The charms of Dutch Colonial Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its rainbow palette of gabled buildings accented with louvered shutters and white gingerbread trim, never lose their appeal. The winding cobblestone streets and alleyways of this 17th century city, located on Santa Anna Bay, are crowded with art galleries, restaurants, shops, and little plazas shaded by acacia trees. Enjoy a Blue Lagoon (frozen pineapple juice, rum, Blue Curacao, and coconut) at the Iguana Café while watching the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge swing open and close letting walkers cross between Punda and Otrobanda districts of the city.
Stroll to the Floating Market, a Curacao tradition where boats from Venezuela, 38 miles away, tie up in early morning along the quay, displaying their wares of brilliantly colored fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers, mounds of glistening fish and such Caribbean specialties as tamarind candies and sugar cane. Take in the smells – and if you’re hungry – the tastes — of the foods cooked by vendors along the docks. Pause in Jo Jo Correa, a lovely plaza just across the street where artisans sell their wares.
But no matter the allures of Willemstad, there is more to Curacao than just this jewel of a Caribbean city. Stretch out in the sun on one of the island’s 38 pristine beaches. Don snorkels or dive suits and explore the myriads of dive spots including the 12.5-mile National Curacao Underwater Park and such favorite sites as the sunken Tugboat, the Mushroom Forest, considered a top dive because of its coral formations and even the remains of a wrecked plane.
Hop on a charter boat or rent a catamaran and sail through turquoise waters. Swim with the dolphins at the Dolphin Academy and visit the Curacao Sea Aquarium where, if you’re feeling very brave, there’s snorkeling with sharks and sting rays.
Head west to Christoffel Park, traveling along the coastline through the wild and rugged outcroppings of rock where delicate orchids peek from tiny crevices and flowering cacti and twisted divi divi trees are part of the arid landscape known as kunuku.
Whether it’s a milestone birthday, a big life changing event or recovering from an illness, many islanders prove to themselves and the world that they are back in the game by trekking to the top of Curacao’s highest point, the 1237-foot Cristoffel Mountain. But you don’t need a reason to enjoy the climb or the park’s wild life such as blue iguana (get over it, they’re all over the island), the rare Curacao white tailed deer said to have been imported from South American some 500 years ago, brightly colored birds and even an occasional donkey or two.
Not up for a mountain climb? You can also tour the park on horseback (even night riding is an option), rent a mountain bike or take a Jeep tour. The park is also crisscrossed with hiking trails geared towards all abilities from the challenging Orchid Route to an easy meander that leads to the magnificent Landhuis Savonet. At one point in time, Savonet and Plantation Zorgvlied, covered almost 4000 acres of the land
Built in 1662, burned by the British almost 150 years later and then rebuilt shortly after, Landhuis Savonet is one of the oldest of Curacao’s 55 remaining landhuizen or plantation houses. Situated at the park’s entrance, the fabulously restored landhuis now houses the Museum of Natural and Cultural History known for its state-of-the-art exhibits.
Head to the charming village of Westpunt nestled atop a ridge at the western point of the island. Try the fried iguana – an island specialty–at Jaanchies in Westpunt. The third-generation family run business, the oldest on the island, opened in 1936.
Or order pizza fired in a wood burning stove using island woods and topped with locally sourced toppings or grilled tuna with mango salsa at Sol Food and enjoy the ocean view. For those wanting to spend the night, the 1800-square-foot apartment has three bedrooms and is a terrific way to get away from it all.
Check out two unique Westpunt’s beaches–Playa Santu Pretu and Playa Forti tucked away in secluded coves and famed for their black sand made from surf pounded volcanic beach stone.
And remember, there’s never enough time to do it all in Curacao so plan on coming back soon.
For more information, visit curacao.com
Top photo shows Curacao at night and was taken by Klaus Jessen.
