Curacao is an island in the Caribbean which, along with Aruba and Bonaire, forms part of the ‘ABC’ Dutch Caribbean islands group. While most travellers experience Curacao as a brief stop on a Caribbean cruise, those who dig a little deeper will discover a vibrant cultural melting pot complete with Dutch colonial architecture and mouth-watering Creole cuisine. On the east side of the island, you will find the bustling UNESCO heritage capital city of Willemstad, adorned with pastel-coloured houses and cobblestone plazas brimming with wonderful shops, fascinating museums and charming little cafes. Travellers seeking less action and more tranquillity can head to the west side with its rolling hills, picturesque plantation houses, secluded coves, and quaint old fishing villages. Whether you are after idyllic secluded beaches, a lively cultural scene, or some of the world’s best scuba diving, you are bound to find all you could wish for on this colourful Caribbean island paradise.
Situated on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao, the relatively small, cosmopolitan city of Willemstad serves as the capital and the largest city of the Netherlands Antilles, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This historical city is known for its colourful Dutch colonial architecture, and its historical Old Town area which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Santa Anna Bay divides the city into two distinct areas, namely Punda and Otrobanda. Must-see sights include: the Landhuis Chobolobo, outlining the production process of Curaçao liqueur; the 240m-long coral limestone Hato Caves; the Amstel Brewery, the only brewery in the world that uses 100 percent distilled seawater; and the Mikve Israel-Emanuel, one of the world’s oldest synagogues.
