What is Curacao? Most people would ask that question but to the people who’ve been there, Curacao is the place to be. Curacao is a country located south of the Caribbean Sea off the shore of Venezuela. Pronounced as Kura’s o. Curacao was derived from the Spanish word “Corazon” which means “Heart” was adopted by the Portuguese, hence, the name Curacao. The official language is Dutch. Papiamentu or Papiamento (the local language that was derived from the Portuguese, Spanish, and African dialects by the slaves) English and Spanish are widely spoken.
Curacao’s first inhabitants were the Arawak Amerindians and were later decimated by the Spanish expedition of Alonso de Ojeda in 1499. Rediscovered by the Dutch in 1634 but was ignored by colonist due to lack of resources such as gold which was what most colonists seek. Curacao then proved its worth in commerce and shipping trade.
Curacao is famous for its beaches and diving spots. Over 35 beaches with a wide variety, some surrounded by cliffs and rocks others by flora and fauna, they all have the same clear turquoise waters. Because the unusual feature that is locally known as the “blue edge”, Curacao’s sea floor drops off just a few hundred meters from the shore where one can go diving without a boat. Curacao has a lot of astounding architectures and landmarks because of its rich history. The city of Willemstad has many attractions one of the most frequented is the Fort Amsterdam.
Curacao is also famous for its fine liqueur which is made of locally grown oranges. Curacao’s local cuisine is very delicious and unique. This is because it is a mix of different cultures; the taste varies as its residents. The best tasted are the nasi goring, bami, and kabritu. Music is important to Curacao. Curacao has some sort of music carnival where local bands meet each year.
There are many great festivities held year round, ranging from culture to music to food. The most widely known are the “Tumba Festival”, “Children’s Carnival” and the most popular, the “Curacao Carnival”. Curacao Carnival starts at January and ends in late February or early March.
Curacao is a very interesting place. Who wouldn’t be mesmerized by its beauty? Curacao is like a “Paradise Island”. That’s why many people go to Curacao for a vacation. So the next time you are planning for a vacation. Curacao is the best place to be.
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Curacao Liqueur
... "Laraha" oranges that is found on the Caribbean, specifically the island of Curacao. Laraha is the cousin of the Valencia orange. When the Spaniards discovered Curacao in 1499, they planned to develop its agriculture. They brought a plant known as the "Valencia" orange all the way from Spain. But due to the island's climate and its soil conditions, the fruit of the Valencia orange from juicy and sweet became bitter, almost inedible. The plan to farm the Valencia oranges was then abandoned and the Valencia oranges grew wild. It was then discovered decades later that if the peels of the Valencia fruit was dried thoroughly in the sun, it would produce oil with a surprising pleasant fragrance. A recipe was then developed by a Jewish family (Senior family) in Curacao. The oil was mixed with various exotic spices. With this came the "Curacao liqueur". The same family then marketed the product. They made a massive investment to start the Curacao liqueur industry....
The Curacao Flag
Curacaos are Dutch nationals. Their flag is very much similar of the Dutch flag. Even if Curacao is under Netherlands Antilles, Curacao has its own flag. The Curacao flag is blue in color and has two five-pointed stars, the smaller star is on the upper left of the other star. A yellow stripe cuts horizontally near the center. Have you ever wondered what's the meaning of two stars and the single yellow stripe of the Curacao flag? The two white stars represent the two Curacao At A Glance islands of Curacao; Curacao and small Curacao or also known as Klein Curacao (a small uninhabited island southeast of Curacao). The yellow stripe depicts the sun dividing the blue sky and blue sea (that's why the color of the Curacao flag is blue). The five points of the star symbolizes the five continents of which the local population originated. Curacao celebrates its "Curacao Flag...
Gas Prices In Curacao
... OB tax, the purchase price, which is the price paid to Curacao At A Glance the oil supplier, and the correction factor are the unstable factors that will adjust with every price change. Therefore, a price change would mean there were price changes in the purchase price and the correction factor. The gasoline prices will be applied with a 5% OB which is taken from the altered prices of these two varying factors. The following gasoline prices based on consumer price are quoted in NAf cents per liter: Regular 92 - 176.60, Super 95 - 180.10, Kerosene 110.00, and Gasoil (Diesel) - 92.00. Domestic gas prices in Curacao quoted in NAf/cylinder are as follows: 100 lbs - 51.70 and 20 lbs - 12.70. Note that Curacao's currency the Netherlands Antilles Florin (NAf) or sometimes called the Antillean Guilder is at this rate: NAf 1.79 is equivalent to $1. Curacao's florin is equal to a hundred NAf cents. Definitely, oil...
