Of the three “ABC” islands, this is the most noticeably Dutch, with locals who still speak the language, historical monuments tying the island to its European homeland, and buildings that could’ve been plucked off the streets of Amsterdam—if not for their brightly colored exteriors.
The island’s capital city of Willemstad is the island’s center in more ways than one: it’s a hub for locals’ homes and jobs, for industry, nightlife and, of course, tourism. There’s plenty to see and do on the streets here, especially if you’re a history buff—the entire inner city and attached harbor is a UNESCO World Heritage site. That’s mostly because of its distinctive architecture, sporting some of the brightest yellows, blues, peaches and pinks you’ll ever see on a shop or a restaurant. Legend has it that the buildings were originally painted white, but when a migraine-suffering governor came to power, he ordered that all the buildings be painted a different color at his doctor’s advice. (The doctor, they say, had a large stake in the paint production company.) Today, the colors stand as a testament to the city’s colorful history.
If you like your history a bit more rustic, head to the mouth of the canal, which is flanked by sister forts. Built in the 1820s, the Rif Fort today has been transformed into a center of entertainment with restaurants, nightclubs, bars and boutiques built right into the centuries-old framework. Most of the restaurants and bars look out to sea from the top of the fort, affording diners spectacular ocean views during the day and the opportunity to track boats by their lights as they come and go from the port by night. Across from the Rif Fort, Fort Amsterdam is nearly a mirror image, curving around the opposite mouth of the harbor entrance. This is where you’ll find the Governor’s residence, the Ministry and an assortment of other government offices. If you walk to the very point of the harbor entrance, you may notice fishermen casting lines from the ledge surrounding the fort. Though you risk getting wet from the wake of a passing boat, exploring along the outside of Fort Amsterdam is a great opportunity for photo taking, as well as a rare private experience within the bustling city.
If bustling cities aren’t exactly your thing, head to the largely unpopulated western end of Curacao. Most homes here are second homes belonging to locals who live closer to Willemstad, leaving spectacular natural attractions to adventurous tourists. At Mount Christoffel, the island’s highest peak set within the Christoffel National Park, hikers have the unique experience of scaling the mountain in a variety oways: they’ll ride horseback from the base of the mountain, continue on foot, and when it becomes too steep, they’ll pull themselves up the mountain using their arms as well as their legs. It’s a tough climb, but the view from the top is worth it: on a clear day, hikers can see across to Venezuela. If you’re not up for such a challenge, simply take in the sights at Curacao’s wide variety of natural settings. At Shete Boka, you can walk along paths and down stairs into a variety of coral caves along the sea, created by the erosion of waves crashing into the rock. Visitors can stand along a railing at the edge and watch the water fl y sky high as it crashes into the rocks below. Not far away, flamingoes congregate in the former salt flats of Willibrordus, now filled with water that sustains wildlife and feeds the birds.
Because of the remarkable coral drop-offs surrounding nearly the entire island, diving and snorkeling sites are just a short swim from the shore in most cases, making Curacao one of the most convenient locations in the diving world. Here, wall dives feature grouper, barracuda, anemones and more. Some of the most popular dives pair a striking wall drop with a wreck, like Superior Producer, a 100-ft. wreck stretching from a depth of 80 ft. at its wheelhouse and 100 ft. at its hull. Tugboat is another site that’s great for snorkelers and divers alike, a small tugboat sunk in shallow waters while just a few feet away, the ocean floor disappears into deep-blue oblivion.
The island’s capital city of Willemstad is the island’s center in more ways than one: it’s a hub for locals’ homes and jobs, for industry, nightlife and, of course, tourism. There’s plenty to see and do on the streets here, especially if you’re a history buff—the entire inner city and attached harbor is a UNESCO World Heritage site. That’s mostly because of its distinctive architecture, sporting some of the brightest yellows, blues, peaches and pinks you’ll ever see on a shop or a restaurant. Legend has it that the buildings were originally painted white, but when a migraine-suffering governor came to power, he ordered that all the buildings be painted a different color at his doctor’s advice. (The doctor, they say, had a large stake in the paint production company.) Today, the colors stand as a testament to the city’s colorful history.
If you like your history a bit more rustic, head to the mouth of the canal, which is flanked by sister forts. Built in the 1820s, the Rif Fort today has been transformed into a center of entertainment with restaurants, nightclubs, bars and boutiques built right into the centuries-old framework. Most of the restaurants and bars look out to sea from the top of the fort, affording diners spectacular ocean views during the day and the opportunity to track boats by their lights as they come and go from the port by night. Across from the Rif Fort, Fort Amsterdam is nearly a mirror image, curving around the opposite mouth of the harbor entrance. This is where you’ll find the Governor’s residence, the Ministry and an assortment of other government offices. If you walk to the very point of the harbor entrance, you may notice fishermen casting lines from the ledge surrounding the fort. Though you risk getting wet from the wake of a passing boat, exploring along the outside of Fort Amsterdam is a great opportunity for photo taking, as well as a rare private experience within the bustling city.
If bustling cities aren’t exactly your thing, head to the largely unpopulated western end of Curacao. Most homes here are second homes belonging to locals who live closer to Willemstad, leaving spectacular natural attractions to adventurous tourists. At Mount Christoffel, the island’s highest peak set within the Christoffel National Park, hikers have the unique experience of scaling the mountain in a variety oways: they’ll ride horseback from the base of the mountain, continue on foot, and when it becomes too steep, they’ll pull themselves up the mountain using their arms as well as their legs. It’s a tough climb, but the view from the top is worth it: on a clear day, hikers can see across to Venezuela. If you’re not up for such a challenge, simply take in the sights at Curacao’s wide variety of natural settings. At Shete Boka, you can walk along paths and down stairs into a variety of coral caves along the sea, created by the erosion of waves crashing into the rock. Visitors can stand along a railing at the edge and watch the water fl y sky high as it crashes into the rocks below. Not far away, flamingoes congregate in the former salt flats of Willibrordus, now filled with water that sustains wildlife and feeds the birds.
Because of the remarkable coral drop-offs surrounding nearly the entire island, diving and snorkeling sites are just a short swim from the shore in most cases, making Curacao one of the most convenient locations in the diving world. Here, wall dives feature grouper, barracuda, anemones and more. Some of the most popular dives pair a striking wall drop with a wreck, like Superior Producer, a 100-ft. wreck stretching from a depth of 80 ft. at its wheelhouse and 100 ft. at its hull. Tugboat is another site that’s great for snorkelers and divers alike, a small tugboat sunk in shallow waters while just a few feet away, the ocean floor disappears into deep-blue oblivion.
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.