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a8 local
Saturday 15 June 2024

Ayo & Casibari: Aruba’s famous rock formations

(Oranjestad)—The Ayo and
Casibari Rock Formations
are known locally as one
of the crucial sites to have
in your “off-road” trip itiner-
ary. These naturally formed
rock formations as just one
of the few places on the is-
land that hold a rich history
of our culture and of our
ancestors.

Ayo
The Ayo Rock Formation
is located in the northern
part of the island, right on
the road that leads you to
the Black Stone Beach, and
close to the Natural Bridge.
The Ayo is a fenced terrain
that consists of several giant
boulders, resting neatly on
top of or side by side each lead you to the top of the
other, adding gorgeous highest boulder, offering a
natural architecture to the breath-taking view of the
surrounding “mondi”*. This Aruban backyard. The Ayo
is also one of the few sites is usually quiet, as it is situ-
to contain prehistoric mark- ated farther away from the
ings of our indigenous an- busier parts of the island.
cestors. The Ayo Rock for- However, this is just anoth-
mation contains stairs that er charm of the site: the

quiet area and the refresh- the Casibari Rock Forma- the public, 24 hours a day.
ing breeze offer a sense of tion is the accompanying However, unless you are
comfort and peace. view when you climb up taking a trip with a profes-
the top of the round, flat sional tour guide, there are
Casibari bolder. For this position, you no guides at the sites to
Probably the busier rock can see the majority of the help you climb the rock.
formation site, the Casi- island and the ocean in the So, do be careful when
bari is situated more in the south. Right in front of the trudging on the boulders,
center of the island, much entrance, there is the Casi- and make sure to befriend
closer—and more acces- bari Café and Grill, a great any roaming goats you see
sible—to the general pub- place to get refreshments along the way! q
lic. Just like Ayo, Casibari and snack before continu-
is a fenced area contain- ing your off-road adven- *Mondi: what we call our
ing several boulders that ture! Aruban wilderness. We don’t
lay on top or lean on each have forests, or deserts, but
we do have mondi!
other. The best aspect of Both sites are open free to