Curaçao

Move to the island’s rhythm

Situated right in the south Caribbean sea, in between the islands of Aruba and Bonaire lies the island of Curaçao. With an astounding 30 white beaches and the clearest water in the region, Curaçao makes for a very appealing holiday destination. The climate is always pleasant and you will be baffled by its natural beauty and cheerful Caribbean atmosphere.

Curaçao has an area of 444 km2 and a population of roughly 150,000. The Netherlands has a long-standing history with Curaçao, and since 2010 it is a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curaçao’s capital is Willemstad, known for its harbour with its cheerfully coloured homes. While Papiamentu is the working language, Dutch will serve you just fine. Curaçao’s currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder, which is tied to the American dollar.

Curaçao has a remarkably pleasant climate: a constant 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, and the continuous trade winds provide a lovely, refreshing breeze during the day. And that is why Curaçao locals spend more time outside than in. From dusk to dawn, you can enjoy a drink on the beach and the island regularly hosts festivals and performances for all ages.

The Island

Beaches

Activity	Description
Jan Thiel Beach	A beautiful bay with a very nice beach with four restaurants and a nice shopping area. The diving and snorkeling is excellent.
Mambo Beach	Mambo Beach means party time! Especially during the weekend and the holidays when many young people gather here.
Playa Barbara	Here you can enjoy yachts and sailing boats that sail by on their way to Spanish water.
Playa Cas Abao	A beautiful beach with perfect snorkeling.
Playa Kalki	On this sandy limestone beach you will discover an attractive snorkeling and diving spot. The trees and quiet surroundings create a nice atmosphere.
Playa Kenepa (Kleine Knip)	This tiny beach is easily reached by car. There are also good parking facilities.
Playa Piskado	One of the three beaches near the village of Westpunt, of which both the beach and the seabed is covered with rocks of volcanic ash.
Playa Porto Mari	A beach with parasols, bar/restaurant, large terrace, shower, toilets, beach chair rentals, and most importantly a magnificent underwater world.

Sports & Outdoor

Activity	Description
Jan Thiel Hiking	This area is ideal for hikes because of it’s natural diversity.
Jan Thiel Mountain Biking	The ‘Jan Thiel Lagoon Router’ is a mountain biking terrain of great natural diversity covering a distance of 16km.
Christoffelpark	Discover the national park on foot, horseback, on a mountain bike or in a jeep.
Diving	At the Jan Thiel Bay there is Scuba Do a PADI diving center where extensive diving courses are given. Trips are also organized to nearby spectacular coral reefs.
Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort	The Old Quarry Golf Course overlooks the Caribbean Sea and sheltered Spanish Water Bay. Book your tee time.
Santa Barbara Plantation	Old Quarry golf course. One of the finest golf courses in the Caribbean.

Must see

Activity	Description
Boca Sami	A characteristic fishing village, also known as the Boca St. Michiel./td>
Boka Tabla	Fantastic waves crash here into an underground cave, and impressive sight!
Christoffelberg	The highest point on Curaçao lies in a beautiful natural park. Enjoy the fantastic view from a height of 350 meters.
Curaçao Museum	This museum is located in a historical building dating from 1853. Here you will find antique furniture, paintings, and of course the ‘Snip’ airplane.
Dokterstuin	A 17th century country house which has been renovated and restored to the original Curaçao style.
Flamingos	Here you will find a large group of flamingos: beautiful birds with pink feathers. A good example of Curaçao’s subtropical climate.
Fort Amsterdam Punda	The inner court of this fort is open to visitors. The fort itself was built around the 17th century as a defense against the French and the English. An English Cannonball can still be found here.
Fort Beekenburg	This fort can be visited by appointment. It was used in the 18th and 19th century to withstand attacks by the English.
Hato Caves	In these caves there are approximately 1,500 year-old cave paintings and petroglyphs, as well as stalagmites and stalactites. You can see all this with your own eyes by joining a guided tour.
Hato Plain	This area is also known as ‘Curaçao’s Desert’, and features eight caves. Take a jeep safari or a ride on horseback and discover it.
Herb Garden ‘Den Paradera’	Dinah Veeris is well known for her knowledge of and love for herbs and their effects. Dinah’s Botanic and Historical Garden ‘Den Paradera’ is certainly worth a visit.
Jan Thiel Nature Area	This area has salt pans, panoramas, lagoons, cliffs, flamingos and the fascinating Kueba di Wela: a small cavern accessible through a hole in the ground.
Jan Thiel Riding	Just as on a mountain bike, you can make wonderful trips on horseback.
Kas di Pal’i Maishi	This museum is situated in what is known as a kunuku house, where you can see and experience how most of the islanders lived a century ago.
Museum Kura Hulanda	If there’s a spot on the island where you can get close to the historical development of the African inhabitants of Curaçao, then it’s here at the Museum Kura Hulanda
Ostrich Farm	Ostriches on Curaçao?! Certainly! At the ostrich farm you can take a closer look at 800 ostriches.
Handels Kade	One of the symbols on postcards of Curaçao: the Handels Kade.
Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara offers you a magnificent nature area, perfect for a long hike.
Santa Martha Bay	A beautiful bay, where the ocean carves its way into the mainland of Curaçao along many bends.
Sea Aquarium	Would you like to see that Curaçao’s much talked about underwater world looks like without getting wet? Here you can discover Curaçao’s water fauna, feed the fish or take a dive.
Sheta Boka	The name ‘Sheta Boka’ means ‘seven inlets’. Great hikes await you here, of which the one to the point of Boka Tabla is the best.
Towboat	This sunken towboat likes at 5 meters depth and is covered in coral. An ideal spot for diving and snorkeling.
Westpunt Church	A characteristic church, in an attractive Caribbean style.

JAN THIEL BEACH

A beautiful bay with a very nice beach with four restaurants and a nice shopping area. The diving and snorkeling is excellent.
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