Though some people in North America consider Aruba to be just one of many broadly similar Caribbean destinations, knowledgeable travelers know that the small island is so much more than the quintessential Caribbean holiday destination. While the country does have more than its fair share of powdery white sand beaches, it is also home to immense cultural and historical wealth. This is particularly remarkable for a place that, at its extremes, is only 32 kilometers (20 miles) long and 10 kilometers (6 miles) wide.
There’s strong evidence that Aruba has been continuously inhabited since prehistory, with multiple archaeological sites attesting to this heritage. The past millennia has been an especially busy time for Aruban history, with various peoples from the wider Caribbean, South America, Europe, and even Southeast Asia interacting with the island during this period. This legacy of multiculturalism can be seen in the traditions, cuisine, and faces of most Arubans. It’s no surprise that the country also hosts a very distinct art scene that draws from the country’s unique shared experience.
Where to Stay in Aruba for a Historical Tour
Though hotels and resorts are fine options for a weekend getaway, culture and history aficionados should get more out of their trip by renting a vacation home located in one of Aruba’s historical areas. VacationAruba gives you access to a wide selection of villas, condos, townhouses, and other properties close to places of historic and cultural interest. You can even select properties with Aruban architecture and interior design to better take in the country’s unique heritage.
Rental properties can also be a more flexible option. With VacationAruba, you can easily find properties that will accommodate large groups, pets, and other special requirements. If you’re coming to the island on a long-term visit, these rentals may also offer more value than typical hotels and resorts.
Must-Visit Historical Sites in Aruba
Knowing where to stay is just one part of enjoying Aruba’s incredible heritage. Here are some historic and culturally significant sites to explore, along with a few tips for enjoying them:
1. Aruba Aloe Factory and Museum
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Aruba_Aloe
The aloe plant is a central part of Aruba’s modern heritage. It’s so important to its historical economy that you can even find a depiction of the plant on the Aruban coat of arms. The Aruba Aloe Factory in Oranjestad also gives highly recommended free guided tours where visitors can learn about aloe processing as well as the relationship between the aloe plants and humans through antiquity. There is also an on-site gift shop where you can pick up Aruban aloe products for you and your loved ones back home.
2. Alto Vista Chapel
Image source: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/alto-vista-chapel
The small but picturesque Alto Vista Chapel in the town of Noord is probably one of the most photographed places in Aruba. Though the current chapel is fairly modern, having only been built in 1952, it stands on the site where the first Christian conversions of the Aruban natives began. For the best views, visit during the magic hours of sunrise or sunset.
3. National Archaeological Museum Aruba
Image Source: https://www.visitaruba.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/museums/the-archaeological-museum-of-aruba
Located in Oranjestad, the museum is housed in a 19th-century mansion that is an Aruban architectural showcase on its own. The museum houses over 10,000 artifacts from across Aruba’s prehistory and its more recent historical periods. Spend a few hours admiring the museum’s architectural details and looking at its massive collections of uniquely Aruban artifacts.
4. Fort Zoutman Historical Museum
Image source: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/fort-zoutman-historical-museum
Located inside Aruba’s oldest surviving structure, the Fort Zoutman Historical Museum in downtown Oranjestad offers artifacts from both the native Caquetio people and Dutch colonists. Built in 1798, the fort was first built to defend Aruba against pirates but has since become an architectural symbol of colonial-era Aruba. Today, it is a must-visit site for anyone interested in the native Arubans’ first contact with the Europeans.
5. California Lighthouse
Image source: https://www.visitaruba.com/things-to-do/attractions/california-lighthouse
Located near Arashi Beach in Noord, this 98-foot stone lighthouse has remained the highest structure on the island since its completion in 1916. The structure is named after the steamship SS California which sank nearby, some years before the lighthouse’s completion. The ship remains in place as an often-visited dive site.
Being the tallest building on the island, you won’t find more commanding views anywhere else. If you want a special evening, you can book dinner with a view at the lighthouse’s popular restaurant.
6. Dutch Pancakehouse
Image source: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/dutch-pancake-house
As one of the core countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba is markedly different from its many Caribbean and South American neighbors. The Dutch Pancakehouse (one word) in Oranjestad serves as a reminder of the country’s living culinary heritage. Stop by early and load up on a mind-boggling array of sweet and savory Dutch pancakes so you have the energy to take in the country’s other historical sites.
7. San Nicolas Art Murals
Image source: https://www.visitaruba.com/blog/things-to-do/a-glimpse-of-arubas-vibrant-street-art-in-san-nicolas/
Following the 2016 Aruba Art Fair, San Nicolas became the proud site of the country’s only mural district. Aruban artists and contributors from around the world teamed up to paint colorful murals on many of the city’s buildings, giving San Nicolas a singular look. Book a guided tour so that you can learn the interesting and, at times, powerful stories and historical events that led to the creation of these works of art.
8. Museum of Industry
Image source: https://www.visitaruba.com/getPage.do?page=museum-of-industry-aruba
Alongside aloe cultivation, gold, guano, and petroleum production were also historically important aspects of Aruban life. San Nicolas’s distinctive water tower, once built to store water for the desert island’s hardworking inhabitants, now contains a museum that showcases Aruba’s industrial history in fascinating detail. Visit to get a glimpse into what Aruba was before the rise of international tourism.
9. San Nicolas Community Museum
Image source: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/san-nicolas-community-museum
What better way to learn about a people than through their everyday possessions? This museum showcases artifacts and memorabilia donated by Aruban families. It contains a fascinating archive of old newspapers as well as recreations of a colonial kitchen and a barbershop. The museum’s terrace also serves as a good vantage point for viewing the rest of San Nicolas.
Dive into Aruba’s Rich Legacy with VacationAruba
Though most people come to Aruba for the beaches, they really should stay for the rich history and diverse culture. At these sites, visitors can experience for themselves the history that made Aruba the “One Happy Island.” With VacationAruba, you can book rentals that put you even closer to the island’s unique heritage.