Curaçao - Curazao

Introduction Curacao (Kòrsou in present-day Papiamento), officially Curaçao Country, is an island located in the south of the Caribbean Sea, about 50 km off the northwestern coast of Venezuela and close to the islands of Aruba Y Bonaire. Former Dutch colony, it was until 2010 one of the islands that were part of the Netherlands Antilles, to later become a member country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Capital Willemstad Idiom papiamento, Spanish and English Surface 444 km² Population 141 766 (2009) Currency American dollar Time zone UTC-4 Telephone prefix 5999

Understand

One of the most remarkable things about the island is its unique culture:

• The architecture It is distinctively Dutch but with the houses painted in beautiful pastel colors. Visitors often see it as a colorful, tropical version of Amsterdam.
• The Lifestyle it's very laid back, with a lot of people working hard enough to survive.
• The local language is a Creole called Papiamento (see "Talk" below)

History

The invasion of the first European colonizers took place in the year 1499, when a Spanish expedition commanded by Alonso de Ojeda discovered the island during their first exploration trip to the north coast of South America. Next to him are Juan de la Cosa and Américo Vespuccio who calls it the Island of the Giants, apparently due to the high stature of its indigenous inhabitants.

Weather

Its climate is semi-arid, warm and sunny throughout the year. The average amount of annual rainfall is more or less 600mm; the months with the most rain are from September to January. The average temperature is about 27 ° C (81 ° F). The cooling trade winds blow constantly from the east. The rainy season is between October and February. Showers during the rainy season mostly occur at night and are generally short. Total annual precipitation is around 570 mm (22 inches).

The island is outside the hurricane belt and a hurricane has not made landfall on Curaçao since the US National Hurricane Center began tracking hurricanes. Tropical storms before the hurricane occasionally affect Curaçao; the last to do so was Tomás in 2010.

The major weather websites are largely inaccurate with Curaçao weather forecasts. One of the most accurate sources for the weather is the website of the Curaçao Weather Department.

Regions

The island of Curaçao can be roughly divided into four regions:

• The northwest is dominated by the Christoffel National Park, where you can hike.
• The southeast is practically uninhabited and not accessible to traffic. The land is privately owned, but government regulations prevent expansion [1].
• If you divide the island in the middle at the narrowest point, you find yourself in the old Northwest plantation country with a series of small villages and increasingly threatened by decaying plantation houses.
• Opposite, in the southeast, is the international airport and the city of Willemstad, with its industrial facilities around the Schottegat inland sea.

Cities

• Willemstad - the capital city of Curaçao.
• Herd, a city close to the Curaçao international airport.
• Barber  
• Grote berg
• Jan Thiel

• Lagun
• Santa Rosa
• Sint Michiel
• Sint Willibrordus
• Soto
• Westpunt

Other destinations

To get

Countries eligible for a entry without visa they are shown in cyan in the image to the right.

Other countries require obtaining a visa, which is valid for Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Dutch Caribbean and allows multiple entry for a maximum period of 90 days in 180 days. The maximum uninterrupted stay in one of the individual countries is 30 days. The visa is not valid for the European part of the Netherlands.

Those who want to travel by plane can enter the Curaçao airport, the Hato International Airport (CUR^IATA), located in Margareth Abraham Square, not far from the capital of Willemstad. Serves most international and regional carriers.

At the time of immigration at the airport, an ED card must be completed and presented to the customs agent. This is now possible to do in the Curaçao Tourist Office website, in which case you only need to present a passport. It must be done at least 48 hours before departure. You can usually skip the immigration line if you do this.

Be aware that immigration can take a long, long time (easily 2 hours), especially when multiple planes arrive at the same time. Instead, it is recommended that you complete the online form mentioned above. Disabled people can wait their turn in a seating area at the far end of the immigration hall (usually hidden by the roughly 10 lines of people queuing).

