Page 13 - AHATA

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local Tuesday 2 december 2025
National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest nature conservation

The National Park Arikok com- conditions, and were able to erect
prises almost 18 % of the island. their homes with materials found
Its rugged terrain, desert-like hills in the area. Two of these adobe
filled with tall cacti, breathtak- houses have been restored. Park
ing coastline and protected local rangers are learning many of the
flora and fauna welcome you to old building techniques in order to
be explored. There are numerous preserve this unique Aruban mud-
animals to discover, for example house. At Cunucu Arikok and near
the bright blue Cododo or mighty Plantation Prins you can find these
Warawara. adobe houses.

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