Arikok Nationwide Park brings a style of desert life to the favored Dutch–Caribbean island nation of Aruba.
From off-road 4WD excursions by means of the park’s rugged terrain to swimming in pure swimming pools or standing on a bridge shaped by eroded limestone, Arikok supplies a great deal of nice issues to do for your complete household. Right here’s every thing it’s good to know for a seamless go to to Aruba’s desert park.
The historical past of Arikok Nationwide Park
Situated on the northeastern aspect of the nation, Arikok Nationwide Park was formally deemed a protected space in 2000, though the terrain was shaped and inhabited properly earlier than that — as evidenced by cave drawings and markings which might be nonetheless seen immediately. The greater than 7900 acres of pure space now encompasses about 20% of the island.
The park’s identify was impressed by its second-tallest hill — Arikok — sitting at 185m (606ft). A lot of the park was naturally shaped by volcanic exercise, eroding limestone and the consequences of excessive winds and tough waves.
get to Arikok Nationwide Park
From the lodge zone of Aruba (the “noord” a part of the island the place a lot of the motels are situated), the drive south to Arikok takes just below 40 minutes.
You will have to hire your individual car, e book a guided tour or take a taxi to achieve the doorway. In the event you select to hire your individual car, get a 4WD to higher navigate the rocky tracks and terrain. The island’s public buses don’t journey to Arikok and ATVs, UTVs and motorbikes are prohibited inside the park’s grounds.
There are two entrances into the park, San Fuego — the simplest entrance to achieve and the place the customer heart is situated — and Vader Piet, situated on the southeastern border of the park.
There’s a conservation payment of USD$11 for adults (youngsters aged 17 and underneath are free) that goes towards the preservation and upkeep of the park. The park is open from 8am till 4pm each day.
Hottest excursions to Arikok Nationwide Park
For individuals who favor to let another person do all of the leg work, e book a guided tour in your Arikok Nationwide Park go to. DePalm Tours is the island’s primary tour operator — though actually not the one one — providing a spread of day excursions and experiences inside the park.
The corporate’s half-day open-air 4WD tour is the most well-liked, which picks up from a lot of the island’s motels. The tour begins with an off-road safari by means of the park.
In the event you’re vulnerable to movement illness, this might not be the tour for you. Guides will take you to park’s pure pool for a dip and photograph ops. There’s a brief hike — together with steep, slim stairs — required to achieve the pool.
After the dip, you’ll take a much less bumpy journey to see a few of the park’s different points of interest, just like the Alto Vista Chapel — surrounded by huge cacti — the California lighthouse and the famed pure bridge.
Horseback driving excursions and climbing trails are additionally out there by means of the park. Hikes vary from newbie to strenuous, and you may go for a guided hike with a park ranger. For self-guided hikes, path data will also be discovered on the customer’s heart on the San Fuego entrance.
In the event you decide to hire a car, don’t fear, it’s nonetheless straightforward to navigate the park. Decide up maps on the customer heart. It’s greatest to reach as early as potential to keep away from tour crowds. For these arriving by cruise ship, you’ll want to rearrange excursions by means of the cruise line.
The perfect issues to see in Arikok Nationwide Park
Visiting the park’s caves supplies a better look into the lives of the world’s early inhabitants. There are two caves open to the general public each day from 8am till 4pm – Fontein and Quadirikiri. There’s a park ranger on the opening of every cave to provide excursions, and clarify the which means of the drawings left by the island’s Arawak Indians.
Relying on the time of 12 months that you just go to, you could catch a glimpse of leatherback and inexperienced sea turtles nesting at Dos Playa inside the park. The unspoiled seaside has two coves and is widespread for browsing. The waters are very tough and never advisable for individuals trying to swim or physique board.
In the event you plan to spend the day at Dos Playa, you gained’t be removed from the dunes of Boca Prins — created by the continuing northeastern commerce winds.
