San Nicolas, Aruba

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San Nicolas, 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Oranjestad, is Aruba's second largest city. Known as the island`s Sunrise Side, San Nicolas was once a bustling company town when Lago Oil and Transport operated from 1924-1985. The refining of oil is again playing a part of Aruba`s economy. In 1990 Coastal Corp reopened the oil refinery. A Dutch marine camp is off Commanders Bay near the fishing village of Savaneta.

Charlie's Bar, in operation since 1941, once had a colorful reputation as a hangout for rowdy sailors and oil refinery workers. The establishment is known for its variety of bric-a-brac. Pictures, business cards and license plates grace the walls of the bar while the hundreds of items hanging from the ceiling include hats, frisbees, an inner tube, a life jacket and even shirts from the Boston Braves & Brooklyn Dodgers.

A section of San Nicolas`s main street has been converted to a picturesque promenade with shops containing souvenirs, crafts and local snacks. There is a small natural bridge, not to be confused with the bridge at Andicuri. To view the bridge follow the road to its terminus, then hike approximately 200 feet (61 m) down old lava and coral formations.