Other Services and Amenities
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Wind Creek Crystal Casino (Located 25 mins away in Oranjestad)
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Post Aruba (San Nicolas Branch) and DHL
- Tech Repair Services
- Smart Systems Aruba - Lagoweg 30
- Table Tennis Spots
- Centro di Bario Lago Heights
- Language Classes
- Papiamento lessons at the San Nicolas Community Center
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Nacional (National Library) - San Nicolas Branch
- Community Centers
- Centro di Bario Brazil
- Gaming Lounges
- Local internet cafes on Main Street
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000 in mural district)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000 in Seroe Colorado)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $120,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $96,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $152,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $120,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate is 22%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% (standard rate)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for Aruban residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Approx. 52%
- VAT
- BBO/BAVP/BAZV (Turnover Tax) totaling 7%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Limited provisions; Aruban tax law is distinct from mainland Netherlands
- Property Tax
- Annual Land Tax (Grondbelasting) based on value over $33,700
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax: 3% for values below $140k; 6% for values above
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 'One Happy Workation' program allows stays up to 90 days with easy 0% income tax for non-tax residents
Essentials
- City
- San Nicolas, Aruba (Sunrise City), Aruba, Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Population
- Approximately 18,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 100-150 Mbps via SETAR fiber optics or Starlink
- Currency & Banking
- Aruban Florin (AWG), 1 USD ≈ 1.80 AWG (Fixed). USD is universally accepted.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and excellent quality (produced by WEB Aruba desalination)
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (North American standard)
- SIM Card
- SETAR (Store at Zeppenfeldtstraat 72) or Digicel; approx. $40 for 10GB
- Banking for Expats
- Aruba Bank, RBC Royal Bank, and MCB (Maduro & Curiel's Bank); Revolut/Wise work for ATMs
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses, renovated boutique hotels, and beachfront apartments
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, major credit cards accepted in most shops and restaurants
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local providers like Boutique Hotel G de Arubaville
- Budget Accommodation
- The Big Red Shack or local guesthouses starting at $65/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Rodger's Beach or Baby Beach for a quiet coastal experience
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Main Street (Zeppenfeldtstraat area) for mural views and accessibility
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None dedicated in San Nicolas; nomads use Aruba Business Center in Oranjestad (25 min drive)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Kulture Cafe (located in Nicolaas Store) - Bernard van de Veen Zeppenfeldtstraat 27
- Networking Events
- Artisa Art Gallery networking nights and 'Island Fest' meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Aruba Facebook Group events and local volunteer coastal cleanups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Aruba Taxi (standardized rates); no Uber/Bolt. Call +297 587 5900
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Aruba Active Vacations (delivery to San Nicolas) or private rentals at Baby Beach
- Best Beach Nearby
- Baby Beach (shallow, turquoise lagoon) and Rodger's Beach
- Top Regional Airline
- Divi Divi Air and EZAir (flights to Curaçao and Bonaire)
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines, JetBlue, and KLM (flying into Queen Beatrix International)
- Highway Access
- Route 1 (Main highway connecting San Nicolas to Oranjestad)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- San Nicolas Bus Terminal (Arubus hub for the southern tip)
- Public Transport Passes
- Arubus Smart Card; $2.50 per ride or day passes for approx. $10
- Regional Travel
- Arubus Line 1, 2, and 3 connect the entire island
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Imelda Hospital (HOH) is 30 mins away; Imsan Medical Institute (San Nicolas) for urgent care
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Shack (Vibe-based sessions near the coast)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Focus Fitness San Nicolas - Pastoor Hendrikstraat 41; approx. $45/month
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Moderno - Zeppenfeldtstraat 36
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Food-Aruba or Thuisbezorgd.aw
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Keshi Yena (stuffed cheese) or fresh Red Snapper
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- One Happy Bowl (Gluten-free/Vegan focus) in nearby Oranjestad/Saveta area
- Best Dessert Spots
- Saco di Felipe (famous for fruit and local snacks) - Bernhardstraat 115
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Save More Food Store - Bernard van de Veen Zeppenfeldtstraat
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Shop.aw or Amazon (via local couriers like MyMalls)
- Grocery Delivery
- Super Do It Center (online ordering and delivery services)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Charlie’s Bar (legendary spot since 1941) - Zeppenfeldtstraat 56
- Local Brewery
- Balashi Brewery (tours available in nearby Balashi/Santa Cruz)
- Wine Bars
- Vinoology (boutique wine tasting events in San Nicolas)
- Street Food Stalls
- Kamini's Kitchen (Curry/Roti focus near Baby Beach)
- Popular International Cuisine
- O'Niel Caribbean Kitchen - Bernard van de Veen Zeppenfeldtstraat 15
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The murals of the Aruba Art Fair (found throughout downtown San Nicolas)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museum of Industry (Water Tower) and San Nicolas Community Museum
- Historical Sites
- Lago Refinery Heritage district
- Religious Sites
- St. Theresa Church (iconic architecture in the center)
- Annual Events
- Aruba Art Fair and San Nicolas Carnival Parade (February/March)
- Cultural Districts
- Art District (Zeppenfeldtstraat)
- Theater Venues
- Cas di Cultura (25 mins away in Oranjestad)
- Local Markets
- San Nicolas Street Fair (monthly artisan market)
- Music Scene
- Steel Pan performances often found near the main mural walk
- Street Art
- Aruba Mural Project (over 50 world-class murals by international artists)
- Cooking Classes
- Workshops by 'The Aruban Taste' (occasional local cuisine pop-ups)
- Art Galleries
- Artisa Gallery - Zeppenfeldtstraat 6
- Historic Buildings
- The Water Tower (Nicolaas Store building)
- Local Heritage
- Oil Refining history and Caribbean-English cultural influence
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Arikok National Park (Southern entrance starts near San Nicolas)
- National Parks Nearby
- Arikok National Park (Covers 18% of the island)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal road from San Nicolas to Baby Beach
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Seroe Colorado (The 'Colorado' hill overlooking the coast)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Bubali Bird Sanctuary (30 min drive) or the dunes near Grapefield Beach
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Beach bonfires are generally restricted; check with Arikok Park rangers for designated zones