San Nicolas, Aruba
The second city — the old refinery town, now Aruba's street-art capital, with Baby Beach nearby.
What San Nicolas is like
San Nicolas is Aruba's second city and its most-changed one: a former refinery town that has turned into the island's art district, with the calm water of Baby Beach at the end of the road.
What it is. The town at the southeastern end of the island, built around the oil refinery that once drove Aruba's economy.
What changed. A large-scale mural programme has turned the centre into the island's street-art district, and the area has drawn real regeneration interest.
What you get. The lowest entry prices on the island for a town setting, and properties with character that would cost multiples on the northwest coast.
The trade. It is the far end of a small island, and regeneration is a process rather than a finished fact. This is a buy for conviction, not for convenience.
Homes in San Nicolas
Nothing in this collection is currently in San Nicolas. Nicolás sources across the whole island — tell him what you want here and he will find it.
What buying here involves
Foreigners buy in Aruba without restriction. Budget 4–7% above the price: transfer tax of 3% on the first AWG 250,000 and 6% above it, plus notary fees of about 1–2%. Allow six to eight weeks from signed agreement to transfer of title.
See the buying guide for the full process, and Aruba house prices for what budgets buy across the island.
Questions about San Nicolas
Is San Nicolas a good place to buy?
It has the lowest entry prices on the island and a genuine regeneration story. It is also the furthest from the tourist economy. Buy it because you like it, not purely as a punt.
What is Baby Beach?
A shallow, sheltered lagoon at the southern tip, a few minutes from San Nicolas — the calmest swimming water on Aruba and very popular with families.
Is San Nicolas safe?
It is an ordinary Aruban town with ordinary precautions. It has a rougher reputation than the northwest coast, which is more history than present reality — but go and see it yourself.
Looking in San Nicolas?
Tell Nicolás your budget and what the house has to do. He will tell you honestly whether San Nicolas is the right area for it.
Ask about San NicolasCompare areas