TRAVEL | POSTCARD FROM CURAÇAO

In the south of the Caribbean, Curaçao has far more than heavenly beaches and its famous blue liqueur to shout about. Ancient forts, historic plantations, and Dutch colonial architecture blend with a thriving street art scene, great food, and a party atmosphere, making it an exuberant, colorful year-round destination.

Words by Natasha Were.

TOUR downtown Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, by tuk-tuk or on foot. Candy-coloured buildings with Dutch gabled roofs, now housing stylish cafés and restaurants, line the waterfront, where vibrant street murals add a modern slant to the colonial architecture.

BEACH HOP With 38 beaches, there’s a stretch of sand for every style. Head to Playa Lagun and Blue Bay Beach for snorkelling, Klein Knip for seclusion, and Porto Mari for spectacular sunsets (and free-roaming wild pigs).

TASTE the local specialties. From pumpkin pancakes to papaya stew, Curacao's cuisine reflects its multi-cultural nature. Don’t miss Keshi Yena, the national dish made from Gouda cheese stuffed with spiced meat, olives, capers, raisins, and more.

EAT at Hofi Cas Cora, an organic farm and brunch spot where you can feast on homemade goat cheese, sorrel sangria, and just-collected eggs, with a view of the food being grown.

DANCE at the water’s edge on Mambo Beach. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Wet & Wild Beach Club transforms into a huge open-air nightclub with a mojito bar, DJs, and late happy hour.

MASTER your mixology skills at Landhuise Chobolobo. This historic distillery has been making the authentic, bright blue, orange-flavored liqueur that bears the island’s name since 1896 and now offers tours, craft spirit tastings, and cocktail workshops.

KAYAK through Caracas Bay to find secluded beaches and crumbling forts, or paddle into the Blue Room, a hidden cave on the west coast, only accessible from the sea, where the colour of the water is electrifying.

SPEND a morning wandering the cobbled streets, pretty squares, and courtyards of Kura Hulanda. This once-neglected village in the Otrobanda district has recently been re-gentrified and is now replete with eateries, boutiques, and galleries, as well as an excellent museum that documents the history of slavery.

STAY at the boutique Boho Hotel in the heart of Curaçao’s culinary district. Its 21 individually styled rooms, filled with hand-crafted furniture and curated works of art, surround a leafy courtyard.

EXPLORE the 1800-hectare Christoffel National Park to experience the island’s wilder side. Two driving routes and eight hiking trails wind their way between towering cacti and orchid trails, past former plantation houses and copper mines, and offer spectacular views of untouched countryside.