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Visitor
Activities
Shopping
 Curaçao is a shopper's paradise.
Some 200 shops line the major shopping streets such as
Heerenstraat and Breedestraat. Right in the heart of Willemstad
is the 5-block Punda shopping district. Most stores are
open Monday through Saturday from 8am to noon and 2 to
6pm (some from 8am-6pm). When cruise ships are in port,
stores are also open for a few hours on Sunday and holidays.
To avoid the cruise-ship crowds, do your shopping in the
morning.
Look for good buys on French perfumes, Dutch Delft blue
souvenirs, finely woven Italian silks, Japanese and German
cameras, jewelry, silver, Swiss watches, linens, leather
goods, liquor, and island-made rum and liqueurs, especially
Curaçao liqueur, some of which has a distinctive
blue color. The island is famous for its 5-pound wheels
of Gouda and Edam cheeses. You'll also see wooden shoes,
although we're not sure what you'd do with them. Some
of the stores also stock some deals on intricate lacework
imported from Portugal, China, and everywhere in between.
If you're a street shopper and want something colorful,
consider one of the wood carvings or flamboyant paintings
from Haiti or the Dominican Republic. Both are hawked
by  street
vendors at any of the main plazas.
Restaurants
Curaçao has a large selection of international
restaurants, with a wide variety of cuisine. The local
food includes delicious seafood, meats and side dishes.
Some of the local sea food is Dradu (Mahi Mahi), Piska
Kora (Red Snapper), Karko (conch meat), shrimp, and lobster.
Kabritu Stoba (goat meat) is also a local specialty. Plantains
(fried bananas) are usually served as vegetables or side
dishes. Keshi Yena is also very delicious and means "filled
cheese"; the cheese is filled with chicken, raisins,
beans, and many other good things. Funchi is another specialty
and is made out of corn; it's similar to corn bread and
is usually fried like french fries. Another local specialty
is Iguana soup. Typical side dishes are rice with beans,
white rice, french fries, or baked potatoes.
A note on dress: beachwear is not appropriate except for
beach bars and takeout, shorts and sandals for men are
not acceptable at many places. Expect locals to dress
very fashionably. Many restaurants are air-conditioned;
you may want to bring a light jacket or coverup. Most
restaurants add a 10% service charge beside the government
5% sales tax.. You may leave an additional tip if you
are pleased with the service.
Museums
The Curaçao Museum is located in the western part
of Otrobanda in an historic building dating from 1853.
This spacious museum, Curaçao's largest, showcases
works by traditional as well as contemporary local and
foreign artists. A permanent collection of antique period
furniture, including some exquisite mahogany pieces from
the 18th and 19th centuries, antique maps of Curaçao
and the Caribbean, and Indian art are also on display.
Special exhibitions are organized regularly. The large
shaded grounds are a pleasant place to stroll; children
love the real locomotive.
In addition there are other museums including Maritime
Museum, Jewish Cultural Historical Museum, Postal Museum,
Fort Church Museum, Numismatic Museum and Tele Museum.
 Beaches
Curaçao has some thirty public and private beaches,
ranging from intimate rocky coves to long strands bustling
with activity. Almost all of the swimming beaches are
scattered along the sheltered southwestern coast, where
the waters are generally calm and crystal clear. The northern
coast, with its powerful surf and strong undertow, is
not suitable for swimming. Topless bathing is officially
prohibited on all public beaches and some private ones,
although tacitly accepted in some places.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Curaçao diving is unique
for many reasons. It is set apart from other Caribbean
destinations by its diversity and its density of sea life,
its many underwater landscapes, and its reef's proximity
to shore. Reefs surround the island, attaching to the
shore like a narrow  fringe.
Massive coral formations extend into the depths with deep-water
fish patrolling the plunging walls. The reef walls on
Curaçao vary from moderate 45 degree angles to
steep 90 degree angles. There is plenty to see, be it
dolphins playing, turtles sunning, or even pilot whales
migrating.
Even the most experienced diver will find the fish life
of Curaçao entertaining. even sometimes dramatic.
Instead of exploring the whole reef in one dive, choose
one coral-covered spot and just float above the coral
heads and watch life go on. There are over 500 species
of fish inhabiting these Caribbean reefs, so you are sure
to see plenty of activity.
