A holiday home in Willemstad

A tropical holiday in one of the most beautiful cities in the Caribbean, who doesn't dream of that? Colourful houses, good food and beautiful sandy beaches: that is what Willemstad is all about.

A paradise on earth

The capital of Curacao will provide you with a wonderful holiday. The centre of Willemstad is effectively split by two by the Sint Annabaai. This seaport is the busiest in the Caribbean. Because of the split, Willemstad consists of two districts: Punda and Otrabanda. In Punda you will find the old, stately buildings from the 17th century. In this friendly neighbourhood you can shop and eat to your heart's content. The floating market is a particular highlight. Venezuelan fishermen and farmers offer their fresh produce for sale here.

One city, two districts

The Pontjesbrug takes you to the other district: Otrabanda. Don't be alarmed as you walk over the bridge; yes, it is gently swaying as it floats on small boats! In Otrabanda, you can stroll endlessly through the narrow streets with numerous small, local boutiques. Would you just like to enjoy the sun and the sea? You can choose from several sandy beaches in the area. The most famous is Mambo Beach, but Avila Beach and Caracas Bay are also worth a visit.

Useful to know about Curacao

Since 2010, Curacao has been part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Despite the fact that it is now an autonomous country, Dutch influences are still very clear. The official language, together with Papiamentu, is still Dutch.

The island is loved by holidaymakers because of its many beautiful beaches and sunny climate; the average temperature is 27 degrees. The 'rainy season' lasts from October to February, but consists mainly of short nocturnal rains.

In summer, it is 6 hours earlier on Curacao than in the Netherlands, in winter time it is 5 hours earlier. Also useful to know: the currency is the Antillean guilder, but you'll generally be fine with American dollars too. It takes about 10 hours by plane from Amsterdam.