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The Experience

Land Excursions


Exploring The Island

The name “Curacao” means many things to many people. Keen divers will dream of the drop offs and the glimmer of fish scales; history buffs will think about the colorful merchant houses along the waterfront in Willemstad and families will always remember the big smiles and hospitality of the islanders. Nevertheless, there’s more to Curacao and to capture its spirit you really need to explore the island from top to bottom, so rent a car or a moped and start planning your excursions.

At 38 miles (61 kilometers) long and between two and seven-and-a-half-miles wide (three to 12 kilometers), it is impossible to get lost on Curacao. The locals refer to the western side of the island as Banda Abao and the east as Banda Riba. To visit the northwest of the island, take the Weg Maar Santa Cruz Road via Soto and to see the east, you should follow Martin Luther King Boulevard from Willemstad. If driving yourself, keep a lookout for herds of goats that stray on to the highway and the occasional pothole.

Maps are available from the Front Desk and you can join staff at the Sunday Orientation Briefing for more information on the day trips and ATV excursions available.

Northward bound

Pick up your sandals, snorkel mask and a picnic and set off in search of your own Curacao beach, the island has 35 different ones to choose from, including tiny bays hemmed with cliffs to crescents of golden sand.  Driving north from Willemstad, Blue Bay or Blauwbaai is a family favorite and PortoMari is an idyllic spot for sun worshipping. Also one of the island’s best-kept secrets for snorkeling and diving, Porto Marie has a double reef and there are two snorkeling trails in the bay. Although nothing remains of the PortoMarie landhuis or estate house and the fort that stood in this spot, there is a network of nature and history trails following the paths once used by the slaves who lived on the plantation.

Further north, you’ll find more beautiful beaches at Kas Abou, Playa Lagun and  Groot Knip and Klein Knip (Big and Little Knip). Also known as Kenepa, this area played an important role in the island’s most important slave revolt in 1795, which began on the Kenepa estate, the largest and wealthiest plantation on the island, now a museum.

Back on the beach trail, Playa Kalki is a pretty bay at the base of the Westpunt or western headland which is protected by one of the island’s most beautiful reefs. At nearby Playa Forti, you can watch fishermen at work while local youths leap from the cliffs into choppy waters.

Pounded by the waves, the rugged northern coast of Curacao offers dramatic views. Shete Boka National Park is a chain of bays – the name Shete Boka means seven inlets in Papiamentu –, beaches, limestone cliffs and the piece de resistance, the Boka Tabla headland. A lonely spot for reflection, Boka Tabla has been buffeted by wind and water over millions of years to such an extent that caves, inlets and blowholes have been carved from the rock. 

A trip to the Cristoffel National Park in the north of the island gives visitors a glimpse of local flora and fauna, including rare parrots and several species of orchid. There are eight hiking trails through the park and organized wildlife watching activities.

The most challenging hike is a two-hour climb up the slopes of Mt. Cristoffel (1,240 feet). Despite the heat and rocky terrain, the walk is well worth it for the breathtaking views of the Caribbean, with the islands of Bonaire and Aruba in the distance. On a really clear day, you can see the mountains of Venezuela. Located at the entrance to the park, the 18th-century Savonet landhuis is home to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Savonet was one of the island’s earliest plantations and the exhibits on plantation life and the settlers’ efforts to cultivate the arid landscape are very informative.

Central and Southern Curacao

Near the International Airport lies one of Curacao’s other attractions, Hato Caves. Formed millions of years ago by the erosion of ancient coral reefs, this labyrinth of subterranean galleries is festooned with stalactites and stalagmites, and when illuminated reveals still pools, a waterfall and the cave paintings of the Arawak Indians who once sought refuge here. Guided tours are available.

