The basic things about Curacao.
Yes, Curacao is definitely a place. The biggest island among the five-member island of the Netherlands Antilles group, Curacao is basically a flat island of about 40 miles or 64 km in length, encompassing around 171 square miles.
A popular vacation spot in the Caribbean, Curacao is proud of its duty-free shopping, rich culture and well-preserved tropical ambiance. This arid island is home to a great number of world-class beaches with long stretches of white sand. The tropical setting with its hilly terrain and undisturbed countryside makes it famous to most tourists.
Curacao as part of the Netherlands Antilles has Dutch as its primary form of communication. Papiamento, Curacao’s official language - a combination of Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and African languages. English and Spanish are also widely spoken on the island. Curacao’s local time is GMT -4, which means it is 4 hours advance than the Pacific Time zone. Its international dialing code is +599. For outgoing calls made from Curacao, the code is 00 followed by the respective country code. Local telephone numbers all start with the number 9. A GSM network is available in Curacao, thus internet access is available.
Curacao is generally a safe place. However, precautions are still advised when traveling alone or away from main roads especially at night. Curacao is free from diseases associated with most tropical places, although mosquitoes are nuisances especially during rainy days. Sunburn is also very common to a hot island like Curacao.
Shopping is a big thing in Curacao. Wandering along Willemstad, Curacao’s capital city, one can find the most-talked about duty-free merchandise. Willemstad also takes you back in time with all the splendid historic structures. Charming restaurants and cozy hotels can also be found within the city.
The music of Curacao is basically derived from Africa, Europe, US, Latin America and the Caribbean. Its official beat, Tambu, is created using the drums and the chapi (hoe). Tambu is widely used in the carnival festivities in Curacao happening from just before Lent. The carnivals are famous world-class attractions up to date.
After learning all the basic stuff about this enchanting place called Curacao, you may now have acquired a vivid picture of what’s it like there and how much fun one can have on a visit. And you would have to agree that it is not just a place, but THE place to be!
Posted by admin in Travel
Curacao Liqueur
... color. It later evolved, and is now available in various colors for cocktail purposes (blue, red, orange and green). Colored Curacao liqueur has the same taste as the original. At present, the liquor has many flavors. The name "Curacao liqueur" is now generic and can be based on any white spirits. Many wine manufacturers around the world now produce Curacao liqueur. So if ever you will visit Curacao. Don't forget to visit that famous "Chobolobo Mansion" or "Country Estate". It is where the famous original Curacao liqueur or "Curacao of Curacao" was developed. The Mansion is now one of the popular tourist attractions of the island of Curacao. Located on the premises of the mansion is a distillery of Curacao liqueur. Last September of...
The Curacao Flag
Holiday" that Curacao celebrates annually. It is celebration starts with and flag raising ceremony at the Village of Barber and at the Plaza Brion. The day is celebrated with parades, ceremonies and cultural events. Some events are held at Otrobanda. There is also a historical Curacao flag that many experts believe is doubtful. It is said to be very much alike with the Dutch flag only it has a Coat of Arms in the center (which is not the official coat of arms of Curacao. The coat of arms that is used on this particular flag is a ship. More specifically it is a ship of the Netherlands West India Company. Experts say that this particular flag can't be seen on any flag book, which makes is very Where Is Curacao doubtful. You can obtain a Curacao flag on the internet. There are lots of variations of the Curacao flag. There's the normal type that is rectangular. There are also lots...
Curacao Island Map
... map, and will likely lead to some unspoiled parts of Curacao. A lot of websites should be helpful. Curacao Island map as well as detailed maps of major places in Curacao like Willemstad, Otrabanda & Punda, and a separate Punda map can be found at www.caribbean-on-line.com . The maps on this particular site are so comprehensive and will no doubt let you get around the island pretty well. A laptop would have been the best tool to access sites like this especially while you're driving. Visiting Google Earth is highly recommended because it will provide you driving directions. Driving tips, signs and directions can also 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...
Map Of Curacao
... to www.ebay.com. Just enter "map of Curacao" on the search bar and eBay will do the rest. But if you want, you can print some on www.curacao-travelguide.com. Although Where Is Curacao the map isn't exactly detailed, it still is useful as to where one can find a place to enjoy because it has a brief description as to what is in the area and what to expect. The most likely you could do is order online. There are a lot of websites that offer maps of Curacao. All have to do is search 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...
