 | Curaçao Things To Do | Tips 21 - 30 of 123 |  |
Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (123) This building was formerly the "Temple Emanu-el". Constructed in 1865, it was consecrated in 1867. This temple was in use until 1964. A sign erected now at this site states that the island's two Sephardic Jewish communities merged and became Milkve Israel - Emanuel. This building is no longer used as a house of worship. Leave a Comment Address: Punda - Willemstad
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On the shore, but within 10 minutes of "downtown" Punda, walk along the shore to the cruise ship pier area. You will be fascinated by the "people" there. Some imaginative souls have piled, leaned or otherwise fashioned sculptures out of coral and other stone. Don't miss this! Leave a Comment Address: Holland America pier area
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The ornate "Dutch" architecture is a special feature of Willemstad. These types of houses belonged to wealthy families, mostly merchants. Houses made of sea sand, coral, rock or other native materials suffer from leaching of the salt through the wall material causing houses and buildings to have to be painted every 9 months or so. The upkeep is so expensive that many families abandoned these buildings. Now the government is restoring ones such as this "Wedding Cake" house. Leave a Comment Directions: Otrobanda
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The unique crayon-colored architecture of Curacao sets the stage for a vacation more colorful than you ever imagined. In Willemstad, the capital city, colorful European-style buildings line the harbor reflecting the exuberant mix of cultures, languages, history and beauty contained within her shores.
One of Curacao's most famous sights is Punda's Handelskade, a historical waterfront street with colorful colonial houses.
So just why are the buildings in Willemstad so colorful? Blame it on headaches!
In 1817, after being plagued by recurring headaches, which he blamed on the glare of white houses, Governor-general Albert Kikkert passed a law that pastel colors must be used on all buildings - hence the color explosion throughout Willemstad.
You will delight in strolling through the colorful streets of Dutch style homes and buildings, creating a truly unique Caribbean cultural experience. Leave a Comment
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Walking along the Handelskade on the Punda side of Willemstad you will see the parade of Venezuelan fishing boats tied up along this area. These Venezuelan fishermen sail 30 miles north to Curacao to sell their catch along with vegetables, fruit and other items where they fetch a better price than in Venezuela. Leave a Comment Directions: Punda side of Willemstad, Curacao
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The Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge connects the two parts of town, Punda and Otrobanda. It swings wide many times daily to allow access to one of the busiest ports in the world. It also separates the two halves of the city. This bridge, known as the swinging old lady, was built in 1888 by Leonard Burlington Smith and named after Queen Emma who reigned in Holland from 1890 to 1898.
The bridge consists of bridgework supported by 16 floating pontoons. This explains why the Queen Emma Bridge is also known as the Pontoon Bridge. It opens and closes by two powerful ship motors, a process which takes about two minutes.
This 107-year-old bridge originally was designed to cost the poor nothing to cross it while the well-to-do paid to cross. Legend has it that it cost walkers one cent to cross the bridge with shoes on, but it was free to cross it barefoot. The rationale being that the poor couldn't afford shoes. These days, the crossing is free, regardless of foot coverings.
The pontoon bridge is definitely one of the sites to go see and experience. When you’re in town take a few minutes to walk across the bridge and enjoy the breeze and the scenery and the hustle and bustle of the town. I think that you will find that the time will fly by and you won't regret taking that unique walk. Leave a Comment
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The floating market (mercado flotante) is where Venezuelan merchants dock and sell their fresh fish, produce and spices. Vendors make the sea trip from Venezuela every morning with fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood - the stalls aren't actually floating, but they're close enough to the water to justify the name.
Be sure to notice the awnings of magenta, green, red, yellow and blue that billow over the Dutch tile counters of the floating market on Santa Anna Bay. The market is at its most colorful each morning as Curacoans stuff mangoes, bananas, onions, fresh nutmeg; chiles, limes, cinnamon sticks and potatoes brought by schooner from Venezuela into their shopping bags. The vendors sing along with the ranchero music on their radios, while the schooners' crews play cards, fish, or lounge in hammocks on the boats' decks. Leave a Comment Directions: Along the Waaigat on the north side of the Punda district.
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...visit Baya Beach Club at Caracasbay Island.
Surprise! Combine history with sun, sea, sand and partying! Baya Beach Club is ideal for a day at, in, on or around the water with he family. During the day you can swim, bake in the sun, ride the boat, waterbike, canoe, hike, ride horseback, have a nice lunch and some tropical drinks. A beautiful site to see the sun set. At night you can mingle with the locals and dance till morning. Also to visit on the Baya Beach grounds: Fortress Beekenburg (17th century, dutch) Leave a Comment Directions: About 20 minutes from Willemstad by car, it is located near Jan Thiel and Caracasbay, on the Cracasbay Island. You should have no problem getting to Baya, it's well known.Other Contact: Baya Beach Club, tel. 7470777 Sn
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The Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge (which locals refer to as 'the Swinging Lady') is the world's largest floating pedestrian bridge. Built in 1888 by an American consul, a toll was charged to help recoup the costs. However, the consul decided to charge only those who could afford shoes. The idea was that people who could afford shoes were rich and people who couldn't afford shoes were poor. His good intentions backfired when he realized that the poor folks were to proud to admit their poverty and often borrowed shoes to cross, and the rich folks, too stingy to pay the toll, were often crossing barefoot. There is no charge today regardless of your footwear. The bridge is 700 ft. long and swings open up to 30 times a day to receive ships into St. Anna Bay. Leave a Comment Address: Downtown Willemstad
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The remarkable carvings dating back as far as 1,500 years, make the Hato Caves in itself a very interesting site to visit. Add the knowledge that the caves were the place where runaway slaves used to hide, and the fact that is still known as a popular meeting place to perform ancient religious ceremonies, and you know it is place you ought to have seen before you leave Curaçao. The Caves are open Tuesday through Sunday; multi-lingual tours are given on the hour from 10 am to 5 pm.; admission is $6.25 for adults, and $4.75 for children under 13. Leave a Comment Address: North of Willemstad close to the airportPhone: 011-5999-680379Directions: On Roosevelt Weg ('weg' is 'street' or 'road' in Dutch), across the road from the Hotel Holland.Website: http://www.chata.org/hatocaves.htm Other Contact: Fax: 011-5999-693217
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- Livingstone Jan Thiel Resort
Jan Thiel Beach Z/N, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Marriott Curacao Resort
Piscadera Bay, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Howard Johnson Curacao Hotel
Brionplein z/n Otrobanda, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Curacao Manor Resort
Salinja 170, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Hotel Kura Hulanda
Langestraat 8 St. Anna Bay, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - The Sea Aquarium Resort
Bapor Kibra z/n P.O. Box 3102, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Papagayo Beach Resort
Jan Thiel Baai z/n, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Sunset Waters
P.O. Box 3782 Santa Marta Bay, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Floris Suite Hotel
Piscadera Bay, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Trupial Inn Hotel and Casino
Groot Davelaarweg 5, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Royal Sea Aquarium
Bapor Kibra z/n P.O. Box 3102, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Livingstone Villas & Resort
Jan Thiel Beach Z/N, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Lions Dive And Beach Resort Curacao
Bapor Kibrá, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Chogogo Resort
Jan Thiel Bay, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles - Otrobanda Hotel And Casino (Breedestraat 0.)
Breedestraat, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
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on June 22, 2003
on January 12, 2004
on August 10, 2007
on October 3, 2002
