The National Archaeological Museum

The archaeological museum occupies the restored Ecury family compound in central Oranjestad, a set of early twentieth-century buildings around a courtyard, and it covers the island's human history from the first arrivals around four thousand years ago through the Caquetío period to the Spanish and Dutch. The Caquetío were Arawakan speakers with links to the Venezuelan mainland, and the collection holds their pottery, shell tools, burial urns and the human remains excavated at Malmok and Tanki Flip, presented with care. It is free, air-conditioned and considerably better than a small island museum has any need to be.

The main sights

• The Caquetío collection - pottery, tools and burial urns from the island.
• The Ecury compound - the restored buildings the museum occupies.
• The burial excavations - material from Malmok and Tanki Flip.
• Four thousand years - the full span of human occupation.

When to go

Year-round; open Tuesday to Sunday with weekday hours. Entry is free. Mornings are quietest. Two hours covers it. It is air-conditioned, which makes it a good midday option.

Practical notes

It is small and two hours is generous. Human remains are displayed, which some visitors would rather know about beforehand. Labels are in Dutch, English, Spanish and Papiamento, which is good but makes them brief. Central Oranjestad parking is difficult.

Nearby

Fort Zoutman is a short walk; the cruise berth is nearby.