By: Nancy Esteves
The beautiful Dutch-inspired Caribbean Island of Curaçao off the coast of Venezuela will captivate you in many ways. World-famous for its vibrant culture, pristine beaches, and coves, Curaçao has that laid-back feel that makes it a perfect getaway to unplug. From a colorful downtown to the turquoise hues of waters and its rich cultural experience, it should undoubtedly be on your bucket list of unique places to visit.
Its diverse heritage spans 55 different cultures, and its capital city, Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has an iconic colorful architectural backdrop featuring museums and monuments. Cobble-stone streets, narrow alleys, and wider main roads further exhibit the 17th-century Dutch-influenced designs. You will also see lovely Willemstad’s 18th-century mansions in the Pietermaai districts.
The Queen Juliana Bridge, the tallest in the Caribbean, is painted blue and yellow, mirroring the Curaçao flag and towering above the Willemstad skyline. Driving over the bridge is the fastest way to cross from Otrobanda district to the Punda district and offers the most stunning views of downtown Willemstad. And you can’t miss a truly unique experience — walking across Queen Emma floating pontoon bridge to cross from one side to the other.
Riffort, located in Otrobanda, was built-in 1828 and now is a hub for entertainment. Enveloped by stone walls once used for firing cannons, this area features shops, restaurants, and live music on the weekends. At Ceviche 91 Gastrobar, you can enjoy tapas and signature cocktails while viewing the colorful lights of the harbor. A must-try is the Blue Curaçao Ceviche, the first of its kind.
CULTURE
Locals speak numerous languages, Papiamentu is their dialect, and they also speak English, Spanish and Dutch.
The Arawak Indians from South America first settled in Curacao. Then it was under Spanish rule and later became a Dutch territory in 1634. The island was de-colonized in 1954 when the Netherlands Antilles gained equal status within the Kingdom of Netherlands. Then in 2010, the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved, and Curaçao became autonomous within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Like many Caribbean Islands, they grandly celebrate Carnival– music, street parties, culture, history, and folklore. Carnival season starts at the beginning of January and ends during Mardi Gras.
BEACHES
Marked by rugged limestone cliffs on each side, Curaçao’s beaches are just stunning. Crystal-clear turquoise waters and abundant marine life make it a world-renowned beach destination. Most of Curaçao’s beaches dot the island’s western tip, so hopping from Playa Forti after a 40-foot cliff jumps to Playa Knip to rent a transparent kayak or take a dip is a must-do.
Driving to Santa Cruz, you can experience the Jetski Fun Ride tour with Terrific Curaçao. It also offers a wide variety of water activities, including snorkeling with turtles and visits to shipwrecks near the coastline.
You may catch a glimpse of a pink flamingo along the way, but they aren’t permanent residents? The wild birds fly back and forth from the neighboring island of Bonaire.
Not to be missed:
CurAloe’s Aloe Plantation, home to 100,00 plants, is where the company harvests aloe gel for use in its luxurious skin products and immune-boosting juices. Tours and aloe cutting demos are offered weekly for curious travelers.
Herbalist:
Anyone looking for a natural remedy for medical ailments should pay a visit to Dinah Veneris, the island’s resident herbalist. When she’s not singing to her plants or creating love potions, Dinah tends to her garden, which possesses holistic cures for everything from high blood pressure to trouble sleeping.
Mural Art and Art Workshops:
Scharloo is the epicenter of Curaçao’s street art culture, with larger-than-life murals splashed against the buildings. You can go around by scooter and go to a painting workshop experience with Francis Sling.
Tour the historic Senior & Co. Curaçao Distillery at Landhuis Chobolobo Distillery:
Witness the distillation of Blue Curaçao liqueur, made from the peels of the Larahafruit (a bitter orange native to Curaçao).
Vibrant Nightlife
From live music downtown to lively beachside clubs, Dutch bars, and local sounds, Curaçao’s nightlife is really fun. Regardless of weekday or weekend, every night has its designated spot. On Fridays, St. Tropez’s unique Ibiza-meets-South Beach vibe is the place to grab an oceanside cocktail before listening to the live band at 27.
Every Thursday night in Punda is a celebration. You can enjoy local craft markets, live music, theatrical performances, dancing, and fireworks.
DIVING:
Curacao offers unlimited shore diving and world-class sites. Its geographical diversity keeps the dive profile interesting with walls, reefs, caves, and wrecks. The Curaçao Underwater Park, located on the island’s southeast side, includes some of the lushest reefs
and calm waters with 100 feet of visibility.
Sitting eight miles off the southeast coast of Curaçao, the uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao is one of the nation’s most beautiful scuba diving and snorkeling spots with its vibrant coral, abandoned shipwrecks, and underwater caves.
HIKING
Adventure to Christoffel NationalPark, located at the island’s highest point of elevation, Mt. Christoffel, is the largest national park in Curaçao and offers eight hiking trails replete with local flora and fauna. Mountain biking and ATV-ing are also an option for exploration.
LOCAL FOOD
Bitterballen
A traditional Dutch bar snack, bitterballen are flavorful meatballs with a side of mustard. (Love them!)
Funchi or Tutu are dishes made of cornmeal that come from the African roots in Curaçao. The consistency resembles polenta and is a side dish to your meal.
Calco (Conch) cut into small pieces and served with garlic deliciously prepared at Comedor Kriollo. Yum!
Iguana is exotic meat offered in a handful of restaurants,
serving it stewed or in soup to cure various discomforts and it tastes like chicken.
Truk Di Panare is the original food truck throughout the island serving late-night eats from 9 pm to 4 am to satisfy the post-party craving.
Don’t miss a cultural evening at Bario Urban Street Food, an experience in the local vibe at with multiple food windows, a cocktail bar, and a Snèk. Each window has its specialty, even one that specializes in Lionfish.
Accommodation
CURAÇAO MARRIOTT BEACH RESORT
Located on six acres of beachfront, the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort features 328 redesigned rooms and suites that mimic the colorful destination with bold turquoise and mandarin and various textures and patterns, a modern Caribbean luxury feel of the Old World in Europe. The resort features two pools, lush tropical gardens, stunning ocean views from the open-air lobby, and eight on-site restaurants, including the poolside Salty Iguana, the Izakaya Sushi Bar, C-Spice for all-day dining, Zala Craft Cocktails and Papiamento Marketplace, named after the local dialect of the island.
Contact Us