Be marvelled at the chaotic traffic of the capital; go past the humdrum neighbourhoods to find splendid colonial houses and excellent museums. Step away from the hustle and bustle of industrialised Willemstad to discover secluded stretches of turquoise waters and sparkling white sands. Learn about the island's heritage while tucking into some Krioyo, the delectable local food with a fusion of flavours that can best be described as a mix of Caribbean and Latin American cuisine. But most of all, don't forget to relax and let the energetic vibe of this multi-cultural, multi-ethnic society captivate you and move you in its very own peculiar way!
Vibrant city life, rich history and excellent museums
Curacao is to be appreciated and taken in with all the senses. It has a deeply-rooted, rich history that spans over five centuries and includes several civilisations, from the Spanish to the English and finally the Dutch settlers.
Willemstad, with its busy and historic capital may not look that appealing at first sight, with all the noise and traffic. But on a second inspection, especially if you know where to look, you can discover beautiful and colourful Dutch architecture, fascinating museums and a scenic harbour.
On a holiday to Curacao you have to take time to visit the capital's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of two distinct districts: Punda and Otrobanda, divided by the panoramic St Anna bay. Punda is the older of these two and dates back to 1634 when the Dutch took the island away from Spanish hands. Otrobanda, founded in 1707, is the newest section of the city and is nowadays considered to be the cultural centre of Willemstad.
On Punda you will find picturesque narrow streets with museums and shops, amongst which you will love to lose yourself, wander and explore. On the aptly named Otrobanda (which in Papiamentu means "other side") you can see the difference in architecture and appreciate the more trendy and modern vibe. Whatever you do just don't forget to mingle with the locals and try the tasty local food!
Klein Curacao – the uninhabited sister island
The letter C in the ABC of the Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao triangle, the charming little nation of Curacao certainly doesn't come on the last spot when it comes to the sweeping beauty of its pristine beaches.
And it's easy to see why after you've admired the mesmerising blue of its crystalline waters – so beautifully blue in fact, that the famous Curacao liqueur is made in this shade to represent the island.
But for top beaches and top seclusions you have to head out to Curacao's tiny and uninhabited sister island of Klein Curacao – where there's no rush and everything stands still just like nature intended. This is one of the best spots for scuba diving and generally getting lost in the wildest and purest of natural surroundings. Scuba diving is especially wonderful here because of the coral and the amazing underwater caves. The crystalline condition of the water also means that spotting fish and sea turtles with a snorkel on is fairly easy.
Spanning only 1.7 square kilometres in length, this little deserted gem located southeast of the country offers you the most perfect isolated beaches, with nothing in sight except an old lighthouse, a beach house and several huts…there really is nothing else here and with no permanent inhabitants it’s not hard to see why.
And on a last but not least important note, one of the best things about Curacao is that it's perfectly located just outside the hurricane belt which means it is one of the few islands in the Caribbean that is risk-free from ruining that holiday sunshine glow you've come after!