Sunny Weekends in Curaçao
If you’re willing to travel just a bit farther south for a beach holiday, I’d strongly consider Curaçao! This Dutch Caribbean island has more beautiful beaches than your schedule has time for, and once you’ve arrived you really don’t need to travel long to get from one to the other. Picture a plethora of soft, white sand and clear, turquoise water.
The first spot I ended up at on my visit was incredible because it has a coral reef close to shore which attracts an abundance of tropical fish. If you don’t have underwater gear don’t fret…they have rentals on offer. There’s a restaurant as well! Porto Mari Beach…where you can literally snorkel with your feet on the ground…which was a fun first for me!
Curaçao is 1 of the 3 ABC islands located just off the coast of Venezuela. The other two in the family are Aruba and Bonaire. For peace of mind to the worrywart, it has a reputation as a safe country for travelers. You’ll also be glad to know English is very commonly spoken.
For the last 15 years or so the island has been an autonomous constituent under the Kingdom of the Netherlands. But the history of Curaçao involves many years under Spanish, British, and Dutch colonial rule, and each empire has left a unique impact in formation of its present day experience which can be observed in the music, language, architecture, and of course…its people.
Exploring the capital and largest city of Willemstad will best uncover the fingerprint of Curaçao’s colonization. Attributes such as the fascinating architectural remnants, street cafes, and scenic waterways have made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
But digesting some other aspects will be painful…most notably the island’s awfully shameful past as a port for the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. The Kurá Hulanda Village in District Otrabanda is helpful in providing more of the sobering details surrounding those years.
To lift your spirits away from its dark history and back to Curaçao’s vibrant present day experience, I’d recommend a day or two or three at the beach. Follow the signs that lead to Playa Lagun for some snorkeling or scuba diving. If you show up at the right time you may even encounter the sea turtles that hang out by the corals alongside the rocky cliffs.
And then…maybe take a short drive to another beach like Playa Kenepa where you can delight in God’s creation with a life changing piña colada! I promise…they’re that good. And it was alcohol free so no, this wasn’t the booze talking!
Still feeling ambitious? Circle around to Shete Boka National Park on the way back to Willemstad for some unusual walks amongst the spongy rock and expansive caves along the shoreline.
When you’ve had enough sun, soothe with aloe and examine the storytelling street art of District Punda as you walk over to the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge for sunset.
Then cross the bridge to the other side of Willemstad for a fluorescent light show reflecting off Saint Anna Bay. From District Otrobanda you can feed your Instagram story with views of the picturesque Handelskade waterfront.
For dinner, don’t drop the ball like I did by missing out on a local favorite…stewed iguana! Don’t be scared…the right sauce can make anything taste good!
As is my feeling when leaving all new countries…”if only I had more time”. Don’t sleep on the Dutch Caribbean too long…visas aren’t needed with USA passports and there are direct flights from New York, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Miami!
