The waterfront, duty free shopping and food in Curaçao

The waterfront is a center for commerce as well as festivities. In Willemstad harbor market vendors of Venezuela duct their colorful boats. They offer their best foods, vegetables and catches of the sea, It's called the floating market. Just across the harbor stroll along the waterway to the colorful outdoor market and souvenir and gifts.

Stores offers duty free shopping are located in Willemstad and at Curaçao International Airport. Willemstad mergers offers clothes, jewelry and other goods from caribbean as well as Latin America and Europe. All by all is nothing like the shopping opportunitys in Curaçao. Cruise ship also dog in Willemstad harbor. Putting shopping and waterfront cafes with in walking distance for passengers.

Get around the rest of the island many visitors choose the independence of a rental car. Take the vantage of Curaçao excellent roadways system.

Food in Curaçao as know as " Kuminda Krioyo" is hearty fear. Locals menu may include "funchi". A steeple food make with succor flower. Sometimes fried, sometimes boiled. Sometimes menu have also "karko" which is conch meat, iguana soup or stoba a delicious good. Favored in Curaçao is ''keshi yena''. Another distinctive meals is "Reis Tafel" is up to 25 dishes served at one city. It's no wonder that ''Arthur Promour'' has rated Curaçao as one of the island with best the best food.

Unlike many vacations sides, Curaçao accommodation is located throughout the island. Travelers may stay in bungalow's or apartments. Or enjoy the attitude conveniences of all sweat hotels or full fledge resorts. Curaçao offers also all inclusive hotels as well as independent smaller hotels.

The mayor hotels are home to the islands larger casino's. The casino's are open 7 days a week from 2 pm till 5 in the morning.

See how the other two-thirds life

The mushroom Forest, The Valley, Superior Producer, some of the most spectacular dive sides right here in Curaçao. If you like lush, unspoiled reefs, Massive coral formations, intriguing sea life. If you like exploring historic natural rest and if you like to top all your underwater adventures with world class shopping! Fine restaurants and dancing night life then your into the time of your life, In Curaçao.

In South Caribbean sea out side the hurricane belt just of the coast of Venezuela, Curaçao is an easy to reach destination. Direct flights from connivence gateways throughout Europe, the United States, Caribbean and South America arrived at Hato International Airport.

The island spring chin reach system offer some of the best diving in the Caribbean. More then 80 pristine sides rich with underwater diversity placed Curaçao among the top 5 destinations in the Caribbean for marine and fish life. Conditions is so ideal for divers of all skills level. Dive is easily excess able by boat or from shore. In fact Rodeo's readers rated Curaçao as one of the top 5 destinations in the world and among the top 5 destinations for beginning divers. And a poundings of easily excess able shore locations are perfectly suited for certifications divers as well. The experience divers with a vehicle and map in hand can feel free to excess more then 40 sides 24 hours a day and everyday of the year. With reefs only 30 to 60 fee from shore many sides are a short swim away. Many beaches at the shore diving sides have ample parking, snack bars and restrooms

Diving Klein Curaçao

Diving at Curaçao south west coast is a world of wonder, Here you will find the Mushroom Forest and the Mushroom Caves and Porto Marie also known as the Valley. about a 10 minutes boat ride from shore at a fairy tale world of the Mushroom Forest, Star Coral was been rotated at the base to form fantastic underwater plant formations. A mits these Mushroom you will see Porcupine fish, Turtles and Moray Eals. Near the edge of the Mushroom Forest lies Mushroom Caves, home to school of Fingerlings and Nurse Sharks. One of Curaçao most popular dive sides is Porto Mary or the Valley created by a 2 parallel reefs. The Valley has it's own unique inhabitants such as the Frog fish. It's amazing camouflage renders it almost invisible amits the coral. In september and in october of every year experience the fascinating display of nature, the coral sponging.

Further of Curaçao coast, the tiny uninhabitant of "Klein" Curaçao. The water here offers pure wonder. In the shallow water, one of the riches collection of sea anemone anywhere in the world. Just 12 feet from shore, Scorpion fish, Stingrays and Red Legged hermit crabs linger at the whim of the great underwater wall. The wall rushes down 100 feet to world of junk orange jellyfish and sponges. purple tube and robe sponges, huge gorgonian and black coral three. You can reach "klein"Curaçao dive sides not easily excess-able from shore by custom dive boat. More then 18 dive operators offer fast and comfortable transport.

