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Curacao

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The largest island in the Dutch Antilles, Curaçao is home to more than 50 nationalities. Sailing into Willemstad is like arriving in the beating heart of Curaçao. The natural harbour of its port, Schottegat, welcomes you with a parade of brightly coloured buildings, floating markets, seaside stalls, shops and malls. Willemstad is full of 17th, 18th and 19th century Dutch and Spanish Colonial architecture.

The capital city of Willemstad is divided into four historic quarters. Downtown's Punda and Otrobanda are accessed by the slender Queen Emma Bridge. In shopping paradise Punda, modern life meets tradition. The two sides of the city are divided by Santa Anna Bay, a narrow channel flanked by pastel–tinted, gabled houses and spanned by the spectacular swing–aside Queen Emma pontoon bridge. On one side you will find the 18th century Fort Amsterdam and Breederstraat, gateway to Willemstads main shopping and restaurant district where you can buy everything from Delft pottery to Italian silk ties, Japanese electrical goods, Indonesian batik clothing, locally–made black coral jewellery and, of course, the sapphire–blue liqueur to which Curaçao has given its name. 

What makes Curaçao cruise port stand out is the pride locals take in preserving their traditions and cultural inheritance. The Kura Hulanda Museum exhibits a unique collection to showcase Curacao's identity and background, including the African slave trade, pre–Colombian gold and Dutch Caribbean art. To get a glimpse into the island's past, visit the Tula Museum at Landhuis Knip country house.  

Curacao has two main docking spots: the new Curacao Mega Pier is designed for mega ships. This pier is located in West Willemstad, just a few minutes walk into downtown. Smaller ships dock at the Curacao Cruise Terminal (Mathey Wharf), which is within walking distance to the floating Queen Emma Bridge, which connects it to the city's main shopping and business areas. In October 2017 a second Mega Pier was completed. The new pier is situated west of the entrance to St. Anna Bay and adjacent to Mega Cruise Pier I.

Curaçao is the largest of the six islands that comprise the (former) Netherlands Antilles. It gained autonomy from the Netherlands in 1954, but the Dutch influence is still very visible in Willemstad's architecture and culture. With the growth of the oil industry in Curaçao in the early 20th century, workers and their families came to the island from more than 50 countries, providing a varied and vibrant population.

Willemstad – the former capital of the Netherlands Antilles and one of a select number of urban areas on UNESCO's World Heritage List – is gorgeous. It's divided in two by capacious St Anna Bay, the largest harbor in the Caribbean. Punda, the oldest part of the city, is to the east, and Otrobanda, to the west, are connected by a quaint pontoon bridge known as the Swinging Old Lady or Emma Bridge she cocks a leg for boats

Christoffelpark is the largest national park of Curacao and a must see for everyone. The park has a rich variety of local flora and fauna. Nature lovers will find the park teeming with local birds and plants, including species, which are not easily seen elsewhere on the island.

The Curaçao Sea Aquarium belongs to one of the most unique aquaria in the world. The reason being that, from the very beginning of the aquarium in 1984, the Sea Aquarium managed to create natural habitats for all its marine creatures without using sophisticated technical equipment.

Hato Cave The caves are open every day from 9 AM to 4 PM, the guided tours are organized every hour, and the entrance fee is 9 $/adult and 7 $ for kids aged 4–12.

1. Curaçao's diverse cultural heritage

Curaçao harbors one of the most multifaceted cultures in the Caribbean, thanks to its long, varied history and its close proximity to South America. Originally settled by the Arawaks nearly 6000 years ago, the island came under Spanish rule in the early 16th century, but it was abandoned because of its perceived lack of riches. The Dutch West India Company picked up where the Spanish left off, and Curaçao became a major hub for the slave trade.

In the mid–1600s, large numbers of Jewish refugees settled in Curaçao to escape the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions. The island was later shuffled back and forth between the Dutch and the British Empire before the Netherlands finally claimed ownership in 1815. Today, Curaçao exists as an independent state, but citizens carry Dutch passports.

It's not uncommon to hear Curaçaoans ping pong between languages, as most people speak multiple: Dutch, Spanish, Papiamentu (the local creole) and English. These diverse cultural influences also manifest in the country's music – radios blast bachata, reggaetón, American pop, tumba and ritmo kombina, the island's own genre of tunes – as well as in its food scene. Iguana stew with a side of bitterballen, anyone?

2. Historic downtown Willemstad

First established in 1634 with the construction of Fort Amsterdam, Willemstad is the feather in Curaçao's historical cap. Its downtown, a Unesco World Heritage site filled with candy–colored Dutch colonial buildings, simultaneously exudes European and tropical vibes, and is a port favorite for cruise–goers. Just as fascinating as the well–preserved buildings are the not–so–preserved ones, perfect in their crumbling grandeur.

While the town's Handelskade (Merchant's Wharf) is an iconic spot to hang out, take the time to wander the winding streets of the city, where you'll find inviting bars, authentic dining spots such as Plasa Bieu, and the technicolor floating market, where fruit vendors from Venezuela dock to sell their wares. The market itself doesn't actually float, but the sellers' boats bob behind their brightly hued stalls full of mangoes, plantains and papayas.

Downtown Willemstad is also home to Museum Kura Hulanda. Housed in 19th–century slave quarters, the museum's exhibits extensively cover the history of slavery in the Caribbean, a story in which Curaçao played a central role.

Interesting fact: Curaçao's colorful buildings weren't always that way. In 1918, Governor Albert Kickert complained of constant headaches that he attributed to the then–whitewashed city. He ordered all the buildings to be repainted in different colors to combat the reflective nature of the white walls and end his suffering. It turns out that Kickert actually owned a paint company that profited immensely off the new law, prompting Curaçao to prohibit their politicians from having private economic interests.

3. Curaçao's artsy side

When you think of street art, Curaçao is probably not on your radar, but that's where you would be mistaken. Colorful murals sprawl across Willemstad's buildings, particularly in the Otrobanda and Pietermaai neighborhoods, the latter of which is the city's coolest new avenue for food and night life. Designs range from geometric shapes to realistic portraits to political commentary. Curaçao's art scene also thrives in a number of museums and galleries. Learn about the Chichi figurine at Serena's Art Factory or pick up a colorful print at Nena Sanchez's downtown gallery. Nena has painted murals of her famous blue women across the city, so see if you can spot them. To see Willemstad's largest collection of works by Curaçaoan artists, head over to Gallery Alma Blou.

Trip Booked

Island Tour and Hato Caves

Admire Curaçao's lush countryside and discover the local culture as you visit some of the island's most famous attractions.

Gaze out at the ‘white mountains' as you drive by the expansive salt flats and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife (perhaps you'll spot a flamboyance of flamingos?) on your way to the Hato Caves. Delve down into this atmospheric subterranean world to marvel at the illuminated, alien–like stalactites and stalagmites, and peer to the bottom of crystal–clear pools in the grottos.

At the Curaçao Museum, find out about 19th–century island life and check out local contemporary art. And if all that exploring makes you thirsty, enjoy a taste of the popular provincial tipple at Landhuis Chobolobo – home of Curaçao liqueur – where you may choose to buy a bottle of the blue nectar as a souvenir.

Duration 3:30 Hours

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