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Curacao: A Dutch Treat in the Caribbean Sun!

Curacao, the largest of the Netherlands Antilles, is an exciting hodgepodge of styles that come together and make the island one of most special tourist spots in the Caribbean Sea. The activity center of the island, Willemstad, is like stepping into a Dutch postcard. The interior landscape reminds one of the American Southwest, complete with three-pronged cactus and an arid topography. Surrounding the island is a string of gorgeous beaches that you would expect to see in an island paradise. Curacao offers the total package in a vacation getaway. A day's itinerary can include scuba diving, snorkeling, beach combing, hiking, parasailing, horseback riding, and many other outdoor activities too numerous to name!

If you didn't know better, you might think you had landed in Holland instead of Curacao's commercial center, Willemstad. The colonial style Dutch influenced architecture has a picturesque storybook quality that defies description. The gabled houses resonate in pastel colors, and blend with orange, Spanish tiled roofs. A walk in either Punda (the older part of the city) or Otrabanda (the "other" or contemporary side) is a visual feast for the eyes.

Willemstad is a shopper's dream-come-true. The districts of Handelskade and Breedestraat bristle with over 200 different shops. Bargains can be found on French perfumes, Dutch porcelain, Italian silks, Swiss linens, and of course, liquor produced in Curacao. Additional shopping can be found at Curacao's Floating Market. At the north end of Handelskade, schooners from all over the Caribbean tie up in a canal and sell everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to handcrafts and local art. If the shopping doesn't appeal to you, grab a cup of coffee and watch all the interesting characters that frequent the market.

With over 40 beaches, Curacao is a sun worshiper's paradise. Different areas are better for some activities than others, but all of them have something to offer. Seaquarium Beach, located just east of Willemstad, is a great swimming beach due to its calm waters and gentle slope. A little northwest of Willemstad, Blauwbaai Beach (Blue Bay) is the largest and most frequented beach on Curacao. Equipment rental is available for all sorts of watersports. Knip Bay, just north of Playa Lagun, has white sands, turquoise waters, and rocky cliffs rising from shore. This beach is great for a secluded swim, or for snorkeling on the reef. Westpunt, on the northwestern tip of the island, is known for the cliff divers that emerge on Sundays, thrilling crowds with their aerial displays.

The waters around Curacao are protected by an extensive coral reef that draws scuba divers from all over the world. Visitors can expect spectacular scenery in waters with visibility often exceeding 100 feet. A favorite dive spot is the Curacao Underwater Marine Park. Located off the southern coastline, the park has 12 ½ miles of undersea coral beds, shipwrecks, and a reef shelf that offers dives in depths ranging from 30 to 150 feet.

Hikers and eco-conscious visitors will appreciate the scenic beauty of Christoffel National Park. This 4,500-acre reserve is filled with rugged hiking trails and less strenuous nature paths that will satisfy every skill level. The heartier hiker will climb to the top of St. Christoffelberg, the highest point in all of the Dutch Leewards. There are spectacular views of Curacao from the top, and on a clear day (which is pretty much every day) you can catch a glimpse of neighboring Aruba and Bonaire. The park also offers horseback riding tours and four-wheel drive excursions.

Curacao may be famous for the flavored liquor of the same name produced here. But the island, with its historical heritage, cultural diversity, and fantastic natural resources, has so much more to offer. A vacation in Curacao can be as relaxed as lying on a pristine white sand beach, or as strenuous as hiking up the tallest peak in the Leewards. Roaming the streets of Willemstad brings new delights around every turn. However you choose to spend your time in Curacao, rest assured it will be time well spent!