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Mural and industry museum in San Nicolas

San Nicolas City

San Nicolas offers iconic beaches and island charm far removed from the glitz and glam of Palm Beach high-rise resorts.

Charlie's Bar & Restaurant was founded on September 18, 1941. Over the years old and new items where carefully collected and now adorn the walls and ceilings of the restaurant

Welcome to the Sunrise Side of the island! Although San Nicolas, Aruba’s “Sunrise City”, is a quiet coastal town of 32.84 KM2 located only twelve miles southeast of Oranjestad, it seems a world away. In the heart of Aruba’s second largest city is a quaint promenade on Zeppenfeldstraat, an art gallery, some stores, snack shops, restaurants and bars as well as historic buildings of architectural interest. The spewing metal maze of refinery dominates the landscape, and in its spicy heyday, when the oil business thrived, San Nicolas was the place to be. For tourists looking for authentic Caribbean flair and flavor, San Nicolas does not disappoint. It offers beautiful beaches and island charm far removed from the glitz and glamour of Palm Beach high-rise resorts and sparkling new malls.

The city is normally a little on the quiet side, but full of unique charm with fun things to do and see. San Nicolas boasts a long history of steel bands, calypso music, and exuberant Carnavals, first introduced by refinery workers from Trinidad and the English islands. Though the island is Dutch, many San Nicolas residents have a British Caribbean heritage and English is still the first language in their homes.
Perhaps nothing captures the island mood more than the music of the steel pan, the world’s youngest acoustic instrument.

For years, one of the main reasons that visitors have found their way to this end of the island was to drop in at Charlie's Bar. This bar has been famous since the 1940's when scuba divers began to hang their underwater discoveries on the walls there. It has become a bit of a museum in the decades since. San Nicolas is part of our tourist destination and the main street shopping and restaurant areas have been renovated to reflect the city's history when seamen around the world took shore leave to enjoy the local hospitality.

Besides cultural and culinary activites San Nicolas also boasts beautiful beaches; Bring your family to enjoy the calm waters of Baby Beach, explore the hidden gem Rodger's Beach or go kite surfing at Boca Grandi!

 

 

​Join Aruba's Most Colorful Celebration​

An open invitation to Aruba’s largest “jump-up” is extended to Carnival enthusiasts throughout the island.


San Nicolas Aruba isn’t called Sunrise City for nothing; this cultural epicenter has so much to offer.

There aren’t many San Nicolas hotels and there are no San Nicolas resorts, but a trip to this side of the island, is definitely worth your while.

One of the most popular things to do in San Nicolas has to be visiting Baby Beach. Be sure to explore the surrounding abandoned residential areas within The Colony, it will take you back in time.

Once you’re done exploring, visit one of the great San Nicolas restaurants. You’ll be blown away by the rich Caribbean flavors and family style ambiance.

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Featured Articles

The formation Amsterdam Street Art, Sjembakkus, stands for stickiness, honesty and from the outspoken open mind. The formation is responsible for more than 400 young artists that develop astonishing artwork all over Holland. After conducting a thorough research the formation, dedicated the opening of the Art Festival , to one of San Nicolas greatest International Artists, Bobby Farell.

The first impression when arriving in the main street of San Nicolas is dedicated to one of the finest singers, vocalist of the euro Caribbean vocal group Boney M, Bobby Farrell with his no. 1 hit “Daddy Cool, in the ‘80.

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Aruba Art Fair has officially launched with a Micro Art Fair

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San Nicolas now boosts a brand new Museum of Industry (opened September 2016) and a soon to open Community Museum in the newly restored Nicolaas Store in Aruba.

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San Nicolas Community Museum

The Museum of Industry tells the remarkable story of the industrial development on Aruba during the last two centuries

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Museum of Industry

Charlie's Bar & Restaurant was founded on September 18, 1941. Over the years old and new items where carefully collected and now adorn the walls and ceilings of the restaurant

Eat & Drink

Charlie's Bar

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