A First-Timer's Guide To the Island of Curaçao
25.07.2023 - 10:48
/ matadornetwork.com
In Willemstad, the capital city on the island of Curaçao, the waterfront is dotted with buildings the color of tropical fruit: mango orange, banana yellow, kiwi green. Paired with the bright blue water in nearby bays, it’s almost a full kaleidoscope of color. Originally, the structures were limestone white, but an 1817 law forbade white facades on buildings to protect islanders’ eyesight from the bright reflections of the Caribbean sun – but locals joke that it was a money-making bid on behalf of the island’s only paint supplier.
The story sums up the small island of Curaçao well: colorful, cheeky, and rarely what it seems on the surface. Originally a Dutch trading outpost, Curaçao retains close cultural and structural ties with the Netherlands, despite establishing its own representative parliament in 2010. Dutch, English, and Papiamento (a melodic blend of Spanish and Portuguese) are the three official languages.
Photo: Curacao Tourism Board
Along with this move towards independence, the country is also amid an economic shift, switching away from oil production toward tourism. The island of Curaçao is affordable, unique, and authentic, and is quickly moving from a destination most people can’t point to on a map to a popular easy getaway, especially for snorkelers and scuba divers.
The easiest way to get to Curaçao from the United States is by catching a flight through Miami. American Airlines runs flights from Miami twice daily, plus weekly flights from Charlotte, NC. You can also find direct flights on JetBlue from JFK Airport in New York City, and flights on AirCanada from Toronto and Montreal a few times a week. And United flies there from Newark, NJ, three times a week.
The island of Curaçao has only one airport: Curaçao International Airport (also known as Hato International Airport). From there, you can rent a car or hail a taxi for the 20-minute drive to Willemstad. Many hotels will also offer pick-up services.
Ocean activities may be the island’s main draw, but it offers much more than that. Unlike its neighbor island of Bonaire (known for world-class tropical scuba diving, but not a ton else), Curaçao is popping with things to do. It’s a lot livelier than you may expect.
Photo: Curacao Tourism Board
The first thing to do in Curaçao is acquaint yourself with the capital city. Willemstad was established as a Dutch trading port in 1634 and has grown to be the largest city on the island, with a population just short of 150,000. Sint Anna Bay slices the city in half, with occupants of Punda and Otrabanda commuting via the Queen Emma Bridge, a floating pontoon bridge that swings open throughout the day to accommodate large ships ( a boat taxi will also take you from bank to bank).
In 1997, a large