On top & dive operators in Curaçao

In Curaçao offer expert instructions for all level of certifications, so if you are a 10 year old beginner, a naves or an experience diver. Water and open water or technical diver experience there is a curse for you. For advance divers island dive operators offers nigh trucks, reefs readers, trimix and more. Nigh trucks is for those who want to extend the bottom time living. "Oxygens" and "trimix'' is for technical divers. Dive operators also offer photo services and also curses from photography as well as camera rental, repair and photo processing. this will help you docking your underwater adventures with full confident. In Curaçao safety is paramount, the voluntary rescue organization (citro) is available with costume design boat for search and rescue. A network of dive shop operators are ready to assist for any dive emergency.

Curacao On Top
For those who are more interesting to know Curaçao on the top side there's plenty to see and do. from ocean kayaking to windsurfing hiking to horseback riding, mountain bike to a host of museum. Yo can meat a funny new friend at the ostrich farm. Learn about marine live at the sea aquarium or find an exclusive gift at the duty free shop. Curaçao is your ticket to fun an excitement in the south caribbean. Unlike most dive destinations Curaçao comes alive after 5. Live caribbean music fills the air and 13 casinos keep things happen until early in the morning. After a day in the water or fun in the sun, Curaçao sex the mood for dining with one of the most interesting and romantic waterfronts in the caribbean

More about Curaçao

The peoples of Curaçao embrace and preserve their past. At the Cura Hulanda african haritage museum see one of the most extensive collection of african anywhere in the world. As well as an in depth history of slavery in origin. The maritime museum tells how shipping shape the history of this island.The Curaçao museum have many years old map of the Caribbean and antique Curaçao furniture. The octagon house where "Simon Bolivar" use to visit his sisters between the wars of South American independence is now a museum.

Historic land houses also tell the story of Curaçao past. East Dutch style land houses day back to 1600 and 1700. They were here during colonial time, a time of island plantation and slavery. Today nearly 70 land houses still stand, some are open to the public. Land house "brievengat" the center of a 1200 equar plantation in 1800 is now a museum. Other land houses such as land house "kenepa'' display period furnishers. Land house "chobolobo" is the home for the world famous Curaçao liquer, an interesting place to visit. Many land houses are the center of special events such as an unforgettable wedding. Remembering their past, Curaçao also celebrate modern life. ''Yubi Kirindongo'' is a scepter his choice of media is car parts especially shiny bumpers. Some of Kirindongo finished working are displayed at "Kas di alma blou museum " in Otrobanda.

During the six weeks of carnival season Curaçao jumps with energy. Brilliant colors and extravagant costumes. The music of carnival is "tumba'' a musical style that influences meringue, jazz and other caribbean rhythms.

From St. Kristoffel to Kites

Rising about the west end of Curaçao is mount Cristoffel in Cristoffel Park. It's the highest point of the island. A home of animal live adapted to this ragged terrain and climate. The park and the mountain invite bikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Human visitors won't be alone, in Curaçao country side is home to iguana's, wild goats, pink flamingo's and tropical sound birds.

The trupial bird is the national song bird of the island, she sing very nice and the colors are a mix of orange,black and the white stripes. It is very nice.

The Curaçao ostrich and game pharm is one of the biggest breading pharm outside Africa. Many of Curaçao's native plants are cultivated in "Den Paradera" . It's a working earth garden. Here visitors are shown how islanders traditionally use local vegetation as medicine. When you see that the plant is going to die, you put it in a hammock and you sing for the plant. " mi ta kumindabu tera, mi ta kumindabu tera huwase"

The distinction of beyond of Curaçao vegetation and seen rey is unlimited to eart gardens, mountain trails and caves, Even golf corses offer an dramatic back drops. The island top rated 18 hole course hugs high cliffs and the bright blue sea. Curaçao has also supported tennis court and in march, Curaçao sky fills with fantastic shapes and colors, It's kite season. Every year between Carnival and easter, the people makes home made kites and sent them soar in the tropical breeze.

