Arikok National Park

The most popular way to explore Arikok National Park is on an ATV or UTV excursion. A half-day tour is enough to take in the highlights, including the Aruba Natural Pool, and active types can choose from a variety of different hiking trails, swim or snorkel along the coast, or tour the bushlands on horseback. Alternatively, visit Arikok as part of an Aruba sightseeing tour and zip around the island in an open-air jeep, stopping at sights like Arashi Beach, Baby Beach, Alto Vista Chapel, and California Lighthouse.

• Arikok’s entrance fee goes toward conservation efforts.

• There are several parking areas, but access to most of the trails is by 4WD only and there’s a speed limit of 12 mph (20 kph) throughout.

• Bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water, especially if you plan on hiking.

Arikok National Park is located along the southeast coast of Aruba and is only accessible by 4WD. Most visitors visit with a guided tour or hire their own transport.

You can visit Arikok National Park year round, but popular attractions can get crowded during peak season (January to March). The park’s typical opening hours are 8am to 4pm, and it’s best to get an early start to avoid both the crowds and the midday heat.

In addition to the Aruba Natural Pool, the park’s top attraction, other highlights include Arikok and Jamanota hilltop, which offer incredible views of the island and Caribbean Sea; the sandy beaches of Dos Playa and Boca Prins, which are famous for the sea turtles that nest onshore; and Quadirikiri and Fontein caves, which are known for their Arawak tribe rock art.

Yes, Arikok National Park is worth visiting. The park's rugged landscape of rocky coves, cactus-dotted desert-like plains, and ancient limestone caves provide an appealing contrast to the beach resorts of Aruba's north coast and offer a more rounded perspective on the island's geography. It's worth spending a whole day here.

There are many ways to explore Arikok National Park. ATV and UTV excursions are among the most popular, but you can also hike trails, swim or snorkel along the coast, or cross the sandy dunes on horseback. Many visitors explore Arikok National Park on an open-air Jeep safari around Aruba.

Cunucu Arikok is one of the best, easiest hikes in Arikok National Park. The flat, sandy loop trail starts at the visitors center. Notable flora is marked with signage, and the trail ends at a restored plantation where you can learn how Aruban farmers once worked.

Yes, you can swim in Arikok National Park. In fact, swimming in Conchi Natural Pool is one of the highlights of a visit—although you'll need a 4WD to get there. The pool is protected from the ocean's waves, though water often sprays over the rocks.

You should dress for the heat when visiting Arikok National Park. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing, and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Pack plenty of water, especially if you plan on hiking, and bring a bathing suit if you want to take a dip in the natural pool.

There is no particular best day to visit Arikok National Park, but, if you want to avoid crowds, aim to visit on a weekday and avoid it on national holidays. Morning is the best time of day to visit and enjoy the great outdoors before the sun heats up.