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LOCAL Thursday 20 November 2025

National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest nature conservation

The National Park Arikok land. These families found cies of flora and fauna to
comprises almost 18 % of ways to survive in the difficult be conserved to over 250.
the island. Its rugged terrain, conditions, and were able to On December 21st, 2018
desert-like hills filled with tall erect their homes with mate- (AB 2018 no. 77) Parke Ma-
cacti, breathtaking coastline rials found in the area. Two rino Aruba – currently con-
and protected local flora of these adobe houses have sisting of four marine pro-
and fauna welcome you to been restored. Park rangers tected areas (MPAs) – was
be explored. There are nu- are learning many of the old officially established and
merous animals to discover, building techniques in order subsequently brought un-
for example the bright blue to preserve this unique Aru- der management of ACF. In
Cododo or mighty War- ban mud-house. At Cunucu 2019, preliminary manage-
awara. Arikok and near Plantation ment plan for marine were
Prins you can find these ado- introduced for Parke Marino
The national park Arikok be houses. to conserve reefs, seagrass
takes you on a memorable beds, and mangrove forests
journey of the islands past Park Management and in 2020 ACF was given
offering unique geological, cated at the north-eastern inlets at the mouth of dry riv- The Aruba Conservation additional management
cultural and historical sites. part of Aruba which con- erbeds. Some of these bays Foundation (ACF), formerly areas such as the Saliñas
These can all be enjoyed tains examples of most of (boca’s) are spectacular known as Aruba National (Druif, Malmok, Cerca, Palm
and explored either on your the island’s flora and fauna sights, adorned with white, Park Foundation, manages Beach, Bubali etc.) and also
own or during guided tours. against a backdrop of great sandy beaches and sand the national park. This foun- additional areas such as
A wide variety of educa- geological complexity. We dunes, as is the case at Boca dation was established in Rooi Manonchi, Ser’I Teishi
tional and informative pro- are proud to state that ap- Prins and Dos Playa. July 2003. In February 2017, etc. Managed areas can be
grams and fun activities is proximately 18% of the total mangrove and wetland seen here: https://acf.aw/.
available. land area of Aruba is as- Arikok is also home to Con- RAMSAR site #198 Spanish
signed as a National Park, chi, Aruba’s most impor- Lagoon was annexed to Visit the National Park Arikok
Did you know that four of the to protect and preserve the tant natural attraction; also Arikok National Park due to to see the wonder of Aruba’s
seven species of sea turtle flora, fauna, geology and known as The Natural Pool. its importance as a feeding nature. The visitor center in
lay their eggs on Aruba's historical remains present The journey to the Pool is and breeding area for water San Fuego and entrance in
beaches? In the national within Arikok National Park. and adventure by itself and birds and as a nursery area Vader Piet (San Nicolas) is
park, a Least Tern (Sternula only possible by foot, horse, for a variety of marine organ- open daily from 8:00 AM to
antillarum) keeps a strict The Landscape or 4×4 vehicle. As of 2020, isms. With this addition, the 16:00 PM. Contact the ACF
eye on a very special event There is a great geological ATV’s and UTVs are not al- areas under management via e-mail, info@acf.aw or
taking place below on the variety within the park. The lowed in the park due do its increased by 70 hectares call +297 585 1234 for more
beach: A majestic Leather- main aspects are the rough significant impact on nature. while the amount of spe- information. q
back (Dermochelys coria- hills of the volcanic Aruba
cea) heading back to the lava formation, the mysteri- Cultural and Historical
ocean after laying her eggs ous rocks of the batholithic components
during breeding season. Sea quartz-diorite/tonalite, and There are a number of sites
turtles prefer nesting in the the limestone rocks from fos- within the park that attest
cool and dark hours of the silized coral. The two tallest to the history of Aruba. The
night. And hatchlings usually hills on the island are situated Caquetío Indians left rock
wait for the cue of cooling within the park. Jamanota paintings in Cunucu Arikok
surface sand before emerg- hill 188 meters (617 ft) and and Fontein Cave.
ing. Arikok hill 176 meters (577 ft),
from which the name of the Old plantation (Cunucus)
Nature Conservation park is derived. sites tell the story of an active
The protected area of Na- yet challenging agricultural
tional Park Arikok was of- The line of the permanently past.
ficially established in 2000. wind-and-wave beaten
Arikok National Park is a North Coast is broken by sev- These Cunucus were also
34 square kilometers (7907 eral bays (boca’s). Most of residential areas for the few
acres) of natural area, lo- them are small yet impressive families that worked the