In terms of discovering the highest issues to do in Curaçao, you’ll uncover that this Caribbean island presents a wealth of experiences that transcend its world-class scuba diving. Identified for its vibrant tradition, wealthy historical past, gorgeous landscapes, and scrumptious delicacies, Curaçao is an ideal vacation spot for divers touring with household or associates who don’t dive. This text explores the countless alternatives for cultural, historic, eco-tourism, culinary, and journey actions in Curaçao.
Prime Issues to Do in Curaçao
Discover the Prime Issues to Do for Non-divers in Curaçao
1. Uncover Willemstad’s Cultural Allure
Willemstad, the capital metropolis of Curaçao, is a UNESCO World Heritage Website famend for its colourful Dutch colonial structure. This picturesque waterfront is among the prime issues to do in Curaçao, providing a glimpse into the island’s wealthy heritage.
Discover Punda and Otrobanda
Stroll via Punda, the place you’ll discover boutique retailers, galleries, and cafes, or cross the enduring Queen Emma Bridge to Otrobanda. Right here, you’ll be able to discover the Kura Hulanda Museum, which showcases the island’s historical past, together with its position within the transatlantic slave commerce. The museum options displays on African tradition, artifacts, and the historical past of slavery within the Caribbean, offering a profound perception into Curaçao’s previous.
Take pleasure in Avenue Artwork
Willemstad can be house to vibrant road artwork. Take a leisurely stroll via the streets and alleyways to find colourful murals and graffiti that inform tales of the island’s tradition and heritage.
This outside gallery not solely beautifies the town but additionally highlights the native artists’ expertise and creativity.
Go to the Floating Market
One of many highlights of Willemstad is the Floating Market, the place distributors from Venezuela carry recent produce, fish, and native merchandise on their boats. Guests can wander via the market, pattern unique fruits, and expertise the vigorous ambiance that characterizes this distinctive purchasing expertise. It’s a incredible alternative to interact with the local people and perceive the island’s culinary influences.
2. Expertise Curaçao’s Historic Websites
Curaçao’s wealthy historical past is preserved in its many historic websites, that are among the many prime issues to do in Curaçao for historical past buffs.
Fort Amsterdam
Situated on the entrance of the harbor, Fort Amsterdam is one other vital historic web site. Constructed within the seventeenth century, it homes the Governor’s Palace and presents gorgeous views of the waterfront. Guests can stroll via the fort’s grounds and find out about its historical past, together with its position in defending the island throughout colonial instances.
Go to the Landhuis Chobolobo
Landhuis Chobolobo is a former plantation home now often called the house of Blue Curacao liqueur. Guests can take guided excursions to be taught in regards to the historical past of the liqueur, the way it’s made, and its distinctive blue colour derived from the laraha orange, a fruit indigenous to the island. The tour typically contains tastings, offering a pleasant perception into native flavors.
Klein Curaçao Island
A day journey to Klein Curaçao, an uninhabited island southeast of the primary island, presents an escape to untouched nature. Right here, you’ll be able to discover the stays of a historic lighthouse, chill out on pristine seashores, and spot turtles within the surrounding waters. Many boat excursions can be found, offering a leisurely option to expertise this lovely island.
3. Interact in Eco-Tourism Actions
Curaçao’s numerous landscapes present quite a few alternatives for eco-tourism adventures, permitting you to attach with nature whereas exploring the island. The most effective Prime Issues to Do in Curaçao for non-divers is immersing your self within the island’s distinctive pure wonders.
Discover the Sea Aquarium
The Curaçao Sea Aquarium supplies an interactive and academic expertise for guests of all ages. With alternatives to feed stingrays, swim with dolphins, and observe varied marine species, the aquarium promotes marine conservation whereas permitting guests to interact intently with aquatic life. The power additionally hosts every day reveals and academic shows, making it an satisfying cease for households.
Submarine Excursions with Substation Curaçao
For an unforgettable underwater expertise while not having to dive, embark on a submarine tour with Substation Curaçao. This eco-friendly journey permits non-divers to discover the deep sea in consolation and security. The Curasub, a specifically designed submarine, takes you on a journey to depths so far as 1,000 toes (300 meters). Within the Curasub, you’ll encounter marine life and underwater landscapes not often seen by people.
