Sightseeing on Curaçao

Willemstad, the capital, a 17th century Dutch port, is a charming and enthralling small city. It is a UNESCO world heritage site with 700 protected buildings. It's cultural diversity is illustrated by it's picturesque mix of Dutch colonial architecture, narrow, gabled buildings crowned with red tiled roofs, painted in bright vibrant Caribbean colours. Willemstad has several museums, monuments and historical sites to enjoy like:

• the Mikve Israel Emanuel Synagogue, built in 1732, the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. The sand floor is to remind the congregation of their ancestor's wandering the desert;
• 17th century Fort Amsterdam encloses the Dutch Reformed Church, with a cannonball embedded in the wall, fired by Captain Bligh in 1804;
• the Governor's Palace.

Two bridges dominate Willemstad, the Queen Juliana, the highest in the Caribbean, and the Queen Emma Pontoon bridge, the largest floating pedestrian bridge in the world, which separates the two halves of the city, Punda and Otrobanda. Outside of Willemstad there is a lot to see:

• Baya Beach Club - naturally designed to be explored by bicycle, on foot or by car;
• Caracas Bay Island;
• Christoffel Park, with the island's highest point Mount Christoffel at 1,239 feet/372 metres, a 1820 hectare wilderness where local flora and fauna live in their natural habitat
• - guided tours - iguana presentation - jeep tours;
• Curaloe Eco-city;
• Aloe Vera plantation;
• Den Dunki National Park;
• Den Paradera - healing herb gardens;
• Hato Caves - hourly tours – the caves were formed below sea level millions of years ago
• Midden Seinpost Hill at Rooi Santu, a lookout point with spectacular views of Curaçao;
• Ostrich and Game Farm is one of the biggest Ostrich farms outside Africa;
• Park & Camping Imaan in Hofi Pastor known for its variety of vegetation, with the oldest tree in Curaçao an 800 year old kapok tree;
• Parke Tropical environment centre where children learn about flora and fauna of Curaçao;
• Shete Boka National Park;
• Natural Bridge, Blow Hole/Boca Pistol – more than 10 beautiful boca's (cave bays) where three species of turtle breed. Boca Tabla, where huge waves strike down on an underground cave - an impressive experience;
• Curaçao Liqueur distillery at Chobolobo;
• Many old colonial mansions, (Landhuis) some beautifully restored, and often housing local artwork. 

We would be happy to arrange any excursions for you. Although Curaçao is not a large island, there is a lot to see, do and explore, and we recommend hiring a vehicle if you want to get the best from this fascinating island, whether exploring or making the most of the many shore diving sites.

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