Many clients – and agents – have experienced Curacao as a port of call on a cruise, but there are many reasons to spend a whole vacation there.
ACV hosted a FAM to Curacao 05-08JUN and Open Jaw learned some of the best ways to experience this Dutch Caribbean island. From world-class dining to countless sandy beaches, watersports galore and fab sightseeing, Curacao has so much to recommend it.
Or, as the locals would say, there’s much about Curacao that is dushi – meaning sweet, enjoyable, pleasing.
Add AC’s flights (up to 3 non-stops weekly from YYZ and 2 weekly from YUL starting in October) and an array of hotels – both all-inclusive and EP - in the ACV program and there’s something for virtually anyone.
Here are 9 things I learned about Curacao:
l) Clocking in at just 444 square kms (1/24th the size of Jamaica!) Curacao’s compact size make its many attractions and beaches never more than a few kms away. And thanks to it’s reputation for safety, it’s a great island to explore on your own or with a tour.
2) Not surprisingly, the weather is wonderful in the southern Caribbean (on a clear day you can see Venezuela) with ocean breezes and 29° sunny temps enjoyed by the group. Here’s another huge selling feature: Curacao hasn’t had a hurricane since 1877.
3) This is one cosmopolitan island. Thanks to its colonial heritage, Dutch is widely spoken although Papiamento – a local creole language which is a melange of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and more – is heard everywhere and is actually an official language. (Hear some here!) Spanish is also frequently heard and English, of course, spoken everywhere. I encountered tourists from the US, UK, Holland, Portugal, Trinidad, Guyana, and Canada.
4) UNESCO World Heritage site Willemstad, the capital and only “real” city in this country of 160,000, is as photogenic as it comes. I’d warmly recommend clients visit it to take in the striking and colourful colonial architecture. And if shopping is high on their list, they’ll love the international options such as Guess, Pandora, Ralph Lauren and including duty-free jewelry and liquor stores (passport and air ticket required to get the deals).
5) Curacao’s a great destination for clients who like to get out and about. Some of the landhuizen – colonial-era plantation houses – are now museums, restos, and more: one is even a distillery. Other options are as diverse as jeep adventures, rock climbing, a visit to an aloe vera farm, hikes in the Cristoffel National Park, golf (two 18 and one 9 hole courses) and even a visit to the tiny and whimsical hamlet of Williwood, where proud citizens have erected a sign to mimic the Hollywood one.
6) Not surprisingly, watersports in the warm and multi-hued turquoise waters are also popular. Sister island Bonaire may have a higher profile as a scuba destination, but the diving here is, according to the locals, first class with reef and wreck dives, and massive corals including the “mushroom forest”. Clients who can’t get enough diving will love the shore diving option (i.e. no boat required).
Which means that the snorkelling too is awesome. Swimming with dolphins in the open ocean, day trips by boat including one to the uninhabited neighbouring island of Klein (“little”) Curacao, and paddleboarding are some other great ways to get wet.
7) Renting a car is an excellent way to get around. Roads are in good condition (not always the case in the Caribbean!) and well signposted. Rates at the car rental desk in our hotel started at US$79 per day including basic insurance – manual transmission is cheaper than automatic. Harley Davidson motorcycle are even available for rent on the island! There is also an extended public transit service on buses, about $2 per ride and a great way to travel like a local.
8) The arts are very much alive in Curacao. As well as tropically-colourful paintings, clients will see Chichi sculptures everywhere, from ones that fit in the palm of your hand to the impressive one at the entrance to Sandals. Dozens of local women have found employment painting the sculptures or clients can take a class and bring home their own creation.
9) A word to the wise about cruise clients wanting to book day passes at resorts: Strongly suggest they do this before they travel as the passes are capacity controlled (understandably, the resorts don’t want dozens of cruise pax filling up their beaches and restaurants to the detriment of the enjoyment of their regular guests).
Great climate, food, attractions, sports, hotels – all in a safe environment. Curacao is very dushi indeed!
