The People: Curacao's 140,000 inhabitants stem from all over the world. You"ll hear dozens of languages spoken, with English, Papiamentu, Dutch, and Spanish foremost among them. One thing you’ll find the local people all have in common is that they’re friendly and courteous, and they take great pride in their island.

The Synagogue: The Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the New World. Located in Punda, construction was started in 1651 and the building was dedicated in 1732. It is still an active house of worship today, with sand floors to commemorate the Jews’ many years of wandering through the desert.
 
World Heritage: The Dutch have left their lasting mark on Curaçao in many areas, but perhaps none as striking as the architecture. Nowhere else in the world outside of the Netherlands are there so many exquisite 17th and 18th Century Dutch colonial buildings.  The restored mansions of Scharloo and Pietermaai dating back to the 1700's are exceptionally beautiful.  These neighborhoods, along with the historic city centre in Willemstad, Schottegat, the largest natural harbor in the Caribbean, have joined the ranks of the extraordinary such as the Acropolis, and Vatican City as Willemstad has been placed on the World Cultural Heritage List!

Museums: Curaçao is home to many unique museums. Kura Hulanda has a permanent exposition on the slave trade. The Jewish Historical Cultural Museum is part of the oldest continually operating synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. The Maritime Museum, Postal Museum, Curaçao Museum, Tele Museum, and art galleries at Landhuis Jan Kok and Landhuis Bloemhof are all well worth visiting.

Ancient Forts: As stable and peaceful as the island is today, one need only look at the array of ancient forts to envision its tumultuous past. The Riffort and Waterfort flank either side of the Santa Anna Bay in Willemstad, both offering some great restaurants within the old walls. Fort Beekenburg, Fort Waakzaamheid and Fort Sint Michiel all date back several centuries.

Floating Bridge: The Queen Emma pontoon bridge connects the two sides of Willemstad, Punda and Otrobanda. Constructed in 1888 and replaced in 1939, this 550 foot bridge is the oldest pontoon bridge still in use today; when it opens to let ships through, ferry boats bring people across the Santa Anna Bay. It’s restricted to pedestrians only and a great place to take pictures of the historic downtown.

Landhuizen: These historic plantation homes (or land-houses) date back to colonial times. Some of them are private, but many have been reborn as restaurants and hotels, and gladly welcome visitors. Others have been reduced to ruins, but all are worth visiting to absorb the long history of the island. See our Curacao Culture and Land house tour

Floating Market: This unique market opens every day at sunrise and can be found just up the bay and around the corner from the pontoon bridge on the Waaigat waterfront. Venezuelan and Columbian merchants sell fresh produce and sometimes fish from their colorful wooden boats, a tradition dating back a century and a half. 

Dining: Hand in hand with its many cultures, Curacao offers a great variety of dining at very reasonable prices, including: Roadside Chinese 'Snacks’, American fast food, gourmet French and Italian restaurants, Thai, Indian, and Indonesian fare, authentic South American cuisine, fresh seafood straight off the boat, and local dishes of goat, iguana, and cactus. Hungry yet?

Architecture & Colors: When the Dutch began to colonize the island in the 1630’s they brought along their own unique style of architecture, designing Willemstad’s buildings to resemble those found in Amsterdam. However, the array of eye-catching pastels bedecking the buildings is unique to Curacao, making the colorful waterfront a must see destination; don’t forget your camera!

Carnival: is a way of expressing rich cultural traditions with a strong focus on fun and enjoyment. It is based on folklore and has a long history that stemmed initially from Catholic Europeans who settled in the Carribean. Carnival festivities are held between December and March of each year. The activities are a combination of African traditions, masks and costumes, music, concerts and parades. Many months are spent on creating a theme and the related costumes. The passing parades are a joy to behold. The event is open to everyone who wishes to join in on the celebration.