Aruba: Arikok Jeep Tour with Natural Pool & Caves Swim

4.90

(349 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We jolted off the main road and into Arikok before I’d even finished my coffee — dust swirling, sun already sharp. Our guide, Luis, grinned from behind mirrored sunglasses and pointed out a divi-divi tree bent sideways by the wind. The jeep rattled over rocks as goats scattered. I could smell salt and something earthy in the air, like rain that never quite falls here. First stop was Dos Playa, all wild surf and empty sand; we just stood there for a minute listening to the waves thump. Luis said locals come here to clear their heads — I get it now.

The limestone caves were cooler inside than I expected, almost damp. Light spilled through holes in the ceiling, catching old Caiquetio drawings on the walls — stick figures and shapes older than any country I’ve lived in. We tried saying some Papiamento words (I definitely butchered them; Luis laughed), then dipped our feet in a shallow pond for this “wild fish pedicure” thing. It tickled more than anything — tiny fish nibbling at my toes while bats flitted overhead.

I’d seen photos of Conchi, the Natural Pool, but being there is different — you have to scramble down black volcanic rocks, careful not to slip (water shoes help). The water was cold at first but so clear you could see your own feet kicking up sand. Some folks jumped off the rocks; I just floated and watched sunlight flicker under the surface. Afterward we dried off on hot stones, eating pastechi pastries still warm from someone’s backpack. There was a lot of laughter and nobody really wanted to leave yet, you know?