Curaçao, within the Dutch Caribbean, is a incredible place to go on trip. It’s internationally recognized for stunning, white sandy seashores, colourful colonial-style homes, and year-round good climate.
The Dutch Caribbean islands encompass six tropical islands within the Caribbean Sea, together with Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. Whereas they’re all a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, every island has its personal distinctive tradition, historical past, and pure magnificence.
Curaçao is situated proper off the coast of Venezuela and is a beloved trip vacation spot, particularly for the Dutch.
Historical past of Curaçao
Curaçao’s historical past is attention-grabbing and one thing everybody ought to know earlier than visiting the island. The Arawak individuals initially inhabited the island. That lasted till the Spanish arrived within the fifteenth century.
A bit later, within the seventeenth century, the Dutch took management of the island. They made it their buying and selling hub for a lot of totally different items and, sadly, additionally slaves. This darkish a part of its historical past is remembered at present on the Kura Hulanda Museum and plenty of different locations on the island. You possibly can nonetheless see the unique plantation homes all over.
Within the nineteenth century, slavery ended, and Curaçao developed in a distinct route. They selected to develop into an autonomous a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
These days, Curaçao nonetheless leans on Dutch help in sure authorities areas, for instance, protection. However total, the tradition has develop into a novel mixture of South American, Dutch, African, and Spanish.
You possibly can witness this within the structure, the meals, the music, and all of the languages spoken on the island.
The best way to Get to Curaçao
The commonest approach to get to Curaçao is by way of airplane. The island has one large airport, known as HATO Worldwide Airport (CUR). It providers many flights to the Netherlands and america each day.
One other choice to go to Curaçao is by way of cruise ship. The Curaçao Cruise Port is kind of giant and receives as much as three cruise ships each day.
As soon as on the island, it’s useful to have a rental car. The island is comparatively large, so it isn’t attainable to stroll. Taxis are costly and typically shady, so I don’t recommend counting on them.
Finest Time to Go to Curaçao
Curaçao is legendary for having year-round good climate. However there are nonetheless just a few issues to think about when selecting your ideally suited journey time. Mostly, individuals distinguish between the dry and wet seasons in Curaçao.
Dry Season is from January to September. This season sees minimal rainfall, and it’s largely sunny. The common temperatures vary from 80-88°F (27-31°C).
In case you are not on a finances, that is the very best time to go to. The dry season is ideal for seaside days, snorkeling, diving, and doing excursions on the island. It’s the major vacation season, in order that it is perhaps pricier. Keep away from Dutch faculty holidays to snag higher offers.
Wet Season is from October to December. The wet season brings a number of showers, typically heavy ones. Nonetheless, it’s not fixed rainfall, and you may nonetheless get pleasure from sunny days. Largely, it’s simply an hour per day.
This season sees fewer vacationers, so you may have a quieter and cheaper expertise.
Curaçao is outdoors the hurricane belt, so that you don’t have to fret about that when planning. They’ve the occasional storm, however nothing vital.
Good Issues to Know About Curaçao
Listed below are just a few good issues to find out about vacationing in Curaçao:
Most individuals in Curaçao communicate Dutch, Papiamentu, and English. They’re typically pleasant individuals however not probably the most outgoing. Scams in taxis or retailers are widespread, sadly. Be sure that to agree on a worth beforehand. Curaçao is comparatively protected, however keep away from sure dangerous areas (like Koraal Specht) at evening. The native foreign money is the Gulder, however typically additionally they take USD. Most eating places have a service cost routinely included as a substitute of a tip.
Discover Willemstad’s Cute Neighborhoods
Willemstad is the colourful capital metropolis of Curaçao, one of many island’s most incredible locations to go to. You possibly can wander by Punda and Otrobanda, two colourful and well-known neighborhoods within the capital metropolis. Admire the Dutch colonial structure on the Handelskade, store for souvenirs in Rif Fort, and go to landmarks just like the Queen Emma Bridge.
If you need one thing extra hip, head to the Pietermaai District. It’s well-known for its historical past and Instagram-worthy homes. That is additionally one of many best areas to stay in Curaçao.
Have dinner at BijBlauw or the historic Fort Nassau for a incredible view and eating expertise. Stroll alongside the waterfront and discover the colourful Floating Market, the place distributors from Venezuela promote recent produce, fish, and tropical fruits.
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Snorkeling is likely one of the most unbelievable issues to do in Curaçao. The marine life is gorgeous; you may even see a sunken shipwreck.
Head to Tugboat Seashore to snorkel across the sunken tugboat. You’ll encounter tropical fish and crystal-clear waters, making it a snorkeler’s paradise.
Snorkeling is less complicated and cheaper than scuba diving. Curaçao additionally presents some incredible scuba diving spots. There are additionally a number of diving colleges on the island the place you may lease tools and get classes.
