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CRUISING TO THE CARIBBEAN:
CURACAO |
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OVERVIEW
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Curacao is multi-dimensional. Its capital city and port
Willemstad is cultured and historic. At first glance, it looks European but is actually a blend of European, African, South American and Caribbean cultures. The area outside of Willemstad has small tranquil picturesque beaches and areas of crashing surf. It has wild undeveloped expanses with cactus, aloe and exotic vegetation. Geographically, Curacao is located 35 miles from Venezuela and some 40 miles from Aruba. It is the largest of the ABC Islands - - Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. The island lies outside of the huricane belt but is occasionally affected by huricanes and tropical storms. Its "wet season" is from October to Dcemeber. Otherwise, the climate is semiarid. Politically, Curacao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Until 2010 when the Netherlands Antilles was disolved, it was the capital of that group of Dutch Caribbean islands. Curacao has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean. Tourism is important to the island's economy but it is also supported by oil refining and by financial services. Papiamentu, a blend of European and African langauges, is the island's official language. However, Dutch, English and Spanish are widely spoken. Curacao is a popular stop on Southern Caribbean cruises and Panama Canal cruises. Itineraries also typically include the island's neighbors Aruba and, less frequently, Bonaire. |
Above: A statue of the Antilles lady outside the
Governor's Palace in Willemstad. |
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Above: The capital city of Willemstad is divided by the Sint Annabaai (Saint Anna Bay) into Ortobanda (above left) and Punda
(above right). The two sides are connected by a pontoon bridge, Queen Emma Bridge (pedestrians), that swings out of the way for ships and by the Queen Juliana Bridge (automobiles), which was built high above the bay so that ships could pass under the bridge.
Below: Curacao outside of Willemstad is largely undeveloped. There is a wild beauty to its northern coast (below left) while the
interior presents an arid landscape.
(above right). The two sides are connected by a pontoon bridge, Queen Emma Bridge (pedestrians), that swings out of the way for ships and by the Queen Juliana Bridge (automobiles), which was built high above the bay so that ships could pass under the bridge.
Below: Curacao outside of Willemstad is largely undeveloped. There is a wild beauty to its northern coast (below left) while the
interior presents an arid landscape.
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Cruise destination travel guide - Curacao - Curacao home page