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How to Explore Arikok National Park

Located in the Eastern part of Aruba, Arikok National Park offers a striking alternative to the calm beaches and casinos of the western part of the island. This windswept park has a rough shoreline with a mix of cliffs, wild beaches, sand dunes, and caves.

This is a must see part of Aruba. Below we’ll share the details of how to explore Arikok National Park and what to do when you are there.

Looking for more guides to help plan your visit? Check out our complete guide to Aruba or:

Quick Overview of Arikok National Park

Arikok National Park, located on the eastern side of Aruba, covers nearly 20% of the island. There is one Visitor Center and road that runs through the park (there are some smaller dirt roads that require a 4×4.

There is an entrance fee to enter the park – it costs $22/adult when we visited, but you can check the official website for up to date opening and closing hours and fee.

One of the caves in Arikok National Park
One of the caves in Arikok National Park

Should you Take a Tour or Visit on your Own?

The most common question is whether you should visit the park on your own or book a tour. This depends a bit on what you want to do in the park and whether you are renting a car to see other parts of the island.

If you prefer to manage your own time, it is perfectly easy to rent a car and visit the park on your own. The main road that runs through the park is paved and you can stop at all the most popular sites (with the exception on Conchi Swim hole). It is possible to visit the Conchi swim hole by hiking to it, but you will need at least a high clearance vehicle to get to the start of the hike. Having a rental car also gives you the chance to visit some other parts of the island.

There are three reasons a tour might be a better option. The first reason to take a tour is if you are staying at a resort and will only be visiting Arikok National Park and don’t want to rent your own car. There are many different tours from hikes to ATV tours. The second reason is if you want to learn more about the park. Finally, if you don’t want to hike in the hot Aruba weather but want to visit the Conchi Swimming hole, you may prefer a tour.

You can search for a number of tours through Viator.

When we visited, we rented a car and visited the park on our own. We were also spending another day exploring other parts of the island, so renting a car made the most sense. That said, car rental on Aruba is expensive.

Arikok National Park Map

What to do in Arikok National Park

Start at the Visitor Center

Your first start should be at the Visitor Center. You will need to stop here and pay your entrance fee. There is some general information about the history, culture, and environment inside the park and you can meet tours here as well.

Explore the Caves

Probably the most interesting thing to do in the park in to explore the caves. These caves range from small to relatively large caves and you can walk right into the cave to explore.

  • Visit Fontein Cave to see ancient Arawak petroglyphs.
  • Discover the natural skylights and bat colonies in Quadirikiri Cave. This was our favorite cave with the natural openings with light.
  • Check out Huliba Cave, known as the Tunnel of Love for its heart-shaped entrance.
One of the caves in Arikok National Park

Hike the Trails

Trek through desert landscapes, cacti forests, and rugged terrain to experience the park’s diverse ecosystems. There are many hiking trails, but it is important to remember that Aruba is hot and dry without shade. I strongly recommend hiking early in the morning.

Visit the Beaches

There are some gorgeous beachs in Arikok National Park, but they aren’t exactly the type of beach you will sunbath at for hours and take a calm dip in the water. While beautiful, the beaches are wild with massive waves and rocks. Dos Playa and Boca Prins are both pretty beaches.

Spot Wildlife

Look for Aruba’s unique animals, such as the Aruban burrowing owl, whiptail lizards, and wild goats.

Swim in the Natural Pool (Conchi)

The park’s famous natural pool, a stunning ocean-fed rock basin perfect for snorkeling and swimming.

This is probably the most popular thing to do in the park. There are two main ways to reach the pool. You can either do it as part of a guided tour or hike to the pool. Some of the guided tours are as simple as jeeps, but you can also do ATV or horseback riding tours.

We chose to hike to the pool. You can see more about how to get to the Conchi Natural Pool.

Take a Scenic Off-Road Drive

Experience the park’s rugged beauty on a 4×4 adventure through dirt roads and rocky terrain. While the main road is paved there are plenty of dirt roads in the park and throughout this part of the islands perfect for off roading.

Things to Know about Arikok National Park

Below are a few highlights of things to know about visit Arikok National Park to help you plan your visit.

  • Entry Fee: There is an entrance fee that helps with park conservation.
  • Hours: The park is open daily, usually from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Check for updates before visiting.
  • Transportation: A 4×4 vehicle is recommended for exploring rugged areas like the Natural Pool. Regular cars may struggle on the dirt roads. If you don’t plan to visit the Natural Pool, you can rent a normal car. Check with your car rental agency and some have restrictions on where cars can go.
  • Bring Supplies: Pack water, sunscreen, and snacks as facilities are limited.
  • Wear Proper Gear: Comfortable, sturdy shoes and a hat are needed for hiking and exploring the rocky terrain. We found the rails easy walking but I was happy to have covered toes.
  • Practice Leave no Trace: Pack in and out all trash and follow leave no trace principles.
  • Cave Safety: Bring a flashlight (or phone light) for exploring caves, and be cautious of bats and uneven surfaces. Avoid using too much light as it disturbs the bats.
  • Weather: Aruba is hot year-round, so plan outdoor activities early in the morning to avoid peak heat. This is my biggest piece of advice for those visiting!
  • Swimming Precautions: At the Natural Pool or beaches, be cautious of strong waves and currents.

How long do you Need in the Park

If you are just driving the main road and stopping at the caves and popular beaches, you should plan for a few hours. If you plan to hike, off road or do a tour you should plan at least 1/2 a day.

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