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LOCAL Monday 3 noveMber 2025

National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest nature conservation

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

Cultural and Historical
components
There are a number of sites
within the park that attest
to the history of Aruba. The
Caquetío Indians left rock
paintings in Cunucu Arikok