Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire are for the most part similar islands. In regards to culture, they are very different. But in regards to geography, terrain, and climate, they are almost the same. As for Aruba, the island seemed slightly less mountainous than its Dutch Antillean siblings. Typically, the island has two totally opposite sides. While the west coast is lined up beautiful beaches, the west is rugged, dry, rocky, and not so safe to swim in nor take an everyday vehicle. This is why I call it the ‘Wild Side’. Much of the island is inhabited with the north lined up with resorts, golf courses, and expensive homes while the rest with Caribbean styled home communities not to forget the Valero oil refinery and prostitution legal San Nicolas to the south.
One-third of the island is designated a natural park, Arikok National Park, and was done so to protect nature from foreigners, big business, or even locals to build. The “wild side” is pretty rough to get around in throughout much of the park which is why a jeep, ATV or off-roading vehicle is necessary. Trust me, you do not want to take a car out there. The former Natural Bridge is fairly easily accessible as the dirt road is wide and traveled down quite frequently. And coming from the south passed the large windmills to the Guadirikiri cave is doable with a car, maybe. From the southern end, you will pass the beautiful cove beaches of Boca Prins and Dos Playa.
But in between, is rough with tons of loose gravel and large rocks with some steep terrains that will tear a rental car to shreds. In a jeep, you will find a way in and around much of the park at ease except for “roads” used in order to see the Natural Pool. Most rentals usually advise against riding to the Natural Pool. However, my rental agency, More4Less (A fantastic budget friendly rental agency), had no restriction against this. The usual restriction is certainly understandable as this was the most, if not one of the most intense and most strenuous ride through the whole park experience. The so called start point to the Natural Pool to the actual stopping point took about 35 to 40 minutes of top speeds of about 10 MPH/16.09 km/h. In the end, you are rewarded with beautiful coastal views, a long stairway down and a short walk to tall rocks leading to the Natural Pool where you can dip in relax and take in sun with some crashing waves, depending on the tide.
Continuing up the coast, you ride past several natural bridges in great condition, the former large natural bridge, and an abandoned gold mine building allowing you to climb up and enjoy views of the coastline. Further up is the small Alto Vista Chapel where if you are religious, you can make a quick prayer, and directly behind it is a water tower overlooking both sides of the island. From there, we left the park and back to the paved roads we returned.
In a blog, all of this sounds fairly simple, quick, and easy to do in a few hours. That is what I assumed prior to doing it myself. But in reality, expect a full day to tackle this goal and expect renting a jeep as well. In general, a visit to any Caribbean island certainly requires a dip in the beach. But when you visit Aruba, you are not getting a true Aruban experience without venturing off to the ‘Wild Side’.
