Visiting colorful Curacao? Save time for a trip to Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Are you visiting Curaçao for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in dushi Korsou – the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao.

Did you know that downtown Willemstad, in the Dutch Caribbean of Curacao, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

If you are looking for typical Curaçaon cuisine, I recommend Jaanchie’s on the West end of the island.

Looking for a quiet place to escape and unplug from the digital world? Check out one of the beautiful beaches on the western part of the island.

When you come to Curacao, takes pictures at the Floating Market in Willemstad

When you come to Curaçao, take your picture on the floating bridge in front of the colorful Handelskade.

The best item on the menu at Restaurant La Bahia, is the Keshi Yena (Stuffed Gouda Cheese).

Seeing a lot of Iguanas on the island? Curaçao is best known for Iguana soup – oh my!

Plenty of Iguanas to be found in Curacao

Looking for cheap and authentic food in Curaçao, go to Marshe Bieuw, the Old Market, in downtown Willemstad – where the locals eat.

For quality Swiss and French cuisine, go to the five star Bistro Le Clochard.

In Curaçao, take your picture with an ostrich at the Ostrich Farm!

For your best pictures and viewing, walk to the top of Riffort Village.

The Fort Nassau offers great views and Handleskade is the best place to watch or experience the Heineken Regatta Curacao.

In Curaçao, outdoor enthusiasts will want to hike Christoffel Park or hop on one of Eric’s ATVs.

Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the Jan Thiel walkway.

If you are a museum lover, Curaçao’s best museum is Kura Hulanda Museum.

Ready to enjoy a night out on the town? For a night of dancing, go to Mambo Beach.

Eat authentic Curacao food at Marshe Bieuw in Willemstad, Curacao

The Truk’i Pan  – a food truck,  is the spot for late night dining.

K-Pasa, offers movie reviews and will keep you posted on what’s happening in Curaçao.

You can tell a lot about Curaçao from visiting and watching Carnival, the island’s Mardi Gras!

In the spring you should attend Curaçao Kite Festival.

In the summer you should plan a trip with Substation Curaçao.

Did you know that Curaçao is known for its annual North Sea Jazz Festival? Plan a visit to Curaçao in the fall, this Labor Day weekend.

Come to Curaçao for pagaras and firework events in the winter – all the local business participate.

Visit Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Willemstad, Curacao. The oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere.

Insider Tip:  Check out the often over-looked Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Curaçao. The oldest synagogue still in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere.

Go to Landhuis Daniel for a great breakfast treat or coffee.

If you are looking for a dolphin experience, just outside of Willemstad you can visit Dolphin Academy, and have lunch at the Seaside Terrace.

Do you plan to travel around the entire island of Curacao? You’ll need to rent a car. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Curacao, which offers transportation to the resort from the airport and an inexpensive shuttle service to downtown Willemstad.

Don’t miss the Sea Aquarium if you have kids traveling with you.

What are your favorite things to do in one of the Caribbean ABC islands of Auruba, Bonaire and Curacao?

Related Post:

Things to Do in Roatan, Honduras, Garifuna Dancers

Thanks to Curacao Tourism for assistance with this post. I was a guest of Hyatt Regency Curacao.

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Roatan, Honduras Garifuna Dancers

My first visit to Roatan, Honduras and it was during November’s rainy season. I was cruising on the Crown Princess as a guest of Princess Cruises. My dolphin encounter shore excursion was cancelled due to rough waters on the seas. As an alternative, I selected “The Best of Roatan” tour and discovered the Garifuna Dancers.

Go With the Flow When Cruising

As a person new to cruising, I have learned that you need to be flexible when it comes to ports of call and shore excursions. On this particular Western Caribbean sailing, Hurricane Ida had Commodore Giuseppe Romano changing our itinerary to avoid rough seas. With my Holland America experience, our ship wasn’t able to tender at Sitka, Alaska due to hurricane force winds. Instead Captain Henk Keijer selected the protected and scenic Tracy Arm and it was fabulous! I have learned to adapt the “go with the flow” mentality when it comes to cruising.

Garifuna Culture

As I watched the traditional dances performed by descendents of African slaves, I learned that the men disguised themselves as women to avoid being killed during war time. The males dance the Jur Ca Nu and the women dance the Punta. Watch the feet of the women in the video and enjoy the traditional dances that have been handed down from generations since they settled in Roatan in 1797.

Local Food

Roatan, Honduras Yuka Bread Baker

I was fortunate to taste the Yuka bread after watching a local Roatan women prepare the casava bread on a mud stove. From there we journeyed to a local village to watch as the planteen was mashed to make the native Machuca. A typical dish, Machuca is made of boiled planteen that is mashed, a local white fish and coconut milk. Tasty!

What are your favorite things to see and do in Roatan, Honduras?

All photos and YouTube video courtesy of Travel Writer  Nancy D. Brown

Roatan

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Princess Cruises Crown Princess for a Day - Desiree

Did you ever play dress up as a child or trick-or-treat dressed as a Princess?  Ever fantasized about your ultimate wedding?

After a day at sea as a guest of Princess Cruises Crown Princess, I’ve experienced the pampering of the Lotus Spa, wandered into the adult-only Sanctuary and gazed upon a bride-to-be as she transformed from a fiancee to a newlywed, to half of a honeymooning couple on her wedding day. All of this took place during a day at sea.

SPA TIPS

As a newbie to cruising, I’ve learned that it’s best to book your spa treatment in advance if you’d like your appointment to be during a day at sea. Often times, spa treatments can be less expensive if you schedule them during a day in port. My masseuse on the Crown Princess noted that prices may drop toward the end of a 15 day cruise.

Crown Princess Thermal Suite

Have you tried the Aroma Stone Therapy massage? For cruisers allocating dollars to pampering, the cost is $195. As a guest of Princess Cruises I was fortunate to enjoy 75 minutes of bliss at the Lotus Spa. They were running a little behind on my visit, so I was escorted into the Thermal Suite and promptly settled into a heated ceramic lounge chair.

Recycling Program On Board Crown Princess

After pouring myself a cup of lemon water, I was pleased to see that Crown Princess had a container for recycling the paper cups alonside the water pitcher. For a ship of this size, carrying 3,000 passengers, it is reassuring to know that Princess Cruises cares about their environmental impact.

While cruising Alaska recently, on Holland America Lines Westerdam, I enjoyed hanging out in their Thermal Suite while I watched the ship sail scenic Tracy Arm. If your ship has a thermal suite looking out over the water, the minimal cost of a half day pass might land you the best seat in the house!

Escape to The Sanctuary

Adult-Only Sanctuary on Crown Princess

For those of us hoping to escape loud children or loud adults, for that matter, The Sanctuary is an adults-only retreat located on deck 17. Guests may purchase a half day pass for $10 or full day pass for $20. Additional amenities such as MP3 players with Bose headphones or an Evian Face Mist, at $3.50 a pop, will further isolate the noises of the outside world and leave you feeling moisturized and toned (according to the brochure.)

Personally, if I had a budget for pampering, I would try the cabana massage for $119, accompanied with a little cabana cuisine. Afterall, I’d be on vacation.

What are your recommendations for a day at Sea?

You can follow along on my discoveries via the #FollowMeAtSea hashtag I’m using on Twitter.

All photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

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Environmental Impact of Cruise Ships

Princess Cruise To Western Caribbean