Scharloo
Scharloo Just inland from Willemstad’s city center, Punda, is a historical section of the city called Scharloo, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, along with the Punda, Otrabanda and Pietermaai neighborhoods. Scharloo served and something of a colonial-era suburb, and today you c
Savonet Museum
Savonet Museum Take a trip through Curacao’s history at the Savonet Museum, located within one of the island’s oldest plantations at the heart of Christoffel Park. The museum’s exhibits include depictions of local life starting from the original Arawak inhabitants who came to the island about 4,00
Rif Fort Courtyard
Rif Fort Courtyard The lively Rif Fort Courtyard complex is a major shopping and entertainment hub in Willemstad. It’s also home to some of the island’s finest restaurants. Browse local art in galleries or splurge on locally designed jewelry and clothing. Order cocktails at a European bar then cho
Punda
Punda The eastern part of Willemstad’s downtown historic district is called Punda, which comes from the Dutch word for “point” because this part of the city sits at the end of a promontory at the mouth of St. Anna Bay. First settled in 1634, the area is a picturesque port area packed with pastel-c
Playa Kalki
Playa Kalki Playa Kalki is a small and sandy cove set against a backdrop of limestone cliffs in the peaceful area of Westpunt on the Caribbean island of Curacao. It’s a secluded little spot that’s popular among divers and snorkelers due to its rocky shallows and abundance of coral and other marine
Otrobanda
Otrobanda Across the mouth of St. Anna Bay from Willemstad’s Punda area is the other of the city’s historic downtown, Otrobanda, which literally means “the other side.” While Punda was settled in 1635, Otrabanda was built about a century later. If you walk from Punda across the Queen Emma Bridge,
Kenepa Beach
Kenepa Beach Kenepa Beach is one of those places that’s worth the drive to get there. Located 50 minutes from Willamsted on the northwestern corner of the island, the white sand beach and turquoise water create a Caribbean tableau that ends up on Curacao postcards. Broken up into two beaches that
Jan Kok
Jan Kok If you’re taking a drive to explore Curacao, plan a stop in Jan Kok, an area along the west coast, about midway between Willemstad and Westpunt. Here you can birdwatch along old salt pans, large shallow ponds used to evaporate salt from seawater, that have become a popular gathering point
Fort Nassau
Fort Nassau Standing on a prominent bluff, the rusty cannons of craggy Fort Nassau point out to sea. Over the centuries, the fort has protected Curacao from the Spanish, French, English and buccaneers. Built in 1797, the fort was only called upon in battle when the English invaded. Now decommissio
Fort Beekenburg
Fort Beekenburg Unlike Curacao’s more popular colonial-era fortresses, like Rif Fort and Waterfort, Fort Beekenburg is largely abandoned. For many years it was inaccessible, sitting on private property owned by an oil company. But today it’s accessible, and free, to visitors any time. The fort was
Curacao Sea Aquarium
Curacao Sea Aquarium A fascinating dive into the beautiful underwater world of the Caribbean, the Curacao Sea Aquarium in Willemstad Curacao has much to discover. Set in an old naval vessel, just stepping into the Curacao Sea Aquarium lets you know that you’re embarking on a unique marine adventur
Curacao Liqueur
Curacao Liqueur The island of Curacao may be best known for the alcohol that bears its name. Blue Curacao is a signature—and colorful—liqueur that is steeped in the island’s history, and you can visit the home of the original Blue Curacao at the Curacao Liqueur Distillery. The Triple Sec-style liq
Curacao Dolphin Academy
Curacao Dolphin Academy Curacao Dolphin Academy provides an educational platform for visitors to the southern Caribbean island of Curacao to learn more about dolphins through hands-on programs. The dolphins who reside at Curacao Dolphin Academy are kept in both man-made and sea enclosures, giving
Cas Abao Beach
Cas Abao Beach Hit the beach at one of Curacao’s most idyllic sandy shores. Cas Abao Beach is a protected escape on the island’s west side, where you can enjoy the crystal-blue water and gleaming white sand among a convenient collection of amenities. The private beach has plenty of parking, and on
Amazonia Rainforest Mystery
Amazonia Rainforest Mystery Step into the world of ancient South American and Caribbean cultures at Amazonia Rainforest Mystery. This 45,000-square-foot installation is a maze of jungles, caves, pyramids and ruins where you can learn about Mayan, Aztec, Incan and Arowak cultures through recreation
Curacao Ostrich Farm
Curacao Ostrich Farm Get a taste of Africa in the Caribbean at the Curacao Ostrich Farm. Originally opened in 1995 as a working farm to supply ostrich products to South America, the farm quickly became a popular spot for visitors, and now it’s home to about 400 ostriches—about half of which are ne
Queen Juliana Bridge
Queen Juliana Bridge The Queen Juliana Bridge crosses St. Anna Bay in the Curacao capital of Willemstad. The original structure collapsed in 1967, killing four people, and has since been replaced with the current bridge, which opened on Queen’s Day in 1974. The bridge is a minimalist structure tha
Tugboat Wreck
Tugboat Wreck Tugboat Wreck refers to the site of a tugboat that sank just off Curacao years ago and has since become one of the island’s most popular dive sites. The wreck can be found just five meters beneath the surface of the water and can be easily swam out to from the shore near Caracas Bay.
Playa Lagun
Playa Lagun If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten track beach on Curacao, but don’t want sacrifice on amenities, try Playa Lagun. This protected beach within a deep cove flanked on either side by sheer cliffs is near the northern end of the island, far enough from Willemstad that you can avoid t
Curacao (Willemstad) Cruise Port
Curacao (Willemstad) Cruise Port Located off the coast of Venezuela, this tiny island nestled in crystal blue waters was once the center of commerce for the region. Today, the influence of French, Dutch and Portuguese traders can be felt in the food, architecture and culture of this unique island.
