/Curacao

Fans of Curacao label it the Caribbean Dutch treat that can't be beat. Think near perfect, relatively arid weather with capital city Willemstad basking in the sun as a tropical Amsterdam. Daytime temperatures range from the 70s to the low 80s with cool tradewinds at night.

Although Dutch and Papiamento are the official lingos, nearly everyone speaks English. Papiamento? That is a language unique to the Dutch Caribbean and is a combination of tongues reflecting the Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, English, African and Amerindian roots of Curacao.

Located just 35 miles north of Venezuela, Curacao is the largest and most populous of the Dutch Antilles. This multi-ethnic island is nominally part of the Netherlands and the Queen of that European nation is Head of State.

As one might expect, the Dutch Antilles guilder is the official currency but US dollars are widely accepted.

Sightseeing amid the red-tiled Dutch architecture of capital city Willemstad is an absolute joy. So is shopping in this world-class trading mecca with low import duties and no sales taxes.

As for beaches, there are officially 38 seashores, some of them well-attended hotel venues and others secluded coves worthy of a film set.

Orchids are everywhere in the 4,500 acre Christoffel National Park, complete with caves and a mountain.

The most celebrated of Curacao vegatetion is the divi-divi tree with its branches twisted into exotic Oriental shapes by the constant trade winds.

There is a wide range of restaurants in every price category. Try the local specialities: keshi yena, a meat filled cheese casserole, or perhaps funchi, a cornmeal cake of aboriginal origin. Atmospheric seaside clubs have been built into an ancient Dutch fort's stone walls. Go there to sip a drink and watch the sun set before dining and gambling under a sparkling canopy of stars - planets, too, for that matter. Its European charm attracts many the moST There are all the modern conveniences as well as the Old World flair.

Accommodations range from multi-starred luxury resorts to quaint inns, apartments, villas and condos.

Curacao Tourist Board
330 Biscayne Boulevard
Suite 808
Miami FL 33132


Curacao Tourist Board
475 Park Avenue South
Suite 2000
New York NY 10016

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