Curacao - An island to explore

I recently traveled to a new Caribbean destination, new to me that is! Curacao is part of the ABC islands - Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao. Aruba is the most well-kown, but Curacao is actually larger and only 40 miles from Venezuela and has a lot to offer.

You arrive at a very modern airport. Customs & Immigration was very easy; a pleasant surprise!

It is similar to Aruba, in that it is very arid, with about 22 inches of rain per year. This makes it a safe destination during hurricane season. Due to the lack of rainfall, there isn't a lot of vegetation, other than cactus. However, beautiful bougainvillea can be seen growing in many locations. Many homes have small windmiills to water their gardens.  Oranges are grown and the orange peel is used in the production of Curacao liquor.
 
Dutch influence can be seen throughout the island. 18th century buildings in the city of Willemstad, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The majority of the homes carry the same theme.  Often buildings will have beautiful murals of pastel colors. One of the government officials encouraged people to paint their homes; we also were told this individual owned the paint company!!  In Willemstad is the Queen Beatrice Floating Bridge, which is anchored by two motors and 16 pontoon boats; it's particularly beautiful in the night with all the lights.  You will notice the importance of art in many areas of the city and the island.

Tourism is now a major industry in Curacao, but that wasn't always the case.  For a long time, they were known for salt production, but this became too expensive. Their deep harbors made it a good location for oil refineries and also handle many ship repairs.

There are 35 beaches to enjoy, many of which are in coves and more secluded. You will see varied terrain, as there are actually some mountains in Curacao. It is one of the world's best scuba diving locations, with 70 sites to explore, however there are many snorkeling sites as well.  For those who like to hike, the Christoffel National Park has many trails to offer.

I found it interesting that many Americans have homes in Curacao and are able to retire there without too much red-tape. The majority of the retirees are either from the USA or the Netherlands.

Air travel has expanded greatly in the past several years, so it is a destination that should be considered for your next getaway!  Please visit our Facebook page for some photos, where you can see the uniqueness of this island.

Our next blog will feature Sandals Royal Curacao, the resort where I stayed.