Interesting Facts

- The term Curacao is a generic term of used for several orange-flavored liqueurs that are made from the peel of bitter Curacao oranges grown exclusively on the island of Curacao. These liqueurs maybe tinted blue, amber-colored or clear.

II. Destinations And Sightseeing

A. Curacao Hato Caves

These caves were mainly used in the early period when slave trade was rampant in Curacao. Slaves who had escaped from the clutches of the Europeans used it as a safety hideout and stayed here for long periods of time. Before the arrival of the Europeans and the slavery system, the Amerindian Arawaks used the caves as shelter and left behind crude cave drawings, or petroglyphs that are considered to be at least 1,500 years old.

On visiting the caves, you will find guides who will take you around the cave narrating facts and stories associated with the cave. The cave is situated north of Willemstad on the Roosevelt Weg (‘weg' refers to street or road in Dutch) across the road from the Hotel Holland. The guides also offer multi-lingual tours from 10 am to 5 pm.

Open: Daily

Admission: $6.50 for adults

$5 for children (4-12 years)

B. Curacao Christoffel Park

The beautiful Christoffel Park is located on the western end of the island and has been an important part of its national park system since 1978. The main attractions in the park include the 1,239-foot (377-meter) Mt. Christoffel, which is the highest point on the island. It also houses numerous species of trees, plants, birds, lizards, and sea life.

Open: Monday to Saturday - 8 am to 4 pm,

Sunday - 6 am to 3 pm

Admission:

Ordinary tour: $9, Walking tours with guides: $15

Tours on horseback or moonlight tours are $40 for two hours.

Tours in Jeeps (max. 5 persons): $85 (including entrance fee).

C. Curacao Sea Aquarium

The Curacao Sea Aquarium is an important tourist destination that attracts a large number of tourists each year. The aquarium is situated on the south coast just east of Willemstad. It comprises of a marina, a beach, a hotel, and the main aquarium complex. The park offers a unique combination of entertainment, information, and education.

Open: 8.30 am till 5.30 pm

(Tickets on sale till 4.30 pm)

D. Dolphin Academy

The Dolphin Academy, situated at the Curacao Sea Aquarium, offers a wide variety of programs in which you can have close interaction with dolphins and get to know more about them and their natural habitat.

Free educational presentations are also available that are conducted to entertain and educate visitors. It proves to be an ideal getaway to either relax alone or with the entire family.

Open: Every 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Admission: $15 (tax included)

Children under 12 years of age $7.50 (tax included)

Rates are subject to change

Website: www.dolphin-academy.com

E-mail: dolphins@curacao-travelguide.com

E. Curacao Landhuis Ascencion

It is one of Curacao's oldest agricultural estate houses and is owned and used by the Dutch marines as a recreation center. On the first Sunday of every month, a church service takes place, which is followed by an open house. A tour of the property is also conducted and visitors are entertained by local music as well as a folkloric show. Tourists can also visit the shop located on the same premises in order to purchase souvenirs, books, handicrafts and postcards.

F. The Curacao Museum

Situated in the western part of Otrobanda, the Curacao museum is an old historic building that was constructed in the year 1853. It is Curacao's largest museum and has on display outstanding pieces of work by traditional as well as contemporary local and foreign artists. The museum also has a permanent collection of old furniture, which includes some exquisite mahogany pieces that date back to the 18th and 19th century. Apart from this, the museum also has on display antique maps of Curacao and the Caribbean, and a large collection of ancient Indian art.

The museum organizes and hosts a number of special exhibitions on a regular basis. It also has a locomotive that runs through the grounds entertaining kids.

Open: Monday to Friday - 9 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm

Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm

G. Jewish Cultural Historical Museum

The Jewish cultural historical museum is part of the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue. The synagogue is one of the oldest in the entire Western Hemisphere. As a result, the museum has an excellent collection of religious relics that have been collected over a long period of time. Some of these objects include Torah scrolls and Hanukkah lamps. It is one of Curacao's most popular tourist attractions and attracts a large number of visitors each year.

Open: Monday to Friday 9 am to 11.45 am and 2.30 pm to 4.45 pm

H. Numismatic Museum

Central Bank of the Netherlands Antilles owns the Numismatic Museum and also looks after its operations. Tourists visiting the museum can have a look at an impressive collection of coins that have been distributed in the Netherlands Antilles. Apart from this, the bank also has as a rotating display of coins and bank notes belonging to other countries. The museum has on display an array of precious and semi-precious gemstones that have been acquired on a permanent loan from a local collector.

Admission is free

Open: Monday - Friday 8.30 am to 11.30 am, 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm