Go directly to Curacao

Thanks to JetBlue, flying to Curacao just got easier. Currently there are two direct flights from JFK (Saturday and Tuesday) with a third option available the end of 2016. In just about 4 hours anyone who is cold and weary can effortlessly immerse themselves in the warm blue-green Curacao water, be surrounded by sugar-fine white sand, and expose body parts to endless hours of sunshine.

Not only has JetBlue made Curacao easily accessible, two major hotels on the Island are so lovely and seductive that 7-days’ worth of sun, sand, sex and entertainment will fly by quickly and there will be a serious temptation to extend the visit.

Distinctive and Unique

Curacao is a thriving economic nation and while tourism represents a large percentage of its tax base, it is not entirely dependent on this industry; it is also engaged in international trade, shipping, refining, storage (oil and bunkering) and global financial services. There are a few hotels with brands (think Hilton, Marriott, Renaissance and Holiday Inn), but many of the most attractive properties fall into the boutique and B+B categories, making the Island attractive to visitors who are bored with accommodations that are placed chockablock along a beachfront and prevent even a glimpse of nature.

Curacao is considered a small country but far from boring and driving along its many paved roads is always interesting. Cacti are everywhere but there are also mountains (Mt. Christoffel rises 1227 feet above the scenic scrubland), beaches and coves (38 along the southwestern coast), rivers and parks (Curacao Marine Park includes over 1,000 acres of octopus, dolphin and coral-filled waters) plus a feeding ground for flamingoes (at the Salt Flats) along with opportunities for bird watching (221 identified species), white-tail deer spotting and ostrich farms.

Shopping in the town of Willemstad is generally high-end European imports. For a touch of the “old Caribbean” a walk through the floating barge/market along the Da Ruyterkade (reached via the free ferry connecting Willemstad Punda and Otrobanda) offers visitors and locals delicious fresh fruits and vegetables from Venezuela. If eating a fresh banana is not part of your plan, try local homemade sweets from thick fudge and hard candies to the local form of praline made with heaps of coconut.

With miles of cacti, it is inevitable that aloe based products (moisturizer, scrub and body cleanser) are a must buy. The Blue Curacao Liqueur Factory (Mansion Chobolobo) produces a delicious orange-inspired spirit. Taste it in Curacao and bring home a few bottles (best priced at the Duty Free shop at the airport). Do not accept imitations; look for “The Genuine Senior (flavor) Curacao” to insure authenticity.

History

Curacao Connection to NYC

The indigenous population of Curacao, the Arawak Indians, were displaced by the Spanish in 1499 by Alonso de Ojeda, a lieutenant reporting to Christopher Columbus, who claimed the island for Spain. The Dutch moved to take over the territory in 1634 installing Peter Stuyvesant as Governor (1642). He remained in Curacao until he moved to the “New World” and became Governor of New Amsterdam (now New York City).

Slavery. The Business as Trade

Curacao became a center for the slave trade in the mid-17th century and it quickly became its largest revenue stream. Considered “chattel,” the people worked on plantations and the “business” was encouraged and supported by the Dutch West India Company who profited from the buying and selling of the slaves.

Between the 17th and 19th centuries the country experienced on-going political strife between the Dutch, French and the British until 1815 when the Dutch were finally victorious. Slavery was finally abolished in 1863 and the economy did not become profitable until 1914 when Shell built a refinery to process oil from Venezuela. By the 20th century large immigration diversified the population and today over fifty nationalities are represented. The Island was part of the Netherland Antilles (a group of islands that once included Aruba, Bonaire and St. Maarten) until 2010. On a day known as “10/10/10” Curacao became semi-independent, although the links to the Netherlands continue to be important.

Oppression as Prologue

The Kura Hulanda Museum (a vision of Jacob Gelt Dekker) is dedicated to the history of Slavery. Located in what was previously one of the largest slave depots in the Caribbean and a transit point for captured Africans enroute to the New World, the 65-building, 8-block environmental and historic preservation site is now attractively occupied by the museum, dining spots, boutiques and a 67-room hotel.