In the course of the submarine tour, you’ll descend into the deep blue sea and observe distinctive species of fish, coral formations, and even shipwrecks that lie far beneath leisure scuba diving limits. This can be a one-of-a-kind journey! It’s good for households or associates touring with divers and non-divers. Largely as a result of it presents an exhilarating glimpse into Curaçao’s underwater world with out getting moist.
The tour is guided by skilled professionals. Their experience supplies fascinating insights into the marine life and geology of the deep sea, guaranteeing a memorable and academic expertise for all.
Substation Curaçao is actually an unimaginable eco-tourism exercise that enables everybody to understand the wealthy biodiversity of the Caribbean waters.
Submarine Excursions
Discover the unknown depths of Curaçao with Substation Curaçao
Go to Christoffel Nationwide Park
Christoffel Nationwide Park is the most important nationwide park on the island, house to numerous wildlife, together with endemic species. Mountain climbing trails lead guests via gorgeous landscapes, providing breathtaking views from the highest of Christoffel Mountain, the very best level on the island. The park additionally has guided excursions and academic packages to be taught in regards to the island’s distinctive biodiversity.
Go to the Shete Boka Nationwide Park
Shete Boka Nationwide Park is a surprising coastal park that includes dramatic cliffs and a sequence of inlets the place waves crash into rocky shorelines. Guests can discover varied mountaineering trails, witness sea turtles nesting, and benefit from the park’s pure magnificence.
Boka Tabla, one of many park’s hottest websites, is a sea cave the place guests can watch the waves surge via the opening, making a spectacular show.
4. Culinary Delights of Curaçao
Curaçao’s culinary scene is a pleasant mix of flavors, making it one of many prime issues to do in Curaçao for meals fanatics.
Strive Native Delicacies on the Marshe Bieuw
The Marshe Bieuw (Outdated Market) in Willemstad is a must-visit for meals lovers. This vibrant market presents a wide range of native dishes, together with stoba (stew), funchi (cornmeal), and recent seafood. Pattern native delicacies whereas having fun with the vigorous ambiance and the prospect to work together with native cooks and distributors.
Expertise a Culinary Tour
For these trying to deepen their culinary expertise, a guided culinary tour can supply insights into Curaçao’s numerous meals scene. Native guides lead guests via varied eateries, markets, and meals stalls, offering tastings and tales behind every dish, making a wealthy gastronomic expertise.
Dine at Native Eating places and Culinary Hotspots
Curaçao has a plethora of eating places serving genuine Caribbean delicacies. Some common hotspots embrace:
- Mosa/Cana: Situated on Penstraat, their menu includes a inventive mixture of recent seafood, grilled meats and regionally impressed dishes. It’s the good place for an informal but memorable meal within the coronary heart of Curaçao’s culinary scene.
- Scampi’s: Tucked away contained in the Waterfort Arches in Punda, they’re well-known for his or her pleasant menu of recent seafood plus the picturesque waterside eating with gorgeous views of the Caribbean Sea.
- Kome: This farm-to-table restaurant in Pietermaai focuses on recent, regionally sourced elements, offering a novel culinary expertise that showcases the island’s flavors.
The Final Foodie Information for Curaçao
Discover the Culinary Delights in Curaçao and Prime 10 Eating places for Foodies
5. Journey Actions Past Diving
For these looking for journey past diving, Curaçao presents a plethora of thrilling actions to get the adrenaline pumping.
Take pleasure in Water Sports activities
Past scuba diving, Curaçao is a haven for water sports activities fanatics. Choices embrace:
- Snorkeling: With over 38 seashores to select from, Curaçao is an ideal vacation spot for snorkeling. Right here you’ll be able to observe vibrant coral reefs and marine life whereas having fun with the nice and cozy turquoise water.
- Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP): Discover the shoreline and calm bays on a paddleboard, which is appropriate for all ability ranges.
- Kiteboarding and Windsurfing: The regular commerce winds make Curaçao a perfect vacation spot for kiteboarding and windsurfing, with a number of rental retailers and colleges accessible.
Mountain climbing and Biking
Curaçao’s various terrain presents glorious alternatives for mountaineering and biking. Trails in Christoffel Nationwide Park and Shete Boka Nationwide Park present gorgeous views and the prospect to come across native wildlife. A number of firms supply guided excursions and leases, making it simple for guests to discover the island’s pure magnificence on two toes or two wheels.
