Aruba caves - Quadirikiri and Fontein
- Details
- Difficulty: Easy
On the north side of Aruba there are some caves; in the past the locals went there to relax and enjoy the day together with a drink and a snack. Now these caves are located in the Arikok National Park, which makes them less easy to reach. Since we both have an annual pass for the National Park, the entrance is free for us; so we entered the park via the entrance of Vader Piet (past the windmills) and then drove over a dirt road with many transverse ridges towards the caves. They appear to be a popular tourist attraction, because there was a coming and going of groups of tourists, all accompanied by a guide.
You are not allowed to use a flashlight in the cave to protect the bats. You are allowed to use the light of your mobile phone on the condition that you point it at the ground to find your way. Flashing is also not allowed because of the bats.
San Nicolas - wall paintings 2024
- Details
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total distance km: 1 to 2
- Terrain: Mostly level
- Duration (hours): 1 to 2
On the last day of our vacation in Aruba we first went for lunch at The Hub on the Mainstreet; well worth it! A beautiful large space with relaxed music and enthusiastic service. Your meal is freshly prepared and tastes excellent. They are open for breakfast and lunch and close at 3 pm. The menu is actually an extensive breakfast menu, but with good choices. I had ordered a slice of quiche and thus expected a slice, but it turned out to be a small complete quiche made entirely from scratch with a salad on the side. Tasted excellent!
After lunch we still had time to walk around San Nicolas. Every year new murals are painted there by local and foreign artists. Very worthwhile and of high quality.
Below is a selection of these artworks and other photos of San Nicolas. I can recommend anyone on vacation in Aruba to take a morning or afternoon to visit San Nicolas.
Shete through Rooi Fluit to Boca Keto
- Details
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Total distance km: 5.7
- Terrain: Hilly, Possibly moist
- Duration (hours): 2
This morning we took a walk from Shete through Rooi Fluit to the coast at Boca Keto and then back via a high hill.
The starting point of the walk is 'in the middle of nowhere'; a street/place, which is indicated as Shete; few houses and narrow streets. Parking at the start of the trail is therefore not easy. I was on my own, so there was only 1 car to park, but even that is not easy.
Then onto the trail. It has been made very impenetrable for buggies, but that also means a considerable obstacle for a hiker. In the first ten meters I almost fell twice because of loose stones on a steeply raised obstacle, but after that it got better.
Dos playa and Roi Tambu
- Details
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Total distance km: 8
- Terrain: Hilly
- Duration (hours): 2 to 3
This morning, together with my wife, we walked a route from the Visitor Center of Parke Arikok to Dos Playa and then back via Rooi Tambu to the starting point.
When we arrived at the visitor center, it turned out that there were already a lot of guests. There was an organized hike, which we had wanted to sign up for, but it turned out to be fully booked. That's why we decided to walk the same route ourselves. Eventually I was able to find a place for the car along the road.
I asked at the counter how the condition of Roi Tambu was. In Aruba it has also rained quite a bit in the past period, so it could be that there would be water in the rooi. But according to the counter employee it should be okay.
Spirit'i kabrito trail from the Sero Alejandro
- Details
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total distance km: 5
- Terrain: Hilly
- Duration (hours): 1 to 2
This is a relatively easy hike in the eastern part of the island. The Sero Alejandro is located behind Savaneta. At the top there is a large water tank. You can park your car there.
Then you first have to go back down a little bit and at the first opportunity turn left onto the sandy path. After a while you pass the sign that makes it clear that you are entering the Arikok National Park. In addition to the rules that apply there, it also states that you must have a valid entrance ticket to the national park. That is the reason why I always buy an annual pass at the beginning of my vacation in Aruba. Almost all walks end in or pass through the national park, so the annual pass quickly pays for itself.
Directly after the forementioned sign there is another one on the right hand side indicating that you are on the Spirit'i kabrito trail. You will not encounter much more than this sign indicating the route and there are occasional side paths. So make sure you have a track with you in a hiking app, so that you know which way to go.
Page 1 of 5