Our advice 

There is a lot to see and do on Curaçao. There are a number of things we feel you need to have seen or done.

Estates

Curaçao has a number of very beautiful estates in colonial style. Particularly the last few years a lot of attention and money has been spent on the restoration. Many estates have been saved from falling into disrepair and once again have been restored to former glory. Originally the estates formed the heart of the surrounding plantations where mostly small livestock was raised. In some case salt was produced but there was also the odd plantation where the Divi-Divi tree was grown. The leaves were used as raw material for the tanneries.

Shete Boka Park

A ‘boka’ is in fact a cove. Shete Boka means seven coves. Many years ago the environmental group Amigu di Tera used to offer excursions to the seven coves in this area. This is why the name was adopted although in reality there are more than seven coves in this national park.

The park starts at the beautiful Boka Tabla where huge, unpredictable waves crash against a subterranean cave. An impressive experience. Subsequently, a walk on top of the limestone terrace offers a great view across the northern coast of Curaçao.

Museums

• Museum of Curaçao

Van Leeuwenhoekstraat, Otrobanda. This rather large museum is located in a historical building from 1853. It features a regular collection with both local and foreign art. Apart from the regular collection there are often special exhibitions

• Jewish Cultural-Historical Museum

Hanchi di Snoa 29. Punda. The museum is part of the Mikve Israel Emmanuel Synagogue, which dates back to 1732. Just the Synagogue, considered one of the most beautiful buildings on Curaçao, is worth a visit. The museum does not only have an impressive collection of religious art but also ‘worldly’ art and antiques.

• Kura Hulanda Museum

Klipstraat 9, Otrobanda. In this museum you can see, hear and experience how African slaves and other inhabitants of Curaçao lived and developed themselves over the course of centuries. It comprises the most beautiful collection of African art in the whole Caribbean.

• Fort Kerk Museum

Fort Amsterdam, Punda. The museum is located behind the Fort Kerk from 1769 at Fort Amsterdam, which dates back to 1635. It houses a limited collection of religious art and additionally has an impressive collection of old maps of Curaçao.