The historical harsh reality of slavery is captured and dramatically displayed at the museum and knowledgeable guides walk visitors solemnly through this horrific legacy. The business of slavery brought many Africans to Curacao and while slave owners attempted to destroy culture, customs and traditions – it is fortunate that they were unsuccessful. Instruments of punishment (torture) are part of the exhibition alongside beautiful artifacts from Africa and local representation of African history. (Located inside the Kura Hulanda Resort complex all visitors should reserve at least two hours for this important site).

Religious Tolerance

Curacao was one of the first locales in the New World to welcome Jews and allow them to practice their religion. The first Jew to arrive in Curacao was Samuel Cohen who was in interpreter onboard the Dutch fleet that captured the island from the Spanish in 1634. Jewish settlers arrived from Spain and Portugal and sought safety from the Inquisition – first in Holland, then in Northern Brazil and finally in Curacao. The current estimate is that approximately 200 Jews live in Curacao (out of a population of 150,000). Visitors to the country can find kosher food in the supermarkets (i.e., Centrum in Doormanweg, Goisco in Rio Canario); however, there are no kosher restaurants.

The Curacao synagogue is the oldest religious center of the Americas that has experienced continuous use since 1732. Curacao may be one of the few countries where Jews never faced social or official prejudice and the Jewish population is represented in commerce (developed Curacao liquor), banking and politics. Congregation Mikve Israel-Emmanual (1732) is famous for its sand floors, inlaid wood pews, chandeliers and preacher’s pulpit that are a sharp contrast to the rustic floor. (A visit to the Willemstad synagogue in the Central Shopping District should be on the to-do list).

Tourism

Source Markets

Many tourists from Holland and Dutch- speaking northern Belgium consider Curacao as their own special Island in the sun, and European visitors account for a large percentage of visitors, followed by the USA and Latin America. However, in the Tourism Master Plan (2015-2020) prepared by the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies, University of Central Florida, the recommendations for tourism development focuses on the American market, driving the number of tourists from this sector to 100,000 and increasing RevPar to US$128.13 (by year 5). The plan also recommends a concentration on visitors from Colombia and the development of marketing efforts to convert 5 percent of cruise visitors to stay-over tourists.

Frank M. Holtslag, General Manager, Floris Suite Hotel, Curacao

LGBT Friendly

While other parts of the Caribbean have openly demonstrated against LGBT tourism and Frommer lists Jamaica, Cayman Island, Barbados and St. Lucia in this category, Curacao is just the opposite; since 2005 the country openly celebrates Gay Pride Day, has no problem with open displays of affection, and the government supports the expansion of LGBT tourism. In addition Curacao has 17 members in the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association – the largest in the Caribbean.

Considered among the very best hotel in Curacao, The Floris Hotel is expertly managed by Frank Holtslag. Born in the Netherlands, he started on his hotel career path as a dishwasher and bartender. These jobs got him through his Hotel Management studies in Zwolle, The Netherlands, and then he joined the executive team at the Hilton and Bilderberg Group Garden Hotel in Amsterdam.

Following his entrepreneurial spirit, Holtslag started his own boutique properties in the Centre of Amsterdam. For over 10 years he sold hotels in this city, until he moved to the USA where he began an association with Starwood Hotels and Chris Blakwell, the founder of Island Records at The Tides Hotel South Beach.

Holtslag has also been affiliated with Tecton/Desires Hotels where he managed Circa39, Sagamore, The Art Hotel and opened The Edgewater on Ocean Drive in South Beach. In 2011 moved to Curacao where he has repositioned the Floris Suite Hotel, moving it into the Adult Only Boutique Hotel space. Currently it is viewed as the leading hotel in the Caribbean for the LGBT market.

