Exploring the Ancient Ayo Rock Formations in Aruba

Step back in time with a visit to one of Aruba’s most popular destinations. The Ayo Rock Formations are massive monolithic rock boulders on the island of Aruba. They are located near the Natural Bridge and Aruba Ostrich Farm. These boulders are awe-inspiring. It is easy to see why they were once considered a sacred site by the natives.

 

Aruba in a Nutshell

Aruba is located in the Southern Caribbean, just north of South America. In fact, it’s so close that you can see lights from Venezuela on a clear evening. Although it is located on the South American continent, it is often considered to be part of the Caribbean.

The island is primarily inhabited by the Dutch now however, it was originally inhabited by the Arawak Tribe from Venezuela. Since then Aruba has changed hands from the British, Spanish, and the Dutch making it a diverse culture. Aruba became a part of the Netherlands Antilles in 1845 and is home to many ex-pats.

What surprised me most about Aruba was its terrain. I was expecting lush green hillsides, much like the rest of the Caribbean. However, much of the island is actually a desert. Although it does have beautiful beaches, the island is completely different than any other Caribbean I’ve been to.

The History of the Ayo Rock Formations

Aruba is a relatively flat island so the presence of these boulders is truly an enigma. Local legend has it that the Arawak people used to visit the Ayo Rock Formations so they could hear incoming thunderstorms approaching the island of Aruba. The indigenous people left their mark in a series of petroglyphs in between the rocks. The petroglyphs, or carved paintings, were part of a religious ceremony dating back thousands of years.

 

Who were the Arawak?

The Arawak is a group of indigenous people of South America and the Caribbean. They historically lived in the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean.

These people left their mark on the island through a series of rock drawings and carvings that have withstood the test of time. You can see their craftsmanship at Fontein Cave in Arikok National Park and at the Ayo Rock Formation. Historians believe that the paintings suggest they came to Aruba after fleeing attacks from the Carib Indians.

Exploring the Site

Two of these remarkable geological formations can be climbed and explored: Ayo and Casibari. Walking trails and steps have been set around the formations making them a little easier to navigate. However, the path meanders through several narrow tunnels which can make exploring them a bit challenging. The hike to the top is well worth the views! On a clear day, you can see the coast of Venezuela 15 miles away.

It was really cool to see the petroglyphs that were created thousands of years ago.

Visiting the Ayo Rock Formations are definitely a must, especially if you’re already in the area. The Ayo Rock Formation can easily be paired with a trip to the Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins, Conchi, Aruba Ostrich Farm, and the Natural Bridge.