TRAVEL TIPS
CURAÇAO
OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS TO STAY ONDE WHERE FICAR TO EAT ONDE SHOPPING COMER
OVERVIEW The Curaรงao island is located 25 minutes away
than just resorts. It mixes the north-european
from Caracas, the venezuelan capital, and has
architecture with a varied culture.
around 50 thousand inhabitants. Willemstad is the capital and the only city in the island, which
The Papiamentu, the official language, is very
is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site since
similar to the Portuguese. When listening to
1997 because of its building that remember an
this language you will feel even more at home.
Amsterdam but with the caribbean colors. The music and the gastronomy in the island Famous for its white sand beaches and very blue
is a mix of the african, latin and american
sea, the island of the Netherlands Antilles is an
cultures. The region is not close to the
appropriate place for diving and other nautical
hurricanes belt and it is sunny during almost
sports. The casinos are also an attraction. The
all the year. The welcoming population is well
island is in the route of most cruises.
prepared to receive the tourists.
From the 38 local beaches, some of them are
Since it is located in the tropics, close to the
private (from hotels and resorts) and other
Equator Line, Curaรงao has an average annual
are very popular and have free access. This
temperature of 27 Degrees and its water
territory of the Netherlands Antilles is more
temperature is around 25 Degrees.
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS CURAร AO
The beach lovers can enjoy it at anytime. Even in the rainy season, from October to February, it rains only at night, really occasionally. The island has a calendar full of activities during the whole year. Not only the tourists but also the locals can enjoy it. The Carnival is the first big party of the year and starts with some parties in January and ends the night before Ash Wednesday. The hotels have their own activities scheduled with parties and dances in the streets. The festivities end with a great parade for the adults and another one for the kids. For the divers, the Diving Festival is the best way of getting to know Curaรงao. Diving groups leave daily from the shore, others leave in search of shipwrecks and there is even night diving groups. There are also seminars and lectures from worldwide known professionals. The Curaรงao Cuisine, Culture and Heritage Festival takes place from August 15th to November 15th. The museums have low fares and it is possible to learn about the history of the island and to enjoy the local food. The events happen everyday and tourists can
TRANSPORT
learn a lot about the music, the arts and the folklore of the island.
There are basically three options: cars, taxis or busses. It is possible to visit the island by bus, but the public transportation is pretty limited. Curaรงao offers two kinds of public transportation: the busses, which are called Konvoo and that can take you to longer distances, and to reach the urban routes you will find the collective cars (capacity of 9 people) and the vans.
Despite being devoted to tourism, the island’s
ATTRACTIONS
structure is still precarious in many aspects. To reach the main and most beautiful beaches it is a long journey, where only the car is
You can choose between shopping malls,
efficient. You can rent a car, take a cab or join
restaurants and monuments or maybe a
an excursion.
cultural roadmap with architechture and streets with the dutch charms. The water park Sea Aquarium is a mandatory destination. There they teach you how to dive and anyone can take part in the fun. It is important not to fluster. Train your breath for a while and then go deep! Open since
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS CURAÇAO
1984, the water park has around 400 animal species. All kinds: fishes, sea lions and
WHERE TO STAY
stingrays, but the most important are the sea-turtles and the sharks.
Wherever you stay, you won’t have problems to communicate with the inhabitants. They are
It is also worthwhile visiting the Postal
receptive and strive to understand the visitors.
Museum, the Maritime Museum, the
Most of them speak Dutch, Spanish, English
Butterfly Garden and the Destilaria Senior
and Papiamentu.
& Co. that produces the Curaçao Liqueur. The distillery is located in the Chobolobo
One of the most famous accommodation
Landhuiz farm, in the Salinas neighborhood,
option is the Lodge Kura Huland and Beach
and is open for visitations.
Club Hotel. This hotels drives all the attentions for its charm and beauty. Each room was
The Fort Nassau, built in 1796, is another
painted by a local artist, has handmade
mandatory destination. It was built 60
furniture and the beadspreads were made in
metres (190 ft) above the harbor signal and
India. It is a wonderful village with cultural
control tower, alongside a restaurant and
activities and an interesting nightlife to explore.
a store with a great view of the Curacao Harbor and the oil refineries.
Another resort is the Breezes Curaçao Resort Spa & Casino. With 333 rooms, beautiful pools, three excellent restaurants with different cuisines, a relaxing spa and an elegant casino. Guests can also enjoy the bar at the pool and at the beach while watching some local artists perfomances.
DINING OUT
reptile is well appreciated by the inhabitants and reminds of the taste of a chicken. The ones who want to try this one should order an iguana stew at the Jaanchie’s. This restaurant
Curaçao, with its cultural diversity, offers a
has been serving for more than 60 years
great variety of interesting restaurants.
stupendous seafood and local cuisine dishes. It is located at the Westpunt neighborhood,
The typical dish is the iguana, and it will
where the environment very familiar is.
probably sound way too exotic for you. But this Another option is the Vila Elisabet Restaurant, which is located at an old village from the 18th Century. The tropical garden that surrounds it matches well with the french, classic and modern cuisine and the varied wine list. The Wine Cellar Restaurant, in Punda, is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. The restaurant specialties are salmon and lamb. Relish the fresh lobster or try one of the many of dishes.
SHOPPING Most of the stores are in the colorful and lively Historical Center of Willemstad, in Punda and in Otrobanda. The commercial quarter, Punda, invites the tourists to take a walk through the island’s history. Famous for its attractive prices and the variety of products like parfums,
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS CURAร AO
watches, jewelry, gemstones, leather goods,
vegetables and fish. The products are imported
beverages and theCuraรงao Liqueur.
mainly from Venezuela. Through the streets of Willemstad you will find stands with handmade
Heerenstraat and Madurostraat are
products for you to take home, like the famous
pedestrian-only streets. The main street in
Curaรงao Liqueur.
Otrobanda is the Breedestraat. There you can find tax free products.
CURRENCY The local money is the florin, but US-Dollars
The stores close for lunch, from 12:30pm until
are widely accepted in the island. Also the
2pm.
change can be given in US-Dollars, but
STREET MARKETS The Floating Market, in Punda, is a harbor where the boats are anchored and sell fruit,
remember to ask for it.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
+599(9) 911 917 912 910 199
CITY CODE EMERGENCY EMERGENCY FOR TOURISTS AMBULANCE HOSPITAL POLICE