By: Nancy Esteves
The island of Curaçao, located in the southern Caribbean near the coast of Venezuela, is a great place for a Caribbean vacation with the whole family. There are plenty of lodging options, from beachfront stays to downtown, in every price range. Here you will discover a varied culture and colorful architecture very different from other Caribbean islands: a charming mix of Dutch and Caribbean that is, above all, an uncommon place.
Curaçao has about 35 beautiful beaches. Many are private and rustic, with impressive crystal-clear waters and the typical white-sand Caribbean beaches, but there is much more beyond the beaches. There are plenty of activities for nature lovers: from water adventures to submarine rides, diving, swimming with dolphins, and venturing along trails and even rustic caves waiting to be discovered. You will also find plenty of museums, fortresses, plantations, vineyards, and even a medicinal herb garden… but, above all, the charming, friendly people who make you feel at home.
Here are some truly different things you can do during your visit:
Hato Caves: ideal for little explorers, the Hato Caves offer you a 200,000-year-old history lesson and are open for exploration. The whole family will enjoy the cool temperatures while taking an up-close look at Curaçao’s nature, history, and culture.
CurAloe Plantation: cultivating more than 100,000 specimens in the most sustainable way possible, CurAloe makes high-end products to soothe your burns and care for your skin. The whole family can visit the plantation and discover everything about the aloe plant and how it is harvested to make products.
Shete Boka: right next to Christoffel Park, this area stretches along more than 10 kilometers of the north coast. The coastal limestone has been sculpted by the spectacular crashing waves, creating underground caverns, some of which are open to the public to explore.
Curaçao Winery: located near Hato International Airport, Curaçao recently opened the island’s first winery and vineyard. Run by the Visscher family, the vineyard has more than 2,000 vines spread over two acres of land, which will eventually expand to 25 acres. The grapes will be harvested on the island’s grounds and will be ready to bottle and sell next year. Meanwhile, visitors can enjoy tastings and special events at the winery, open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with happy hour on Fridays at 5:00 PM.
Klein Curaçao: a small island 15 miles off Curaçao’s southeast tip. Today the island is uninhabited, although in the past fishermen and farmers lived there. Diving companies and charter boats are available to take guests to that giant volcanic rock for beach parties, barbecues, and diving.
Curaçao’s Old Quarry Golf Course, at the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort:
Considered one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean and Mexico according to Golfweek. Designed by Pete Dye and inaugurated in April 2010, the Old Quarry golf course follows the natural terrain overlooking the Caribbean Sea and the protected bay known as Spanish Water. Measuring 6,920 yards from the championship tees, the Curaçao golf course also has an 8,000-square-foot clubhouse with a very well-stocked golf shop.
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Safe travels! And welcome!
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