Arikok National Park

Arikok National Park (Parke Nacional Arikok) protects about 34 km² of Aruba's north-east: cactus-covered hills, limestone cliffs, caves with Amerindian rock art and a windswept coast where sea turtles nest. It was established in 2000 and is managed by the Aruba Conservation Foundation (ACF). Come for the caves, the Natural Pool and the island's highest hill — but plan it as a full, early, hot day.

How much does it cost to enter Arikok in 2026?

A valid conservation pass is required by law. The ACF lists the day-pass at US$22 per adult and free for under-17s, with a local discount for residents of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao who show government ID. Passes are sold at the San Fuego Visitor Center and at the Vader Piet entrance; an annual pass is also available at San Fuego.

When is the park open?

The ACF gives daily hours of 8:00–15:30 at San Fuego and roughly 8:30/9:00–15:00 at the Vader Piet booth (its pages show both). Arriving at opening time matters: by midday the interior is shadeless and the trade wind does little to cool the dark lava hills.

What can you see inside the park?

• Fontein Cave with Amerindian drawings on its ceiling, and Quadirikiri Cave, whose chambers are lit by holes in the roof.
• The Natural Pool (Conchi), a sea pool ringed by pillow lava on the north coast — reachable only by 4×4, on horseback or on foot.
• Boca Prins and Dos Playa, wild bays with dunes. ACF calls Dos Playa one of Aruba's most important turtle nesting sites; these are viewing beaches, not swimming beaches.
• Jamanota, at 188 m the highest point of Aruba, the Miralamar gold-mine ruins and the Cunucu Arikok trail with an adobe farmhouse and Amerindian pictographs.

Wildlife includes the endemic Aruba Island rattlesnake (cascabel), the burrowing owl (shoco) and the Aruban parakeet (prikichi).

What are the rules?

The park's rules sign is short and enforced by law (AB 2000 no. 59): ATVs, UTVs and motorbikes are prohibited in protected nature areas; the speed limit is 20 km/h; stay on park roads and use marked parking; no drones, no pets, no rock stacking, no metal detectors; do not disturb, feed or collect plants, animals or rocks; take your litter out.

Hike on your own or with a ranger?

Marked trails can be walked independently with the pass. The ACF also runs ranger-guided hikes at US$25 per person (maximum 10), for example Cunucu Arikok (5 km, easy), Miralamar (2 km), Jamanota (4.8 km, hard) and Rooi Tambu to Dos Playa (7.5 km, hard, 7:00 start). See hiking in Arikok for trail planning.