San Nicolas · ArubaSan Nicolas red light district: where it is and what the bars are like
Aruba's red light district is in San Nicolas, the old refinery town at the southeast end of the island, about 40 minutes from the Palm Beach and Eagle Beach hotels. Here is what the area actually is, without the myths.
Where the San Nicolas red light district is
The district covers only a few streets in San Nicolas, with most venues on and around Rembrandtstraat, broadly around Charlie's Bar. In fact, it is the only place on the island where this exists. There is nothing comparable in Oranjestad, Palm Beach or Eagle Beach.
San Nicolas grew around the Lago refinery, which ran here from the 1920s and brought in workers from across the Caribbean. In 1928 the government set up a regulated zone rather than let things run unchecked, and that regulated approach never really went away.
What the San Nicolas red light district bars are like
All in all, there are somewhere between fifteen and twenty small bars. However, from the outside most of them look like ordinary neighbourhood bars, because that is largely what they are.
It is nothing like De Wallen in Amsterdam. There are no lit windows and nobody is on display. Instead, the bars operate as bars. Also, most of what is said around you will be in Spanish and Papiamento.
When the San Nicolas red light district is open
Most places run Monday to Saturday, generally from around 7pm until about 2am. As a result, the area is quiet early and busier after ten.
By contrast, by day San Nicolas is a different town altogether: murals, Charlie's Bar, lunch, and Baby Beach a few minutes further on.
Is San Nicolas safe at night?
San Nicolas is generally calm, but late at night it is a quiet, poorly lit town and not a tourist area, with nothing signposted. The usual sense applies: do not wander, do not flash cash, do not get separated. Arriving with someone local removes most of the guesswork.
Common questions
Where exactly is the San Nicolas red light district?
On and around Rembrandtstraat in San Nicolas, at the southeast end of Aruba, about 40 minutes by car from the Palm Beach and Eagle Beach hotels.
How many bars are there?
Somewhere between fifteen and twenty small bars across a few streets. From the outside most look like ordinary neighbourhood bars.
What hours are the bars open?
Most run Monday to Saturday from around 7pm until about 2am. It is quiet early and busier after 10pm.
Go with someone local
Round trip from your hotel, up to two hours in San Nicolas with a local guide beside you, then straight home. $385 for 1 to 6 people, or $300 with code PAPI.
Strictly a guided night out for adults 18 and over. A guide and transport service only, not affiliated with any bar or venue.