The cruise ships Arrive at Curacao mega pier wave Curacao cruise terminal. From these ports you are just a short walk from many of the island's most popular tourist destinations. Travelers can also enjoy shopping nearby at duty-free stores. The larger ships will arrive at the Mega Pier, and the smaller ones will dock at the Cruise Terminal.

Sailors can enter the ports of Willemstad and they have several marinas where travelers can dock their ships.

There are no ferry services to other islands or to Venezuela.

By plane

• Dr. Albert Plesman Airport, Hato, IATA Code - CUR, ICAO Code TNCC. Runway 11/29, 11,188 x 197 ft (3410 x 60 m), asphalt. Around 1 million passengers annually. Since August 2003, Curacao International Airport has been operated by CAP (Curacao Airport Partners). Since January 2009, this consortium is led by the Brazilian company "A-Port S.A.".
• There are regular flights to and from Europe with KLM and TUI Airlines, as well as regular flights to North America, Colombia and Venezuela, as well as to the other islands of the Netherlands Antilles.

Boat

• There is currently no ferry service to the neighboring islands of Aruba and Bonaire.

Travel

By car

Cars can be rented from $ 45 per day, with a variety of renters at the Hato airport and throughout the island. Driving in Willemstad is quite similar to most places in the Caribbean, with aggressive drivers, lax traffic laws, and driving on the right side. The signs will be in Dutch with a European flair. If you are involved in an accident, local laws prohibit moving your car. You will have to dial 199 for road service. Beware of road hazards such as donkeys, goats, and iguanas. If you are staying outside of Willemstad, renting a car could be a good option as taxi fares can be quite expensive and public transport is not very reliable.

In taxi

If public transportation isn't your style, and you don't want to rent your own car, the taxis they are another popular and easy-to-find option. They are also marked and their plates say "TX". Some taxi drivers will even be your tour guide during the day, if requested. But remember to agree on a rate before you go out.

Boat

The ferries are a great way for buyers to reach some of the major shopping areas of the island.

By bus

There are two types of buses on the island, BUS. and Konvoi The easiest way to travel is to go to one of the two bus stations in Willemstad. These include the Otrobanda station, located across the street from the Rif Fort (see Willemstad) and the Punda station, at the post office, across from the Circle market. For the most part, the Punda bus station serves stops along the east side of the ring, and to the east, including Salina, Zelandia, Mambo, while the Otrobanda station serves destinations west of the bay, including the airport, Piscadera and even Westpunt. Destinations generally do not overlap, so it may be necessary to walk 10-15 minutes between stations for cross trips.

• Konvoi They are large metro-style buses that run infrequently between the main points of the city. Prices and routes are set at approximately 2 NAf.
• BUS.On the other hand, they are 9-12 passenger vans that look a lot like a taxi. You can see a bus. next to a cardboard cutout on the front windshield with a list of its stops, instead of the yellow Taxi sign on the windshield or roof.

Unlike taxis, the BUS. prices are not negotiable (1-3 NAf), but the route is. A common practice with bus drivers is to negotiate how close the driver can take you to your destination. Be sure to ask the bus driver if the bus stops near your destination before entering. You can pay the driver while the bus. is en route or before exiting the bus. You can board a bus anywhere on the island by waiting at one of the ubiquitous yellow 'Bushalte' signs and for an oncoming BUS. o Konvoi Taxi drivers will also try to attract you. So be sure to look at the sign in the window or a plaque (that says BUS) to avoid paying high taxi fares. The bus schedule varies, from about 6 AM to 8 PM for most stops, and until 11 PM or even midnight (and sometimes later) to Salina and Mambo. If you ever get lost during the day, just look for a yellow bushalte sign, and the bus will take you to Punda or Otrobanda.

