Curaçao

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Known as part of the ABC island chain (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao), this Dutch colony is located in the southern Caribbean off the northern coast of Venezuela. This colorful island is home to brightly painted buildings reminiscent of Amsterdam – a mix of restored mansions and petite cottages – and thirty-some beaches offering activities that range from kayaking, to snorkeling, to diving.

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The climate is very similar to that of Cabo San Lucas – dry, with plenty of cacti and a landscape akin to the southwestern U.S. Curaçao’s greatest natural beauty lies offshore, around the island’s coral reefs which are attracting an increasing number of divers and snorkelers.

 

The capital, Willemstad, became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997. The town is a big, bustling port with shops, restaurants, and a distinct character with island residents representing 55 different nationalities speaking at least four languages – English, Dutch, Spanish, and Papiamento. The main attractions here are shopping, historic Dutch architecture, nightlife, diving and snorkeling, caves, swimming, casinos, and restaurants.​

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