National Archaeological Museum Aruba, Oranjestad (must see)

The National Archaeological Museum Aruba (NAMA) serves as a vital institution preserving and celebrating more than 5,000 years of Amerindian history on the island. Officially inaugurated on July 26, 2009, the museum is housed in the restored former residences of the Ecury family, a site recognized as one of Aruba’s most important historic landmarks. The opening ceremony was attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, and featured an open-air performance highlighting artists from across the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

NAMA’s collection encompasses more than 10,000 Amerindian artifacts representing the Pre-Ceramic, Ceramic, and Historic Cultural Periods. These items—made from pottery, shell, stone, bone, and glass—offer valuable insights into the everyday life, beliefs, and artistic expression of Aruba’s earliest inhabitants. They also reveal the island’s role in a far-reaching exchange network that connected it to Europe, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America.

Beyond its exhibitions, the museum’s archaeological team plays an active role in research, excavation, and heritage preservation. Their work includes the protection and study of significant archaeological sites across the island, such as the ancient cave paintings found within Arikok National Park.

The museum’s 580-square-meter permanent exhibition provides an engaging, educational experience designed for both residents and visitors. The thematic displays—Home Life, Artistic and Sacred Expression, Origins and Exchanges, and the Past in the Present—present Aruba’s history through reconstructed settings, multimedia installations, and interactive activities.

One of the featured sections, “Rancho,” pays tribute to the museum’s surrounding neighborhood and its role in the island’s cultural development.