Discover the Caves of Curaçao
Curaçao is house to a wide range of limestone caves, together with the Hato Caves. Guided excursions take guests via the caves, showcasing spectacular stalactites and stalagmites whereas sharing the historical past of the caves and their significance to the island’s indigenous peoples. The cool interiors of the caves present a refreshing escape from the tropical warmth.
6. Chill out on the Gorgeous Seashores
Curaçao’s seashores are a number of the most lovely within the Caribbean, good for leisure and household enjoyable.
Chill out at Kenepa Seaside
Kenepa Seaside, often known as Grote Knip, is known for its picturesque setting and vibrant turquoise waters. The seashore is surrounded by cliffs and plush vegetation, offering a good looking backdrop for a calming day of swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.
Go to Cas Abao Seaside
Cas Abao Seaside is usually ranked among the many greatest seashores within the Caribbean, that includes comfortable white sand and crystal-clear waters. With facilities like seashore chairs, umbrellas, and a seashore bar, it’s a great place for sunbathing, swimming, or just having fun with the gorgeous views.
Discover Playa Porto Mari
Playa Porto Mari is one other common seashore recognized for its distinctive double reef system, making it an incredible spot for snorkeling. The seashore is well-maintained, with services for households, together with restrooms and a restaurant, guaranteeing a cushty day on the seashore.
7. Lease a Automobile to Discover Curaçao
One of many Prime Issues to Do in Curaçao that shouldn’t be ignored is renting a car. To really expertise the hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path sights the island has to supply, renting a car equivalent to a mid-size truck or SUV is a vital addition to your trip. With a rental car, you’ll have the liberty to discover Curaçao’s pristine seashores, distant mountaineering trails, and charming villages at your individual tempo.
Renting a car supplies flexibility and comfort, permitting you to create a customized itinerary that fits your pursuits. You’ll be able to simply enterprise past Willemstad to find secluded seashores like Playa Lagun or discover pure wonders like Shete Boka Nationwide Park and Christoffel Nationwide Park.
Airport Supply and Drop-Off
For added comfort, you’ll be able to organize for airport supply and drop-off. This ensures that your car is prepared for you as quickly as you arrive on the island. Moreover, this makes the whole course of hassle-free, permitting you to start out your journey the second you step off the aircraft.
Contact Dive Journey Curaçao
To make your journey even smoother, contact our reservations group Dive Journey Curaçao about varied car rental choices. Our group might help organize all the things from airport pick-up to island-wide car supply, guaranteeing you may have the proper automotive to discover Curaçao’s hidden treasures. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a rugged SUV for off-road adventures or a cushty mid-size truck for seashore hopping, Dive Journey Curaçao has you coated.
8. Cultural and Historic Excursions
Curaçao’s wealthy historical past and numerous tradition will be skilled via varied guided excursions.
Take a Cultural Strolling Tour
Strolling excursions led by native guides present a incredible alternative to find out about Curaçao’s historical past, tradition, and structure. Discover hidden gems in Willemstad, go to historic landmarks, and listen to fascinating tales that carry the island’s previous to life.
Attend Native Festivals and Occasions
Curaçao hosts a wide range of festivals and occasions all year long, celebrating its vibrant tradition and traditions. From the Carnival in February, that includes parades and colourful costumes, to the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Pageant, which attracts worldwide artists, there are many alternatives to immerse your self within the native tradition.
Go to the Curaçao Museum
Situated in a historic constructing, the Curaçao Museum showcases the island’s historical past via displays on artwork, archaeology, and ethnography. Guests can discover the museum’s in depth assortment and achieve insights into the varied cultures which have formed Curaçao.
Curaçao is a Trip Vacation spot for Everybody
Curaçao is a vacation spot that gives one thing for everybody, from cultural and historic experiences to outside adventures and culinary delights. For non-divers, the island supplies a wealth of alternatives to discover and luxuriate in, guaranteeing that everybody in your group has an unforgettable trip.
As you propose your journey, don’t overlook to rearrange for a car rental to maximise your exploration of Curaçao’s hidden gems. With the liberty of a rental automotive, you’ll be able to uncover all that this lovely island has to supply, from its gorgeous seashores to its vibrant cultural landmarks.
For personalised trip planning, together with car leases, attain out to Dive Journey Curaçao. Whether or not you’re visiting with divers or non-divers, Curaçao guarantees an adventure-filled vacation that can create recollections to final a lifetime.
Finest Dive Resorts in Curaçao
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Header picture taken at Cas Abao Seaside. Picture courtesy of Gail Johnson Images.