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A Caribbean holiday is what dreams are made of – white sandy beaches, clear blue seas, delicious cocktails filled with fresh fruit and mouth-watering cuisine. So why haven’t you been? It’s expensive right? And hard to get to. Maybe you’re worried about tropical storms. Well let us introduce Curacao, an under-the-radar Caribbean paradise that deserves to catch your attention.
Curacao is cheaper than you’d expect
It is actually the cheapest of the Caribbean islands to visit. It doesn’t mean the prices here are low, they are just cheaper than Jamaica, Barbados and the Bahamas etc. Prices here are usually in dollars, but as a Dutch destination (yes, it really is), you have the option to pay in Guilder at some places too.
Curacao is easy to get to from the UK
There are direct flights from the UK to Curacao International airport. So, no need for stopovers, sea planes or boats to get to your destination.
Curacao is unlikely to be hit by bad weather
The island’s close proximity to South America takes it more or less out of the path of hurricanes. In fact the last one to hit was in 1877. Because it is outside the hurricane belt it is actually less windy during hurricane season (start of June to end of November)!
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Curacao has over 35 beaches all within a 45-minute drive
And it is great for adventure travel. Coral reefs and shipwrecks make for great diving, and the rugged landscape is great for hiking – if you can tear yourself away from just kicking back on one of its many sandy beaches!
Curacao is culturally diverse
You’ll see a whole host of European influences on this island – but most notably, Dutch as it’s part of the Netherlands. Dutch architecture, trinkets, snacks and foods are present across the island, but fused with a distinctly Caribbean flavour. An insight into its varied past lies in the languages spoken here – Dutch, Spanish, Papiamentu, and English.
Curacao is a foodie paradise
The cuisine here is unlike food anywhere else in the world. Dishes such as iguana stew and fried cactus are served with a side of bitterballen no less! There is also the Dutch liqueur famously named after the island, made with oranges grown here. The food trucks are not to be missed either. These places serve up fusion fast food, like fries with peanut sauce, to hungry locals and tourists after a night on the town.
Curacao has a great nightlife
That brings us nicely to the fact that the island has a decent nightlife. It is a popular place for music festivals, DJs, and club-life in general. The music is as diverse as the food and many of the beaches are transformed into bars by night for a truly tropical feel.
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