Holiday in Curacao
Curacao - an island with a lot of nature and culture.
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Curacao: an island to discover.
Bon Bini on Curacao, the largest island of the Dutch Antilles. Besides delicious relaxation on one of the many intimate beaches on Curacao, the island offers plenty of opportunities to be active, and to enjoy the culture.
Here some highlights:
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Curacao Active
Foundation 'Unique Curacao', diving school Atlantis, sailing school Cat Sailing, Wanna Bike and Windsurfing Curacao, are working together under the name Curacao-Active. They know the history, culture and nature of the island and have very good connections with local partners which guests have access to areas that are otherwise inaccessible. Diving, sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, canoeing, kajakexcursions, mountain bike tours, walking tours, eco jeep safari, cooking workshops, architecture tours, dance workshops, it is all possible.
Biking on Curaçao
Curacao has rapidly developed in recent years into a 'tropical mountain bike surprise'. By now, there are some hundreds of kilometres of marked routes, at various locations throughout the island. There are several tours offered. Recreational cyclists and the more experienced and avid mountain bikers will find a perfect opportunity here.
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Urban walking Willemstad
Punda, located on the right side of the St. Anna Bay, is an old neighbourhood of Willemstad. By the time that the area of Punda was completely filled with buildings, they decided to continue on the other side: literally 'Otra Banda'. The houses in this area have arisen in the gold trading. Get acquainted with both historical, interesting and busy districts of Willemstad by a walk led by a guide. During a walk through the streets and alleys are many stories told about the fascinating history. Technical - about architecture, but also historical - how people lived here.
The architectural style is partly copied from the Netherlands. You will also be told about the restoration of these neighbourhoods. |
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Eco Jeepsafari
Nature on Curaçao is the goal during an Foundation 'Unique Curacao's Eco Jeepsafari. They have made a selection of the four most beautiful routes on the island. One of the routes takes you past the green south coast. Ingredients include salt marshes, flamingocolonies and a private area with rough bays and mansalina coast. For those who prefer ending with a meal of fresh fish in Santa Cruz.
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Sport walking
The Curaçao landscape is very diverse. The north coast is steep and rocky and the south coast is a little less rough. For sporting hikers there are 60 very diverse walking tracks. During a stroll there are many attractions, orchids and other plants and herbs, lizards, deer, traditional houses, country houses and caves.
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Ostrich farm
The ostrich farm offers an opportunity to do a closer study of the behavior and culture of this special bird. Accompanied by a guide, you will know all about these birds. The fans of ostrich meat can enjoy a delicious ostrich steak in the Zambezi restaurant.
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Museums in Curaçao
In the Kurá Hulanda museum is the relationship of Curacao with the African continent to see and tourists get explanations of the slave trade and its consequences for Curaçao. This museum is a must. Images and other ancient objects are in a playful way exposed and one feels such drafted in earlier times, it is very impressive. Other museums: the Maritime Museum with a Carib Cafe overlooking the port, the Jewish Museum located in the Synagogue (the oldest in the Western Hemisphere).
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Curacao Nights
Certainly to know that people will eat nice at Curacao. There is plenty to choose from various local and international restaurants. The Antillean cuisine is created by Latin American, African and European influences. Kèshi Yena(stuffed cheese) could even be called the national dish. Even dishes with okra or cactus are very popular. And after a good dinner, it's time to discover the nightlife and loose the calories by dancing. Also therefore the island offers plenty of opportunities. Once the tropical sun sets, it is time to get ready for the hot Curacao Nights. Tourists who visit Curacao wil get a current agenda for going out at the airport: the so-called Curacao Experience Passport.
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On culinary journey with Angelica's Kitchen
Who is in a special environment on sunny Curacao and want Culinary content can think of a culinary journey with Angelica's Kitchen. In a week Angelique Schoop offers you the secrets of the Curaçao's kitchen in cooking workshops. The cooking of food with exotic names like Keshi Yena and Jambo is covered. In addition to several cooking classes and demonstrations, the culinary trip include a tour through Willemstad, a visit to the botanical garden of Dinah Veeris, a barbecue on the beach and a Caribbean evening with salsalessons and eating salsa.
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Sea-Aquarium: meet and swim with a dolphin.
The Curacao Sea Aquarium offers include the ability to swim with dolphins in the real Dolphin Academy. A very special experience with one of the most intelligent mammals in the world. It is also possible to use their program Ocean Encounters, in a fun, interactive way to learn about the animals that live under water. The program consists of the conduct of sharks, turtles and rays, training sea lions and more.
Herbs garden(Kruidentuin) Den Paradera
A visit to the botanical garden Den Paradera is certainly worthwhile. Dinah Veeris, the herbs woman(kruidenvrouw) of Curacao, is known for her knowledge of herbs and their function. She has her own herbs garden in Curaçao, 'Dinah's Botanic Garden and Historical Den Paradera', in which she grow herbs with knowledge and love for nature, and create therapeutic resources. Her goal is to protect herbs, to recognise the importance of them and transfer the love of herbs to other people. The herbs and special medicinal creams and resources are for sale in the store at the herbs garden(Kruidentuin).
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Country houses(Landhuizen)
Everywhere on Curacao country houses with typical Dutch names like Jan Kock, Brievengat, Knip, Dokterstuin, Koraal Tabak and Jan Thiel can be found. Almost all country houses are therefore strongly linked to the Dutch history on the island. The country houses take the form of a large mansion in the heart of the old plantations. These are by the Dutch West India Company initially launched for its own food needs. Later, they were expanded in size and number when Curacao became an important 'slavendepot'(slave center). In addition to the large plantations of the West India Company also private plantations were created, with names of saints or owners.
Thanks to the efforts of the 'Heritage Foundation' forty large country houses are now in reasonable to good condition. Some are occupied by individuals, in others you can stay overnight (Landhuis Daniel), receive guided tours (Jan Kock, Brievengat, Groot Santha Martha, Landhuis Knip) or Antillean merriment (Brievengat). In country house Chobolobo is the distillery of the Curaçao liqueur accommodated. This country house can be visited too.
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Diving during your vacation.
Curacao is ideal for a diving holiday. It is one of the most popular sports on the island. Immediately along the coastline there are very beautiful coral reefs. A glance over the shallow reef is already sufficient to discover Curaçao's largest, most impressive dive sight. With approximately 80 dive spots, located across the southern coast, the island is an ideal resort for divers. On Curacao you can start virtually from everywhere the exploration of the underwater world. All dive spots are easily accessible.
The waters of Curacao are full colorful parrotfish, silvery barracudas, mottled French klippfish and colorful butterflyfish. These are just a few species, while situated right along the coast there are coral- and sea-anemonecolonies. Who has never snorkled or dived before, can very well try and learn it on Curacao. The waters around Curaçao are safe and on the island are a variety of good, certified diving schools where you can get a PADI diving certificate in about a week.
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Beaches
Curacao has about 38 public and private beaches, ranging from small, rocky coves to long beaches bustling with activity. Almost all swimming beaches lie scattered along the protected southwest coast, where the water is generally calm and crystal clear. The water on the north coast, with its strong branding and strong undercurrent is not suitable for swimming.
Officially topless bathing is prohibited on all public- and some private beaches, but in some places it is turning a blind eye. Curacao is known for the romantic, rocky bays with crystal-clear, blue-green water. The public beaches have a limited number of facilities, but they are always open and easy to find.
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