu Hike a go. Like Miralamar, this is a hike of medium difficulty, but it is certainly longer in duration. The trail follows (and is named after) a seasonal stream, Rooi Tambu (Drum Stream). In the dry season, Rooi Tambu is merely a dry streambed, making it easier to explore the vegetation while also making the geological diversity of the area more apparent. It’s also said that in the dry season, wind gusts create the sound of rolling drums. In the rainy season, the vegetation becomes much greener, and if there’s significant rainfall, a proper stream will form, maybe even with some fish.
At a section along the trail, hills rise up on both sides for a dramatic effect. Also of interest is the transition in the environment as you head progressively closer to the sea: the arid surroundings (especially in the dry season), old and gnarled watapana trees, aloe, cacti, and thick brush eventually give way to coastal breezes, sandy soil, mangroves, and seagrape trees.
Fontein & Quadirikiri Caves Biking Excursion
Time: 30–40 minutes from the visitor’s center to caves, one way
Ready to get that heart pumping? Does a biking-and-spelunking combo sound enticing? This great excursion features two of the park’s caves, and the best way to get there is by bike. You’ll start at the visitor’s center, taking the paved road (Northern Loop) into the park. After just a bit, you’ll reach a gravel path on your right. Take this gravel path (Southern Loop) through the hilly desert landscape all the way to the caves.
A ranger is stationed at Fontein Cave to provide an explanation of this geological attraction. The small cave is known for the Arawak Indian drawings on the walls and roof. Stalagmite and stalactite formations and some local bats are also of interest.
Once you’ve had your fill of Fontein, hop back onto your bike for a short coastal ride to Quadirikiri. This cave is notable for its two large chambers as well as the sunlight that spills into the cave from holes in the ceiling. Quadirikiri is also a very important nesting site for bats. (Please note that both Fontein and Quadirikiri Caves are conservation sites, and all visitors are required to respect the natural habitat of the bats living and breeding there. This means entering the caves with caution, not smoking or eating within the caves, being cautious with the use of flashlights, and refraining from entering the caves in large groups without the assistance of park staff. Of course, the best way to enter the caves is with the assistance of a ranger.)
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