Arikok National Park
Go for dry hills, cave paintings and rough coastline, on a day of driving and hiking to the sea.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Arikok National Park covers a large part of Aruba's eastern side. Aruba is a Caribbean island in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, off the coast of Venezuela. The land here is dry and low, with scrub forest, cacti, rocky hills and wild goats. Waves break on rough shores along the coast. The park protects the island's natural and archaeological sites, and it is the part of Aruba that feels least like the resort strip.
The caves and the coast are the main reasons to go. Quadirikiri Cave is a large limestone cave, and Fontein Cave has Arawak-era rock paintings. The Natural Pool is a rock-walled basin that waves wash into, reached on a rough trail. Some park roads are unpaved, so a four-wheel-drive vehicle or a guided tour suits some routes better than a regular car. Allow a half day to a full day, go in the cooler morning hours, and bring water, since shade is limited and Aruba is sunny and warm most of the year.
Arikok National Park in five
- Check your rental agreement before the dirt tracksSome rental contracts exclude unpaved roads, and the interior tracks are rough sand and rock. Read the clause before you leave the paved road, or book a guided tour with a 4x4.Getting around Aruba
- Carry more water than you thinkThe interior is dry scrub with little shade. Take enough water for the whole visit, plus a hat and sun cream.
- Save offline maps before you enterPhone signal can be patchy inside the park, so download the map while you still have data.Phones and eSIM
- Check the surf before you go inThe rocky coastline has strong surf and currents. Look at the water from the shore before you swim, and stay out if waves are breaking hard.
- Wear closed shoes with gripThe rock formations and cave approaches are sharp and loose underfoot. Sandals offer little protection on sharp rock, and loose stones can twist an ankle.
Things to do in Arikok National Park
See all attractions in Arikok National Park
Need to know
- Currency
- Aruban florin (AWG); US dollars widely accepted
- Entry
- Visa-free for US and EU citizens; check the rules for your passport before you fly
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Check the bill; 10 to 15% if no service charge is added
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryDry, breezy
- FebruaryDry, breezy
- MarchDry, warm
- AprilDry, warm
- MayDry, hot
- JuneHot, dry
- JulyHot, dry
- AugustHot, dry
- SeptemberHot, quieter
- OctoberWetter, quieter
- NovemberWetter, quieter
- DecemberHoliday crowds
Right now in Arikok National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 84%
- Wind
- 35 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 25%
Arikok National Park
06:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°27°25%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Tue31°27°18%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Wed32°27°35%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Thu30°25°47%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Fri29°25°63%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Sat29°25°53%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Sun29°26°43%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 43%.
Updated 06:34 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.79 AWG
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Arikok National Park
Rules for Arikok National Park, checked
- Stay on marked tracks; driving off the tracks damages the scrub and is not allowed in the park.Source
- Leave rocks, plants, shells and cave material where they are; removing them from the park is prohibited.Source
- Check the park's current rules on dogs and drones before you bring either into the park.Source
Plan around Arikok National Park
Island basics, beaches and where the park fits
Read the guideGetting around ArubaRental cars, the off-road rule and taxis
Read the guideTours and ticketsGuided trips that reach the interior tracks
Read the guideMoney and costsFlorin, US dollars, cards and tipping
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for your passport before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayBases for the park and the north and east coasts
Read the guideArikok National Park FAQ
Do I need a 4x4 to visit Arikok National Park?
Not every sight requires one, but the interior tracks are rough sand and rock. Check your rental contract, which may exclude unpaved roads, or book a guided tour with a 4x4.
Is there an entrance fee for Arikok?
Yes. Check the current fee and payment options on the official Aruba National Parks site before you go.
How long do I need in Arikok?
Half a day covers the main tracks and one cave visit. A full day leaves time for the rock formations, the coast and a slow drive back.
Is Arikok worth visiting on a beach holiday?
Yes, if you want dry scrub, rock formations and a different side of the island from the resort beaches. Skip it if you dislike heat and rough roads.
When is the best time to visit Arikok?
The dry months from February to April suit a long walk or drive, and the heat is lower than in summer.