Located about 20 minutes from Willemstad in the south of the island, Den Paradera Herb Garden is the life’s work of Dinah Vreeris, a local teacher turned herbalist.  She began her nursery to preserve native plants and the traditional herbal remedies used by island elders. Dinah now has 300 kinds of herbs which are used to cure a range of ailments. The garden shop sells teas, tisanes, oils, ointments and lotions to cure everything from gastric disorders to respiratory illnesses.

Exploring the Kunuku

Islanders refer to the rural areas of Curacao as the kunuku or bush and it is a semi-arid landscape of hills and valleys clothed in drought-resistant shrubs, cactus, acacias and a native tree called the divi divi which is bowed and deformed by the prevailing trade winds.  The kunuku supports a surprising array of flora and fauna. Around 450 plants have been registered; there are eight species of bats on the island, three species of sea turtle nest on the beaches, brightly colored anole lizards sun themselves on the rocks and white-tail deer graze quietly in the bush. Yet birds are the most numerous inhabitants of the kunuku, the island checklist includes flamingos in the Salinja St Marie salt pans, pelicans, parrots, the trupial bird and the cuchubi or Caribbean mockingbird.

Landhuizen

By the late 18th century, over 300 plantations and estates had been founded on Curacao to work the land, growing corn, peanuts and fruit, and exploit naturally occurring salt pans. Many of the brightly painted plantation houses or landhuizen have been restored and give visitors a glimpse of what life was like for the Dutch settlers and the hardships suffered by the African plantation workers. Some are museums, art galleries, cultural centers or restaurants. Visit Kenepa, Brievengat, Jan Kok, Groot Santa Martha, Papaya, Daniel, Dokterstuin and Chobolobo, where you can sample Curacao, the famous liqueur distilled for over 100 years by the Senior family.


Willemstad


Willemstad

With its colorful gabled merchant houses overlooking the harbor, island capital Willemstad brings an air of Amsterdam to the tropics. Founded in 1634 by the Dutch West India Company, it has always been a port and cosmopolitan trade enclave. In 1997, UNESCO recognized its immense cultural worth and declared it a World Heritage Site. Yet it is much more than history, it is a flourishing duty-free shopping enclave and if this isn’t enough, the open-air cafes gracing its busy squares are the perfect place to soak up the ambiance. 
Known as the Handelskade, the bustling waterfront is the site of Fort Amsterdam, the garrison built in 1634 to guard the approaches to Sint Anna Bay and Schottegat harbor. It soon became the headquarters of the Dutch West India Company and is now the seat of the government of the Netherlands Antilles. The Fortkerk garrison church (1769) houses a small museum.
The city’s two most important districts are Punda, to the east of the harbor, and Otrobanda to the west. The bay is spanned by the Queen Emma Bridge, a floating pontoon bridge that has been operating since 1888, Queen Wilhelmina Bridge (1924) and the Queen Juliana Bridge (1974).
You can explore the city at your own pace and if you want to know more about its history sign up for a heritage walking tour with a knowledgeable guide. Other options are a trolley train ride through Punda and Scharloo or a harbor cruise from the Curacao Maritime Museum.

Shopping with a Dash of History in Punda
The oldest part of Willemstad, the Punda (the Point in Papiamento) district dates from the 17th century and grew up around Fort Amsterdam in a grid plan. Narrow streets and alleys lined with merchant houses that were part residences, part shops and even warehouses filled the area between the fort and the town walls which were dismantled in 1860. Another fort, the Waterfort, was built to protect the outer rim of the settlement and Fort Nassau was added in 1797 to reinforce the Sint Anna Bay defenses.
Punda is the site of the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue which was built in 1732 and is the oldest continuously used Jewish temple in the Western Hemisphere. The sand-covered floor is a symbol of the biblical journey through the Sinai Desert and the Spanish Inquisition when it was used to muffle the sound of services. A Jewish Cultural Museum is located next to the synagogue.
Bustling with visitors, Punda streets are filled with duty-free stores selling jewelry, designer labels, perfumes, luxury goods, blue Delft china and other Dutch souvenirs.
The lively Floating Market on Sha. Caprileskade and the Marshe Bieu, the old market building, are also worth a visit.

