CURAÇAO
Curaçao is the largest of the three ABC islands off the coast of Venezuela. It is a popular destination for cruise ships and tourists because of its beautiful beaches and pleasant climate with a fresh breeze.The island was founded in 1499 strong> Discovered by the Spaniard Alonso de Ojeda and conquered by the Dutch in 1634. Thanks to its safe natural harbor, Curaçao became a colony for agriculture, livestock breeding and slave trading. The slaves were taken from Africa by the West India Company and sold to other islands. Slaves were also needed on the plantations of Curaçao. The slave trade was officially banned in 1814, but slavery continued until 1863.
On October 10, 2010, the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved and Curaçao is now an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The population consists of descendants of indigenous people, Europeans, Jews, Africans and South Americans. In 2024, the island had just under 200,000 inhabitants and is therefore densely populated. Most people are Catholic, but there are also Protestants, Jews, Methodists, Hindus and Muslims. The official language is Dutch, but in everyday life people prefer to speak Papiamento, English and Spanish.
The capital Willemstad has a natural harbour. The pontoon bridge (Queen Emma Bridge) connects the city districts of Punda and Otrobanda. This bridge consists of floating pontoons and opens for ships entering and leaving the port. Nowadays the pontoon bridge is used by pedestrians and a tourist train. In the evening it is magically illuminated and you can enjoy the view of the bay, the forts and the world heritage. There is also a ferry boat for pedestrians.
Inland you will see an extremely high car bridge, the Queen Juliana Bridge. There are two cruise ship piers, one in the center and the other at the Renaissance Hotel, both in Otrobanda.
The oldest part of the city is Punda, on the east side of the bay. The Water Fort is located at the entrance to the bay, and on the Fort Square are the Governor’s Palace (1865) and the Fort Church > (1769). Many monumental buildings have been restored in Punda and Willemstad has been on the World Heritage List of UNESCO since 1997. There are several museums and churches. The Mikvé Israel Emanuel synagogue (1732) with museum is definitely worth a visit. In the Maritime Museum you can see a lot about shipping, the source of life for the island. Also about underwater archeology, at shipwrecks.
On the Caprileskade there are Venezuelan barques where fresh fruit and vegetables are sold (the floating market) and a little further on there are two market buildings. In the marche bieu (the old market) typical Curaçao dishes are prepared and sold around lunch time. Bon appetit!
Punda offers a varied range of shops in old streets, with jewelers, old-fashioned boticas (drugstores), clothing stores, and on squares there are cafes, bars and restaurants. Many trees have been planted to provide shade on the street. Along the Handelskade there are terraces with a view of the passing ships. It’s always fun at the Iguana Café!
In the Pietermaai district, a number of mansions have been restored and furnished as small hotels, boutiques and restaurants. This is a popular party spot for young people and Dutch interns. The tourist office and the Chamber of Commerce can also be found here. Willemstad’s cathedral from 1882 has recently been restored. The oldest buildings are built with blocks of coral stone, plastered on the outside and painted in pastel colors. That is why there are so many colorful buildings in Willemstad.
East of Punda lies Mambo Beach, an artificial beach with a coral dam as a breakwater . The Sea Aquarium is one of the most important tourist attractions of Curaçao and in addition to a visit to the Sea Aquarium, it also offers boat trips, or swimming with dolphins at the Dolphin Academy.
On the west side of the Sint Anna Bay is the Otrobanda district with the 19th century Rif Fort and a square with shops and restaurants, next to the luxurious Renaissance Hotel and Shopping Mall.
At Brionplein you will see a whole row of brightly colored facades of modern buildings. Here too, there are cozy terraces and a fresh breeze. The museum and hotel Kura Hulanda is located in this district. The Breedestraat is a well-known shopping street. There you see women carrying enormous bags around, buying large quantities of clothing and duty-free items that they then sell in their own country. In Otrobanda you will find beautifully restored mansions and public housing. It is hilly and there is a maze of small streets.
Historic country houses are located on the former plantations >. Most restored country houses are used as a hotel, restaurant, art gallery or museum. They were built on a hill, of coral stone, often with open galleries, to enjoy the shade and the wind.
The Tula Museum is located in Landhuis Knip, where Afro-Curaçaoan culture and the resistance hero Tula are central.
Country house and museum Savonet is located at the entrance of the Christoffel Park, a nature reserve in the west. The reserve is located on both sides of the road and there are hiking trails and highways through the rugged cactus vegetation. A beautiful place for birdwatchers and walkers.
On the north coast are the shete bocas (seven bays) and on the south side the Christoffelberg, which can be climbed can be. The best time to visit is early in the morning, later in the day it becomes much too hot.
< Landhuis Bloemhof (1735) offers art exhibitions, lectures and concerts. Fun day trips are boat trips combined with a visit to a beach or diving spot. Or would you rather enjoy water sports, sea kayaking or buggy racing on the north coast? The Spanish Water, a large bay east of Willemstad, is popular with water sports enthusiasts. There is a restaurant and event location at country house Brakkeput Mei Mei.
Other attractions are the Hato Caves, the zoo, the aloe plantation strong> and the ostrich farm. For garden lovers, Dinah Veeris Botanic & Historic Garden is a must. Herbal products are for sale in the shop.
Diving enthusiasts can take lessons and rent equipment at the many diving schools on the island.
Beautiful beaches in the west are Playa Kalki and Grote Knip (Kenepa). Closer to Willemstad is Porto Marie.
Klein Curaçao is an uninhabited island with a lighthouse and a beautiful beach. There are excursions by boat, including lunch, snacks and equipment. The island is located 2 hours by boat off the coast of Jan Thiel, east of Willemstad.
The Carnival strong> Curaçao is known in the Caribbean. Then it is high season, everywhere you hear the latest music, you see carnival parades and there are carnival parties.
$137,-
| Capital | Willemstad |
|---|---|
| Population | 200.000 |
| Language | Dutch and Papiamentu |
| Currency | Antillean guilder |
| Visa required | www.visum.nl |
| Vaccination(s) | no |
| Voltage | 127 V |
| Traffic | Right-hand traffic |
