Curaçao is the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles, and is
part of the Dutch Leeward Islands, also known as the Dutch Antilles. Willemstad,
the capital, is noted for its brightly coloured, Dutch-style houses and Cunucu
dwellings (based on African-style mud and wattle huts). It is one of the finest
shopping centres in the Caribbean. The harbor has a floating market where
colorful barges full of agricultural produce are moored. Nearby is the new
market building, the design of which is very striking. St Christoffel National
Park, occupying the most northwestern part of the island, is a nature reserve
dominated by the mountain of the same name. There are several caves decorated
with Arawak Indian paintings, some unusual rock formations and fine views
across the countryside. Lucky visitors may spy iguanas and shy Curaçao
deer. Traditional Dutch food is popular, as well as the exciting flavors of
Creole food, criollo, which makes good use of fresh fish. There are several
discos run by hotels on the island some of which also have a casino.
Sun worshipers enjoy Curacao's many beautiful and diverse white sand beaches,
tiny and private to enormous sweeps of sand. Golfers shouldn't miss playing
at Blue Bay, the island's challenging new 18-hole golf course which takes
advantage of seaside terrain and Caribbean vistas.
Curaçao offers many choices of places to stay, at many price levels:
luxury resorts operated by international chains, one-of-a-kind boutique hotels,
fully equipped vacation apartments and convenient, affordable properties.
Roads are excellent and public transportation reliable; a hospitable, multilingual
population makes visitors feel welcomed.
But Curacao's most amazing secrets lie beneath the water. Curaçao diving
is unique for many reasons. It is set apart from other Caribbean destinations
by its diversity and its density of sea life, its many underwater landscapes,
and its reef's proximity to shore. Reefs surround the island, attaching to
the shore like a narrow fringe. Massive coral formations extend into the depths
with deep-water fish patrolling the plunging walls. The reef walls on Curaçao
vary from moderate 45 degree angles to steep 90 degree angles. There is plenty
to see, be it dolphins playing, turtles sunning, or even pilot whales migrating.
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