Destinations / Curacao

Despite the 4,881 miles that separate Willemstad, the capital of Curacao, and Amsterdam, Holland's capital, the two are remarkably similar.

Both are decorated with narrow, gabled buildings crowned with red-tiled roofs, both tempt tourists with Dutch cuisine and hopping nightlife, and both brew a mean beer (though Curacao's Amstel stands alone: It's brewed with desalinated seawater).

LOCATION :

The largest island of the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao is the "C" in the "ABCs" that also include neighboring Aruba and Bonaire. The island lies in the southern Caribbean just 35 miles north of Venezuela, a four-hour flight from New York.

LANGUAGE :

The official language is Dutch and the native language is Papiamento, but English and Spanish are commonly heard on the island.

CURRENCY :

Netherlands Antillean Florin (NAFl); US currency excepted everywhere

TIPPING :

Taxi-drivers are usually tipped with 10% of the fare. Restaurants usually add 10%, and most hotels a 12% service charge to the bill.

ELECTRICITY :

110-130 volts, like in the U.S., but 50 cycles instead of 60. Most U.S. appliances will work here. European and South American visitors need to bring converters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Exploring the Curacao Underwater Park, one of the Caribbean's best marine reserves
• Munching local specialties such as stoba, funchi, pan bati and keshi yena
• Visiting the Mikvé Emanuel Synagogue, the oldest in the Americas
• Shopping Willemstad's floating market in Punda, the city's oldest section

OVERVIEW
Despite the 4,881 miles that separate Willemstad, the capital of Curacao, and Amsterdam, Holland's capital, the two are remarkably similar. Both are decorated with narrow, gabled buildings crowned with red-tiled roofs, both tempt tourists with Dutch cuisine and hopping nightlife, and both brew a mean beer (though Curacao's Amstel stands alone: It's brewed with desalinated seawater).

Not to be missed in Willemstad is the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue. Erected in 1732, it is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. The traditional sand floor reminds the congregation of generations spent wandering the desert for the Promised Land.

Also in Willemstad, 17th-century fort Amsterdam encloses the Dutch Reformed Church (look for the cannonball embedded in the wall-it was fired by Captain Bligh) and the Governor's Palace.

Two bridges have put Curacao on the map: the Queen Juliana, the highest in the Caribbean, and the Queen Emma Pontoon, which swings wide many times daily to allow access to one of the busiest ports in the world. It also separates the two halves of the city. After touring Curacao's natural sites, including the Hato and Boca Tabla Caves, refresh yourself with a tour of the Curacao Liqueur distillery at Chobolobo. Delight in the exotic taste of the bitter orange liqueur-like Curacao, it has a unique flavor.

GEOGRAPHY

Topography: Desert-like, Curacao is arid and flat with divi divi trees, cacti and spiny-leafed aloes dotting its rocky landscape. The island has about 38 beaches, both public and private, some of which are white sand and others that are framed by cliffs. Snorkeling and diving are excellent here, but beware the sea urchins. The highest point on the island is Mount Christoffel at 1,239 feet/372 meters. Willemstad, the capital and only city, is divided into Punda (the point) and Otrabanda (the other side) by a narrow channel that leads to Schottegat harbor.

Climate: Constant trade winds keep the island at an average temperature of about 80-82F/26-28C, with a bit higher temperatures in summer. The island's average rainfall is just 22 inches/56 centimeters per year, with the rainy season being October-February.

HISTORY
When Alonso de Ojeda, a Spanish navigator traveling with Amerigo Vespucci, came across Curacao in 1499, he immediately claimed it for Spain. By the early 1500s, settlements had sprung up across the isle. A conflict in 1634, however, put ownership of the island into the hands of the Dutch West India Company. Soon after, Portuguese and Spanish Jews, seeking refuge from the Inquisition, arrived in Curacao. In the first two decades of the 19th century, the Dutch temporarily lost control of the island to Britain. In 1954, Curacao became a self-governing partner, along with Aruba and Bonaire, in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

WEBSITE :

www.curacao-tourism.com

CAPITAL :

Willemstad

TOURIST INFORMATION :

800-270-3350

POLITICAL STATUS :

Curacao is part of The Netherlands Antilles, which in turn forms part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. The form of government is a parliamentary democracy.

AREA SIZE :

180 square miles

TAXES :

US $20.00 departure tax for international flights, US $7.00 for flights within the Netherlands Antilles. Hotels charge an additional 7% government tax.

AREA CODE :

From the U.S., callers must dial 011 (the international code) then 599-9 (the country and island code) and then the local phone number, which may vary in number of digits. To reach another country from Curacao, dial 00, the country's international code, the area code and then the number.

TIME :

Atlantic Standard Time (Eastern Standard Time plus one hour).

DOCUMENTS :

Citizens of the U.S. and Canada need a passport or other proof of citizenship (birth certificate or voter's registration) with a photo I.D. All other travelers need a valid passport, and all visitors must show a return or onward ticket.

POPULATION :

148,000

AVERAGE WATER TEMPERATURE :

77 degrees F (ranges between 70-85)

AVERAGE VISIBILITY :

100ft

TYPES OF DIVING :

Shore, Boat, Wreck, Live-Aboard.

BEST TIME TO DIVE :

September- December is when most popular dive sites are at their calmest. The island also lies below the hurricaine belt so it is not affected by the season.

WHAT TO WEAR :

The water temperature varies in Curacao depending on the time of year you dive. In the colder months you may need a full 3 or 5 mm suit depending on the depth of your dive. In the warmer months you can wear a skin or 1.6mm shortie.

DIVES NOT TO MISS :

Tugboat is located just a few meters down off Caracas Bay. The nearly intact boat is covered in coral and well preserved but the current can be strong at this site, especially as you head out around the point. It can also change direction rapidly so monitor it carefully. Mushroom Forest in the San Nicolas area is full of large star coral formations that grow vertically out of the sandy plateau and have been worn away at the base by eco-erosion giving them a "mushroom" shape. The current can be strong at times at this site. Superior Producer sunk when its cargo shifted in bad weather as is left the port. Its wheelhouse is at 80 ft and the current can be strong. You should dive with a local operator the first time because the water is a little rough and the site is hard to find.Porto Marie is a five minute swim from Porto Marie Beach. The site has two parallel reefs with a valley inbetween that is home to lots of colorful reef fish as well as nurse sharks and pairs of cornet fish that are rare on other parts of the island.