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Tourist Information
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800-270-3350 , www.curacaotourism.com |
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Location
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The largest island of the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao is the
"C" in the "ABCs" that also include
neighboring Aruba and Bonaire. The island lies in the
southern Caribbean just 35 miles north of Venezuela, a
four-hour flight from New York and a two and a half hour
flight from Miami. |
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Political Status
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Member of the Netherlands Antilles |
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Capital
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Willemstad |
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Population
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160,000 |
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Size
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180 square miles |
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Language
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The official language is Dutch and the native language is
Papiamento, but most people speak English, especially in
Willemstad. Spanish and Portuguese are also commonly heard
on the island. |
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Currency
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Netherlands Antillean Florin (NAFl) |
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Taxes
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US$12.50 departure tax for international flights, US$5.65 for
flights within the Netherlands Antilles |
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Tipping
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Most restaurants add a 10-percent service charge to the bill,
hotels 15 percent. Porters should be tipped NAFl.1 per bag,
and taxi drivers 10 percent of the fare. |
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Electricity
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110-130 volts, like in the U.S., but 50 cycles instead of 60.
Most U.S. appliances will work here. European and South
American visitors need to bring converters. |
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Area Code
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From the U.S., callers must dial 011 (the international code)
then 599-9 (the country and island code) and then the local
phone number, which may vary in number of digits. To reach
another country from Curacao, dial 00, the country's
international code, the area code and then the number. |
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Time
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Atlantic Standard Time (Eastern Standard Time plus one hour). |
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Documents
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Citizens of the U.S. and Canada need a passport or other proof of
citizenship (birth certificate or voter's registration) with
a photo I.D. All other travelers need a valid passport, and
all visitors must show a return or onward ticket. |
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Climate:
Constant
trade winds keep the island at an average temperature of about
80-82F, with temperatures a bit higher in summer. The island's
average rainfall is just 22 inches per year, with the rainy season
being October-February.
HISTORY
When
Alonso de Ojeda, a Spanish navigator traveling with Amerigo
Vespucci, came across Curacao in 1499, he immediately claimed it
for Spain. By the early 1500s, settlements had sprung up across
the isle. A conflict in 1634, however, put ownership of the island
into the hands of the Dutch West India Company. Soon after,
Portuguese and Spanish Jews, seeking refuge from the Inquisition,
arrived in Curacao. In the first two decades of the 19th century,
the Dutch temporarily lost control of the island to Britain. In
1954, Curacao became a self-governing partner, along with Aruba
and Bonaire, in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
HIGHLIGHTS
Despite
the 4,881 miles that separate Willemstad, the capital of Curacao,
and Amsterdam, Holland's capital, the two are remarkably alike.
Both are decorated with narrow, gabled buildings crowned with
red-tiled roofs. Both tempt tourists with Dutch cuisine and a
hopping nightlife. And both brew a mean beer (though Curacao's
Amstel stands alone: It's brewed with desalinated seawater).
Not
to be missed in Willemstad is the Mikvi Israel-Emanuel Synagogue.
Erected in 1732, it is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in
the Western Hemisphere. The traditional sand floor reminds the
congregation of the years the Jews spent wandering the desert in
search of the Promised Land.
Also
in Willemstad, 17th-century fort Amsterdam encloses the Dutch
Reformed Church (look for the cannonball embedded in the wall; it
was fired by Captain Bligh) and the Governor's Palace.
Two
bridges have put Curacao on the map: the Queen Juliana, the
highest in the Caribbean, and the Queen Emma Pontoon, which 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. |
After
touring Curacao's natural sites, including the Hato and Boca Tabla
Caves, refresh yourself with a tour of the Curacao Liqueur
distillery at Chobolobo. Delight in the exotic taste of the bitter
orange liqueur Curacao, it has a unique flavor.
TRANSPORTATION
Ground
Transportation:
There are taxi stands at the airport, in Punda and Otrabanda and
outside major hotels. Fares are standard and there are no meters,
so you should confirm rates before your ride. Fares are for one to
four people with a 25-percent surcharge for a fifth passenger and
after 11 p.m.
The
two modes of public transportation are yellow or blue buses called
konvoi and collective cars or buses. Major terminals are located
outside of the post office on the Waaigat inlet in Punda and
beside the underpass in Otrabanda. In-town and eastern point fares
are NAFl.1 and 1.50 to get to the island's western end. Buki di
Bus: Bus Schedules and Routes is published by the Transportation
Department and costs just NAFl.1.45
Rental
cars are readily available, and agencies have desks at major
hotels. Try Avis (800-331-1084), Budget (800-527-0700),
Caribe Rentals (461-3089/461-5666), or Hertz
(800-654-3131) for rental cars; Easy Going (869-5056),
or Koert's Motorcycle
Rental (737-7653) to rent scooters or motorcycles.
Airlines:
Daily nonstop service is available from Miami on American
Airlines (800-433-7300), which also has flights from New York,
Miami and San Juan to Aruba, where a quick connecting flight can
be made. Air ALM (800-327-7230), based in Curacao,
offers daily flights from Miami.
DON'T MISS:
- The
chance to explore the Curacao Underwater Park, one of the
Caribbean's best marine reserves
- Local
specialties such as stoba, funchi, pan bati and keshi yena
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