destination spotlight
uncovering
curacao
Get to know this hidden Dutch island.
B y Tara B ra d le y
Willemstad Harbor is
one of the Caribbean’s
prettiest ports.
C
harming Curacao is part of each way by boat). Once there, snor- surrounded by curious but friendly barra-
the southern “ABC” island kel among the coral formations while cudas. Ocean Encounters offers daily boat
chain (that also includes keeping your eyes out for the occasional trips from its five locations. Prices start at
Aruba and Bonaire), located turtle or dolphin. Visit the windward $74 for a two-tank boat dive.
off the northern coast of Venezuela. While side of the island to explore the rusted ■ Christoffel national Park
you may not have heard of it, you’ve remains of the Maria Bianca Guidesman, Work up a sweat on a full-day guided
likely seen pictures of its pastel-painted a rusted, shipwrecked tanker that sits hike through this natural preserve, where
waterfront downtown, Willemstad. Go above water along the shore. Full-day trails lead through arid foothills dotted
behind that iconic image and get in on the trip $75 per person. with tall cacti and wild orchids. (Keep
real draw to this island — the 35-plus in- ■ Superior Producer Sitting upright in an eye peeled for iguanas, rabbits and
timate beaches (bikini tops are optional), 100 feet of water off the port of Willem- shy white-tailed deer.) Visit plantation
a great array of outdoor options and an stad, the Superior Producer is considered ruins, trek to Indian cave drawings and
eclectic, international vibe that fills the air one of the top 10 wreck dives in the summit 1,240-foot Mount Christoffel for
of every cafe and restaurant. Caribbean. Sunk in 1977, the 200-foot breathtaking views of the island and sea.
freighter is covered with colorful coral and Guided hikes with Curacao-Actief from
Outdoor $88.20 per person, including drinks,
Adventures snacks and a picnic lunch.
■ KLEIN CURACAO
Curacao’s longest beach Cool Restaurants
is actually on an uninhab- ■ Equus This unique barbecue restau-
ited islet 15 miles off the rant, hidden away in a horse stable, is
mainland. Mermaid Boat only open on Fridays but has a loyal
zach stovall
Trips Curacao can take following. The menu is simple: beef or
you there (it’s two hours chicken, cooked over a fire pit and then
summer 2008 97
destination spotlight
hung over the table, served with a basket Club Scene
of fresh bread. The weathered barn walls ■ Mambo With a prime location on Sea
and gentle huffing of horses in the back- Aquarium Beach, this outdoor restau-
ground make it feel like a secret. They rant/club offers both a Fishmarket (for
don’t accept reservations, so if you want food) and a Dance Night (for fun) on
a table, arrive early. Fridays and Saturdays. At Fishmarket,
■ Fort Nassau From the outside, pick your fresh catch of the day, and
historic Fort Nassau, located atop the the chef will grill it up for you on the
Sablica Hill overlooking Willemstad Har- spot. As the DJ starts spinning to kick
bor, has changed surprisingly little since Grote Knip (a.k.a. off Dance Night, stay cool with a pair
1796 and still boasts its original brick Playa Abou) is one of of Blue Lagoons, featuring Blue Curacao
Curacao’s best beaches.
walls, cannons and archways. Inside is a (from the island’s native bitter oranges).
different story, as it now houses one of the Mambo hosts different events each night
island’s most popular restaurants. Settle in after all), this hip eatery merges Pan-Asian of the week, so check to see what’s going
at the chic bar for sunset cocktails; then, with Caribbean and Cuban cuisines in a on while you’re there.
move to a table on the terrace for conti- menu that features everything from a satay ■ Zanzibar Located on resort-studded
nental cuisine with a tropical touch, like bar to tandoori chicken. Our pick: the Jan Thiel Beach, this swanky club is pop-
creamy Dijon mustard soup (sounds odd, special “Rub da Buddha’s Wok” combined ular with Dutch, American and South
but people love it) and spicy peppered with “El Mundo Oriental,” where you can American 30-somethings. The Lazy Sun-
shrimp with grilled melon. The 360-de- customize your own dish out of a variety day afternoon beach party features sushi
gree view of the landscape perfectly of meats, seafood, vegetables and spices. and DJ-spun soul music. For something
complements this eclectic fare. After dinner ends, the scene gets even hot- sexier, book a beachfront loungebed
zach stovall
■ Asia de Cuba For a taste of Curacao’s ter as the tables are cleared to make room (reserve at least a day in advance) and
Latin side (it is just north of Venezuela, for the salsa action on the dance floor. indulge in the “tasting for two” nibbles
98 destination weddings & honeymoons
paired with Latin Lover cocktails (made to take advantage of the proximity to and diving; the onsite Ocean Encounters
with Brazilian cachaca, tequila, fresh town (the area boasts a slew of dining PADI Gold Palm Instructor Development
lime juice and pineapple) as you watch and shopping options), as well as some Center can set you up with everything
the sun make its nightly descent. under-the-radar celebs (J Lo and Marc from gear rental to PADI instruction.
■ Breezes Casino This lively all- Anthony reportedly celebrated their sec- They also offer a twice-daily free shuttle
inclusive resort features the largest casino ond anniversary here). The only thing to Willemstad. Rooms from $158.
on the island, with 270 slot machines and it doesn’t have is water access; when ■ Avila Hotel Sleep like royalty in this
table games from blackjack to roulette to you’re ready for some sand, move to its impeccably restored 18th-century beach-
poker. Non-guests may enter the casino sister resort, the beachfront Lodge Kura front mansion, which has been expanded
at no charge and pay for drinks the old- Hulanda & Beach Club on the island’s into one of the island’s top hotels. (Queen
fashioned way — with cash. west end, for the perfect city/country Beatrix of the Netherlands stays here
getaway. Rooms from $250. when she comes to town.) Deluxe rooms
Romantic Resorts ■ Lions Dive & Beach Resort in the newest addition, the Octagon
■ Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino Eco-friendly sensibility meets classic Wing, feature bamboo flooring (on the
Spread out among 65 historic build- Dutch Caribbean style at this dive-centric third and fourth floors), flat-screen TVs
ings in Willemstad’s historic Dutch resort located south of Willemstad. and oversized balconies, while wood-
Colonial district (a UNESCO World Tropical gardens surround most rooms, accented Blues Wing rooms are built on
Heritage site), Kura Hulanda replicates with open-air balconies affording views a pier overlooking the private beach.
an 18th-century village. Eighty guest of the private beach. Six two-bedroom Blues, a bar located at the far end of the
rooms dot the 250 garden-filled acres, apartments, complete with kitchen and pier, is the island’s top jazz spot, with
each featuring distinctive touches like laundry facilities, are perfect for extended live music on Thursdays and Saturdays.
carved mahogany beds and colorful stays. The resort fronts the National Rooms from $220. ■
walls hand-painted by local artists. It Curacao Underwater Park, a protected
draws a sophisticated crowd looking marine reserve with stellar snorkeling for more info, see the 411 on page 136.
summer 2008 99
