Discover San Nicolas
Accommodation in San Nicolas
San Nicolas brings together local history, public art, and a variety of ways to explore. When choosing a destination in Aruba, the museums, murals, and monthly pop-up market are among the features that define the area. They offer different perspectives: exhibitions focus on the community and the island’s history, while tours and the market highlight local art and produce.
Museums: Community and Island History
In the center of San Nicolas is the San Nicolas Community Museum, housed in the restored Nicolaas Store, a historic landmark. Its exhibition focuses on authentic aspects of the San Nicolas community, offering a glimpse into the life and character of the local community.
The Museum of Industry in the San Nicolas water tower takes a different approach. Detailed exhibitions and multimedia installations explore gold, aloe, phosphate, oil, and tourism in Aruba. While the Community Museum centers on the San Nicolas community, the Museum of Industry takes you through different chapters of Aruba’s history. Depending on your interests, you can choose between a local community theme and a broader look at the island’s history.
San Nicolas’ historical culture also includes a large parade commemorating the Allied victory in World War II. It was attended mainly by English-speaking Caribbean immigrants who had come to Aruba to work at the Lago oil refinery. The parade connects the memory of the war with the history of labor migration to the refinery.
Murals and the Aruba Art Fair
ArtisA (Art is Aruba) organizes the Aruba Art Fair and was one of the pioneers in developing San Nicolas into the art district it is today. Artists from around the world, along with local artists, took part in the Aruba Art Fair and left works on walls and buildings around San Nicolas’ Main Street.
Aruba Mural Tours takes visitors to the murals created for the Aruba Art Fair in recent years. Depending on the tour you book, an average of 20 to 40 murals are included. Special tours combined with workshops are available on request. The tours offer a guided way to experience the murals, while the museums focus on other topics and present them through exhibitions.
Monthly Market and Local Cuisine
The San Nicolas Pop-up Market takes place monthly at Plaza Lolita. Vendors and artisans offer local art, crafts, food, drinks, and locally grown produce. The market also features live steelpan music, an emcee, and a DJ. If you’d like to include the market in your travel plans, check the specific date before your visit.
Charlie’s Bar in San Nicolas serves beer and small plates, including shrimp and scampi dishes, fresh Caribbean catch, and daily vegetarian specials. As the menu may change, ask the bar directly about current offerings.
Getting Around San Nicolas
The San Nicolas Visitor Information Center provides local tips and information about San Nicolas. It also serves as a starting point for exploring the city on foot. This practical guidance complements the city’s thematic attractions: community and industrial history in the museums, art among the murals, and a monthly market featuring local produce and live entertainment.
For a broader travel overview: Aruba.
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