Curacao Island Map
... and directions can also Curacao At A Glance be found at www.curacao-travelguide.com . So if at one point you find yourself somewhat unsure which road to take, a few clicks will give you the right answer. But if laptop is not an option, internet caf s are available in Curacao as well. Handled by a GSM network, you can actually go online in a caf and let them print out all these in-depth maps as well as the Curacao Island map. Traveling in a foreign place like Curacao can be stressful. What's with the hassles of trying to speak their language or letting them understand yours, getting around the island shouldn't add more trouble. A Curacao Island map along with thorough maps of Willemstad and other popular places will definitely make your visit to the island as interesting as you would want it to be....
Map Of Curacao
... it on a web based search engine (www.google.com or www.yahoo.com is highly recommended.). When choosing for a map, make sure that it is durable. With the wear and tear, most maps easily deteriorate after a few days of use. Some maps that are for sale on the internet, are glossy or laminated. Be sure that the map you will buy is of high quality. It is very important for a traveler or a tourist to have a map, especially if you are in Curacao. With all the beautiful places to go to you might get confused. When choosing a map of Curacao, make sure that it is easy to read and understand. Some maps are too general on the labels. They just put a dot and a name of the place. Its better that you choose a map that has information of what hotel or...
Maps Of Curacao
... certain locations are. Just choose a map that you may find useful. * http://www.ebay.com - A highly popular web based search engine that lets you search for anything that is for auction. Just key-in "maps of Curacao At A Glance Curacao" then click "Search" and eBay will do the rest. Highly recommended for those who want to search for things at a low price. * http://www.curacao-travelguide.com - This website offers information of hotels, car rentals, beaches and even weather. The only setback of the map that they offered is that the map only shows popular places and tourist spots on Curacao. It doesn't show any details like the roads and highways of Curacao, but the map is quite informative. * http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/ - A website that lets you make bookings of...
Sports In Curacao
On the beach, there are a lot of sport activities to choose from. One of them is scuba diving and snorkeling. This is the most popular sports in Curacao because Curacao has lots of magnificent diving and snorkeling sites. Every diver who had experience this kind of sport in Curacao would testify that Curacao is the place to be when if you Curacao At A Glance want your money's worth. Deep-sea fishing is also one of the popular sport in Curacao. With its temperate waters and a wide variety of Atlantic game fishes (Sailfish, Blue and White Marlin, Shark, Barracuda, Kingfish, Wahoo, Bonito, Amberjack and Blackfin, Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna); Curacao is a place favored by deep-sea fishers. With over 13 knots of wind blowing all year round, Curacao present a great opportunity for windsurfing. There are some skilled professional that offer their services for those who want to learn windsurfing. Curacao...
Curacao Map
... places of interest for you to go and most of all the, beaches (one of the most important places to visit when your in Curacao.). It also has the location of all must see places in Curacao and all the Kodak outlets (after you have visited the interesting areas you can go and have your picture developed on the outlet nearest you. http://www.ehi.com/travel/carib/bonaire/hot_map2.html Another website where you can have a Curacao map. Although it isn't as detailed as the one mentioned above, this is a Curacao At A Glance Curacao Map and Hotel Locator. It shows the where the first class hotels and resorts are. If you want to go to a particular area in Curacao and you are looking for a nice place to stay on that area just look at the map then if you decided to stay on that particular hotel/resort on that are just click on the name...
Curacao Tourism
North American visitors (over 40,000 to 80,000 annually.). Curacao is slowly making itself known worldwide in the tourism industry. The Curacao tourism industry is far from what we call a fully developed one. The Curacao Tourism Board is working hard to make Curacao competitive in the world of tourism. One of the many projects they are currently working on is the modernization of the Curacao Airport (Hato International Airport). With the awareness of a new tourism industry, hotels recreational facilities in Curacao are developing increasingly. Making themselves competitive with the rest of the world. The main factor of Curacao's tourism is its uniqueness from most of the other the Caribbean destination. It gives a different Curacao At A Glance experience, very rich in its historical and cultural heritage, is known to be the best diving in the world; though underdeveloped, and offers a great quality of life. For those who want to indulge great culture in their destination,...