Where to Stay

Adults Only

The Floris Suite Hotel (owned by Lionstone Development), is a 72-room all suite boutique property on the Island that is surrounded by such beautiful flora and fauna that the grounds appear to be the handiwork of an expert horticulturalist. It is also considered to have one of the best restaurants on the Island and the Sjalotte frequently requires reservations. An additional dining spot is available beach-side and is a wonderful place to satisfy the casual-beach hunger that demands attention after an ocean swim.

This charming hotel recently opened a 1,500 square foot spa that offers guests a large steam room, dry sauna, treatment facilities and rain showers with a state-of-the art gym planned. Friday nights become important at the hotel’s Rainbow Lounge with a Spoil Me happy hour. Cocktails and snacks are served every evening (starting at 5 PM) and is a perfect venue for networking as it is open to neighbors and international visitors.

Celebrities and Families

When children are part of the holiday picture, the Santa Barbara Beach and Golf Resort provides attractive and spacious accommodations. Although this property offers a very sophisticated ambiance, an on premise golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, gym and spa, marina and multiple dining options, some think the resort may a tad removed from Willemstad and other Curacao activities; however, satisfied guests select the destination hotel because it is in a remote (but beautiful) location. Selected by the Royal Dutch family as well as celebrities, the Santa Barbara offers an all-inclusive dining plan that encourages turning LAZY into an art form.

Commerce

If you are in Curacao for business, or really love to gamble, the Renaissance Hotel in Willemstad will be perfect. Located near the historic 19th century Rif Fort and adjacent to upscale shopping and dining options, this is a 24/7 hotel that has a popular lobby bar and restaurant that attracts day trippers leaving cruise ships for island adventures, locals who need a place to enjoy the air conditioning and nightly entertainment and tourists lured by the hope of winning at the slot machines. The property is child friendly and children rule in the lobby, elevators, artificial beach and swimming pools.

When to Visit

Think 365 when making Curacao reservations; however, from May to November (considered off peak) air fares and hotel rates may be lower. Curacao is not in the path of hurricanes so the weather tends to be sunny even when other Caribbean destinations are experiencing torrential rain. Located 12 degrees north of the equator, the average temperature rests in the mid-80s all-year-round. The most popular months are December – April resulting in increased hotel rates and higher airfares. Carnival starts in early January 2016 and ends with the Gran Marcha on the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday.

Where to Shop

1. Buddha to Buddha. This small shop located in the Rif Fort is beyond fabulous. Strongly unique and definitely statement pieces, the bracelets and rings are beyond bold. The unisex designed jewelry is made of the highest grade 925 Sterling Silver and references a holistic world view that reflects a belief in the beauty of life.
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2. Gallery Alma Blou. This is the oldest and largest gallery on Curacao that features local and Caribbean. Look for the creative work of Jean Girigori who is considered “The Painter of the Magic Arc of the Caribbean.” Her work concentrates on the hardships of life in the Caribbean and includes cockfights, fish, crying children and street people. Looking at her work, the viewer is forced to note movement everywhere with messages to change the world. Girigori also expresses her pleasures and Caribbean suffering in bronze sculptures and glass.
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3. Nina Sanchez Art Gallery. A native of Curacao, Sanchez became Miss Curacao (1966) and entered the Miss Universe Pageant where she became Miss Amity. After studying in Venezuela and traveling internationally she returned to Curacao. Today Sanchez vividly and dramatically shares the vibrancy of her Island with lively colors and opulent scenes that make her work unique and distinctive. Collectors from Europe, North and South America find her work at her galleries at Landhuis, Jan Kok and in Punda.
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Where to Dine

1. Burger Bar. Located in Rif Fort, this casual dining restaurant requires you to fully customize your burger (i.e., veggie, beef, lamb) with a wide range of toppings and sauces the selections making the final product is really good. Dined once and had to return. Order with a cold beer (or two). Good place for people watching.
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2. The Royal Dutch Cheesery. Located in the historic Rif Fort, this lively outdoor location offers dining choices that range from cheese treats that start at breakfast and extend through dinner. Look for cheese fondue, raclette and cheese cake, as well as meat and fish entrees and salads. Daily cheese tastings and take-away options should be considered.
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