The Other Side, Otrobanda
Cross the Koningin Emmabrug swing bridge to Otrobanda, a lively district of 18th and 19th-century merchant houses and mansions. The area has four distinct neighborhoods: the Stegengebied maze of alleys; the Koralengebied which is full of spacious houses with walled courtyards and cottages where the servants lived; the Ijzerstraat quarter of curving streets, squares and lanes and the Hoogstraat area of mansions.
The alleyways and tiny squares of Ijzerstraat are now the site of the Kura Hulanda hotel and museum complex. The brainchild of Dutch historian and entrepreneur, Jacob Gelt Dekker, the Kura Hulanda Museum documents the history of slavery on Curacao and in the Caribbean; and showcases the great ancient civilizations of West Africa and their legacy, tangible in the music, art, kunuku thatched roof houses and traditions of the islanders. There are also exhibitions on the origin of mankind, pre-Hispanic cultures of the Caribbean, different ethnic groups in North and South America and the artists of the region. The museum is actually built on the square where the Willemstad Slave Market was held.
Other sites of interest in Otrobanda include the St Anna Basilica (1734) and the 19th-century forts called the Riffort, now a shopping and dining complex, and Fort Waakzaamheld. Located in a listed building dating from 1853, the Curacao Museum has informative displays on island history from the days of the Caiquetos, the first Amerindian inhabitants, to modern times.
The residential districts of Pietermaai and Scharloo also boast fine mansions dating from the 19th century, some of which were built by the island’s Jewish community. Scharloo is also the site of the Maritime Museum. This multimedia facility has a fine collection of old maps, scale models and nautical paraphernalia and offers an interesting introduction to Curacao’s seafaring and shipbuilding past.
You may wonder about the bright colors used on local residences. According to local lore, an early governor banned the use of white house paint in Willemstad, saying that it caused headaches and could damage the eyesight in the blinding tropical sun. He ordered citizens to use a palette of yellow, pink, turquoise and a variety of pastels when painting their homes. The story goes that after the governor died, they discovered that he had shares in a local paint company!


Water Sports


Curacao is a water sports paradise with plenty of opportunities for fun on and below the surface. Start your aquatic fun with swimming, water skiing, jet skis and banana boat rides. Try your hand at fishing or charter a yacht and go sailing or sign up for a day cruise. Finally, discover the wonders of the coral world. The island’s reefs are some of the finest in the Caribbean and there are plenty of shallow areas for snorkeling close to shore.

Catching a Wave

Year-round trade winds make some of Curacao’s windward beaches ideal for surfing, windsurfing and kite boarding and the island has produced many champions. If you are interested in wave sports, ask staff at the water sports center, they will be able to tell you where the best spots are.

Fishing

Fishermen will be keen to go in search of the big one and area waters are rich in blue marlin, dorado, tuna, wahoo and other game fish. Boats are available for half and full-day charters.

Klein Curacao

Cruise to Klein Curacao (little Curacao) and spend the day snorkeling and relaxing on the beautiful beaches of this uninhabited island off the southern tip of Curacao.

Royal Boat Ride

Pelican Boat Ready to explore the island, all aboard the new Pelican Boat! Choose from a great selection of boat trips including an unforgettable Sunset Cruise, a visit to Willemstad Harbor, daytime Fun in the Sun outings or a Nighttime Snorkeling Adventure. Everything is included and anything is possible.

Kayaks

Sign a kayak out from the Front Desk at the resort to explore the bay and the Curacao coast. This service is free for our members and there is a $10 US fee for Interval International and rental guests. If you would like to go further afield, ask your Concierge about sea kayak trips available from local water sports centers entitled to a discount.

Snorkeling & Diving

A variety of trips to the island’s coral reefs and diving lessons can be arranged at the Front Desk or at the Ocean Encounters Dive Center across the bridge from the resort. This family owned Dive Center offers Open Water courses twice a week and daily morning and afternoon dives for certified divers.

