Curacao holidays

Holidays to Curacao are clear-cut Caribbean – think balmy beaches, must-see marine life and a colonial capital.

Dutch details

With a spot in the southern section of the Caribbean Sea, Curacao joins Aruba and Bonaire as one of the so-called ABC islands. Dutch influences are everywhere here – take one look at the capital’s colourful old town, and you won’t be surprised to hear that it was ruled over by the Netherlands for more than 300 years. Elsewhere, the island’s 35-strong line-up of beaches are textbook Caribbean.

Hard-to-beat beaches

Curacao’s beach scene is just what you’d expect from a country in this part of the world – pearl-white sands and glass-like seas are a given. Some are small and flanked by limestone cliffs, while others sprawl out for miles. And it’s not just sunbathers who flock here. The waters around the island’s protected south coast are a haven for snorkellers and scuba divers, thanks to their clusters of well-kept coral and schools of colourful fish.

A cultural capital

The island’s capital – Willemstad – is worthy of a spot on your must-visit list. Its colour-splashed streets throw up photo opportunities around almost every corner, and a peppering of open-air cafés means you’ll have no shortage of options when it’s time for a pitstop. As for sights, don’t miss the floating Queen Emma Bridge. Known to locals as the Swinging Old Lady, it connects the two halves of the city – Punda and Otrobanda.