Caribbean

How to get to the Conchi Natural Pools in Aruba, the untraditional way

Ema Bakalova

Sep 7, 2023

Url copied!

Conchi Natural Pools
Caribbean

How to get to the Conchi Natural Pools in Aruba, the untraditional way

Ema Bakalova

Sep 7, 2023

Url copied!

Conchi Natural Pools

The Conchi Natural Pool is a naturally formed pool nestled within Aruba's rugged coastline. The pools are situated deep inside the Arikok National Park in Aruba, a park that makes up almost 20% of the entire island. In a typical national park where trees are prevalent, this park stands out with a unique feature—a forest of cacti take the place of the traditional trees. Getting to the Conchi Natural Pools is an adventure that initially seemed a bit uncertain, but it unexpectedly became the highlight of the trip, and getting there was actually half of the fun.

Arrival and parking

Before reaching the starting point of your hike, you'll need to visit the Visitor's Center to pay the entrance fee for access to the National Park. Once you do, you'll take a dirt road from the Visitor's Center, to your first stop, Daimari Beach.

It costs $15 per person to access the park, and from there you have access to the entire dessert landscape with all of the unique beaches, lookouts, caves and rock formations.

Drive through Arikok National Park

Arikok National Park

The road to the visitor's center is long and bumpy, and it takes about 20 minutes or so to drive from the main street to the main building.

Drive through Arikok National Park

Arikok National Park

The road to the visitor's center is long and bumpy, and it takes about 20 minutes or so to drive from the main street to the main building.

Drive through Arikok National Park

Vehicles

Having a 4x4 vehicle is best for navigating the park, but it's not necessary. The park has specific roads designated exclusively for 4x4 vehicles, while others are perfectly suitable for smaller, regular vehicles. We were driving a small car and were just fine.

Drive through Arikok National Park

Vehicles

Having a 4x4 vehicle is best for navigating the park, but it's not necessary. The park has specific roads designated exclusively for 4x4 vehicles, while others are perfectly suitable for smaller, regular vehicles. We were driving a small car and were just fine.

Arikok National Park
Arikok National Park

Finding your way and parking

When you reach the end of Daimari road, you will reach a small parking lot called Parking Rancho. You might spot a few parked cars, signaling other fellow hikers who may be walking to Conchi. In our case, there was nobody else around when we did the hike, which intensified the uncertainty about our path to the natural pools. If you find yourself in a similar situation, don't worry, just follow these directions, and you'll find your way just fine!

Drive through Arikok National Park

Map

Make sure to grab a map of the National Park at the Visitor's Center, because most of the roads are unpaved and directions can get confusing.

Drive through Arikok National Park

Map

Make sure to grab a map of the National Park at the Visitor's Center, because most of the roads are unpaved and directions can get confusing.

Hike to the Daimari Beach

Starting from the parking lot, you will walk down a dirt trail to the base of the hill. Your initial destination is Daimari Beach, which is noticeable in the distance. Head towards the water until you reach a large rock formation by the beach (the rock has a large overhang that you can use as a spot to briefly escape the sun). The beach isn't very nice, it's full of kelp and trash and the water is too rough for swimming.

Upon reaching Daimari Beach, your next task is to find a suitable access point for climbing over the rocks to reach higher ground. You'll probably notice signs of previous visitors—a cue for us was an arrangement of stacked wooden posts that helped us climb over the rock. The rock is steep and requires some climbing and physical effort to lift yourself up and over.

Daimari Beach at Arikok National Park
Daimari Beach at Arikok National Park

What to expect on the hike

Throughout your hike you'll encounter stretches of arid land full of cacti, shrubs, and unique desert flora. It's a very picturesque setting, but the pathway is quite unclear as you begin your walk through the desert and sand dunes. Unlike a typical hike with well-marked paths, this hike requires a different approach. Instead of a clearly defined trail, you'll navigate by heading south and moving along the coastline, essentially creating your own path as you go.

The hike involves a mix of moderate to challenging terrain, especially as you navigate the dunes and rocky areas. Be prepared for some moderate ascents and descents, and wear running shoes, even though you're hiking through sand most of the time. I would also recommend packing water, a hat and a shirt for your hike. It is extremely hot, the sun is very strong and there is no shade anywhere along the hike.

Daimari Beach at Arikok National Park

Timing

It took us about an hour to hike in one direction on the way to the pools when we were unfamiliar with the route, and a bit less time on the way back. It is about 1.5 miles or 2.4 km in one direction.

Daimari Beach at Arikok National Park

Timing

It took us about an hour to hike in one direction on the way to the pools when we were unfamiliar with the route, and a bit less time on the way back. It is about 1.5 miles or 2.4 km in one direction.

