Curacao

Willemstad, the capital of Curacao is known as “Little Amsterdam”. The sunny isle is a medley of forts, Dutch architecture and restored manor houses amid a desert landscape surrounded by deep blue sea.
Queen Emma Bridge connects Punda and Ortrobanda showcasing the colorful buildings that line Willemstad. Photo: Fokke Baarssen/Shutterstock

Overview

The natural harbor made this island the main locale for privateering in the 17th and 18th centuries. Once the Dutch took control of the island, they turned it into a prosperous trading port open to the world. Today Willemstad is one of the finest harbors in the Caribbean receiving cargo, cruises and pleasure yachts.  But it’s the fairytale images of brightly painted houses with stepped gables and curlicues donning the colors of the tropics that designated this waterfront city as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  A diversified economy along with a storied history, a serendipitous mingling of world cultures and Old World architecture make this a riveting destination. The richness of Curacao is alive in its people–more than 40 nationalities bring in their culture, music, religion, art and cuisines.

Beyond the Dutch architecture and European vibe, Curacao boasts loads of appealing pastimes– pro-level golf courses, a handful of spas offering seaside treatments, several casinos, breweries and liqueur makers and more than a dozen museums. Nature lovers find eco-safaris, cave tours, hiking and nature trails and sailing to Klein Curacao. Underwater there are more than 100 dive and snorkeling sites and the island is known to have the best reef diving in the world. For those not wanting to get wet the Curacao Sea Aquarium provides a view of underwater life.

 

 

 

Size

171 square miles (444 square kilometers)

Population

158,000

Int'l Dialing Code

599

Time

Atlantic Standard Time (AST, UTC−04:00)

Capital

Willemstad

Driving Side

Right

Currency

Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG)

Voltage

127/220V, 50Hz

Government

Constituent country of the Netherlands

Visa/Entry

Language

Dutch, Papiamento

Airport

Curaçao International Airport (CUR)

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