Known mostly for the famous blue drink commonly used to prepare cocktails, Curaçao is one of the most beautiful island destinations of the Caribbean. The over 40 white sand beaches bathed by the clear blue waters of the Atlantic, combined with the charm of its capital city of Willemstad make Curaçao Island a true earthly paradise.

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Located in the South Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast, Curaçao is one of the three “ABC Islands”, along with Aruba and Bonaire. The island’s name is believed to be derived from the Spanish “Corazon”, which means heart. Later the name changed to Curaçao, which means the same thing in Portuguese. The Spaniards were first to explore the island, in 1499, but it fell under Dutch rule in 1634 and except for a turbulent period during the Napoleonic Wars, Curaçao has remained a Dutch colony.

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Willemstad is by far the most charming attraction on the island. The residence of Curaçao is split in half by a canal, navigated daily by dozens of cruise liners and commercial chips. Both sides of the canal are dotted with colonial style houses, similar to the ones found in Amsterdam. Painted in bright pastel colors, they are a true delight to the eyes of arriving tourists. Legend has it one of the first Dutch governors of Curaçao ordered the houses be painted, because the previously bright white buildings along the coastline gave him constant headaches.

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Punda and Otombra, the two parts of Willemstad, are linked together by two very special bridges. Queen Emma is a floating pedestrian bridge that moves, allowing large ships to come through, while Queen Julianna is a majestic architectural achievement, high enough to offer breathtaking views of the entire island. Traversing both bridges is a “must” while visiting Curaçao.

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Like all tropical islands, Curaçao offers its tourists a wide variety of water sports. The beautiful coral reefs, inhabited by a large array of tropical fish, are located just a few hundred feet from the shoreline and make it one of the most renowned scuba diving spots on Earth. There are also dozens of underwater caves and sunken ships to explore. Snorkeling, windsurfing and jet-ski are also on water sport menus. At the Sea Aquarium you can get a glimpse at the marine life around Curaçao and even meet Copan, a 29-year-old dolphin who played the famous Flipper.

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Some of the most interesting on-land attractions of Curaçao include Hato Caves, an old refuge for runaway slaves, now inhabited by thousands of bats. It’s a natural wonder that features its own lake, majestic cathedrals and countless artistic shapes, sculpted by water. Cristoffel Park, on the west side of the island, is a green oasis where tourists can climb a small mountain, take bike rides or just stroll and enjoy the lush vegetation. The Coast of Boca Tabla, featuring caves and small canyons dug by sea water into the cliffs, is unique to the island of Curaçao and shouldn’t be missed.

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Curaçao has always been an important trading center, so it’s no surprise commerce is still booming. There are numerous shops located in Punda, selling a variety of quality products, from all over the world, at much lower prices, due to the tax-relax regime. If you’re looking for the perfect souvenir, you can’t go wrong with a bottle of Blue Curaçao, the popular blue liquor, made from dried lahara that grow on the island. The locals also love to turn used rubber tires into parrots or flamingos that make perfect gifts.

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The island features a wide array of cozy hotels for every budget as well as an impressive number of restaurants serving traditional foods and dishes from international cuisines.

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