Walking through Arikok National Park
Walking through Arikok National Park
Walking through Arikok National Park
Walking through Arikok National Park

Hike to Boca Keto / Klein Aruba "The Big Rock"

Once you've reached the top of the rock at Daimari Beach, you'll start walking south through the desert and the sand dunes. While the sand dunes may pose a short challenge, they're not a prolonged obstacle. You'll have to climb a large sand dune, after which you will reach the peak where you'll get a panoramic view of the ocean. You'll know you're on the right way when you spot a huge boulder in the water near the shoreline.

This beach is notably beautiful; however, the water still has considerable waves, making it difficult to swim. I would recommend not stopping here for long, but continuing your hike, as you'll be getting close to the natural pools at this point.

Hike to Boca Keto / Klein Aruba "The Big Rock" at Arikok National Park
Hike to Boca Keto / Klein Aruba "The Big Rock" at Arikok National Park

Hike to the peek / Conchi Natural Pools

What I liked most about this hike were the changes in terrain over such a short distance. We walked through dry desert grounds, deep sand dunes and even jagged volcanic-looking rock, that lined the coast.

From a distance you'll begin to see the light blue waters of the Conchi Natural Pools, and you might even begin to see some people, most likely the first people you've seen throughout your entire hike. I was relieved, as I had concerns about hiking an undefined path and getting lost in the desert. Upon reaching the Conchi Natural Pools, it was obvious that most of the visitors arrive in 4x4 vehicles accompanied by local tour guides.

Hiking to the Conchi Natural Pools at Arikok National Park in Aruba
Hiking to the Conchi Natural Pools at Arikok National Park in Aruba

The Conchi Natural Pools

Our arrival coincided with a group being guided by a local tour guide. This was nice because we joined the group by the pools and got to listen in on the advice the guide was giving others. The pools look a lot more intimidating then they actually are. The rock formations that enclose the pools play a crucial role in acting as a barrier and diffusing the waves that come from the surrounding open waters. At times, the water does crash over the rocks, but if the tour guide hadn't been there, we might have assumed it to be too dangerous to swim.

Other than the waves in the water, you have to be careful walking over the rocks to get to the pools, because they're slippery and sharp. Otherwise, once you're in the pool, you can stay near the rocks where it is shallow, or swim towards the middle where it is deeper and where you can snorkel and see some marine life. The water gets deep very fast, reaching about 17 feet deep just a couple feet from the shoreline.

The Conchi Natural Pools in Aruba

Swimming conditions

Exercise caution when swimming in potentially windier or suboptimal conditions, particularly due to strong waves and the slippery rocks when approaching the pools. Climbing the rocks is best done barefoot and without shoes.

The Conchi Natural Pools in Aruba

Swimming conditions

Exercise caution when swimming in potentially windier or suboptimal conditions, particularly due to strong waves and the slippery rocks when approaching the pools. Climbing the rocks is best done barefoot and without shoes.

The Conchi Natural Pools in Aruba
The Conchi Natural Pools in Aruba
Snorkeling in The Conchi Natural Pools in Aruba

Snorkling in the pools

Bring your snorkeling gear so that you can swim and see some marine life under water! It is not advisable to swim outside the bounds of the pools because the open waters are very rough.

Snorkeling in The Conchi Natural Pools in Aruba

Snorkling in the pools

Bring your snorkeling gear so that you can swim and see some marine life under water! It is not advisable to swim outside the bounds of the pools because the open waters are very rough.

The hike back

The return hike seemed shorter compared to the journey to the pools, maybe because I had a better idea of the route I needed to take back. Plan your visit to the pools early in the day, to make sure that there will be daylight for your return, otherwise you might find yourself in a difficult position trying to navigate the endless desert with no light.

Overall, I would recommend doing the hike to the pools if you can and are in the mood for more of a challenge. Otherwise, there are many tour guides that will safely take you and guide you through the experience themselves.

Hiking back through the Arikok National Park in Aruba
Hiking back through the Arikok National Park in Aruba

Sign up to receive

notifications about new posts!

Through this blog, I hope to inspire you to seek out unique traveling opportunities, spark your love for travel and discover beautiful architecture. If you liked this article, sign up to get notified whenever a new post gets published!

Other posts you might like

Sign up to receive

notifications about new posts!

Through this blog, I hope to inspire you to seek out unique traveling opportunities, spark your love for travel and discover beautiful architecture. If you liked this article, sign up to get notified whenever a new post gets published!

Other posts you might like

Made with love, by ema