San Nicolas sits on the southeastern end of Aruba, about 40 minutes from the Palm Beach hotel strip. It is the island’s second largest city, and locals have called it Sunrise City for as long as anyone can remember. Most visitors have never heard of it before they land, which is a shame, because the old refinery town is now an open-air gallery. Murals run the length of the Crijnssenstraat promenade and turn up on storefronts and back alleys all over town, painted by artists from Aruba, Curaçao and a dozen countries further out. The Aruba Art Fair brought the first wave in 2016 and nobody has stopped painting since.
There is more out here than the murals. San Nicolas Aruba restaurants serve the food people actually travel to the Caribbean for: fresh-caught wahoo, pastechi straight out of the fryer, keshi yena, and Colombian arepas washed down with cold Balashi. Galleries and studios leave their doors open to anyone curious enough to walk in. For live music in Aruba, Charlie’s Bar has been pouring since 1941 and the plaza fills up most weekends. If it is Aruba culture you came for rather than a resort wristband, this is where to find it, and it is what both of our San Nicolas tours are built around.
See San Nicolas on a Kukoo Bus
Two tours cover San Nicolas and both leave from the Palm Beach area, so there is no rental car to arrange and no designated driver to nominate. The Taste of San Nicolas Tour pairs an Aruba mural tour on foot with dinner and live music. The Holiday Lights Tour runs through December and is the one to book if you are traveling with kids. Both come with a guide who grew up on this end of the island.
As we celebrate Kukoo Kunuku’s 30th anniversary, it felt like the perfect time to introduce a new experience that celebrates another side of Aruba. For nearly three decades, we’ve welcomed visitors with music, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Now we’re excited to introduce guests to the art, culture, food, music, and wonderful people that make San Nicolas so special.
Cas di Luz Aruba: A Holiday Tradition That Lights Up the Island
There is something magical about Aruba at Christmas. And we’re not only talking about the sunshine. When December arrives, homes begin to sparkle, gardens glow, and neighborhoods turn into little wonderlands of Christmas lights. Some families start decorating several weeks in advance. Others seem determined to make their houses visible from outer space. And then…
A Local’s Guide to the San Nicolas Food Truck Festival in Aruba
Don’t miss the San Nicolas Food Truck Festival. It was one of the happiest evenings we’ve enjoyed in Aruba in a long time. The San Nicolas Promenade came alive with twinkle lights, live music, an energetic MC, and the irresistible aromas of fresh local food. Centered around Kulture Plaza and the iconic yellow Nicolaas Store,…
These Maracas Aren’t Going to Shake Themselves…
For 30 years, Kukoo Kunuku has been convincing perfectly normal people to dance with strangers, collect souvenir cups they’ll probably never use again, and give 110%… for absolutely no reason at all. 🪇🍹💃 Somewhere between the first maraca shake and the last dance move, strangers become friends. Birthdays become legendary, and somehow your name ends…
Sarah-Quita: World champion. Humble ambassador. Inspiring role model.
Who gets a beach named after them? Sarah-Quita Offringa does. World champion. Humble ambassador. Inspiring role model. Not only does Sarah-Quita have a beach named in her honor at Fisherman’s Huts, she’s also celebrated with one of San Nicolas’ most recognizable murals, a fitting tribute to a woman who represents Aruba with extraordinary talent, humility,…