Curaçao - The Caribbean's Colourful Gateway

Curaçao

Delft houses. Germanic architecture. You are in the Netherlands. Yet you are off the coast of Venezuela, the weather is wonderfully warm and the beaches are enthralling. And not a dam in sight.

This is Curaçao - the Netherlands in the Caribbean.

Alighting from your cruise port in the capital Willemstadt feels like any other Caribbean port. But step outside and look around and you'll see this place is very different. European in style, yet with that astonishing burst of colour and vibrancy that you find all over the Caribbean. Polite and laid back, yet joyful and exuberant. Curaçao is a delight for your eyes and your senses - like the very best of two continents all rolled into one.

Willemstadt is a joy to walk around: accessible, beautiful and with friendly locals who love to pass the time with you. There isn't the pushiness you find on some other islands: in Curaçao, even in the capital city, you are left to relax.

Curaçao

was a real highlight of our two week Caribbean cruise and we would return there in a heartbeat.

How to get there

Curaçao

Curaçao has an international airport, with great connections to other Caribbean islands, North and South America and, of course, the Netherlands.

However, most people will visit Curaçao on a cruise, likely from Miami. It's in southern Caribbean islands and is visited as part of sailing round the 'A-B-C' islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao) of the Netherlands Antilles. These are three very distinct islands. You will have a very different experience in each of them. For us, these three islands are 'under the radar' gems and among the very best of what the Caribbean has to offer.

Curaçao

How we did it

We visited in 2018, as part of a two-week cruise on the Celebrity Eclipse from Miami. It was an incredible voyage, among the very best cruises we have done so far. Currently they don't offer the full two week itinerary, but if you keep an eye on this link, you might find an 'A-B-C' islands itinerary that suits you.

Our top tips

Curaçao

• Leave your cruise ship as soon as it docks and get back around an hour before it's due to leave. Willemstadt is not usually a tender port, but you will want to spend as much time there as possible.

• We cruised with Celebrity, who were excellent. However, while not 'adult', they were quite 'grown up', with fewer facilities aimed at children and teens. If you are travelling with children or young people, you might prefer an equivalent itinerary with Royal Caribbean.

• Even the transport to the port is an experience - keep an eye out for the green buses!