As a longtime possession of The Netherlands, dutch is the official language of Aruba. However, Papiamento, a lyrical language that envolved from Spanish and Portuguese, Dutch, some French, English, and a smattering of African languages is also an official language, and the most common. English is spoken by most of the citizens in the areas where tourism is concentrated. The majority of the population is Roman Catholic, with churches constructed throughout the island. One good way to experience Aruban culture, is to visit the weekly Bon Bini Festival that takes place at Fort Zoutman in downtown Oranjestad.

About Aruba | Aruba History | Aruba Culture

While Arubans treasure traditional folkloric music such as the fiery tumba, the elegant danza and the Antillean waltz (a cousin of the European waltz), their musical favorites include Latin salsa rhythms, Caribbean calypso and soca beat, Mexican mariachi and South American boleros. But equally popular, mostly among the younger generation, are modern  groups playing hip-hop, rap music and reggaeton.

Aruba’s colorful tropical setting is the theme of most of the local artists. Painters delight in featuring the island’s bright colors, varied landscapes and diverse population, historic architecture and the surrounding Caribbean Sea. The diversity of artistic expression is surprising for such a small community as Aruba. Apart from the commercial tourist art, folkloric art vies with portrait painting, and the Aruban landscape is rendered in traditional oils, watercolors, pastels, and modern acrylic and mixed-media abstract work. Painting and watercolor courses are offered both to local and visiting art lovers. Many yearly art shows gracefully combine the works of the older generation of painters with the younger set of  professionally trained artists.

Most travelers will be eager to sample the island's local food. Seafood is a staple, and local fishermen provide a great variety of regional fish including red snapper, mahi mahi, and grouper. “Keshi yena,” a soupy mixture that combines Gouda cheese, spices, and meat or seafood in a thick brown sauce, is a popular dish among the locals. This dish is sometimes combined with “funchi”, a cornmeal pancake, or “pan bati,” a corn pudding formed into pies. “Soppi di pisca” is actually fish chowder flavored with coconut. For travelers who enjoy seafood, there are several unique ways of having it prepared. “Keri keri” is a dish of shredded barracuda infused with the spice annato, or you can order your preferred fish “Aruban style,” which will arrive pan fried in a Creole sauce or in garlic butter.

The Arawak Indian influence has been strong on the language and the names of local items. Arubans use the Arawak word watapana for the tree that is known as the divi divi tree on other islands of the Caribbean and throughout the Americas. Aruban women continue the tradition of sweeping the yards around their homes, much like the Arawaks cleared the area around their homes to keep an eye out for approaching snakes or insects. The Arawak Indians left behind many relics on the island of Aruba, from petroglyphs tucked away in ancient caves to paintings on huge boulders at Ayo and Arikok National Park. There are also many traces of their language in Aruba's indigenous Papiamento language.