Curacao's Coral Reef

Forests of coral mushrooms, eerie blue caves and huge swirling shoals of tiny fish silvered by the sunlight are the stuff dreams are made of and Curacao is indeed a diver’s dream. With over 65 dive sites rich in colorful marine life, caves, wrecks and challenging drop-offs, the island is one of the Caribbean’s top dive destinations.


Restaurants & Bars


Start your Curacao taste tour in The Sea Aquarium Resort with delicious food prepared by talented chef Augusto Ceccotti and don’t miss the nearby beachfront grill at Mambo Beach. There are many other fine restaurants within walking distance of the resort and in Willemstad to tempt your taste buds and you can go global when it comes to the menus.

Island Flavors

The local seafood is fresh and flavorful and Caribbean and Latin American dishes are widely available. Try the traditional Indonesian rijsttafel or banquet that is a favorite wherever the Dutch have settled in the world or indulge yourself with spicy Indian food, French, Swiss and Italian cuisine. Chinese, Japanese and Thai are also on the menu and if you are a meat lover, you’ll find everything from hamburgers to prime steaks and BBQ ribs. Sample some Curacao cuisine or kuminda krioyo during your stay. The best place is the Marshe Bieu, the old market building in Willemstad, where stalls serve keshi yena, a steamed Dutch cheese with a tasty chicken stuffing, sopi di banana (plantain soup) and pastechi (fried meat pastry) Culinary walking tours are available in Willemstad and take you through Punda and Otrobanda to the Floating Market and the Marshe Bieu for a traditional Curacoan lunch. The resort Concierge will be happy to give you more dining tips and you can browse through sample menus at the Activities Desk.

Augusto’s Restaurant

International favorites, fresh seafood and Italian pasta prepared with flair by Chef Augusto Ceccotti on the waterfront at The Sea Aquarium Resort. If you would like something different, please tell your waiter, special orders are welcome. Augusto’s is open for breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m., lunch 12 to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Happy Hour: 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Monday and Friday. There is free wireless Internet. A take-out service is available on request. Nearby Restaurants Visit Mambo Beach for international dining, theme buffets, grilled seafood and steaks and more under the palms. This popular tropical-style restaurant is open daily for lunch from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and dinner from 7 to 10 p.m. Don’t miss the open-air classic movie night on Tuesday at 9 p.m.

The Night is Young

Cocktails at sunset and a candlelit dinner on the waterfront are the perfect way to start your evening. Follow it up with live music in a beach bar, the repertoire includes reggae, rock, merengue, salsa, jazz and the traditional island beat of tumba and you’ll soon be dancing under the stars. For more fun, take to the waves for a dinner cruise or board a party bus. Finally, head for Curacao’s casinos, you never know, you may strike lucky.


Shopping


Shopping in Curacao

If you like shopping, Curacao is for you!  Indulge with duty-free luxury items, the latest swimwear or even pick up some island art to remind you of your home away from home.
Shoppers will love the bustling Punda district in
Willemstad which is filled with duty-free stores. The most popular streets, Heerenstraat and Madurostraat, are closed to traffic and as you stroll along you’ll be tempted by the glittering displays of diamonds and other gems, exquisite jewelry and watches. Other shops sell the latest cameras and electronics, perfumes, crystal and fine china.  Spruce up your wardrobe with international designer labels, casual Caribbean clothing, beachwear and accessories.
If it is local art you are looking for, you’ll find paintings in a variety of styles, ceramics and sculptures. Wood carvings, textiles and jewelry from other Caribbean islands are also available. In keeping with Curacao’s Dutch heritage, some stores even stock embroidery and the distinctive blue and white Delft pottery from the Netherlands.
For a glimpse of traditional Caribbean life, we recommend that you visit the daily Floating Market on Sha. Caprileskade. Traders from neighboring islands, Venezuela and Colombia congregate here every day to sell tropical fruit and vegetables, spices and crafts.

