With
its pastel-colored, gabled Dutch buildings built in the 1700s,
Curaçao is one of the most beautiful and frequently-photographed
islands in the Caribbean.
But for many, Curacao’s quaint capital and
eye-candy architecture is just the icing on the cake. The balmy climate,
the beautiful beaches, the European charm, and the rich mosaic of history and
culture draw vacationers from around the globe.
Also
See: Caribbean Index |
Antigua & Barbuda |
Aruba |
Bahamas |
Barbados |
Bermuda |
Caymans |
Grenada |
Jamaica |
Martinique |
Puerto Rico |
St. Croix |
St. John |
St. Lucia |
St. Thomas |
Turks & Caicos |
Virgin Gorda/BVI
Located a mere
40 miles off the coast of Venezuela, Curaçao is
one of the Netherlands’ ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and
Curaçao). It was settled over centuries by the Spanish, British,
French and, finally, the Dutch, and displays its unique, multi-ethnic
heritage in its language, music, architecture and cuisine. Cultured and
cosmopolitan, Curacao is the ideal destination for on-the-go types who
revel in the island’s rich mix of shopping venues (including some
of the best duty-free options in the Caribbean), excellent restaurants,
nightclubs, casinos and heritage sites. And for those who believe you
can never get enough sun-sitting, swimming and snorkeling? Curacao’s
miles and miles of white-sand beaches, romantic rocky coves and
world-class diving sites guarantee you’ll never run out of fun ways to
enjoy the sand and surf. As they say in Papiamento, the local Creole
language, Bon Bini—Welcome!
Why honeymoon here?
It's a superb blend of Old Europe and Caribbean culture. Fab beaches,
great food, tons of activities. Not the least expensive island, but
bargains can be found. Cons: One of the higher-priced Caribbean
islands.
Willemstad: When
the Dutch seized Curaçao from Spain in 1634, they created a "little
Amsterdam" of Dutch Colonial buildings on one side of a natural inlet
(now a canal). Today the entire historic area of Willemstad, including
its harbor, is a
World Heritage Site. With a free walking tour map from the tourist bureau, you
can get to know some of these historic, pastel-colored, red-roofed
buildings on the canal's Punda side. To get there, cross the Queen Emma
moving pontoon bridge, which swings open whenever a ship needs to pass.
Among the must-sees is
the New World’s oldest synagogue, 350-year-old
Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Congregation.
Among its many treasures are three Torah crowns, including an
18th-century silver crown made by Pieter van Hoven, and a mid-19th
century European pipe organ.
Overlooking the harbor
entrance sits the once-formidable 1635 Fort Amsterdam (one of Captain
Bligh’s canon balls has been embedded in its southwest wall since 1804).
Today the Fort contains the Governor's official residence, the fort's
ancient church, and various government buildings. In addition, a small
museum details history of the fort and church.
Beachin' It:
With nearly 40 beaches around the island, you’re sure to fine one that’s
perfect for you. Cas Abou's white-sugar sand, turquoise water, rustling
palm trees, and terrific swimming and reef snorkeling make it an island
favorite; rent a beach chair and umbrella, and hunker down on its big
sandy beach for the day. Want something quieter? The west coast’s Daaibooi Beach can’t be beat. It’s
surrounded by steep cliffs that rise right from the sea, and rocks near
shore are covered with bright-colored corals.
Porto Marie is quiet and lovely, with terrific double-reef diving
just offshore and a fun, interesting snorkel trail for non-divers.
Tranquil Playa Lagun offers colorful
fishing boats, shallow water, and colorful sea life.
Museums²: The unique
Museum Kurá Hulanda,
among the Caribbean's largest museums, was created when fifteen 18th century
Dutch homes were combined. One of the principal aims here is documenting Curaçao ’s slave trade and illustrating the
many ways in which Africans have influenced Caribbean culture. It's a
big, tricky undertaking, but the museum succeeds. An odd experience comes when you climb into the
hold of a replica slave ship outfitted with shackles and chains, getting a
faint glimmer of the horror endured by so many. Other
areas are devoted to
Roman Glass, West African Kingdoms, voodoo, and there’s also an impressive
Sculpture Garden. Leave time for the gift shop: it’s filled with African
games, musical instruments, and jewelry. ~ The
Curaçao Museum, housed
in a colonial Willemstad building, covers a lot of ground. You'll find
pre-Colombian artifacts, a typical plantation kitchen (with traditional
polka dot walls), 18th century mahogany furniture crafted by local
artisans, a carillon with 47 bells, and modern paintings. Concerts often
take place on the shaded grounds. ~ The collection at the
Maritime Museum
concentrates on Curaçao 's 500+ years of maritime history. Exhibits
include artifacts from a Dutch frigate that exploded in the harbor in
1778, 17th century ship models, and ancient maps. Arrangements can be
made to take a harbor tour with a museum guide offering an historical
overview.
Honeymoon splurge:
Spend
your honeymoon in Hotel Kura Hulanda’s
Indian
Bridal Suite, where all furniture is made of sterling silver hammered
out by hand—and that includes the draped, four-poster, king-sized bed (see
photo). This suite offers all the luxurious touches you’d expect,
including a marble Jacuzzi. Rates are hefty (averaging $1050 per night),
but a bit light when you opt for the Silver Knot Honeymoon Package: 5 nights in
the silvered suite, limo transfer to and from the airport, Spa massage for
2, a candlelight dinner, and various other amenities. Cost, depending on the
season: $5600-6000.
