Curacao... Even the name itself sounds exotic and bewitching to the ear. You can feel the aroma of flowering plants, feel the sun-warmed breeze, hear the splash of waves and the rustling of snow-white sand under your feet. Not a single article on tourism can convey all the charm of this island - you need to personally come to the blessed land to enjoy its original magnetism.
Curaçao on the map
The island of Curacao on the world map or a detailed map of the island can be viewed using the navigation buttons (+/-). Caribbean on the map
This Caribbean island is located in the southern part of the basin of the sea of the same name. It is separated from the coast of Venezuela by a distance of 80 km. Curaçao is the largest of the lands of the Netherlands Antilles, and in the group of the Lesser Antilles it ranks second in size after Margaret. The total area of the “giant” is 444 km², width – 16 km, length – 64 km.
Literally 11 km from it is Little Curacao - an uninhabited tiny territory that belongs to “big brother”. The capital of the sunny paradise, Willemstad, is home to about 155,000 people permanently living in Curacao.
Holidays in Curacao
Regardless of the star rating of the hotel complexes, which are located only in the western part of the island, tourists are guaranteed excellent service: close to beaches, spa centers, entertainment, politeness and hospitality. There are practically no all-inclusive offers here - most hotels offer vacationers only breakfast. However, the abundance of cafes, restaurants and bars on the coast completely eliminates the problem of food.
Local cuisine is harmoniously intertwined with delights from European, Chinese, Japanese - dishes from meat, fruits and vegetables, chicken and, of course, seafood for every taste. Tourists especially admire the fantastic liqueur Curacao, made from juicy oranges. This alcoholic drink has become almost a symbol of the friendly island.
Tourists are offered a great variety of entertainment in Curacao: beach volleyball, tennis, golf, dive sites, excursions, boat trips, eco-tours, museums, fishing. In other words, everyone, based on personal preferences, will arrange an unforgettable vacation.
The nature of Curacao
The island has a very diverse topography. While the southern coast is famous for its convenient harbors and intricate coves, the northern coast is sparsely populated and produces a somewhat harsh impression due to its peaked rocks of volcanic origin. In the very center of the territory, the 178-meter Ato massif, subject to global destruction, rises. The highest point is Mount Sint-Christoffel (375 m) in the north-west of Curacao.
One of the largest environmental zones is the Sint-Christoffel Park, which occupies 18.6 km². Travelers are attracted by its picturesqueness and unusual location - on small hills that encircle ancient mountain ranges. Another reserve, Shete-Boka, has its own charm. It curves into a ring, enveloping coral formations, on the northern coast of Curacao.
Representatives of the flora: iguanas, sea turtles, white-tailed deer, birds. Fauna: palm trees, divi-divi tree, poisonous manzania, hundreds of varieties of cacti, groves of cultivated citrus fruits. Lucky tourists can capture dolphin play and whale migration on camera.
Curaçao landmarks
If we continue the theme of nature, then you should definitely look into the Marine Aquarium - both young travelers and their parents are delighted with it. Visitors can feed majestic flamingos, watch the underwater life of marine life, touch animals that do not pose a danger to humans, and extreme sports enthusiasts with certified divers can even swim with real sharks.
After the Aquarium there is a direct path to the beaches, which attract with the softest sand and clean bottom, so special shoes are not required for swimming. By the way, for those who like to merge with nature, throwing off all their clothes, there is a nudist beach at the Sunset Waters Beach Resort. When you get tired of doing nothing on the beach, you can go to the Curacao Museum to see examples of furniture from past centuries, collections of paintings, and ancient works of art.
A dive in the tiny chic bay of Playa Kalki, as well as the ship “Superior Producer” that sank in a vertical position at a depth of 30 meters, will absolutely leave an unforgettable impression. A tasting excursion to the Senior winery will appeal to gourmets - this is where the famous liqueur with the same name as the island is produced. It is advisable to end a busy day in the Hato Caves. This is a real kingdom of coolness, impressive stalactites, fabulous underground waterfalls and crystal lakes.
When is the best time to go to Curacao
The friendly Caribbean does not go unnoticed by tourists all year round, and Curacao is no exception. Even during the rainy season - September-December - showers occur here mainly at night, but during the day sunny weather awaits guests of the island. The average temperature is plus 28˚, the Caribbean Sea is also warm in any month. It is noteworthy that large-scale hurricanes practically do not affect Curacao due to its location away from the zone of destructive natural phenomena.
Divine cuisine, unimaginably beautiful landscapes, colorful emotions, decent service - what else is needed for an amazing vacation? All this and even more guarantees a holiday in the original and vibrant Curacao.
