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Monday 21 July 2025 locAl
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National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest nature conservation

The National Park Arikok past.
comprises almost 18 % of
the island. Its rugged ter- These Cunucus were also
rain, desert-like hills filled residential areas for the few
with tall cacti, breathtaking families that worked the land.
coastline and protected These families found ways to
local flora and fauna wel- survive in the difficult condi-
come you to be explored. tions, and were able to erect
There are numerous animals their homes with materials
to discover, for example the found in the area. Two of
sea turtle who lays his eggs these adobe houses have
on the park’s beaches. been restored. Park rangers
are learning many of the old
The national park Arikok building techniques in order
takes you on a memorable to preserve this unique Aru-
journey of the islands past ban mud-house. At Cunucu
offering unique geological, Arikok and near Plantation
cultural and historical sites. Prins you can find these ado-
These can all be enjoyed be houses.
and explored either on your
own or during guided tours. A Park Management
wide variety of educational For the management of the
and informative programs park, a dedicated founda-
and fun activities is available. tion “Aruba Conservation
Nature Conservation Foundation (ACF), formerly
Did you know that four of The protected area of Na- known as Aruba National
the in total seven species tional Park Arikok was official- Park Foundation. This foun-
of sea turtle lay their eggs ly established in 2000. Arikok dation was established in
on Aruba's beaches? In the National Park is a 34 square July 2003. In February 2017,
national park, a Least Tern kilometers (7907 acres) of mangrove and wetland
(Sternula antillarum) keeps a natural area, located at the RAMSAR site #198 Spanish
strict eye on a very special north-eastern part of Aruba Lagoon was annexed to
event taking place below which contains examples of Arikok National Park due to
on the beach: a majestic most of the island’s flora and its importance as a feeding
Leatherback (Dermochelys fauna against a backdrop of and breeding area for water
coriacea) heads back to sea great geological complexity. main aspects are the rough birds and as a nursery area
after laying her eggs, while We are proud to state that hills of the volcanic Aruba The line of the permanently for a variety of marine organ-
another nest laid 2 months approximately 18% of the lava formation, the mysteri- wind-and-wave beaten isms. With this addition, the
ago by the same female total land area of Aruba is ous rocks of the batholithic North Coast is broken by sev- areas under FPNA manage-
hatches—a very rare oc- assigned as a National Park, quartz-diorite/tonalite, and eral bays (boca’s). Most of ment increased by 70 hect-
currence of daytime nest- to protect and preserve the the limestone rocks from fos- them are small yet impressive ares while the amount of
ing and hatching. Sea turtles flora, fauna, geology and his- silized coral. The two tallest inlets at the mouth of dry riv- species of flora and fauna
prefer nesting in the cool and torical remains present within hills on the island are situated erbeds. Some of these bays to be conserved to over 250.
dark hours of the night. And Arikok National Park. within the park. Jamanota (boca’s) are spectacular On December 21st, 2018 (AB
hatchlings usually wait for the hill 188 meters (617 ft) and sights, adorned with white, 2018 no. 77) Parke Marino
cue of cooling surface sand The Landscape Arikok hill 176 meters (577 ft), sandy beaches and sand Aruba – currently consisting
before emerging. There is a great geological from which the name of the dunes, as is the case at Boca of four marine protected ar-
variety within the park. The park is derived. Prins and Dos Playa. eas (MPAs) – was officially es-
tablished and subsequently
Arikok is also home to Con- brought under management
chi, Aruba’s most impor- of ACF. In 2019 management
tant natural attraction; also plans will be established for
known as The Natural Pool. the new MPAs which include:
The journey to the Pool is and coral reefs, sea grass beds,
adventure by itself and only mangrove systems, a large
possible by foot, horse, ATV diversity of breeding sea-
or 4×4 vehicle. birds. Parke Marino Aruba
also contains potential shark
Cultural and Historical nursery areas, endangered
components sea turtle nesting beaches
There are a number of sites and marine mammal nursery
within the park that attest areas.
to the history of Aruba. The
Caquetío Indians left rock Visit the National Park Arikok
paintings in Cunucu Arikok to see the wonder of Aruba’s
and Fontein Cave. The bird nature. The visitor center in
drawing in the park logo is a San Fuego and entrance in
copy of one of these histori- Vader Piet (San Nicolas) is
cal artistic expressions. open daily from 8:00 AM to
15:30 PM. Contact the ACF
Old plantation (Cunucus) via e-mail, info@acf.aw or
sites tell the story of an active call +297 585 1234 for more
yet challenging agricultural information. q