Curaçao, within the Dutch Caribbean, is an unbelievable position to head on holiday. It’s the world over recognized for gorgeous, white sandy seashores, colourful colonial-style homes, and year-round excellent climate. 

The Dutch Caribbean islands encompass six tropical islands within the Caribbean Sea, together with Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. Whilst they’re all a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, each and every island has its personal distinctive tradition, historical past, and herbal attractiveness.

Curaçao is situated proper off the coast of Venezuela and is a cherished holiday vacation spot, particularly for the Dutch.

Historical past of Curaçao

Curaçao’s historical past is fascinating and one thing everybody will have to know sooner than visiting the island. The Arawak folks first of all inhabited the island. That lasted till the Spanish arrived within the fifteenth century. 

A bit of later, within the seventeenth century, the Dutch took regulate of the island. They made it their buying and selling hub for lots of other items and, unfortunately, additionally slaves. This darkish a part of its historical past is remembered these days on the Kura Hulanda Museum and lots of different puts at the island. You’ll nonetheless see the unique plantation homes in every single place.

Within the nineteenth century, slavery ended, and Curaçao advanced in a unique route. They selected to turn out to be an self sustaining a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 

At the moment, Curaçao nonetheless leans on Dutch toughen in positive executive spaces, for instance, protection. However total, the tradition has turn out to be a novel mixture of South American, Dutch, African, and Spanish.

You’ll witness this within the structure, the meals, the song, and the entire languages spoken at the island.

Tips on how to Get to Curaçao

The commonest technique to get to Curaçao is by the use of plane. The island has one giant airport, known as HATO Global Airport (CUR). It services and products many flights to the Netherlands and the US on a daily basis. 

An alternative choice to visit Curaçao is by the use of cruise send. The Curaçao Cruise Port is rather huge and receives as much as 3 cruise ships day-to-day.

As soon as at the island, it’s at hand to have a apartment automobile. The island is somewhat giant, so it’s not conceivable to stroll. Taxis are dear and once in a while shady, so I don’t recommend depending on them.

Absolute best Time to Talk over with Curaçao

Curaçao is known for having year-round excellent climate. However there are nonetheless a couple of issues to imagine when choosing your very best go back and forth time. Maximum repeatedly, folks distinguish between the dry and wet seasons in Curaçao.

Dry Season is from January to September. This season sees minimum rainfall, and it’s most commonly sunny. The common temperatures vary from 80-88°F (27-31°C). 

If you happen to aren’t on the cheap, that is the most efficient time to seek advice from. The dry season is very best for seashore days, snorkeling, diving, and doing tours at the island. It’s the number one vacation season, in order that it could be pricier. Keep away from Dutch faculty vacations to snag higher offers. 

Wet Season is from October to December. The wet season brings loads of showers, once in a while heavy ones. Alternatively, it’s no longer consistent rainfall, and you’ll nonetheless revel in sunny days. Most commonly, it is only an hour in keeping with day.

This season sees fewer vacationers, so you’ll have a quieter and less expensive revel in.

Curaçao is out of doors the storm belt, so that you don’t have to fret about that once making plans. They have got the occasional hurricane, however not anything vital. 

Just right Issues to Know About Curaçao

• Most of the people in Curaçao talk Dutch, Papiamentu, and English. They’re most often pleasant folks, however no longer probably the most outgoing.
• Scams in taxis or stores are in style, unfortunately. Make sure you agree on a worth previously.
• Curaçao is somewhat protected, however keep away from positive unhealthy spaces (like Koraal Specht) at evening.
• The native forex is the Gulder, however once in a while additionally they take USD. 
• Maximum eating places have a provider rate routinely integrated as an alternative of a tip.

Discover Willemstad’s Adorable Neighborhoods

Willemstad is the colourful capital town of Curaçao, one of the crucial island’s maximum improbable puts to seek advice from. You’ll wander thru Punda and Otrobanda, two colourful and well-known neighborhoods within the capital town.

Appreciate the Dutch colonial structure on the Handelskade, store for souvenirs in Rif Castle, and seek advice from 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. This could also be one of the crucial highest spaces to stick in Curaçao.

Have dinner at BijBlauw or the ancient Castle Nassau for an unbelievable view and eating revel in.

Walk alongside the waterfront and discover the colourful Floating Marketplace, the place distributors from Venezuela promote recent produce, fish, and tropical end result.

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Snorkeling is among the maximum improbable issues to do in Curaçao. The marine existence is shocking; you’ll even see a sunken shipwreck.

Head to Tugboat Seaside to snorkel across the sunken tugboat. You’ll come upon tropical fish and crystal-clear waters, making it a snorkeler’s paradise.

Snorkeling is more straightforward and less expensive than scuba diving. Curaçao additionally provides some improbable scuba diving spots. There also are a number of diving colleges at the island the place you’ll hire apparatus and get courses.