Go to Shete Boka Nationwide Park
Shete Boka is an unbelievable, rugged cliff nationwide park on the island’s northern coast. You possibly can hike there, and see some dramatic blowholes, sea caves, and the gorgeous Boka Tabla. The waves crash towards the cliffs and splash many meters excessive.
It’s fairly a visit from Willemstad, however effectively value it.
Day Journey to Klein Curaçao
Taking a day journey to Klein Curaçao is likely one of the greatest issues to do on the island. Klein Curaçao is that this uninhabited island proper off the coast. It has a surprising seaside, and a cute lighthouse and presents glorious snorkeling.
Getting there’s difficult. You want to ebook a guided boat tour or rent a boat. But it surely is likely one of the most spectacular spots in Curaçao that needs to be visited.
Hike Christoffel Nationwide Park
The Christoffel Nationwide Park is a surprising nature reserve within the Western a part of the island. You possibly can hike to Mount Christoffel, the island’s highest level, for breathtaking views there. It’s fairly a hike, so it isn’t really helpful for rookies.
The park additionally presents numerous trails to discover its distinctive natural world. There are even some driving trails for individuals that aren’t as cellular or sporty.
The Savonet Museum can be within the park, and you may enter it at no cost if you buy tickets to the park.
Go to the Hato Caves
The Hato Caves are subsequent to the HATO Worldwide Airport. Uncover the limestone caves on a guided tour, the place you’ll see historical Amerindian petroglyphs.
You possibly can see bats and even turtles there. The Indian strolling path outdoors the caves can be tremendous attention-grabbing. It has a number of details about the vegetation within the space.
Curaçao Sea Aquarium
You possibly can rise up near dolphins on the Curaçao Sea Aquarium. It’s some of the unbelievable points of interest on the island.
You possibly can watch dolphin exhibits (and even swim with them), work together with sea turtles, and be taught in regards to the island’s underwater ecosystems. The museum is informative and has some cool fish there, too. That is an satisfying, kid-friendly exercise in Curaçao.
Go to Landhuis Chobolobo Distillery
A cool factor to do in Curaçao is to tour the historic Landhuis Chobolobo Distillery. That is the place they produce the well-known Curaçao liqueur. You too can seize some bottles as a present or memento.
Be taught in regards to the distillation course of and luxuriate in tastings there. You possibly can even take part in a cocktail workshop when you’ve got the time.
Playa Porto Marie
Playa Porto Marie is likely one of the greatest seashores in Curaçao, and for good cause. It has an awesome restaurant, powdery white sand, calm waters, and shaded palapas for rest. You possibly can lease seaside chairs and even greater beds there. They provide massages on the seaside as effectively.
The seaside is legendary for its double reef, a great place for snorkeling and diving. You may even spot the resident pigs there sunbathing. Remember to try Gilmar’s hut in the event you get pleasure from artwork!
Playa Cas Abao
Playa Cas Abao is understood for its stunning seaside and unbelievable underwater life. It has a big seaside space with a pleasant seaside membership that serves refreshments. It has been voted some of the stunning seashores on the planet previously.
Snorkelers and divers will love Cas Abao. It is a superb place for newbie snorkelers, because the water is shallow and calm.
Mambo Seashore
Mambo Seashore is the liveliest seaside in Curaçao. It has enjoyable seaside golf equipment, eating places, and even cute retailers promoting souvenirs and beachwear.
There are many seaside golf equipment and funky hangout spots. It’s not the very best seaside for quiet rest, as ambient music and enjoyable issues are often happening.
Grote Knip Seashore (Kenepa Grande)
Playa Kenepa, often known as Kenepa Grande or Knip Seashore, is commonly thought of one among Curaçao’s most gorgeous seashores.
It’s nestled between cliffs and has spectacular turquoise waters and smooth white sand. Snorkeling right here is incredible, with colourful coral and fish all over the place.
It’s an area favourite for picnics and household outings, so it isn’t very touristy. Some individuals will even convey their cooking tools to the seaside.
Kenepa Grande is situated far out west, so it’s a journey.
Your Curaçao Seashore Trip
Curaçao presents a serene escape, characterised by its turquoise waters and pastel-colored buildings reflecting its Dutch and Caribbean heritage. The nice and cozy, inviting ambiance is complemented by the mild rhythms of native music and the island’s hospitable inhabitants. Vacationing in Curaçao offers an ideal mix of rest and cultural immersion, making each second on the island really feel like a step away from the extraordinary.
Sabrina is a passionate journey blogger and content material creator from the Netherlands. She creates slow-paced and genuine itineraries for a lot of locations all over the world. Her purpose is that will help you get extra out of your trip – whereas doing much less.