»»Read about
other honeymoon splurges around the world
Local Spirits:
What else but Curaçao liqueur, invented here? In the 16th century, Colonists planted Valencia orange trees
brought from Spain—but, unsuited to the Caribbean climate, the trees
produced a green and bitter fruit that came to be known as Laraha. Oddly
enough, when the inedible Laraha's
rind was dried, it possessed a tantalizing
scent and a sweetish oil. In the late 1800s someone tried distilling the rind with alcohol and spices, and voila! The famous orange-flavored, bitterish liqueur was born. ~ Today a
similar liqueur is produced around the world using
dried orange peel or artificial flavor. It goes by the same name,
Curaçao, but only on this island
can you buy an authentic Curaçao liqueur made with Laraha. ~ Curaçao was
first produced here commercially by Senior & Company, which still uses
the original 1896 copper still. You can
tour the distillery,
located in a country estate dating back to the early 1800s. You'll be
offered a chance to taste
the real thing, "Curaçao of Curaçao." By the way, Curaçao is
born clear; color is added to produce the vibrant-Blue variety seen so
often in tropical cocktails.
»»
Recipe for Blue Beard's Favorite
~
Check out
other comfort foods
in the
USA and
around the world
Christoffel & Shete Boka National Parks: Three former plantations were combined to
create this4500-acre
Christoffel NP, near the island’s western tip;
the Park also contains Curaçao 's highest point, 1200-foot Christoffel
Mountain. The Park contains a widely diverse number of plants, some of
which are found nowhere else on earth; keep your eye peeled for wild
orchids. Eight well-marked trails afford hikers
the chance to view ancient petroglyphs, catch glimpses of the protected
Curaçao white-tail deer (only 250 left) or electric-blue iguanas,
and be dazzled by colorful tropical birds. Two scenic
car routes wind past ocean or mountain views (it only takes about half a
day to do both).
The
visitor’s center is located in one of the island’s oldest plantation
houses, Savonet (built 1645). The center offers lots of ranger-guided
activities—cave explorations, slide shows, bird walks, safari
adventures—so it's worth checking in. ~ Not far away, rugged
Shete Boka NP
protects the rocky northern coast along with its thundering waves and
deep caverns carved out by the sea. The most well known cavern, Boka
Tabla, is reached via a series of steps cut right into the rock. At
least three different species of sea turtles haul out on pocket beaches
here to lay eggs in season.
The Floating
Market: The
incredibly picturesque floating market dates back more than a century,
when Venezuelan schooners began bringing fresh tropical fruits and
vegetables to Curaçao (the island's aridity limits farming). Small ships arrive daily, tie up at Willemstad’s
central canal, and set up stands to display their colorful
merchandise—mangoes, chiles, cinnamon sticks, bananas, fresh fish, and
handicrafts. At night the ships double as homes for the crews; you'll
spot them playing cards or fishing on deck, snoozing in hammocks, or
relaxing over a beer. ~ The Old Market is
nearby. It's a high-energy place where small independent stands cook up
island specialties like Curaçaon-style
red snapper or gouda cheese stuffed with meat.
The Sporting Life:
Curacao, where water temperatures are a comfy 70-85° and visibility
reaches 150 feet, is best known for its 100+ superb diving sites. But
the island offers a wealth of other sports and outdoor activities; most
are available at your hotel/resort or can be arranged by the concierge.
To begin with, all the water sports imaginable are found here, including
windsurfing, sailing (hobbies-cats, sunfish, or more luxurious boats), sea
kayaking, knee boarding, and waterskiing. Biking is popular, and guided
trips are easily arranged; you can also rent bikes and take off on your
own. Deep sea fishing in local waters offers the opportunity to catch
marlin, tuna, wahoo, and sailfish. Guided horseback riding tours are
available for both beginning and experienced riders (one of the best
rides is in Christoffel National Park). Golf can be played at two
courses, 18-hole
Blue Bay Golf Resort and 9-hole Curacao Golf &
Squash Club.
The
Hato Caves: These caves have a unique and colorful history.
Originally formed beneath the sea, they emerged during the Ice Age—something
that's evident as you walk around and notice that the
limestone interior is studded with seashells and coral. The Hato Caves
were used
for ceremonial and burial purposes by ancient Arawaks, who left behind
stone tools and petroglyphs dating back 1500 years. It's believed
that, centuries later,
escaped slaves hid out in the caves for months at a time.
On a
guided tour you’ll see the petroglyphs, along with still-growing
stalagmites and stalactites, oddly-shaped limestone formations, a
beautiful underground lake, and large caverns.
Curaçao
Underwater Park: This sensational underwater playground stretches
for 12 miles along the southeastern coast. It includes the island's
most pristine coral reefs, as well as a few inland bays that support
mangroves and sea grass. The result is a great diversity of marine
life, making the area ’s paradise for divers and snorkelers. Remember:
it's against the law to spearfish or damage corals. Glass-bottom boat
tours and a semi-submersible sub are available for those who'd rather
not dive. ~ Don’t miss the nearby Curaçao Sea Aquarium, chock-full of tropical fish and marine critters
like sting rays, sharks, moray eels, and sea turtles. Bring your
bathing suit and experience one of the Aquarium’s famed “animal
encounter” dives—beginners welcome!
More Info:
Curaçao
Tourism
