Royal Sea Aquarium Resort Curacao

Curacao, Netherlands Antilles

by depechefan

Curacao is located off the coast of Venezuela, in the Netherlands Antilles. You will find at least 5 different languages spoken on the island including Dutch, Spanish, English, etc..

It's easy to see the influence of Dutch archictecture on the island, but with a twist of many colors.

It's amazing when you see ships constantly coming into and around the island at an amazingly close distance. This is because some of the deepest waters are in this area.

It's not like typical Caribbean islands with lush vegetation. Curacao has a dry, windy climate, with lots of cacti and brush. Its coastline is rugged and craggy, and you can see fossils within them. Do not walk along the coastline without shoes on!

We recommend also staying on the north end of the island where you will find many nice hotels and condominiums, most of them belonging to Dutch businessmen.

There are places where you can swim with dolphins (in enclosed areas), go snorkeling (in the lagoons), and many other outdoor activities. Most of the shopping and variety of eateries are located in an area called Otrabanda, where you will also find a pretty big movie cinema.

I hope this information has been helpful. On a scale of 1 to 10 our vacation to Curacao was about a 7.5.

"Sea Aquarium Resort-new in 2002"

We stayed at this resort when it was nearly brand new in 2002. At the time there were not many people, and we got a big, beautiful, condo on the second floor with all the amenities. Of course, they did try to sell us a time-share, but they were not pushy and you are under no obligation. The hosts are very friendly and the environment is very content. There is a lagoon right in front and the ocean is nearly on the back steps of the rear side of the resort. There are also two nice pools, one deeper than the other, swimming with dolphins is offered, dry cleaning service, a nice restaurant right across the lagoon, etc....I just can't say enough about this place, it was awesome!!

"Craggy coastline at Westpunt"

This is why I said you must wear shoes along the coast! Westpunt has hardly any tourists which makes it all the more exciting. You feel as if you have the island to yourself. Renting a car is a must, not too terribly expensive, but the only way to get there.

A Place Not to be Missed

by snorkelgeek

If you are a snorkeler, I highly recommend the Animal Encounters Adventure at Seaquarium. The fee is $34 and includes the $15 entry fee to the aquarium. You get a bucket of bait fish and an hour to swim in an enclosure with some really neat fish. You can feed sharks and turtles through a plexiglass fence. Look around for the puffers - they like being fed too! I loved the people - especially the staff at our resort (Sunset Waters). I loved the colours of the ocean - gorgeous. I loved Willemstad. The colourful buildings are really a treasure to see. We found the prices in Willemstad extremely reasonable.

Flora and Fauna

by Tetreus

Local plants have ingenious mechanisms allowing them to weather the dry, desert climate, scant rainfall and the ever-present tradewinds. These include marvelous adaptations to their roots, leaves and stems.

No group of plants is as well suited to the climate as the cacti, which are specially designed to reduce the amount of moisture lost to evaporation. Their nasty thorns are, in fact, modified leaves. The island hosts hundreds of species. Not all of the species on the Island are harmless.

One plant you have to avoid contact with is the manzaliña tree, called manchineel in other parts of the Caribbean. This tree has rough, dark bark and small green leaves. The fruit of this plant is poisonous, and will cause skin irritations and burning if touched.

One of Curaçao's most characteristic trees, is the Dividivi tree-recognizable by its "wind form," caused by the tradewinds.

Pacho's portraits...

by tuti_plaate

Pacho's portraits! This charming artist makes paintings and especially portraits of all well known Curaçaoan persons, like the Carnival Tumba Queen, our Prime Minister, our Queen Beatrix, and more. He believes art has to be close to the people. He made a lot of tourists happy with a unique Curaçao souvenir: your portrait on an authentic oil barrel lid!

...take along some postcards...

by tuti_plaate

...take along some postcards or a calender with views of Curaçao by the naieve painter Fred Breebaart! Before even ever having been to Curaçao this dutchmen painted our island out of books and pictures. By now he visited several times. Also by him we have a painting at my workplace. The vivid colours always make my day! Postcards in most book stores and souvenir's shops. Enjoy his impression of one of our most famous landhouses at Knip.
For more local art and artists, click on
arte '99