Aruba’s Caquetio roots run deeper than most visitors realise. The first known inhabitants called themselves “the living beings,” a name that hints at their strong connection to nature and their environment. They referred to the island itself as Oruma, meaning “The Companion,” according to recent archaeological discoveries. These people lived here for over 500 years before European contact, leaving behind pictographs in limestone caves and shell mounds along the coast that still hold protected status today.
In 1514, the Spanish transported an estimated 2,000 Caquetios as enslaved persons to Española.
This article covers what’s actually known about the Caquetio — their villages, their spiritual sites, and the colonial events that reshaped their population. I’ll point you to the places where their legacy is still visible and explain why some of what you’ll hear on tours mixes oral tradition with archaeological fact. By the end, you’ll know exactly where to go and what to look for.
The Caquetio weren’t a single tribe but a distinct Arawak-speaking culture that migrated from mainland Venezuela. Their legacy is most visible at Fontein Cave, the Natural Pool, and the National Archaeological Museum — but the shell mounds at Arashi are protected heritage, so leave every shell where it lies.
Who Were the Caquetio? Orientation to Aruba’s First People
The Caquetio people were the first known inhabitants of Aruba, living here for over 500 years.
Standing between 161 and 165 cm tall, they lived in organised villages and practised agriculture. Their roots trace back to mainland Venezuela, from where they migrated to Aruba. The Arawak isn’t a specific tribe, but rather a language that originated around 5000 B.C. in the middle Amazon. Over time, various groups speaking Arawak migrated, fused, and evolved into distinct cultures — Caquetio, Wahiro, and Taino are all Arawak languages, representing separate groups that developed their own identities.
The Caquetio established at least five villages, with major settlements at what we now know as Tanki Flip, Malmok, Santa Cruz, and Savaneta. They cultivated crops like maize and manioc. Scaled-down versions of one of these Indigenous villages can be seen at the National Archaeological Museum of Aruba, which also houses ceramic urns, coarse and fine pottery, and jewellery made by the Caquetios.
Sacred Caves, Turtle Gardens, and Shell Mounds
The Caquetio left their mark on the landscape in ways you can still see today.
Fontein Cave and the Pictographs
One of the most fascinating remnants of Caquetio culture can be found in Aruba’s caves, particularly Fontaine Cave. These caves, though never used as dwellings, held deep spiritual significance for the Caquetio. Shamanic ceremonies were conducted here, and the walls still bear the pictographs they left behind, believed to be tied to their rituals. You can see these rock drawings for yourself at Fontein Cave in the National Park Aruba and at the Ayo Rock Formation. While it is not clear who started the rock drawings, two were dated around A.D. 1000 at a time when both groups were on the island.
Fontein Cave is inside Arikok National Park. The north entry fills by 9 a.m. in dry season — the south footpath, signposted past the ranger station, stays clear until midday.
The Natural Pool — Cura di Turtuga
One of the most iconic natural landmarks in Aruba is the Natural Pool, or Conchi, as locals affectionately call it. According to oral history, this pool was once used as a breeding den for turtles. Rambo, a park ranger at Parke Nacional Arikok, sheds light on its history, revealing that the original name was Cura di Turtuga, meaning Turtle’s Garden. It’s believed that this name likely came from the Caquetio people, who used to chase and catch turtles for food.
Conch Shell Mounds at Arashi
The Caquetio were avid divers and sustained themselves on conch, the evidence of which you can still see here and there on the island’s coastline at Arashi for example. These mounds of conch shells are from the ceramic era (1000-1500 AD) — a reminder of the heritage and lifestyle of the Caquetio. It’s all protected heritage, meaning it is totally illegal to take any sea or conch shells as souvenirs. The mounds are fragile and easily disturbed, so stick to the marked paths.
Practical Planning for Heritage Sites
Timing and access matter more than you might expect.
