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!
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Curacao Liqueur
... 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
... 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 doubtful. You Where Is Curacao 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 of items that have an embedded Curacao flag in it. It just shows how patriotic the people of Curacao are. The next time you see a person wearing a shirt with a...
Curacao Island Map
... will charge you for one. The centuries-old Werbata Maps are available in the bookstores Where Is Curacao and are suited to those seeking adventure. This type of map is Curacao Island's first topographical 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...
Map Of Curacao
... 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 Where Is Curacao 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...
Maps Of Curacao
... hotels in the Caribbean. The 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 for you to post your message. There are many websites of which you can obtain maps of Curacao. Just compare the maps that you have found and...
Sports In Curacao
... know that if wherever there is a beach there is also beach volley. Kayaking or canoeing is also a popular sports in Curacao. Almost every resort in Curacao have kayaking or canoeing equipments. If don't know yet, hiking is also one popular sports in Curacao. Curacao has a National Park that you can climb or hike. You can hike through the 4,500 acre Christoffel Park. There is also the Rif Recreation Area that has a 2-mile jogging track. Horseback riding is also offered on Curacao. One can go horseback riding for an hour or for the whole day. One of the all-time favorite sports in Curacao is golf. Yes, golf. Curacao has not one but two world class golf courses. One is the Blue Bay Golf Club; a 18 hole AAA championship golf course. It is considered one of the top 50 golf courses in the world. The other is the Curacao Golf and Squash Club. This 9 hole golf course has a unique and unusual sand greens. Tennis is also a popular...
Curacao Map
... a certain location in Curacao? Then you better have a map of Curacao, not just an ordinary map that just tells the location but a map that tells what hotels and resorts and interesting places and all kind of stuff are available for a particular area. Pretty neat isn't it? You can find lots of maps on the internet that has the same features mentioned above. Here are some of them. http://www.ih.k12.oh.us/msbeauregn/map.htm The Curacao map that this site has gives you an idea of where to stay when you are in Curacao. The Curacao map is downloadable. Just right-click on the image and then choose "save picture as ". It is a very detailed map. It doesn't just feature the names of certain places, it also has details of what hotel or resort is on that area. It shows the location of places where you can shop and place where one can dine. A very important tool for those who Where Is Curacao love to go shopping and also useful for those who...
Curacao Tourism
... from cruise ships.). Though not really promoting mass market, the Curacao Tourism Board (CTB) is aiming to double its 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 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...
Curacao At A Glance
... 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 Where Is Curacao 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...
Curacao Games
... 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 winged creatures. Chess and indoor karting are well-known Curacao games as well. Curacaoans have their Curacao Open chess tournament and an indoor karting lane called Tracks that offers other amenities like gaming room and pool tables. Drag Races are a big thing in Curacao. Considered...
Information On Curacao Island
... resorts will take you on a grand journey to a comfortable and memorable stay. 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 Where Is Curacao 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...
Aloe Vera Curacao
... a native to the East Where Is Curacao 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 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 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...
Curacao Beaches
... are attract tourist especially honeymooners, couples and people who want to have a peaceful vacation, away from crowded hotels and resorts. Many of the popular beaches in Curacao are in the western end part of the island. These beaches are named "Westpunt" or "west point". The island itself boasts to have 40 Curacao beaches that are different from one another. However there are more secluded beaches on the eastern and northern coastline. Some of them are yet to be discovered. Some of the Curacao beaches have huge cliffs and limestone. Thrill seekers go to this kind of beach 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...
Curacao History
... all over the island. The landhuizen structures are still very visible today, some of which are converted into restaurants and other establishments. Famous Dutch activity was the slave-trade, beckoning the start of the Papiamentu language. This became the primary form of communication, being a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and African dialects. The 18th century is significant in Curacao history. The British tried to overthrow the Dutch plenty of times until everything was settled by the Treaty of Paris. Curacao was rewarded back to the Dutch, slavery was totally abolished but the economy was slow. The early 19th century opened new doors with the discovery of oil. Soon Curacao and Aruba were distilling crude oil for a Venezuelan oil company. World War II made Curacao a part of the Netherland Antilles along with Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. Whichever Curacao history is true, all of them are very interesting. Some may just be figments of someone's imagination or a story pieced together with other stories. One thing is...
Maps Of Curacao Island
... 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 is uncertainty. A lot of hitches that are beyond our control can happen, like delayed flights, unconfirmed accommodations, or even car trouble. Maps are necessary not because they eliminate those hitches but because they make it a lesser hassle by getting us to the right place. Some crave the feeling of uncertainty and would rather trust their intuition than bring a map. But if you have been making dozen turns and still find yourself on the same street and half of...