Casibari Rock Formations

The Casibari Rock Formations are one of Aruba's geological oddities, a pile of huge weathered boulders that rise abruptly from the flat scrubland of the island's interior near Santa Cruz. The rust-coloured stones are tonalite, an unusually hard rock, and over millions of years wind and weather have rounded and stacked them into shapes that look almost sculpted.

A short walking path winds among and through the boulders, with steps and handrails carved into gaps in the rock so you can climb to the top. The scramble is easy and quick, and the reward at the summit is a 360-degree view across the dry, cactus-dotted plain to Hooiberg, the island's pyramid-shaped hill, and out to both coasts.

What to look for

Around the base, paths thread through native cactus and divi-divi trees, and some of the rocks bear faint markings linked to the island's Indigenous past. Small lizards and birds are common among the stones. It is an easy, free stop that combines well with the nearby Ayo Rock Formations, which sit a short drive away.

• Entry is free and the climb to the top takes only a few minutes.
• The interior location pairs naturally with Hooiberg and the Ayo formations.

Go early or late to avoid the midday heat on the exposed rock, wear shoes with grip for the carved steps, and bring water, as there is little shade.