The natural side of Aruba: Arikok Park

Of Aruba’s many activities, a tour of Arikok Park may be the most unique. From sand dunes and cacti in the park’s desert interior to limestone cliffs and hidden coves on the Caribbean coast, Arikok Park offers as much ecological diversity as anywhere you’ve visited. The unique historical sites within the park boundaries shed light on Aruba’s agricultural and mining past. Arikok Park is also home to numerous unique species, supported by the microclimates of the park’s geography. Several types of snakes, lizards, and birds native to the park are found nowhere else in the world. With almost 20% of the island dedicated to this one-of-a-kind reserve, nature lovers will not be disappointed with this Caribbean treasure. Arikok Park is easy to explore as the trails are well marked and informational signs and displays are posted along many routes. For a little more guidance, the park office offers a very detailed guide that is worth investing in if you plan to spend a lot of time here. Try to arrive early in the morning, as the birds and animals are most active just after sunrise. It is also recommended to pack food, water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes.

Our first stop within the park boundaries is the farm known as Cunucu Arikok, an attraction that recalls Aruba’s agricultural history. Walking trails meander through natural vegetation and wildlife, land previously used to grow beans, corn, and peanuts. The adobe farmhouse has rarely seen cactus roof beams, while cactus hedges still protect farmland. In addition, there are several fine examples of Amerindian drawing on the rocks above the farm.

Prins Plantation was the site of a coconut farm until the 1960s. Walking the trails of Prins Plantation, one will come across a captivating oceanic cove and plenty of wildlife. For a bit of history on aloe cultivation in Aruba, visit the Masiduri, a unique garden complex featuring an abundance of eucalyptus trees and informative exhibits on the aloe industry. Miralamar, an abandoned group of gold mines and trenches, is another interesting place to explore.

Approaching the coast, the vegetation and landscape change drastically. On the beaches of the rocky north coast, where the sea meets towering limestone formations, you’ll see crabs darting across pristine stretches of sand and giant birds floating on the water. Boca Prins Beach is a popular spot to watch hatchling sea turtles, while Fuente has the cinematic grandeur of breaking waves. For picnics and sunbathing, Dos Playa is the best option within Arikok Park, although swimming is often too dangerous. Here you will also find the only eating establishment within the park, serving excellent local cuisine and fresh seafood.

Hidden on the northwest coast of Dos Playa, the Natural Pool, known to locals as Cura di Tortuga, is protected from the waves of the Caribbean by rock formations. The pool is believed to have housed sea turtles waiting to be sold (‘tortuga’ means turtle in the indigenous Papiamento language). Today, the pool serves as an exotic pool for those lucky enough to discover it.

A few steps from Boca Prins is the Fontein Cave, the most visited cave on the north coast of Aruba. The walls of this cave are covered with Amerindian drawings and marks of the first European settlers. For your inner spelunker, the oddly shaped stalagmites and stalactites are sure to impress. Just south of Fontein Cave is the Hofi Fontein, or Garden of the Fountain, site of the only freshwater spring on Aruba’s north coast. The site also has a charming museum with exhibits of plants and animals, always attended by friendly park rangers.

With two large chambers that open to the Caribbean sky, Quadirikiri Cave allows visitors to explore its cavern without flashlights. Local myth has a strange explanation for the cave ceiling: the fiery daughter of a prominent Indian chief is said to have been trapped in the cave with her scorned suitor. In death, the spirits of the young couple burst through the top of the cave into the sky.

Also located on the north coast of Aruba, the Baranca Sunu Cave, also known as the Tunnel of Love for its heart-shaped opening, is rumored to have been a popular hideout for pirates and their treasures. Although the stories have not been validated, the cave certainly possesses an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. When you leave the caves and Arikok Park, consider following the coastal road to San Nicolás, a charming town with many new activities for you and your family.