Diving ? Curaçao is devided in 3 protected reaches

Curaçao is also ideal for the new divers first offshore dive. The experiences is so easy. A number of sides only a minute away offer spectacular diving in 40 to 60 feet of water. And for anyone who wants to stay near the service snorkeling here is among the best in the Caribbean. In Curaçao the water is ideal, underwater visibility up to 150 feet, water temperature 18 degrees or warmer year round. The water current is less then 1 knots. Perfect!, so come on lets go diving.

Curacao is divided in the three protected reaches. South East, Central and South West. Each reach offers a unique dive experience. In the South East "Piedra Sombre", ''the Thug Boat'' and ''Car Pile Reefs''. At "Piedra Sombre" steep walls cover with sponges and black coral ponge to the ocean floor. Part of the beauty of "Piedra Sombre" is that both, divers and snorkels are treated to dramatic sea ray. The "Thug Boat" lies in just 17 feet of water. This old thug wracked century ago. Today Sergeant Majors, Moray Eals and Trumpet Fish watch over coral crusted deck. Also on the South East coast, bumper to bumper traffic like you never seen before at "Car Pile Reefs". This maybe the most usual collect of cars you ever seen, some deeding back to 1940. Of Curaçao Central Coast lies the awful photograph freighter "Superior Producer". At 120 feet below the surface, intermediate and advanced divers explorer the natural wrack from bout to stearn along side barracuda and grouper. Over the years the "Superior Producer" has become covered with brilliantly color coral and sponges.

Sea Aquarium & North eastern coast

This aquarium have one of the most world extensive collection of caribbean sea life. Visitors have the change not only to look at the sea creatures but to swim with them as well. You can swim side by side with big tarpons, jacks and sting rays. Daring divers can even feed sharks and sea turtles. you feed them trough an underwater fan but you are still face to face. More adventure away at the Dolphin Academy. This is an opportunity for education, absorvation and interaction with this intelligent friendly mammals. Join them in the water in the Dolphin Lagoon for an unforgettable encounter. This social creatures enjoy contact with people and know they having a good time. They can reach your polls, and tell the difference between visitors and staff. you will find the variety of activity for all ages and levels of aquatic experience.

Curaçao North Eastern Coast

Curaçao north eastern coast dance and star contrast to the calm south western coast and beaches. The north eastern shore line is wild and ragged, this is where you find the people that the local peoples call "Boka Tabla". For centuries the raging sea has carved caves out of this massive volcanic rocks. Inside the caves watch and listen his booming waves slam into the great rocks. "Boka Tabla'' is also a breading area for re and in danger turtles. Not far from Curaçao International Airport are the hato caves, these caves are a bit inland today. the rooming formed thousands of years ago, they was under the sea. As ocean levels structure in the ice age caves were left exposed.

Beaches part 2

There's also easy excess to water sport equipment. Curaçao southwest coast is ideal for water activities of every kind. Even at night some beaches like Mambo Beach are the center of activities

Diving

Shore diving is rated among the best in the Caribbean. Dive operators offer excess to outstanding dive sides offshore as well. bid beneath the water service and find the world of fantasy. Places like the mushroom forest home to giant mushroom shape star coral formations or the sponge forest. It have huge breaker sponges grow up to 6 feet high and 4 feet wide. Swim by 50 foot brain coral and gorgonians. Diving in Curaçao is marked by outstanding visibility and dramatic vertical drop offs. In some places under sea walls plunge almost straight down to a world of ropes sponges, soft coral and other beautiful sea life. Popular dives include de Superior producer near willemstad harbour and a thug boat in the shallow waters of Caracas bay. At the Curaçao underwater park more spectacular corals, sea rings and dancing tropical fish. In just of the eastern tip of Curaçao lies the tiny diserd island of `klein´Curaçao. The water of ´klein´Curaçao hold one of the richest collection of the mnemonics in the world. Sand divers, string rays and eels swim nearby. You don´t have to plunge to the oceans depths to marvel at the majesty under the sea. Snorkeling in Curaçao is rated among the best in the Caribbean. The oceans treasures are yours to see and your still at the surface. Next to the island popular beach is the Curaçao Sea-Aquarium.