Curacao
Travel and Tourist Information
Why does the capital of Curacao (pronounced Koor-uh-So) look
so familiar? Because for many decades whenever magazines or advertisers wanted to depict the cheerful
Old World architecture found in some Caribbean
cities, they often chose Willemstad's striking yellow,
blue, green and orange waterfront.
Not surprising
since these stores and homes, many dating back several hundred years,
create a welcoming atmosphere modern neon and plastic
can never match. (See Things To Do)
Willemstad
is divided into two almost separate entities
by a main channel that makes this such a valuable port. A pontoon
bridge known as Queen Emma conveys pedestrian
traffic across to the other side of the channel. When Queen Emma is
retracted to allow a ship to pass through (or when it's put out
of commission because a tanker has collided with it), a ferry
boat will transport you across instead. This place is a joy to walk
around.
The
two sides of Willemstad are known as Punda
and Otrobanda. Punda, meaning "point,"
sits on the east bank. Punda is the older settlement, dating back to
1634. In Otrobanda, which means "the other
side," development began in 1707. Until
recently, the Punda side was the more visitor-oriented. Now Otrobanda
is catching up with all its new stores and the opening
the Kura Hulanda hotel and museum.
Willemstad
is another of the Caribbean's great shopping
malls, easily surpassing nearby Aruba. Curacao's cosmopolitan population (more than 70 different
nationalities) is best reflected in its tremendous choice of
dining establishments. The local specialty is the rijsttafel
(pronounced rice-tah-fel), an Indonesian smorgasbord containing a dozen
or more different dishes.
With
so much happening in & around Willemstad, too many visitors never
see the other parts of Curacao. These include the hiking trails of Christoffel
National Park, the pleasant sailing waters of Spanish
Waters, the many old
plantations (landhuises) open to the public, the Hato
Caves and more.
Curacao's
beaches tend to be
small, located mostly at the west end. The scuba diving is
grand.
Detailed
Background Facts & Map
Courtesy of the CIA
Arrival
Briefing
What You Need to Know If You Go
Major
Attractions
Christoffel
National Park
Plenty of trails and a mountain to climb
Beaches, Lots of Beaches
Most are small & located at the western end
Hofi
Pastor
Walk among some amazingly old trees
The
Plantation Houses
Mostly an outside look at how the wealthy farmers lived.
Willemstad
Walking Tour
Undoubtedly
one of the Caribbean's most beautiful ports
|