Resort Shuttle to Punda
Plan your Willemstad shopping trip, hop on the shuttle bus to Punda. Departures: 9:30 and 10 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday from the resort and at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday from the Lions Dive & Beach Resort. No Friday service.

Stock up at the Supermarket
Fill your villa fridge with fruit, vegetables, sandwich fixings and other vacation munchies with a trip to the supermarket. Getting there couldn’t be easier with our free round trip transport service.
Departures: Saturday at 5 p.m., Sunday at 10:30 a.m., Monday to Friday at 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.


Sea Aquarium


The Curacao Sea Aquarium

Opened in 1984 by Adriaan “Dutch” Schrier and Rudy Pizziolo, the world-famous Curacao Sea Aquarium next door to the resort offers you and your family the chance to see the reefs of the Caribbean up close without getting wet. You’ll have endless aquatic fun and learn about the area’s complex marine ecology.

A Look at Sea Life
Begin your underwater exploration with a visit to the Aquarium Hall. Over 400 creatures including fish, corals, sponges and other colorful marine species are on display in 46 tanks fed by continuously circulating salt water pumped in from the ocean. The tanks represent different marine ecosystems such as sea grass beds, mangroves and shallow and deep water reefs with creatures from depths of up to 300 feet. Others showcase interesting characteristics like camouflage and species ranging from cleaning fish to lobsters and sea horses.
There is a touch tank stocked with starfish, brittle stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and conch if you feel the urge to touch some of the reef dwellers.
There are Feeding Shows at regular intervals throughout the day during which keepers will invite you to help them feed sea turtles, stingrays and sharks. If you prefer to watch divers feed the marine life by hand, visit the Underwater Observatory, a stationary semi-submarine with panoramic views of the Sea Aquarium lagoon. Don’t miss the popular sea lion show.

Underwater Activities
Activities on offer at the Curaçao Sea Aquarium include Animal Encounters dives and snorkeling with stingrays, sea turtles, sharks and colorful reef fish. Imagine the thrill of swimming with a sea turtle, feeding a ray and coming face to face with the aptly named Goliath grouper! Certified scuba divers can also book dives to the Sea Aquarium Reef, a healthy and colorful coral community just offshore from the facility.
Click here to download the Animal Encounters Activities in PDF.

Learning about the Sea
A visit to the Shell Museum or to the theater to watch a video on the threats facing coral reefs and the fight to save them is just the start of the Curaçao Sea Aquarium educational experience. The goal of the aquarium is to raise public awareness of marine life and the fragility of coral ecosystems and a number of interactive educational programs are offered for all ages. Activities include snorkel clubs, Kid’s Encounters, dolphin studies, coral reef fish ID and ecology dives and field trips. Such visits take students to the reefs, the sea grass beds, mangroves and beach habitats and they actually get to participate in research projects. The aquarium also has a student internship program.

About the Aquarium
The aquarium is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free for The Royal Sea Aquarium Resort members and guests. Activities such as diving, snorkeling and dolphin swims are priced separately.  

Dolphins on the Doorstep
You can spend hours watching the dolphins from your villa terrace. The Curacao Sea Aquarium is home to the Dolphin Academy, one of the top dolphin facilities in the Caribbean with a range of exciting options from Dolphin Encounters and Swims to diving and snorkeling with them.
There are also educational programs for children and adults who would like to learn more about these intelligent and engaging creatures. Children aged between eight and 14 can sign up for the Dolphin Assistant Trainer course and for the over 15s’ and the young at heart, there is a Dolphins in Depth program. Both activities cost $299 US and run for two half days (on Monday and Tuesday).  
As a Sea Aquarium Resort member or guest, you are entitled to a discount when booking any of the dolphin activities (not applicable to Dolphin Therapy). Reservations: (5999) 465-890


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