Places to see in Curacao

An excellent tourist destination, Curacao offers pearly beaches with amazing diving spots and some of the most spectacular reefs. Underwater it’s a whole new world of its own that will not only captivate you but also mesmerize you for hours.

The Dolphin Academy in Curacao offers a thrilling experience for all ages, allowing visitors to meet face to face with the dolphins in the natural saltwater lagoons. Watch these fascinating creatures put on a show of their agility and grace while they play games and make new friends marking their intelligence.

Christoffel Park is another popular place to visit. Located at the west end of the island, it is a 4500 acre of park containing Mount Christoffel which is the highest elevation found on Curacao. This park contains 20 miles of driving trails abundant in flora a fauna, exotic flowers and extremely rare species of cacti that sometime reach up to ten feet. Also this park is home to many endangered and rare animals. The Sayonet plantation house is a nature conservancy center in this park and houses the Museum of Natural and Cultural History and an interesting place to visit.

Spend some quite time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and go sightseeing at the Hato Caves. Located near the airport, these caves were gouged out of the limestone cliffs centuries back when the island emerged from the sea and were used as hiding places during the slave trade years ago. Constantly forming and re-shaping, these caves have many fascinating stories to tell.

The most famous tourist attraction is the Curacao Sea Aquarium. Comprising mainly of a marina, hotel, a beach and a huge aquarium complex, it allows you to immerse yourself in the water world. Also located next to it is the Curacao Underwater Park, a protected facility for the marine biologists, set aside for divers and exploration.

The Ostrich and Game Farm in Curacao provides a great opportunity for observing the fascinating birds and their hatchery. Another place worth visiting is the Shete Boka National Park, just up north of the island amongst beautiful scenery and arid lands. Or you can visit the herb garden, En Paradera, a short drive to the south east of Willemstad. It comprises mainly of reconstructed rural settlement from the past and is the island’s center for natural medicine. Tour the Kura Hulanda Museum to study the history of the island and visit the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue to get enchanted with the old.

Stop by the Old Marshé for sampling authentic Curacaoan food and the popular local dishes, an old market famous for its family-style seating and generous prices. If its not the old market that your are visiting then you can always stop by the Floating Market that arrives in boats daily from Colombia, Venezuela and other West Indian Islands and sells all sorts of spices, liqueur, handicrafts, tropical fruit and fresh fish. Curacao is home to various shops, restaurants, museums and historic architecture and offers a very exciting nightlife.