CURAÇAO

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VISÃO GERAL ATRAÇÕESTRANSPORTE COMPRAS ONDE FICAR ONDE COMEROVERVIEW ATTRACTIONSTRANSPORTATION SHOPPINGWHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT

OVERVIEW

The Curaçao island is located 25 minutes away from Caracas, the venezuelan capital, and has around 50 thousand inhabitants. Willemstad is the capital and the only city in the island, which is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 because of its building that remember an Amsterdam but with the caribbean colors.

Famous for its white sand beaches and very blue sea, the island of the Netherlands Antilles is an appropriate place for diving and other nautical sports. The casinos are also an attraction. The island is in the route of most cruises.

From the 38 local beaches, some of them are private (from hotels and resorts) and other are very popular and have free access. This territory of the Netherlands Antilles is more

than just resorts. It mixes the north-european architecture with a varied culture.

The Papiamentu, the official language, is very similar to the Portuguese. When listening to this language you will feel even more at home.

The music and the gastronomy in the island is a mix of the african, latin and american cultures. The region is not close to the hurricanes belt and it is sunny during almost all the year. The welcoming population is well prepared to receive the tourists.

Since it is located in the tropics, close to the Equator Line, Curaçao has an average annual temperature of 27 Degrees and its water temperature is around 25 Degrees.

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TRANSPORT

There are basically three options: cars, taxis or busses.

It is possible to visit the island by bus, but the public transportation is pretty limited. Curaçao offers two kinds of public transportation: the busses, which are called Konvoo and that can take you to longer distances, and to reach the urban routes you will find the collective cars (capacity of 9 people) and the vans.

The beach lovers can enjoy it at anytime. Even in the rainy season, from October to February, it rains only at night, really occasionally.

The island has a calendar full of activities during the whole year. Not only the tourists but also the locals can enjoy it. The Carnival is the first big party of the year and starts with some parties in January and ends the night before Ash Wednesday. The hotels have their own activities scheduled with parties and dances in the streets. The festivities end with a great parade for the adults and another one for the kids.

For the divers, the Diving Festival is the best way of getting to know Curaçao. Diving groups leave daily from the shore, others leave in search of shipwrecks and there is even night diving groups. There are also seminars and lectures from worldwide known professionals.

The Curaçao Cuisine, Culture and Heritage Festival takes place from August 15th to November 15th. The museums have low fares and it is possible to learn about the history of the island and to enjoy the local food. The events happen everyday and tourists can learn a lot about the music, the arts and the folklore of the island.

Despite being devoted to tourism, the island’s structure is still precarious in many aspects. To reach the main and most beautiful beaches it is a long journey, where only the car is efficient. You can rent a car, take a cab or join an excursion.

ATTRACTIONS

You can choose between shopping malls, restaurants and monuments or maybe a cultural roadmap with architechture and streets with the dutch charms.

The water park Sea Aquarium is a mandatory destination. There they teach you how to dive and anyone can take part in the fun. It is important not to fluster. Train your breath for a while and then go deep! Open since

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1984, the water park has around 400 animal species. All kinds: fishes, sea lions and stingrays, but the most important are the sea-turtles and the sharks.

It is also worthwhile visiting the Postal Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Butterfly Garden and the Destilaria Senior & Co. that produces the Curaçao Liqueur. The distillery is located in the Chobolobo Landhuiz farm, in the Salinas neighborhood, and is open for visitations.

The Fort Nassau, built in 1796, is another mandatory destination. It was built 60 metres (190 ft) above the harbor signal and control tower, alongside a restaurant and a store with a great view of the Curacao Harbor and the oil refineries.

WHERE TO STAY

Wherever you stay, you won’t have problems to communicate with the inhabitants. They are receptive and strive to understand the visitors. Most of them speak Dutch, Spanish, English and Papiamentu.

One of the most famous accommodation option is the Lodge Kura Huland and Beach Club Hotel. This hotels drives all the attentions for its charm and beauty. Each room was painted by a local artist, has handmade furniture and the beadspreads were made in India. It is a wonderful village with cultural activities and an interesting nightlife to explore.

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Another resort is the Breezes Curaçao Resort Spa & Casino. With 333 rooms, beautiful pools, three excellent restaurants with different cuisines, a relaxing spa and an elegant casino. Guests can also enjoy the bar at the pool and at the beach while watching some local artists perfomances.

DINING OUT

Curaçao, with its cultural diversity, offers a great variety of interesting restaurants.

The typical dish is the iguana, and it will probably sound way too exotic for you. But this

reptile is well appreciated by the inhabitants and reminds of the taste of a chicken. The ones who want to try this one should order an iguana stew at the Jaanchie’s. This restaurant has been serving for more than 60 years stupendous seafood and local cuisine dishes. It is located at the Westpunt neighborhood, where the environment very familiar is.

Another option is the Vila Elisabet Restaurant, which is located at an old village from the 18th Century. The tropical garden that surrounds it matches well with the french, classic and modern cuisine and the varied wine list.

The Wine Cellar Restaurant, in Punda, is the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. The restaurant specialties are salmon and lamb. Relish the fresh lobster or try one of the many of dishes.

SHOPPING

Most of the stores are in the colorful and lively Historical Center of Willemstad, in Punda and in Otrobanda. The commercial quarter, Punda, invites the tourists to take a walk through the island’s history. Famous for its attractive prices and the variety of products like parfums,

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watches, jewelry, gemstones, leather goods, beverages and theCuraçao Liqueur.

Heerenstraat and Madurostraat are pedestrian-only streets. The main street in Otrobanda is the Breedestraat. There you can find tax free products.

The stores close for lunch, from 12:30pm until 2pm.

STREET MARKETSThe Floating Market, in Punda, is a harbor where the boats are anchored and sell fruit,

vegetables and fish. The products are imported mainly from Venezuela. Through the streets of Willemstad you will find stands with handmade products for you to take home, like the famous Curaçao Liqueur.

CURRENCYThe local money is the florin, but US-Dollars are widely accepted in the island. Also the change can be given in US-Dollars, but remember to ask for it.

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