My recommendations of places to visit in Curacao..
Hato Caves
Long before the arrival of Europeans to Curaçao, Hato Caves north of Willemstad were already as a shelter used by the original inhabitants, the Arowak Indians. In the cave you can see the tribes rock paintings from about 1500 years old. Later, the caves where a house for escaped slaves. The Hato caves are located near the airport of Curaçao, that is called Hato too. There are also impressive stalactites and stalagmites, underground rivers and waterfalls.
Rooseveltweg, on the opposite of Hotel Holland
Curacao Sea Aquarium
Just east of Willemstad Curaçao Sea Aquarium opened in 1984. You can discover the underwater world of Curaçao: stingrays, sea turtles, sharks and colorful tropical fish. The Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions of Curaçao. You can meet with the marine life in the Caribbean: by diving or by seeing the underwater world from a semi-submarine.
Bapor Kibra Z/N (accesable from Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard)
Shete Boka National Park
Shete Boka means ‘ Seven Inlets ‘ although in reality there are more inlets in this natural park. It is one of the roughest areas of Curacao, where the sea bashes spectacular on the rocks.
Immediately after entering, you are one of those coves, Boka Tabla, where you have a beautiful view over the sea and the waves on the rocky. The Boka Tabla route continues along well maintained footpaths and takes about an hour and a half to finish.
Boca Tabla, Curacao
Christoffel Park
Christoffel Park is located in the Northwest of Curaca0o, a national park with an exuberant flora and fauna: deer, native cacti, so-called dividivibomen, beautiful flowers and colorful birds. In the park are also growing some special and rare species of orchids. The Christoffel Park consists of three former plantations: Savonet, zorgvliet and Zevenbergen. At the entrance stands an old Plantation House, the Savonet House, which now serves as a visitors ‘ Centre where you can learn more about the unique flora and fauna of Curaçao.
Savonet Z/N, West Point, Curacao
Curacao Museum
Kurá Hulanda
The anthropological Kurá Hulanda gives an overview of the first inhabitants and the slave trade, with, of course, attention to the Dutch involvement. The museum has an impressive collection of African art.
One of the highlights of the museum is a reconstruction of a slave ship, such as that of the West African coast to the Caribbean. Furthermore, there are fossils in the exhibition ‘ the origin of man ‘, African masks and fertility dolls, sculpture and African musical instruments like the djembe and the ballafoon.
Klipstraat 9 (Otrobanda), Curacao
Trolley Train Tour
One of the best ways to explore Willemstad is a ride on the Trolley Train. The tour begins at Fort Amsterdam, and the picturesque houses in the District of Scharloo. These houses were built at the end of the 19th century by wealthy merchants. One of the houses is known as the Bolo di Bruit, or the wedding cake. It is one of the most photographed buildings of Willemstad. The historical archives are now housed there.
Departure from Fort Amsterdam, Curacao
Maritiem Museum
Curacao beaches
The main reasons for tourists to go to Curacao are Sun, sea and the beach. The island has a huge variety of beaches, from quiet small beaches among the rocks to relatively busy wide sandy beaches. Most beaches are on the South West Coast, where the surf is not too wild and the water crystal clear. On the North Coast is the sea rough, and not suitable for swimming. On Curaçao is a distinction between private beaches and public beaches. For the private beaches you must pay an entrance fee, but has all facilities such as snack bars, showers and toilets.
Curacao carnaval
The Carnival of Curaçao is certainly not limited to the actual Carnival days. The festivities usually begin in the first week of January. Carnival groups dancing through the streets. They also organise so-called jump-ups (in the open air) and jump-ins (indoor). All this is meant to raise money for participation in the big Carnival marches, during the actual Carnival.