Curaçao, the biggest of the ABC islands (comprised of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), is commonly overshadowed by its extra standard Caribbean counterparts. If you wish to seem worldly and complicated in your subsequent trip, contemplate venturing to this lesser-known island as an alternative.
Along with being outdoors the hurricane zone—that means the majority of its 12 months is bathed in sunshine and sultry commerce winds—the little-known island can also be a melting pot of greater than 50 nationalities (most locals can talk 4 languages), in addition to a haven for adrenaline junkies. Right here’s how you can spend 4 days on island time if you happen to’re looking for heart-pounding journey.
Learn how to Get Right here
If you happen to’re in search of a fast getaway, Curaçao will be the excellent selection. North American visitation has elevated by 8 % in recent times, and airways at the moment are providing extra flights than ever to fulfill demand. You possibly can anticipate a 4.5-hour flight from New York to Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao. And if you happen to’re coming from Miami, you’ll solely want 2.5 hours within the air. I like to recommend a 20-minute flight to Curaçao if you happen to’re going to Aruba; it’s undoubtedly worthwhile. The nicest factor about Curaçao is that airplanes can land and take off from each seashores and runways, not like many different Caribbean islands.
The place to Keep
If you wish to ebook an exhilarating Caribbean trip, you’ll most definitely go for one in every of two choices with regards to lodging: all-out luxurious or a extra budget-friendly choice that saves cash for actions. If you happen to’re within the first class, keep at Avila Seaside Resort on Avila Seaside in Pietermaai, which gives rooms for about $250 every evening.The oldest resort on the island is the place the Queen stays when she visits, however one other nice 4-star choice is Marriott’s Renaissance Curacao Resort & On line casino. The rooms have gorgeous ocean views and it’s solely a 5 minute stroll from the enduring Queen Emma Bridge. You possibly can ebook a room for as little as $245/evening!
The Scuba Lodge Boutique Resort & Ocean Suites within the Pietermaai space gives lodging for as little as $167 per evening, making it an inexpensive choice. They’re excellent for people who don’t need to quit on comforts however do need easy accessibility to eating places and leisure. The Loft Suite Millennial Particular is out there at $139 per evening and has an Ibiza-style occasion ambiance.
Wednesday: Stay music and scrumptious meals
Night: After an extended day of journey, you would possibly need to spend your first evening resting. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t exit and have some enjoyable. Cease by Zanzibar for a drink throughout completely satisfied hour the place you possibly can benefit from the view of the seaside and take heed to native musicians play standard songs with an acoustic Caribbean aptitude. Keep for the present or go subsequent door for an al-fresco meal at Tinto, the place you’ll nonetheless be shut sufficient to listen to the stay music within the background as you take pleasure in conventional Argentinian delicacies cooked over a charcoal fireplace. One of many restaurant’s hottest dishes is asado di tinto, which consists of rib eye, hen chorizo, and lamb chops served with Argentinean sauces and chipotle salad.
Wednesday: Good Meals and Stay Tunes
Night: If you happen to’ve been gone for a very long time, make your first evening comfy—however don’t neglect to exit. Seize a glass of wine at Zanzibar on Jan Thiel Seaside, the place you possibly can lounge within the sand and nod alongside as native musicians unplug and carry out standard songs with an acoustic Caribbean flare. Come for the present, or higher but keep afterwards and go to Tinto subsequent door for an out of doors meal. You’ll nonetheless be capable of hear the stay musicyl within the background as you take pleasure in a few of Argentina’s greatest meals cooked over a charcoal fireplace. Make sure to attempt one in every of their specialties: asado di tinto (rib eye, hen chorizo, lamb chop served with Argentinean sauces and chipotle salad).
Night: Get to know town by admiring its brilliant avenue artwork. On One Curacao, it’s possible you’ll take a fast tuk tuk tour and zip by way of each the western Otrabanda aspect and jap Punda aspect of Willemstad, which is a UNESCO World Heritage website. The well-known Queen Emma pontoon bridge hyperlinks the 2 sides of town, which is simply accessible by boat and solely permits pedestrians. Your tuk tuk information will take you over a particular part of the bridge. Afterwards, cease by Mijn Broodje Pietermaai to get a restoration beer.
Morning: The perfect betido stand is simply outdoors the Renaissance, so cease by for a cooling tropical drink earlier than going to Ocean Encounters Curacao. Of their pure lagoon habitat, it’s possible you’ll snorkel or dive with sea turtles, stingrays, nurse sharks, and lemon sharks in an animal encounter bundle. You’ll additionally get to feed these magnificent creatures as a part of the deal! Sea Aquarium Park means that you can study extra about aquatic life whereas saving cash on transportation prices.
For these looking for extra thrill of their deep-sea diving journey, the Superior Producer is ideal. Ranked as probably the greatest wreck dives within the Caribbean, this 240-foot freighter ship loaded with Christmas provides when it tragically sank in 1977 now sits upright and serves as a house to barracudas and a few of Curaçao’s most unique fish. Nonetheless, beware that you just can’t discover whereas cruise ships are docked at port; if caught, you may be killed by propellers.
Afternoon: SeaBob Curacao is ideal for many who need to stand up shut and private with sea turtles and faculties of fish. You’ll be utilizing your personal underwater propeller to swim round Playa Piskado—it’s an expertise you gained’t quickly neglect. If that doesn’t peak your curiosity, Substation Curacao gives a shark deep dive tour the place you possibly can go 1,000 toes beneath the floor in a mini submarine (Curasub). And don’t fear, there are many educated specialists on this expedition too. When you’re admiring all of the sharks, hold a watch out for some rarer ones just like the Cuban Canine shark or Seven Gill shark.
Night: Curaçao has greater than 35 white-sand seashores, lots of which get crowded throughout excessive season. However if you happen to’re in search of a hidden gem, try Playa Porto Mari on the western coast. Declare a chair and loosen up—ideally with Brion, a neighborhood beer, in hand—or get within the water for extra snorkeling. And don’t neglect to say hello to (and possibly feed) Willy & Woody, two piglets who stay on the seaside. You’ll discover some unforgettable views right here, from the swing in the midst of the water to the stellar cocktails and seafood. Get pleasure from a romantic seat along with your companion and absorb all that Kokomo has to supply.