Deep Sea Fishing
The marlin, Dolphin, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo, Barracuda,
Snapper in nearby waters provide an exciting challenge
even for seasoned anglers.
Horseback Riding
Ashari's Ranch and Rancho Alegre provide guided tours
on horseback for beginning as well as experienced riders.
Hiking/Running
Trails run throughout the 4,500 acres of Christoffel Park,
and the 2-mile Rif Recreation Area offers a surfaced track
for jogging.
Windsurfing
With year-round winds of over 13 knots, Curaçao
offers excellent opportunities for windsurfing operations.
Skilled professionals are on hand to offer instruction
for beginners.
Sailing
Curaçao is home to a number of sailing regattas
throughout the year, and Hobbie-Cat and Sunfish equipment
are always available for rent.
Sightseeing
The Seaquarium displays many fish and sea-life and the
under-water observatory lets even non-divers observe the
aquatic world. While driving out to Westpoint, a stop
at Boca Tabla (see below) is highly recommended. Landhouses
are worth a visit for their architecture and history,
especially landhouse Brievengat, Chobolobo, and Knip.
Many old buildings in Punda and Otrabanda have been restored
and renovated and give a nice insight into the early settlers'
lives. Curaçao is also the home of the oldest Synagogue
in the Western Hemisphere and an old Jewish cemetery.
For hiking fans, the Christoffel Park is a nice but hot
place to visit. A tour of the Curaçao Ostrich Farm
will reveal details on how these giant birds grow up.
The Hato Caves (see below) are a great place to learn
more about Curaçao's geological history. Last,
but not least, simply walking around in Punda, crossing
the Emma bridge, looking at the waterfront, and observing
people and their activities is a nice way to pick up the
flavor of the Caribbean and Curaçao.
Boca Tabla
On the northern side of the island the rough sea water
has been smashing against the rocky coastline for centuries
and has built several caves and little inlets into the
rock. The most interesting one to see is probably Boca
Tabla which is located close to Westpoint on the north-western
end of the island. Visitors can walk over the massive
volcanic rocks and observe the wild sea and listen to
the wind. It's exciting to climb down into the cave to
observe the waves clashing against its walls. On weekends
simple but good local food is offered and people can sit
in the cool shade of Divi-Divi trees and eat.
Hato Caves
These are limestone caves located close to the Curaçao
airport. The cave has been commercialized in the early
90s and is now open to the public. Joining one of the
hourly tours, visitors can enter the cave and learn more
about Curaçao's geological history. The Hato Caves
were formed below sea level thousands of years ago and
as the water level dropped with the Ice Ages the cave
became exposed. Like in other sea caves, shells and corals
can be recognized in the stone. The cave is still active
and stalactites (icicle shaped rocks hanging from the
roof) and stalagmites (inverted stalactites on the floor)
are growing to form columns. Flowstone and dripstone,
curtain formations, lime ribs, and terrace formations
suggest that the cave has been wetter in earlier times.
Movements of the earth about 4000 years ago caused cracks
(visible by lime deposits) and rocks fell down from the
roof of the cave creating a small opening. This opening
is used by the few hundred bats living in the cave to
leave at night and hunt for food. Outside the cave Caquetios
Indians carved Petroglyphs into the rock wall indicating
that some of their religious ceremonies took place there
about 1500 years ago.
Carnival
Carnival is a main event in Curaçao which usually
takes place in late February. Many carnival groups come
up with unique and interesting themes, colorful costumes,
and large floats that they display during the parade.
Preparations always start several months in advance. The
carnival is not government funded and groups have their
own way of raising money. One of the main fund raisers
every year are the so called Jump-Ups that start in January.
Bands on trucks playing carnival music followed by a dancing
crowd move through the streets of Willemstad and party.
Participants have to purchase a T-Shirt and get music,
drinks, and fun in return. Most importantly, everybody
is getting into the carnival mood and bands can practice
their carnival songs for the year. The actual carnival
parade usually takes several hours and is done twice,
once during the day and once at night, resulting in two
very different looking displays. Every year one of the
groups participating is chosen to be the winner based
on their theme and their appearance. In addition to those
groups, popular bands on trucks and drumming groups are
contributing with live music, and floats with Miss Curaçao
etc. are participating. Carnival is known to be the busiest
time of the island since many international spectators
come to visit.
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