ABC Tours · Schotlandstraat 61, Oranjestad
An open-air Land Cruiser takes you from ABC Tours' office in Oranjestad to the Ayo rocks, through two hours of Arikok National Park and down to the Natural Pool for a full hour with snorkel gear. Pick it for the guides and the time at the pool: no other half-day tour stays at Conchi as long, and ABC's two jeep safaris are the most-reviewed on the island.
ABC Tours is a family business that Marvin and Sharla Kelly started in Oranjestad almost 30 years ago. The trucks are the colourful open-air Land Cruisers you see all over the island, and every trip starts at the office on Schotlandstraat: forms, the park fee, then out of town. The first stop is the Ayo Rock Formations, a pile of giant diorite boulders with Amerindian drawings and a short climb to the top. After that the guide spends about two hours on the dirt roads of Arikok, with stops at Fontein Cave and the wild beach at Dos Playa, before the drop to the Natural Pool for an hour.
Now the money. The listing shows $99, and then says an extra $25 per person is charged at check-in for Arikok National Park. Your real price is $124 an adult. The official day pass costs $22 for adults and nothing for under-17s, according to the Aruba Conservation Foundation, but ABC charges its own flat $25. If the all-in figure matters, AGW's tour costs $89 with the park fee already paid.
Three things to know before you book. Rangers close the pool for swimming when waves break over the rocks, and no tour can promise you a swim: Visit Aruba tells visitors to follow the ranger advice. Lunch comes with the morning departure only. And this is a big operation, up to 80 guests, so expect a convoy of trucks rather than a private outing. ABC also states it cannot take passengers from Carnival cruise ships.
Come to the ABC office in Oranjestad or wait for the pickup. You sign the forms and pay the $25 park fee here. Allow about 30 minutes.
A short walk and scramble among the boulders, with the Arawak drawings behind iron bars.
The guide drives the park's rocky tracks while you hold on. Stops include Fontein Cave and the cliffs above Dos Playa, a beach for looking at, not for swimming.
Roughly 100 steps down to Conchi, then snorkelling inside the rock rim if the rangers allow it. Bring water shoes for the rocks.
The bumpy ride out of the park, then paved road back to the office or your hotel. Morning groups get lunch along the way.
★★★★★We were with JD and Joshua and they couldn’t have been nicer. Very knowledgeable about the history of the island. Excellent driver over the rough terrain and made us feel safe throughout the excursion. [...] The lunch was also very good!!!
★★★★★Had a great time with curt worth every penny just for the ride out there. But definitely bring a pair of water shoes if you plan on doing the pool since you have to climb rocks or the little tide pool is also rocky
★★★★★Wear your bathing suit and water shoes. The natural pool is so beautiful but the water was rough and my 10 yr old got a little nervous but the tour guides Mark and Josh were excellent at helping us out of the water. The ride is rough but very fun and cool. [...]
★★★★★Josh and Ivo were amazing guides. They were very entertaining and fun, yet also very informative on the culture and history of the island. Definitely recommend this experience because you’ll learn more about Aruba and that it’s not just a beach / resort island.
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No. The listing adds $25 per person at check-in, on top of the $99 tour price. The official day pass at the park gate is $22 for adults and free for under-17s, so ask ABC how it handles children when you book.
About an hour, according to the itinerary, plus two hours elsewhere in Arikok and 20 minutes at the Ayo rocks. If waves are washing over the rim, rangers close it for swimming and the guide changes the plan.
Only on the morning tour. The afternoon departure at 1:30 PM has no meal, so eat before you go. Ice water refills are on board for both.
Yes, the listing sells a child ticket for ages 2 to 12 and has infant seats. The ride is very bumpy, though. Read our guide to jeep tours with kids before you book for a toddler.
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Two hours off-road through Arikok and an hour at the Natural Pool with snorkel gear. Close to 10,000 reviews.
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