I’ve already introduced you to what we loved about Aruba and various accommodation options you can experience around Aruba. In this post, I’d like to introduce you to the allure of Aruban art and creativity that will captivate you throughout your exploration of this beautiful Caribbean island.
As Aruba is located in the Caribbean Sea just 15 miles (24 kilometres) off the coast of Venezuela, its art boasts the traditionally bright colours found throughout the Caribbean. Aruban art is bright, colourful, and evokes emotion. We were in awe walking the streets of San Nicolas (also known as Sint Nicolaas in honour of its Dutch heritage.) If you love street art, you, too, will love this quaint village on the southwest coast of Aruba that is home to more than 40 murals adorning its buildings. Please pin the image below to Pinterest for your future reference.
The multi-artist Aruba Art Fair will be held September 5-7, 2025. Held annually in the Art Center of San Nicolas located at the Bernard van de Veen Gallery at 14 Zeppenfeldstraat, this event is a must for art lovers. Aruba Artweek is a weeklong annual celebration of arts and culture. This year, it will be held September 1-7, showcasing a myriad of events celebrating the artistic creativity of Aruba. If you can’t make it, you can also purchase some of the finest local Aruban art online via the Art Fair’s site.
shopping for art in Aruba is loads of fun
We also loved the Columbia-inspired native wooden art of Mopa Mopa, an equally enticing shop where you can purchase pieces crafted from wood that goes through an intricate process to become these beautiful works of art. Mopa Mopa is located just steps from Designs of Color in the Renaissance Marketplace on LS Smith Blvd. in Oranjestad, where you’ll find quite an array of Aruban art pieces.
And as I know that most readers of this site are interested in chocolate art, I’d be remiss without including the handcrafted chocolates made in-house at Super Food, to be found in the Super Food Plaza Shopping Mall in Oranjestad. The tropical flavours of the bonbons are excellent, but be sure to eat them quickly or protect them from the ever-present Aruban heat as your chocolate treasure may melt before you know it!
Have you been to Aruba? Were you impressed with the array of Aruban art there is available for purchase? Please share your comments in the thread following this post. And if you enjoyed the post, please share with your friends and family. Thanks!
Love the colours and vibrancy. I would go on the Aruba Art tour and view the 40+ murals.
Thanks for your comment, Bola. Yes, Aruba is a beautiful place filled with colour and joy. We really loved the whole island and especially the Caribbean vibe in its art.
Wow talk about very colorful art. I had no idea that Aruba was that close to Venezuela and can see why it all feels so tropical and vibrant in all the colorful art.
Hi Noel and thanks for your comment. Aruba is indeed an incredible destination that is ideal for art and nature lovers.
I always enjoy the art of places I visit, including public art and murals. Love the creations you showed at Designs of Color! And, f course, chocolate is alway a good idea.
Thx so much for your comment, Cathy. Great to see you here again. Yes, art appreciation really brings a place to life, doesn’t it? And it makes such great souvenirs to keep our memories alive.
Great panorama of Aruban art, Doreen. I guess that’s the magic of perpetual sunshine that all the art is glowing and saturated with intense colour. How about the Aruban people? Do they display sunny dispositions as well?
They do, indeed, Margaret! The Aruban people are really friendly and helpful. Can’t say enough about this fabulous Caribbean destination. Thx for sharing your thoughts with us.
Oh my goodness! How vibrant and joyful Aruba is! The art is stunning, and the scenery gorgeous. Thanks for sharing these wonderful places, and chocolate, with us!
Thanks so much, Gayle! As an artist, I’m sure you’d really enjoy the natural beauty and vibrancy of Aruba. The murals of San Nicolas are really something to behold.
I have been to Bonaire and Curacao but not yet to Aruba! I love seeking out colorful street art wherever I travel and enjoyed your photos of what is available in Aruba. Those chocolates look tasty, too!
Thx so much for your comment, Debbie! The ABC Islands are so charming! We tried Aruba first based on the recommendations of one of our travel writer friends and really loved it. Am now booking Curacao for our next visit to this region as it is larger and we’re staying longer, so that may offer more opportunities for adventure. We have another friend who prefers Bonaire, so may also get there. How fortunate we are to share the adventurous spirit of impassioned travellers.
Beautiful colours! Everything looks so inviting. Happy to see the murals as I have always been a fan of that skill. As you said Aruba looks like a magical island and thank you and Kim for sharing the magic of your journey together.
Thx so much, Pat. Aruba truly is a place I would recommend to just about anyone who loves inviting beaches, natural beauty, art, and great weather!
Thanks for the stunning colour photos, Doreen! I truly enjoyed discovering Aruba through your posts.
Love the colourful art. I am a fan of street art, so I am sure I’d enjoy a visit to San Nicolas.
Thx for joining the conversation Donna. Yes, street art sure adds to the charm & personality of a place, doesn’t it? Love San Nicolas for that reason.
Marvelous array of art as well as a beautifully arranged presentation of chocolate creations, @Doreen! Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventures with us!
Thx so much, Esther. I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying our Aruban adventures. The beautiful art of Aruba took our trip to an unexpected high. ❤️
Looks like so much fun! Love the lively, colorful art!
Thx so much for your comment, Shelly. Aruba is a place that would be great for anyone who loves natural beauty and creativity.
All the art was very impressive and beautiful. The murals down in St Nicolas where absolutely gorgeous
Hi Kim! Yes, I wish I could have uploaded more of the mural pics from San Nicolas, but there’s always an issue with how many pixels can be uploaded to a post. So glad we had the opportunity to visit the magical island of Aruba. ❤️
Beautiful post, Doreen. It just pops with colour. Did colonization by the Dutch affect the sugar content of the chocolate (remember we were surprised by how sweet the chocolate was in Amsterdam)?
Hi Virginia and thx for your comment. ❤️ Indeed, the fact that the ABC Islands are of Dutch heritage, the chocolate you find on the islands is primarily composed of imported Dutch-made chocolate, or Aruban-made chocolate made in the Dutch tradition. Definitely not the 100% cacao, pure bean-to-bar chocolate you may find on other islands throughout the Caribbean as there is no cacao being grown on Aruba.
I would have loved to see those shops. Love colour.
Hi Wendy and thx for dropping by! Yes, as a creative and artistic spirit, you would truly love the art of Aruba. Everything on this island is blessed with boldness of colour.