The large, modern visitor center is the ideal place to begin exploring Arikok, a national park preserve that spans 18% of the island across the eastern interior and the northeast coast. Guided ranger hikes, exhibits, films, and maps will get you well started.
The park is the keystone of the government's long-term ecotourism plan to preserve Aruba's resources, and it showcases the island's flora and fauna as well as ancient Arawak petroglyphs, the ruins of a gold-mining operation at Miralmar, and the remnants of Dutch peasant settlements at Masiduri. Within the confines of the park are Mt. Arikok and the 620-foot Mt. Yamanota, Aruba's highest peak.
