阿勒柯克国家公园

Especially the overlook at Das Playa, the Fontain cave with the Indian petroglyghs was neat. The whole park was an impressive demonstration of the arid desert ecosystem and the ride to the top of Cero Jamanota (highest point on island) provided an "interesting" route (4x4 or high clearance vehicle a must). We saw wild goats, lizards, and birds along with the huge saguaro like cactus, scraggley trees, and numerous thorny bushes. From the top of Jamanota one can see both northern and southern coastlines.

Went there on a bus tour from our cruise ship. I think this was the highlight of the 2 hour tour. Rough surf and high winds made the display of wild nature spectacular.

Stop at the visitors center on your way into the park to pay admission and use the only restrooms available. Without 4-wheel drive you are confined to traversing the park on the main horizontal road that has large speed deterrent bumps. Some short hikes are accessible from the main road. Much of the landscape is repetitive until you reach the coast and the caves. The cave tour was simple and brief but the fish pond nearby was interesting because the fish nibble your fingers.

We were told the cost to enter the park was $8 US. It was $11. Not a big deal. We rented a jeep to tour on our own. We were sent through the park to get to the Natural Pool. There were no signs, no roads to speak of and it must have taken us over an hour to make it to the pool, all the while driving over sharp rocks that made us nervous of puncturing a tire. Save your money and rent a car, drive the short distance to park and walk a ways to the pool! A car is quite satisfactory to explore the rest of the park. The Natural Pool was neat, but my husband and I agree that we preferred Dos Playa where the erosion caused by the waves was amazing. Bring a blanket and lunch. Sit on one of those beaches and watch the waves come crashing in. It's a very quiet place and not one that the tour bought at the National Park seems to take the tourists. Too bad! There are a couple of caves to explore on the way too. One guided with an added cost, the other, free and not guided. The park itself has little more to offer. Except for the wild goats and a pack of donkeys (bring apples for them. They are friendly and love the fruit!), there is next to no wildlife. The park is desert like with cacti. We spent way too much time there. But if you like to explore, rent a car and do it on your own.

First things first, you can see most of the park without needing a jeep or ATV. The loop has several interesting stops, from Miralamar to Plantage Prins to the caves. We especially liked Fontein Cave. The guided tour made things a bit more interesting inside the cave, as well as the short walk to the pool filled with fish (we were told they were tilapia). You're on your own at the next cave (Quadirikiri), but it's worth going in a ways to at least see the area with the large openings at the top.We had a 4-wheel drive Kia and were told we would be able to see all of the park, including the area on the left all the way to the Natural Pool. Not so! We got part way there and found ourselves having to back down a very steep hill with large ruts - no way we had the clearance to make it. You'll need a jeep or ATV to make it all the way through.Well worth the $11. Plan on at least a couple of hours.

Aruba's National Park has undergone several upgrades in past few years and is definately worth a day trip. Much of the park is now accessible by a small car, although we enjoyed hiking on the several marked trails and also up along the shoreline from the Dunes area. The caves are also worth a stop. Admission for non residents is $11.00 per person payable at the new visitor center. Be sure to ask for their handy map. Just be sure to wear proper footwear (leave the flip flops at home) and bring plenty of water. There is a small snackbar/ bar in the dunes area.

It cost $11 per person to enter the park. We took a free 2 hour hike with a park ranger (thought we did tip afterwards). He was very knowledgeable about the plants and animals in the park, and showed us some 1000 year old Indian paintings. We later drove to Dos Playas and some other caves. Very scenic, though definitely not for swimming!We were surprised that there is no drinking water, either free or for sale in the park, so bring your own--you will need it!!

I did not dislike anything, I could spend hours there! The surf is very strong but the rock formations are majestic. Collecting shells and sea glass is lots of fun in the cool breeze on the shore.

The park makes a great day trip if you're staying on the island.We only went on the main drive (no off-roading) and we didn't do long hikes so we didn't go to the natural pool, but even the main drive has much to offer.The area around Boca Prins is beautiful and both Fontein Cave and Guadirikiri are worth visiting.One word of warning: even the paved portion of the main drive is challenging. There are frequent, steep dips in the road (presumably to handle runoff). If you're driving a vehicle with low ground clearance, you'll need to be very careful about where (within the width of the road) you cross each of these and do so very slowly. We managed it with compact car without ever scraping anything, but I did need to be quite cautious.

Truly an amazing day well spent! We rented a 4x4 and took the back roads into the park...drove the off road into the National Pool which was breathtaking! Snorkeled and heading into the park to tour the caves which were Awesome! Billy goats & Ram graze along the roads. We ate lunch at Boca Prins (rest) where we ate fresh caught local fish! Definately one of the best days in Aruba!

Arikok covers 20% of the island's land. Beautiful volcanic coastline. Unfortunately, our little Hyundai could only cover a part (specifically not the natural pools) - so consider a 4x4 for your trip. The caves were nice and the guide gave a very lively tour. The dunes were fun and opened the view to great coastal landscape. Definitely worth half a day. The gentleman at the visitors center was very helpful as well. There is a restaurant /bar in the national park.

so we did it differently here. rather than going through the guided tours, we rented a car for this part. I think given how big this place is, I recommend getting your own car rather than going in a tour. regardless, there are 2 different sets of cave to see. the first one is the Fontein cave. this is more popular. goes 300+ deep, has the ancient indian drawings there. absoulately stunning. the other one is the Guadirikiri. this one is more friendly for walking (rather than crawling in). however it has lots of bats inside. so go knowing that risk. also, there is the Boca beach. not for swimming at all, but great secluded beaches if that's something you like. also, the baby beach.

Hiking, mountain-biking, photography, caving, horseback-riding, either in the hills and/or the rugged coastline and dunes, dipping and snorkeling in the natural pool, admire the natural bridges, etc. Plenty to see and do in Aruba's natural park, with or without a guide. Also open for jeep (tours) and regretfully quad racers which do enormous damage to nature.

Were able to see only a small portion of the park - area around the visitor center, the ruins and the caves and they were terrific. Very little foot traffic and well cared for. The ocean front really requires something other than a rental car. We should have planned better.

We did a 6hr hike with a park ranger "Rambo". He is motivated, and full of Knowledge!! Only serious hikers should inquire!