Set in the southern Caribbean just off the coast of Venezuela, Curaçao’s location and status as an island of the Netherlands Antilles lend it a unique cultural makeup combining Afro-Caribbean, European and South American influences. Originally settled by the Spanish (who shipped most of the native Arawak Amerindian population off to other colonies) in 1499, the island began to thrive in the early 1600s, when the Dutch West India Company founded the capitol city of Willemstad on a natural harbor that made it a hotspot for commerce and shipping. The area’s resulting affluence led to the construction of historic buildings blending Dutch and Spanish colonial styles, which ultimately earned Willemstad a place on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. The island changed hands numerous times between the British, French and Dutch during the 18th and 19th centuries before stable Dutch rule was established in 1815, while Venezuelan influence has been relatively constant. As a result, English, Dutch, Papiamentu (Portuguese Creole) and Spanish are all widely spoken. Despite its tiny size (171 square miles), the island boasts one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean and offers plenty for visitors to see and do.
ATTRACTIONS
A nation that thrives on diversity, Curaçao appeals equally to city folk and nature-lovers alike. For the former there’s the bustling activity of Willemstad, where a historical walking tour can take you from 17th century Fort Amsterdam and Fort Nassau to the Mikve Israel Emmanuel Synagogue (the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the western hemisphere), from the Queen Emma and Queen Juliana Bridges to Museum Kura Hulanda (which examines the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and its impact on Curaçaoan culture). For the latter there’s Hato Caves, which is full of stalactites, stalagmites and Arawak petroglyphs estimated to be 1,500 years old; Christoffel National Park, a wildlife preserve which contains the island’s highest point (Mount Christoffel) and attracts hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders; and Curaçao Sea Aquarium, which features various exhibits, performances and Animal Encounters, wherein snorkelers and scuba divers can swim with and hand-feed a variety of sharks, stingrays, turtles and tropical fish. Their ever-popular Dolphin Academy is one of only three facilities in the entire world that allows visitors an opportunity to snorkel or dive with our fine-flippered friends in the open water, petting, playing with and riding on Bottlenose dolphins for a once-in-a-lifetime underwater experience.
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
With over 50 different cultures represented on the island, Curaçao’s cuisine is perhaps predictably eclectic, combining a broad variety of European, West Indian and East Asian (particularly Indonesian, another of the Netherlands’ former colonies) culinary influences. Dutch staples such as bread, cheeses and seafood are common elements, while more adventurous diners may want to try exotic options such as yuana (stewed iguana, which tastes a lot like chicken) and kabritu (stewed goat). Other popular Curaçaoan dishes include erwten soep, a thick pea soup full of pork, ham and sausage; nasi goreng, bean sprouts sautéed with chunks of beef and chicken; kónkómber, cucumbers combined with green papaya or cabbage, then stewed with corned beef; fried plaintains; and kokada, freshly grated coconut patties held together with simple syrup and tinted with food coloring for a festive look. After dinner, visitors flock to local casinos such as the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino and Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino, where they can try their hands at blackjack, poker, slots and numerous other games of chance in hopes of making a little extra vacation cash, or hang out in the popular lounges while sipping on their favorite cocktails.
SHOPPING
As you might expect from a port of trade with 400 years of history, Curaçao is legendary for its shopping opportunities, which run the gamut from upscale items sold in centuries-old buildings to quaint outdoor markets full of colorful local flavor. Punda is the main shopping area of Willemstad, where pedestrian-only streets are filled with picturesque sights and shops offering everything from English china and Italian leather to Japanese electronics and Indonesian batik clothing. Renaissance Mall features every world brand boutique a serious shopper could seek, from BCBG and Tommy Hilfiger to Breitling and Tiffany’s, while the harbor’s Duty Free zone is the largest in the Caribbean. The Floating Market is a wondrous sight to behold, with Venezuelan merchants hawking their wares from tiny fishing boats, while the Old Market (a.k.a. Marche Bieuw) offers authentic tastes of exotic cuisines at affordable prices. Don’t forget to pick up some of the island’s famous Curaçao liqueur, which is known for its trademark blue color and has been produced at Mansion Chobolobo since 1896. It’s perfect for sipping while dancing the night away to the Curaçaoan sounds of the Antillean waltz, the infectious African rhythms of tumba, or the melancholy blues called tambu.
SPORTS & BEACHES
Baseball is the #1 spectator sport in Curaçao, and the tiny island has produced more than its fair share of major league talent, including All-Star outfielder Andruw Jones and pitchers Shairon Martis and Jair Jurrjens. That talent pool seems likely to grow even bigger with time, as Willemstad’s little league team has made it all the way to the Little League World Series eight years in a row. The island’s most popular recreational activities involve the beautiful aquamarine waters that surround it. Curaçao is consistently ranked among the best places in the world for snorkeling and scuba diving, with sites such as Curaçao Underwater Park offering warm waters, remarkably visibility, spectacular scenery and a bevy of colorful creatures with which to interact. Though it’s not as common as on nearby Aruba, the prevailing trade winds are making Curaçao a hotspot for windsurfing as well. Intimate white sand beaches such as Cas Abao, Westpunt and Jan Thiel offer some of the island’s best recreational activities, with serene vistas, excellent reef systems just offshore, and excellent amenities. But in many cases you won’t even need to leave the comforts of your hotel to enjoy the best Curaçao’s water sports have to offer.
(originally appeared in Destination Marriott)
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