Curacao Games
... agreed that swimming, and other outdoor activities are done way better in Curacao. Biking enthusiasts will love the challenge when biking through Curacao's narrow and twisty paths. Bikes and motorcycles are available for rent. One is also allowed to choose his own route. Other favorite outdoor activities are hiking and jeep safaris. More beautiful scenery can be seen if you opt to explore Curacao. Guided horse-back riding is also available along Curacao's well-preserved nature. And just when you thought Curacao games stop there, think again. Curacao has two bowling places to go to. So bowling buffs can still enjoy their favorite game even if they're a thousand miles from home. And what better way to spend the day than to go bird-watching! Curacao is home to more than a hundred bird species. So whether you're curled up with a good book on the beach, or following your bike trail, you're sure to come across some of these...
Information On Curacao Island
... such as the language and currency they use are also important to first-time visitors. While English are widely understood in Curacao, it is helpful to learn a few Dutch, Spanish or Portuguese also, as these are what comprise their official language, the Papiamento. Netherlands Antilles Florin is Curacao's currency which is FL1.79 to a $1. U.S. dollars are accepted all over Curacao though. Other necessary information on Curacao Island is the travel within the city. Expect the drive from the Hato International Airport to the resort and vice versa to be just around 25 minutes. Drive time from resort to Willemstad would be just about 35 minutes. Make sure you have a detailed map of the city. If you opt to take a cab to get around, always ask the driver how much your trip would cost before making the actual trip. Remember though that a 10% tip is a must when taking a...
Aloe Vera Curacao
... this tropical plant as well - the Aloe Vera. This plant, popularly known all over the world as herbal medicine for different diseases can be abundantly found in Curacao. The Aloe Vera Curacao can be traced back to ancient times. While it is said to be a native to the East and South Africa, it is also a big possibility that Aloe Vera Curacao dates as far back as its existence in Africa due to the similarity in their climate. This is strongly supported by the alternative name for Aloe Vera which is Curacao aloe. Aloe Vera in general is considered a natural remedy for a lot of illnesses. Used externally, it is said to restore Curacao At A Glance damaged skin tissues resulting from burns and sores. A story has it that Aloe Vera was used to preserve the body of Jesus Christ. Its cosmetic value is popular though as it is known to soften the skin. Notice that lotions and similar products...
Curacao Beaches
... to jump from the cliff into the ocean. While some beaches have picturesque settings and sparkling clear turquoise waters. Some beaches have a white sandy shoreline that is frequented by romantic couples of all ages. Curacao also has man-made beaches that offers glass-bottom and semi-submersible submarine rides. In some beaches, you have Curacao At A Glance to walk through an adventurous natural trail to get to the beach. As most, Curacao beaches isn't just for swimming or sunbathing. You can snorkel or dive too. There are many diving spots in Curacao that is just a few hundred meters from the shoreline. You don't have to rent a boat just to get a spectacular view of Curacao's underwater marine life. The hotels and resort of the island of Curacao offer full facility of the Curacao beaches they occupy. Palm trees, white sands, along with bars, shops restaurants and facilities for all kinds of water sport. Just ask the hotel...
Curacao History
Some stories have it that during the voyage, Vespucci's Curacao At A Glance men suffered from scurvy. Vespucci was said to have left these men on the island, only to find out on his return that they were all well. It was presumed that the fruits on the island were rich in Vitamin C, thus curing the sailors. He was said to have named it Curacao which means "cure" in Portuguese. Being Italian, and Ojeda being a Spaniard, this version is quite absurd but is more famous and more interesting than the others. Some people say though that Curacao's original name which was Curazon, was given by Spaniards to mean "heart". However changes have converted it to the Portuguese form which is Curacao. Anyway, more than a hundred years later, the Spanish government was thrown out when the Dutch conquered Curacao. The Dutch put up plantations all over the island....
Maps Of Curacao Island
... and other things you can indulge in while on the island are also provided. Famous Curacao tourists' attractions can be seen on a map on this site. Clicking on a particular place will give you a detailed Curacao At A Glance description plus a photo of it. Another site you can visit if you want to see more maps of Curacao Island is www.worldatlas.com . Aside from detailed maps, one can also find an overview of Curacao including its date and time. Most hotel websites also provide driving directions to and from the airport and other places frequently visited. If you have gone over the hotel listings and have come up with a choice, it is best know all these things especially if you are planning to drive around yourself. Make sure that you bring maps of Curacao Island as well. Even if you have been doing research on these famous places even before you got there, you might still find yourself uncertain where to go on some occasion. Part of the nature of traveling...