Talk over with Shete Boka Nationwide Park

Shete Boka is an out of this world, rugged cliff nationwide park at the island’s northern coast. You’ll hike there, and notice some dramatic blowholes, sea caves, and the beautiful Boka Tabla. The waves crash in opposition to the cliffs and splash many meters prime.

It’s rather a shuttle from Willemstad, however smartly price it.

Day Travel to Klein Curaçao

Taking an afternoon shuttle to Klein Curaçao is among the highest issues to do at the island. Klein Curaçao is that this uninhabited island proper off the coast. It has a surprising seashore, and a lovely lighthouse and gives superb snorkeling. 

Getting there’s difficult. You want to guide a guided boat excursion or hire a ship. However it is among the maximum spectacular spots in Curaçao that are meant 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’ll hike to Mount Christoffel, the island’s easiest level, for breathtaking perspectives there. It’s rather a hike, so it’s not advisable for rookies.

The park additionally provides more than a few trails to discover its distinctive wildlife. There are even some riding trails for those that aren’t as cell or sporty. 

The Savonet Museum could also be within the park, and you’ll input it without cost if you are going to buy tickets to the park. 

Talk over with the Hato Caves

The Hato Caves are subsequent to the HATO Global Airport. Uncover the limestone caves on a guided excursion, the place you’ll see historic Amerindian petroglyphs. 

You’ll see bats or even turtles there. The Indian strolling path out of doors the caves could also be tremendous fascinating. It has loads of details about the vegetation within the space.

Curaçao Sea Aquarium

You’ll rise up just about dolphins on the Curaçao Sea Aquarium. It’s probably the most improbable sights at the island. 

You’ll watch dolphin presentations (or even swim with them), engage with sea turtles, and be informed in regards to the island’s underwater ecosystems. The museum is informative and has some cool fish there, too. That is an relaxing, kid-friendly task in Curaçao.

Talk over with Landhuis Chobolobo Distillery

A fab factor to do in Curaçao is to excursion the historical Landhuis Chobolobo Distillery. That is the place they produce the well-known Curaçao liqueur. You’ll additionally clutch some bottles as a present or memento.

Be informed in regards to the distillation procedure and revel in tastings there. You’ll even take part in a cocktail workshop you probably have the time. 

Playa Porto Marie 

Playa Porto Marie is among the highest seashores in Curaçao, and for excellent explanation why. It has a really perfect eating place, powdery white sand, calm waters, and shaded palapas for rest. You’ll hire seashore chairs or even larger beds there. They provide massages at the seashore as smartly.

The seashore is known for its double reef, a great place for snorkeling and diving. You could even spot the resident pigs there sunbathing. Make sure that to try Gilmar’s hut for those who revel in artwork!

Playa Cas Abao 

Playa Cas Abao is understood for its gorgeous seashore and improbable underwater existence. It has a big seashore space with a pleasant seashore membership that serves refreshments. It’s been voted probably the most gorgeous seashores on the planet up to now.

Snorkelers and divers will love Cas Abao. It is a superb position for amateur snorkelers, because the water is shallow and calm.

Mambo Seaside

Mambo Seaside is the liveliest seashore in Curaçao. It has amusing seashore golf equipment, eating places, or even lovely stores promoting souvenirs and beachwear. 

There are many seashore golf equipment and funky hangout spots. It isn’t the most efficient seashore for quiet rest, as ambient song and amusing issues are most often occurring. 

Grote Knip Seaside (Kenepa Grande)

Playa Kenepa, referred to as Kenepa Grande or Knip Seaside, is ceaselessly thought to be considered one of Curaçao’s maximum shocking seashores. 

It’s nestled between cliffs and has spectacular turquoise waters and cushy white sand. Snorkeling this is improbable, with colourful coral and fish far and wide.

It’s a neighborhood favourite for picnics and circle of relatives outings, so it’s not very touristy. Some folks will also carry their cooking apparatus to the seashore. 

Kenepa Grande is situated a long way out west, so this is a trip.

Your Curaçao Seaside Holiday

Curaçao provides a serene break out, characterised by way of its turquoise waters and pastel-colored constructions reflecting its Dutch and Caribbean heritage. The nice and cozy, inviting setting is complemented by way of the delicate rhythms of native song and the island’s hospitable population. Vacationing in Curaçao supplies an excellent mix of rest and cultural immersion, making each second at the island really feel like a step clear of the peculiar.

This newsletter at first gave the impression on Wander With Alex.

Sabrina is a passionate go back and forth blogger and content material author from the Netherlands. She creates slow-paced and original itineraries for lots of locations all over the world. Her purpose is that can assist you get extra from your holiday – whilst doing much less.