Page 10 - AHATA

Friday 22 august 2025 locAl
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National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest nature conservation

The National Park Arikok comprises
almost 18 % of the island. Its rugged
terrain, desert-like hills filled with
tall cacti, breathtaking coastline
and protected local flora and fau-
na welcome you to be explored.
There are numerous animals to dis-
cover, for example the bright blue
Cododo or mighty Warawara.

The national park Arikok takes you
on a memorable journey of the
islands past offering unique geo-
logical, cultural and historical sites.
These can all be enjoyed and ex-
plored either on your own or dur-
ing guided tours. A wide variety
of educational and informative
programs and fun activities is avail-
able.
and historical remains present with- ral Pool. The journey to the Pool is al Park Foundation. This founda-
Did you know that four of the seven in Arikok National Park. and adventure by itself and only tion was established in July 2003.
species of sea turtle lay their eggs possible by foot, horse, or 4×4 ve- In February 2017, mangrove and
on Aruba's beaches? In the nation- The Landscape hicle. As of 2020, ATV’s and UTVs wetland RAMSAR site #198 Spanish
al park, a Least Tern (Sternula antil- There is a great geological variety are not allowed in the park due do Lagoon was annexed to Arikok Na-
larum) keeps a strict eye on a very within the park. The main aspects its significant impact they have on tional Park due to its importance as
special event taking place below are the rough hills of the volcanic nature. a feeding and breeding area for
on the beach: A majestic Leath- Aruba lava formation, the mysteri- water birds and as a nursery area
erback (Dermochelys coriacea) ous rocks of the batholithic quartz- Cultural and Historical for a variety of marine organisms.
heading back to the ocean after diorite/tonalite, and the limestone components With this addition, the areas un-
laying her eggs. Sea turtles prefer rocks from fossilized coral. The two There are a number of sites within der management increased by 70
nesting in the cool and dark hours tallest hills on the island are situ- the park that attest to the history hectares while the amount of spe-
of the night. And hatchlings usually ated within the park. Jamanota hill of Aruba. The Caquetío Indians left cies of flora and fauna to be con-
wait for the cue of cooling surface 188 meters (617 ft) and Arikok hill rock paintings in Cunucu Arikok served to over 250. On December
sand before emerging. 176 meters (577 ft), from which the and Fontein Cave. 21st, 2018 (AB 2018 no. 77) Parke
name of the park is derived. Marino Aruba – currently consist-
Nature Conservation Old plantation (Cunucus) sites tell ing of four marine protected areas
The protected area of National The line of the permanently wind- the story of an active yet challeng- (MPAs) – was officially established
Park Arikok was officially estab- and-wave beaten North Coast is ing agricultural past. and subsequently brought under
lished in 2000. Arikok National Park is broken by several bays (boca’s). management of ACF. In 2019,
a 34 square kilometers (7907 acres) Most of them are small yet impres- These Cunucus were also residen- preliminary management plan for
of natural area, located at the sive inlets at the mouth of dry river- tial areas for the few families that marine were introduced for Parke
north-eastern part of Aruba which beds. Some of these bays (boca’s) worked the land. These families Marino to conserve reefs, seagrass
contains examples of most of the are spectacular sights, adorned found ways to survive in the difficult beds, and mangrove forests and
island’s flora and fauna against with white, sandy beaches and conditions, and were able to erect in 2020 ACF was given additional
a backdrop of great geological sand dunes, as is the case at Boca their homes with materials found management areas such as the
complexity. We are proud to state Prins and Dos Playa. in the area. Two of these adobe Saliñas (Druif, Malmok, Cerca, Palm
that approximately 18% of the to- houses have been restored. Park Beach, Bubali etc.) and also addi-
tal land area of Aruba is assigned Arikok is also home to Conchi, rangers are learning many of the tional areas such as Rooi Manon-
as a National Park, to protect and Aruba’s most important natural at- old building techniques in order to chi, Ser’I Teishi etc. Managed areas
preserve the flora, fauna, geology traction; also known as The Natu- preserve this unique Aruban mud- can be seen here: https://acf.aw/.
house. At Cunucu Arikok and near
Plantation Prins you can find these Visit the National Park Arikok to see
adobe houses. the wonder of Aruba’s nature. The
visitor center in San Fuego and en-
Park Management trance in Vader Piet (San Nicolas)
For the management of the park, is open daily from 8:00 AM to 16:00
a dedicated foundation “Aruba PM. Contact the ACF via e-mail,
Conservation Foundation (ACF), info@acf.aw or call +297 585 1234
formerly known as Aruba Nation- for more information. q