Museum of Industry
A museum in San Nicolas covering gold, aloe, phosphate and oil on Aruba.
Updated 3 September 2026
The Museum of Industry occupies the old water tower at San Nicolas and covers the four things Aruba's economy ran on before tourism: gold, mined in the nineteenth century, aloe, grown and processed for export, phosphate from the eastern quarries, and oil, refined at San Nicolas from the 1920s. The tower's levels take one industry each and the top gives a view over the town. The San Nicolas refinery was for decades one of the largest in the world and shaped the town completely.
What to look for
- The four industries - gold, aloe, phosphate and oil across the tower levels.
- The water tower - the building the museum occupies.
- The refinery history - the industry San Nicolas was built around.
- The tower view - the outlook over the town from the top.
When to go
December to April is the dry high season. The museum keeps set hours and closes on some days. Rainy days fill it.
Practical notes
The museum is small and an hour or two covers it. Some displays are text-heavy. San Nicolas itself is a working town with limited facilities.
Nearby
San Nicolas is around it, and Baby Beach is southeast.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q136396179, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Museum of Industry
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