Maps Of Curacao
... 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 hotels in the Caribbean. The Where Is Curacao website has a large array of maps of Curacao which you can order. This site offers a detail map of Curacao which shows hotels and resorts of which you can download and has details of major roads and highways of Curacao. * http://www.frommers.com/ - A very useful website that doesn't only book you for your trip but also offers tips and news of the place you want to go. It has maps of Curacao that is downloadable and free. Also has articles of famous places and excerpts from its guidebooks and a message board...
Sports In Curacao
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 Where Is Curacao 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 is also considered home of a number of sailing regattas all year round. There are shops that offer sailing equipments for rent. On the beach, there are lots of sporting activities. Beach volley is the most popular of them. We all know that...
Curacao Map
Although it isn't as detailed as the one mentioned above, this is a 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 of the hotel/resort. Say, you are going to Willemstad (Curacao's capital), just look at the number that is on Willemstad and you will see what hotel corresponds to that number (there's the Curacao Plaza Hotel in Willemstad). Just click on the name of the hotel and it will direct Where Is Curacao you to another page where you can find photos of the hotel and its description. The next time that you're planning of going to Curacao try to search for some other websites that has Curacao maps and...
Curacao Tourism
... mass market, the Curacao Tourism Board (CTB) is aiming to double its Where Is Curacao 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 experience, very rich in its historical...
Curacao At A Glance
... 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 Where Is Curacao 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...
Curacao Games
... deep sea diving, to kayaking, to windsurfing, Curacao hotels and resorts provide these choices to guests. Curacao games also include mountain biking. It recently hosted for the first time, the MTB World Cup Series. It was a major adjustment for bikers who were used to winter temperatures, but they all agreed that swimming, and other outdoor activities are done way better in Curacao. Biking enthusiasts will love the challenge when biking through Where Is Curacao 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...
Information On Curacao Island
... 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 cab. Being a tropical place, information on the information on Curacao Island activities are very vague to some would-be guests. While beaches are the main things, Curacao offers a lot more. The nature reserve would serve as sanctuary to some tourists in search of a quiet and relaxing place while getting to know nature better. Art enthusiasts will find a lot of interesting places to be at. And everyone will find the evenings in Curacao as charming. Quaint restaurants serving local favorites and international menus also feature live band entertainment. Extensive information on Curacao Island can be found on Curacao's official website, www.curacao.com . Another helpful site is www.caribseek.com which takes you on a...
Aloe Vera Curacao
Its cosmetic value is popular though as it is known to soften the skin. Notice that lotions and similar products containing Aloe Vera boast of being able to rejuvenate the skin. Aloe Vera is also said to cure stomach problems when taken internally. Aloe Vera Curacao is famous because of its huge plantation in Curacao. Known as Curaloe Ecocity, it is one of the highlights of a Curacao visit. This tourist sight gives one a feeling of great bonding with the environment's most popular natural healer. The plantation is being well-maintained for the development of Aloe products. Like any other Aloe Vera, the Aloe Vera Curacao is being processed to a number of different forms. Most popular are the gel, ointment, Where Is Curacao lotions, aloe drink, and aloe powder. It has been widely accepted all over the world and the U.S. considers it as safe as food. Some other places like Canada recognize it as an over-the-counter calming drug. Whether it is an approved drug or...
Curacao Beaches
... 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 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 Where Is Curacao 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 for these of amenities. If ever you want to take a vacation in Curacao and...
Curacao History
Vespucci's 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 Where Is Curacao 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...
Maps Of Curacao Island
... like Curacao, it is best to get yourself familiar with the place you are going to. Maps of Curacao Island would be a helpful guide to lessen the hassles of getting around the island. Before taking that Curacao vacation, it is advisable to surf the internet to get yourself acquainted with Curacao. Aside from gathering facts about its weather, people, language, culture, food, and currency, maps of Curacao Island will make you settle in easier. Online interactive maps of Curacao Island can be found by visiting www.caribbean.com . These maps will also give you listings of hotels, restaurants and Where Is Curacao must-see places. Great suggestions on activities 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...