Getting to the Sites
Fontein Cave and the Natural Pool are both inside Arikok National Park, which covers roughly 20% of the island. The park entrance fee is around $11 per person. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended for the unpaved roads leading to the Natural Pool — a standard rental car will struggle with the rocky terrain, especially after rain. The Ayo Rock Formation is outside the park, near the Casibari area, and is accessible by any vehicle.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season (January to March) offers the most reliable conditions for hiking to the cave and the pool. Rain can make the dirt tracks inside Arikok slippery and impassable for low-clearance vehicles. Mornings are cooler and less crowded — by 10 a.m., tour groups start arriving at Fontein Cave. The Natural Pool is best visited at low tide, when the water is calm enough to swim safely.
| Site | Location | Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fontein Cave | Arikok National Park | Before 9 a.m. dry season |
| Natural Pool (Conchi) | Arikok National Park | Low tide, morning |
| Ayo Rock Formation | Near Casibari | Late afternoon for light |
| Arashi Shell Mounds | Arashi Beach area | Any time, stick to paths |
The road to the Natural Pool is unpaved and rocky. After rain, it becomes impassable for standard cars. Park rangers sometimes close access entirely — check conditions at the park entrance before heading in.
On the Ground: What to Know Before You Go
A few practical details that make the difference between a good visit and a frustrating one.
Packing for the Caves and Coast
The caves are humid and the paths can be uneven. A pair of sturdy water hiking sandals will serve you well for both the cave floor and the rocky approach to the Natural Pool. The sun is intense even in the dry season — bring a reef-safe mineral sunscreen and a hat. A small dry bag for snorkeling is useful if you plan to swim at the Natural Pool, since there’s nowhere secure to leave valuables.
Local Etiquette and Customs
The shell mounds at Arashi are protected heritage — taking shells as souvenirs is illegal and culturally disrespectful. The same applies to any artefacts you might spot near the cave sites. The Caquetio considered these spaces sacred, and local guides take that seriously. If you’re visiting with children, explain this before you arrive — it’s a good opportunity to talk about why some things are left in place.
The Colonial Context
Aruba’s first European visitor was Alonso de Ojeda, who encountered the island around September 1499. Because he did not find any proof of gold, he categorised Aruba (together with Curaçao and Bonaire) as “Isla inútil” — Spanish for worthless island. It was not until around 1513 that the local population was enslaved and deported to Hispaniola (what is now the Dominican Republic) to work in copper mines. Diego de Salazar took a total of about 2,000 Caquetios from all three islands, leaving Aruba without any inhabitants. Almost six years later, around 1519, they were allowed to return, thanks to Juan Martínez Ampiés, who had them declared protected from slavery in exchange for converting them to Christianity. This history explains why modern Aruban identity is a mix of original Caquetio inhabitants, Indigenous people from the mainland, and Spaniards — and why the island is heavily Catholic today.
Aruba’s Caquetio Roots: Visitor Questions
What language did the Caquetio speak?
The Caquetio spoke an Arawak language. The Arawak language family originated around 5000 B.C. in the middle Amazon, and over time, different groups — Caquetio, Wahiro, and Taino — developed their own distinct dialects and identities.
Can you still see Caquetio rock drawings?
Yes. The best-preserved pictographs are at Fontein Cave inside Arikok National Park. You can also see carvings at the Ayo Rock Formation. Two of the drawings have been dated to around A.D. 1000, though it’s not certain which group created them.
Is the Natural Pool really a Caquetio site?
Oral history links the Natural Pool, or Conchi, to the Caquetio, who called it Cura di Turtuga (Turtle’s Garden). They used it as a breeding den for turtles and caught them for food. The name is believed to be Caquetio in origin, though no written records confirm it.
Why are the shell mounds at Arashi protected?
The mounds are from the ceramic era (1000-1500 AD) and contain the remains of conch shells the Caquetio ate. They’re considered protected heritage, and it’s illegal to remove any shells. The mounds are fragile and easily damaged by foot traffic.
What happened to the Caquetio after the Spanish arrived?
In 1513, Diego de Salazar enslaved and deported about 2,000 Caquetios to Hispaniola. They were allowed to return around 1519 thanks to Juan Martínez Ampiés, who had them declared protected in exchange for converting to Christianity. The population that returned was a mix of original Caquetios, mainland Indigenous people, and Spaniards — which is why the modern Aruban population has such mixed roots.
Closing
The Caquetio called themselves “the living beings” and their island Oruma — “The Companion.” That name feels right when you stand at the Natural Pool or trace a pictograph at Fontein Cave. The people are gone, but the relationship between the land and its first inhabitants is still readable if you know where to look. For a deeper look at how Aruba’s layered history plays out in its architecture, read about the Cunucu houses and their architectural storytelling.
Sources and further reading
Caquetio: The First Nation of Aruba. Djis Pahari, 2023.
History of Aruba. Aruba Tourism Authority.
Caiquetio. Aruba Roots Blog.
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