Places of Interest

Currently, 870 buildings on Curaçao have been designated as protected monuments. Of these, approximately 800 are located in the historic city center of Willemstad. Outside this area, approximately 60 country houses and a number of churches, residential houses and larger complexes have a protected status.

The historic inner city, which consists of four districts, Punda, Otrobanda, Pietermaai and Scharloo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the port of Willemstad and is home to 743 national monuments. These are mostly historic shops and mansions, but there is also a range of typical small houses.

The archaeological and historical sites of Curaçao show remnants of human settlements and activities dating back to Archaic times (from 2500 BC).

One of the real must sees when it comes to the sights of Curaçao are the old country houses on the island. They are often located in beautiful natural surroundings, along with some more modest housing and vernacular architecture. There were once about 160 country houses spread over Curaçao, of which about 70 are still intact. A large number have been refurbished and given a new destination as a home, restaurant, liqueur brewery or hotel.

It used to be different, in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries slaves were forced to work very hard on the surrounding plantations. After the abolition of slavery in 1863, the plantations ran into problems, which led to the decline of the country houses.

The country houses of Curaçao (Papiamento: kas di shon (the house of the lord) or kas grandi (the big house), were the main buildings of the island's plantations. Due to their unique colonial architecture and the connection with history, the country houses an important cultural heritage of the island.

Brievengat, Dokterstuin, Knip, Rooi Catootje, Pannekoek and Zuikertuintje. These are just a few of those typical names of the most famous Curaçao country houses. Every Curaçaoan and everyone who has ever been to the island knows a few by name or has heard of them in one way or another. Like many other houses on the island, they are often painted in the most beautiful colors. Some small, some large, but all country houses still belong to the special features, the attractions and the cultural heritage of the island of Curaçao.

One of the most famous country houses is Chobolobo, where the Senior Co distillery is located and where the famous Curaçao liqueur is produced. In particular, the blue variant, Blue Curaçao, is a well-known liqueur worldwide that is mainly used in cocktails.

Colorful neighborhoods, turquoise sea and white beaches, Curaçao is a cheerful island of color! Everywhere you see the lively Caribbean atmosphere. These colors can also be found in the Street Art, especially in the districts of Otrabanda, Punda, Pietermaai and Scharloo, many beautiful colorful murals can be found, open-air museums with impressive Street Art by local and international artists.

Dolphin Academy on Curacao makes it possible to swim with dolphins. This can be done in the open sea or in a lagoon. The dolphins are trained to swim in open water and interact with you. Under the guidance of professional trainers, you will become acquainted with one of the most special animal species in the world.The ocean around Curaçao is teeming with life. If you take a boat trip, it could just be that you can spot dolphins along the way.

The Sea Aquarium is unique because all aquariums are directly connected to the open sea. This creates an environment that is as natural as possible for the animals, without artificial aids.

A visit to the Sea Aquarium Curacao is not only fun, but also educational for young and old. You will learn more about dolphins, sharks, rays, turtles and other marine life in an interactive way. The Sea Aquarium Curacao hopes to emphasize the need to treat our seas responsibly.

The caves of Hato are located on the north side of Curaçao, near the international airport. Within these Hato Caves you can clearly see that Curaçao once lay below sea level. Many decades ago, Curaçao came to the surface. The caves have been inhabited by Ararwak Indians for several centuries after the beginning of our era. Petroglyphs are still visible today that are proof of this. During the era when the slave trade flourished, the slaves on Curaçao used these caves as a shelter.

For several years now, part of the caves can be visited with a guide. Keep in mind that the caves look like a sauna. It is warm with a high relative humidity. The tours are given every hour during the day and last about 35 to 40 minutes.

You can also walk the Indian trail. On the basis of about twenty points on this path you will get an explanation about flora, fauna and you will see petroglyphs made by Indians.

Chichi®, which means ''big/older sister'' in Papiamento, brings the family together in a loving and caring way and is the role model in the Caribbean community. A strong, proud, voluptuous Caribbean woman.

The handmade sculpture shows both the vibrancy and strength of the older sister of the family. At the same time, it shows the openness and frankness of an older sister. It is the person who supports the mother, takes care of the little siblings and takes many responsibilities besides the parents.

Chici workshop

Paint the Chichi® statue of your choice, small, medium or large, whether you want to celebrate an occasion, release your inner muse or even create a souvenir to remember an unforgettable vacation in Curaçao. You can paint your own Chichi® with the local team of artisans.

At the Ostrich Farm, a one-hour guided jeep tour departs several times a day that takes you past the different ostriches on the farm and everything is explained about the birds. You can also feed the animals, you can stand on an ostrich egg and you can spot various monkeys.

The ostrich farm is the largest of its kind in the Caribbean. The huge birds are bred here for their meat, skin and bones. The meat is eaten (as in the adjacent restaurant Zambezi), the skin is used for bags and shoes, the feathers are used as decorative material and the bones are used to make jewellery.

Those who feel like eating an ostrich omelet or bouncer in the restaurant afterwards. You immediately know how such an egg tastes.

This medicinal plant is grown in large numbers (more than one hundred thousand) on the Aloe Vera plantation. The Aloe Vera gel from the plants is used to make skin care products. It also forms the basis of a special Aloe Vera soft drink that is also said to be extremely good for health. The shop where you can buy these products is open six days a week (closed on Sundays), the guided tours are limited.

The Blue Room is a unique natural phenomenon and a fantastic experience for anyone who can swim well and is not afraid to swim a bit underwater and under the rock. The entrance to this hidden cave is below sea level.

Once inside, the blue water reflects the sunlight off the walls and ceiling for a magical effect. It is advisable to bring snorkel gear, because underwater it is also magical.

To get to the Blue Room you can walk, canoe or take a water taxi.About a 30 minute walk from Playa Santa Cruz you arrive at a rock. To get to the cave you can jump from the about 3 meters high rock, but there is also a possibility to climb down. If the sea is calm you can peek in a little bit, but if there are waves you will never see that there is a cave.

The route to the Blue Room is quite well signposted, but if you are afraid of getting lost, or don't feel comfortable going into the cave unaccompanied, there are also snorkel boat trips you can book to go to this special place.

In Punda you will find the Round Market and the Marsche Bieu. As the word suggests, the round market is a round market where a wide variety of products can be found. From vegetables, fruit, fish, local food and many different souvenirs.

Those looking for affordable and authentic Curaçao dishes should definitely visit the Round Market, also known as the New Market.

Curaçao is about seventy kilometers by boat from Venezuela. Because agriculture is limited on the island of Curaçao and imported fruit and vegetables in the supermarkets cannot be called cheap, it is worthwhile for Venezuelan traders to make the crossing to Willemstad in wooden boats to buy fresh vegetables, fruits and fish here. sell on the floating market.

This is happening in the Waaigat on the Sha Caprileskade in the Punda district. Although the name suggests it, the goods are not offered on boats, but in fixed stalls that are lined up in front of the boats. The atmospheric and Caribbean-colored sails ensure that the products are protected against the scorching sun.The floating market starts fairly early in the morning and lasts until the end of the afternoon, after which the boats return home to Venezuela.

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