Talk

The native language, Papiamento, is a mix of Portuguese, Spanish (90%) and Dutch (10%), but with a very basic grammar and limited vocabulary. It is spoken exclusively in Curaçao, Bonaire, and Aruba (where it is written Papiamento). The official spelling exists, but Aruba has a different spelling from Curaçao and Bonaire. Due to the limitations of Papiamento, in education it is only used in children's classes. Dutch is used in the upper classes and in government affairs. An often encountered term is "dushi". "Dushi"is a generic term to describe everything good. It can be translated as" nice "(see)," beautiful "," sexy "(person)," delicious "(food)," honored "(guest). Another important word it is "danki", which means" thank you "("dushi danki"is so" thank you very much ").

The official languages ​​are Dutch. In addition, Papiamento, Spanish and English are spoken.

Watch

• Curaçao Museum, colonia building.
• Kura Hulanda Museum, is located in Willemstad. Phone: 5999 434 7765 [1] Open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Willemstad Coast; Heritage of humanity by unesco.
• Westpunt: The westernmost point of the island has restaurants and beautiful small beaches abound.
• Nordpunt: the northernmost point of the island, a sea much rougher than Westpunt but beautiful in nature (swimming is not recommended!).
• Watamulu, the "lungs of the island": between Nordpunt and Westpunt hollow rocks and corals spit water with each wave. A breathtaking sight and a must see when in the area. Note that one needs a car or has to walk from Westpunt.

Do

• Diving and snorkeling: crystal clear waters and marine life make it an ideal diving destination. Divers are, after cruise ship tourists, the largest group of tourists. Many diving schools offer courses and certifications.
• Christoffel National Park, ☏ 5999 864-0363. West Point. A national park run by the Carmabi Foundation. Christoffel National Park is home to Boca Grandi, Indian caves where you can see paintings left by the Arawak Indians and Mount Christoffel. (At 1,292 feet, Mount Christoffel is the highest point on Curaçao.) Edit
• Shete Boka National Park, 5 5999 864-0444. West Point. A national park also managed by the Carmabi Foundation, Shete Boka is home to the "7 boca's," including Boca Tabla and Boca Pistol (also known as "The Shooting Pistol"). In season, some of the mouths serve as sea turtle hatcheries.
• Curaçao Marine Aquarium, 5 5999 461-6666. Bapor Kibra Z / N. Home of the Dolphin Academy. This is one of the most popular attractions in Curacao. If you want to make a Dolphin activity book ASAP! $ entry price (depends on the activity you choose BUT paying for an activity (like something at Dolphin Academy) allows you to enter the entire Aquarium.
• Hato Caves, ☏ 5999 868-0379. F.D. Rooseveltweg Z / N. Open 7 days a week, with tours twice a day. Coral and limestone caves that were dug under the sea and were born when the sea level dropped. There are beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations, as well as pools of water and a waterfall. The cave is also home to a colony of long-nosed fruit bats. (Due to the colony, photography is limited and not allowed on certain cameras.)
• Snorkeling and diving in the Curaçao marine park. The entire southwestern side of Curacao is a large coral reef and marine park. In the north, you can dive in the Banda Abou National Park, in the center in the Central Curaçao Underwater Park and in the south in the Curacau Underwater Park. Curaçao offers a host of dive sites, from easy shore dives, coral bay dives to cliffs, especially in the southeast.
• Curaçao Ostrich & Game Farm, ☏ 5999 747-2777. Santa Catharina Curaçao Ostrich Farm is one of the largest ostrich farms outside of Africa. The tour takes you through the ostrich pens and the incubator. The meat from this farm is shipped to Aruba (ostrich is a red meat, which is high in protein and low in fat)
• 1 Kunuku Aqua Resort, ☏ 5999-8644455, ✉ [email protected]. Small all-inclusive resort with many slides, pools, and bars. Nice for a day with children.

Beaches

Curaçao's public beaches are concentrated on the southern coast, especially on the western side. Find these from Rif St. Marie to Westpunt.

Much of the land on the east coast is privately owned and access is prohibited; Exploring these areas is not recommended as private security services patrol most of the area and are known not to take intrusions lightly.

• Kalk Beachi, also known as Alice in Wonderland, is located on the far west side of the island, past the town of Westpunt. Kura Hulanda Lodge has a restaurant on the beach and Ocean Encounters West, which is a full service dive shop. For a small fee, you can use a dive locker to store personal items while snorkeling / diving and using freshwater showers and equipment cleaning area.
• Grote Kenapa BeachAlso known as Big Knip is a large sandy beach west of the town of Lagun.
• Kleine Kenapa BeachAlso known as Little Knip is another beach beyond the town of Lagun. It is a nice secluded beach with lots of shade trees if you want to stay out of the direct sun. The bar / restaurant on this site operates on a sporadic schedule, so visit prepared.
• Jeremi Beach, It is a small secluded beach a little north of Lagun. There are no facilities here.
• Lagun BeachIt is an isolated bay towards the western end of the island in the town of Lagun. It is a small sandy beach in a rectangular shaped bay with high cliffs on each side. The waters adjacent to the cliffs are an excellent place to dive. Both sides of the bay along the cliffs are joined by a wide variety of marine life and corals. The left side of the bay has a greater variety of underwater structure for a better experience.

• Porto Mari Beach It is a large beach with a full service restaurant and a full dive shop including fresh water showers and toilets operated by Porto Mari Sports

• Cas Abao it is a beach on a plantation. It is a long sandy beach with many facilities including cabanas, beach chairs, restaurants, fresh water showers and toilets. [1]
• Daaibooi baai It is near Habitat on Rif Street. Marie Limited facilities. Shacks, bathrooms, grill area. Beautiful protected cove with calm waters. Average depth: 20 m
• Pirate bay It is located in the Bay of Piscadera. The location is just a short drive away, a few miles west of downtown Willemstad, near the Marriott and Hilton hotels. It has many beach services, such as showers

• Habitat Beach It is located in Rif St. Marie, on the southwest coast. It is the newest beach in Curacao and has a full service dive operator, DiveVersity, Habitat Dive Hotel, Oceans Restaurant and in the gated community of Coral Estate.

• Kontiki Beach It is about a ten minute drive east of the center of Willemstad, near the Breezes hotel. Kontiki is a full service beach that offers water sports, shops, a beach bar and a restaurant. It is also served by the diving center Ocean encounters. It can get very crowded.
• Mambo Beach It is next to Kontiki beach and is the place where locals and tourists visit the nightlife party here. Edit
• Seaquarium Beach
• Jan Thiel Beach
• Caracasbaai
• Barbara beach Private beach and future home of the Hyatt Hotel.

To buy

Currency

Exchange Rates for Netherlands Antillean Guilder As of May 2018: US $ 1 ≈ ƒ1.79 € 1 ≈ ƒ2.09 UK £ 1 ≈ ƒ2.39 Canadian $ 1 ≈ ƒ1.39 Exchange rates fluctuate. Current rates for these and other currencies are available at XE.com

The florin or Netherlands Antillean guilder, denoted by the symbol "ƒ"or"NAf"It is the official currency, but the euro and the US dollar are easily accepted.

ATMs are widely available throughout the island, and many machines will dispense guilders and the US dollar. Currency can generally be exchanged at local hotels, casinos, and places of business. The exchange rate is generally pegged at about 1.77 NAf to the USD and stable. Tourists are unlikely to take advantage of currency exchange, but it is best to be aware of current rates before arrival.

The main credit cards are accepted almost everywhere on the island. Gas, on the other hand, requires cash (USD or NAf).

To eat

The local cuisine on Curaçao is a mix of European, West Indian, and East Asian (particularly Indonesian) flavors. Dutch influences are found in the use of cheeses, bread, and seafood, which are also important in Curaçao food. Indonesian cuisine, a migrant from Suriname, another of the former colonies of the Netherlands, can be found on the island, and explains the wide availability of sate and peanut sauce alongside the more Caribbean food on the islands. Also, Chinese "sandwiches" can be found all over the island serving cheap Chinese food. They mainly cater to locals, but most serve good food.

