Vacation On Curacao

Vacation On Curacao is a vacation rental agency that has been operating in Curacao since 2016. Our mission is to provide our clients and travelers with the most accurate, clear and best possible information about vacation rentals, tours and private accommodation within Curacao.

We have carefully crafted a numerous activities and excursions to allow you to discover the natural beauty of Curacao, whether it be the old historic architecture or the surrounding coral reefs. This website is dedicated to providing all the information about vacationing on Curacao

Looking for a vacation that’s full of fun, beautiful beaches and mountains, awesome diving sites, but also great places to eat and get some cute stuff? Then Curacao is just perfect!

You’re in good hands at Dutch Caribbean Concierge & Vacation House Rentals – whether you’re interested in a fully-guided tour focused on the top 5 things to do, a private car and driver for your stay, or a luxury vacation house for rent.

There’s a place I’d recommend your to visit with your family and friends. It’s far from the typical tourist areas, and yet it’s never been more attractive to overseas vacationers. It’s quite possibly the new “place to be”.

f you head to Curaçao’s capital, Willemstad, you’ll find a larger-than-life installation spelling out the local expression dushi, meaning “sweet” or “nice.”

Vacation On Curacao

It’s safe to say that the word has become the unofficial slogan of the island, so head on down, grab yourself a blue drink (tinted by Curaçao’s signature liqueur, of course) and enjoy the dushi life of sun and sand.

Here are the top reasons why Curaçao should be your next vacation destination in the Caribbean.

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Colorfully dressed women smiling during the Carnival parade in Curaçao
Governance of Curaçao has traded hands many times, resulting in one of the most diverse cultures in the Caribbean © lucop / Getty Images

1. Curaçao’s diverse cultural heritage

Curaçao harbors one of the most multifaceted cultures in the Caribbean, thanks to its long, varied history and its close proximity to South America. Originally settled by the Arawaks nearly 6000 years ago, the island came under Spanish rule in the early 16th century, but it was abandoned because of its perceived lack of riches. The Dutch West India Company picked up where the Spanish left off, and Curaçao became a major hub for the slave trade.

In the mid-1600s, large numbers of Jewish refugees settled in Curaçao to escape the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions. The island was later shuffled back and forth between the Dutch and the British Empire before the Netherlands finally claimed ownership in 1815. Today, Curaçao exists as an independent state, but citizens carry Dutch passports.

It’s not uncommon to hear Curaçaoans ping pong between languages, as most people speak multiple: Dutch, Spanish, Papiamentu (the local creole) and English. These diverse cultural influences also manifest in the country’s music – radios blast bachata, reggaetón, American pop, tumba and ritmo kombina, the island’s own genre of tunes – as well as in its food scene. Iguana stew with a side of bitterballen, anyone?

View of colorful buildings in downtown Willemstad, Curaçao
Downtown Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao © Filip Carmen / Shutterstock

2. Historic downtown Willemstad

First established in 1634 with the construction of Fort AmsterdamWillemstad is the feather in Curaçao’s historical cap. Its downtown, a Unesco World Heritage site filled with candy-colored Dutch colonial buildings, simultaneously exudes European and tropical vibes, and is a port favorite for cruise-goers. Just as fascinating as the well-preserved buildings are the not-so-preserved ones, perfect in their crumbling grandeur.

While the town’s Handelskade (Merchant’s Wharf) is an iconic spot to hang out, take the time to wander the winding streets of the city, where you’ll find inviting bars, authentic dining spots such as Plasa Bieu, and the technicolor floating market, where fruit vendors from Venezuela dock to sell their wares. The market itself doesn’t actually float, but the sellers’ boats bob behind their brightly hued stalls full of mangoes, plantains and papayas.

Boats on the water at the floating market in Willemstad, Curaçao
Willemstad’s floating market, located off St. Anna Bay © Patricia Hamilton / Getty Images

Downtown Willemstad is also home to Museum Kura Hulanda. Housed in 19th-century slave quarters, the museum’s exhibits extensively cover the history of slavery in the Caribbean, a story in which Curaçao played a central role.

Interesting fact: Curaçao’s colorful buildings weren’t always that way. In 1918, Governor Albert Kickert complained of constant headaches that he attributed to the then-whitewashed city. He ordered all the buildings to be repainted in different colors to combat the reflective nature of the white walls and end his suffering. It turns out that Kickert actually owned a paint company that profited immensely off the new law, prompting Curaçao to prohibit their politicians from having private economic interests.

This mural in Otrobanda is a collaboration completed by local artists Garrick Marchena and Valerie Parisius
This mural in Otrobanda is a collaboration by local artists Garrick Marchena and Valerie Parisius © Bailey Freeman / Lonely Planet

3. Curaçao’s artsy side

When you think of street art, Curaçao is probably not on your radar, but that’s where you would be mistaken. Colorful murals sprawl across Willemstad’s buildings, particularly in the Otrobanda and Pietermaai neighborhoods, the latter of which is the city’s coolest new avenue for food and night life. Designs range from geometric shapes to realistic portraits to political commentary. Curaçao’s art scene also thrives in a number of museums and galleries. Learn about the Chichi figurine at Serena’s Art Factory or pick up a colorful print at Nena Sanchez’s downtown gallery. Nena has painted murals of her famous blue women across the city, so see if you can spot them. To see Willemstad’s largest collection of works by Curaçaoan artists, head over to Gallery Alma Blou.

Pier on the beach at Playa Porto Mari in Curaçao
The pier at Playa Porto Mari © Oliver Hoffman / Getty Images

4. Curaçao’s 35 beaches

While it takes less than two hours to drive Curaçao from tip to tip, it’s home to 35 beaches, each with their own individual personalities. Playa Knip, the island’s most famous beach, offers up crystal-clear waters and good amenities, while Playa Lagún is a more intimate and quirky spot, with weathered rowboats strewn across its golden sand. If you’re looking for a little more space to move around, head over to Porto Mari, a wide expanse of beach with breathtaking waters. Sit on the pier for a jealousy-inducing photo op, or grab a cold Amstel Bright at the conveniently located beach bar. Porto Mari is also a great stop for divers looks to explore the undersea treasures of Curaçao’s coast.

Want a beach experience with a dose of of luxury? Head down to the man-made coast at Jan Thiel Bay and Papagayo Beach, or if you have a little cash to burn, buy yourself a day pass to Baoase Luxury Resort – $50 will snag you a towel, cabana, snorkeling gear, kayaks, snacks and floaties, as well as access to one of the most beautiful resort coves on the island.

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