If you are not staying close to the city center, buying food at one of the local supermarkets (eg Centrum supermarket) might be cheaper than eating out.

Restaurants

Snacks

Curaçao is full of 'Snacks', small restaurant bars that serve Chinese food. They are generally cheap, twice as many convenience stores and bars, and tend to open later than most other restaurants catering to local (rather than European) customers.

Budget

• Plasa Bieu, located in Punda, about 300 meters ENE from the floating bridge in Punda, is the favorite lunch spot of most, if not all, of the island's local population working in Punda. Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. At 3 p.m., the Plasa Bieu has around five restaurants, serving Chinese, Jamaican and krioyo (local) food. Try the Cabritu Stoba (stewed goat) in Grasia di Dios, as an excellent example of local island cuisine, in one of the only restaurants in Punda to offer it. 8-14 NAf
• Downtown Cafe at Hotel Estoril Breedestraat 179 (O), located 200 west of the Arti Supermarket, on the main shopping strip of Otrobanda Side (Breedestrat / Roodeweg) Open seven days a week 7A-8P, 'el Estoril', as locals call it, fills its seven tables more or less from 10 am at 4 p.m., with Venezuelan, Colombian and Dominican expats. El Estoril serves a mix of local and Latin dishes, all served in a more typically Latin style. Order at the bar and take a seat when a seat is available. You are expected to share a table if your group cannot fill it. 8-20 NAf.
• Seaside Terrace It is located next to the Breezes Hotel and close to the Lions Dive Hotel and Mambo Beach, near the end of the Penstraat. Seaside Terrace has a limited menu, but serves delicious fresh fish (red snapper, dradu, tuna, etc.) and, if available, beautifully prepared lobster at very fair prices. The owner "Amigo" is very friendly and makes you feel at home immediately.

Middle range

• On and go picnic sells picnic baskets to take to the beach. Order your favorite basket a day in advance and pick it up on the way to the beach, or it will be delivered. Located on the way to the beaches on the west side of the island. 26-45 NAF
• Gouverneur de Rouville It is a popular restaurant in Willemstad that serves a variety of European continental dishes in a wonderful atmosphere. Located just north of the floating bridge on the Otrobanda side, 25-45NAf.
• Oceans restaurant is located at Habitat Dive Resort in Rif. Santa Maria on the southwest coast. It serves a wide variety of international and regional cuisine. Overlooking the Caribbean Sea in a casual outdoor decor. It has a full bar service. 15-35 Naf
• Wilhelmina Plein Cafe it is located 200 meters east of the floating bridge in Punda; This cafe is a favorite among the many Dutch interns and businessmen on the island. Wilhelmina Plein Cafe offers exclusively outdoor seating along a major pedestrianized street, with great food and one of the best beer selections on the island. 18-28 NAF
• Vincent's Cafe Copa Cabana It is a relatively hidden cafe to the east of the main Iguana Lounge bar, along the water on the Punda side of the bay. Skip the overpriced and mediocre waterfront restaurants on the Punda side and head to Vincent's for great sandwiches and a number of good daily specials. Vincent's is an open-air café in the shade of several trees and the two buildings it is sandwiched between, which also creates a very pleasant breeze. 8-20NAf. M-S Lunch - 6:30 PM.
• Old dutch cafe Located on Pietermaaiweg 500m east of the bay on the Punda side, the Old Dutch Cafe serves cheap Dutch cuisine with a kitchen that stays open late into the night. 15-28 NAf. Sundays closed.
• Kontiki Beach Club is a seaside restaurant offering good food in an idyllic location right on the beach. It's a bit out of town, but it's worth the short drive.
• The farm is a Peruvian influenced restaurant chain with a very local atmosphere, serving excellent Latin cuisine, including excellent whole chicken, Lomo Saltado and other excellent dishes. Sta Rosaweg 15-25 NAf. Open 7 days.
• Il Forno is a popular Italian restaurant / pizzeria with two locations, (Caracasbaai location and Doormanweg location) serving European style pizzas (though not Italian) with fresh and delicious ingredients. 15-30 NAf.
• Kasbanini, located in the Rif Fort, 100 meters south of the floating bridge on the Otrobanda side, is probably the best of the five mid-level restaurants in the Rif Fort. Offering seafood and typical chops with a little local flair. 30-40 NAf. 7 days / week, lunch and dinner.
• The Pergola, located in the Old Fort on the southwest side of Punda, is probably the best Italian restaurant on the island. Offering good pasta dishes as well as some innovative 'secondi', La Pergola's picturesque ocean view completes an excellent dining experience. 25-40 NAf.
• Oh no It is an American restaurant that offers excellent American pub food with Tex Mex products. Located just below the Governeur restaurant.
• Golden star found in Dr. W.P. Maalweg, on the way to Salinja. It serves local Creole food and drinks, and it's a good value for the amount of food you get. Prices range from 15-25 NAf for a main course with sides.

Waste

• Bistro le Clochard, located in the Rif Fort, offers excellent French cuisine with a beautiful oceanfront view. Open daily. ANG50-80
• Sculpture Garden Restaurant located at the Kura Hulanda Hotel one block west of the Governeur restaurant. Excellent international cuisine with very innovative specialties.

To drink

The tap water, which comes from a large seawater desalination distillation plant, is great tasting and perfectly safe for consumption.

Alcohol

Popular alcoholic beverages include:

The Amstel Bright beer, which used to be produced locally by Antillaanse Brouwerij, a subsidy from Heineken International. It is a pale style beer, usually served with a lemon wedge.

Polar beer, which is made in neighboring Venezuela. It is a 5% abv lager beer.

The Brion beer It is the official local beer, although it is made in Barbados.

Curaçao is famous for the alcoholic drink of the same name, Curacao Blue, Curacao Orange, Green Curacao Y Curacao White. It is made from bitter oranges grown on the island and, with the exception of white, food coloring. However, it is mainly used in cocktails and is rarely drunk directly.

accommodation

• Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino. It has excellent restaurants such as the Portofino Restaurant and the Seabreeze Bar and Grill, which specialize in local dishes and fresh seafood. Edit
• Flamingo Villa, St. Willibrordus, ✉ [email protected]. Luxury villa for up to 12 people with private pool and views of the magnificent Caribbean Sea. Edit
• Pietermaai Sma Apartmentsl, Pietermaai Smal 51 (20 meters from the Caribbean Sea), 5 5999 465 0478. In a 200-year-old renovated farmhouse surrounded by an elegant swimming pool, you will find boutique hotel-style apartments. Apartments with a distinctive design. Edit
• Seaside Curaçao, Saint Willibrordus, Banda Abou. More than 10 private villas to choose from. New beach bar and restaurant, private pools ... sleeps 4-10 in a pure rural setting with friendly security. Edit
• Westhill Bungalows, Westpunt (west of Willemstad). A place for short or long stays. Just up from Playa Forti and a short drive from other great beaches, each of the 2-bedroom bungalows is well-equipped and all have kitchens. Nice gardens, pool and wonderful owners. 100. edit

Work

The island is, in the broadest sense, part of the EU, it belongs to the Netherlands. There is a small university there. You can find vacancies or job offers on the Internet.

Security

Security is not a big problem on Curaçao. The locals are friendly, welcoming, and willing to assist. After all, a significant part of your island's income comes from tourists. Just take the normal precautions for a tropical island and use common sense.

Car thefts are a recurring problem, which is why some car rental agencies even prohibit parking rental vehicles in some specific places. In general, it is a good idea to never leave valuables in a car.

Health

• The position was privatized.
• The European health card is not recognized.

external links

• Wikipedia has an article on Curacao.w: Curaçao
• Wikimedia Commons houses multimedia content about Curacao. Commons