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Exploring Curacao s Historic Capital Willemstad
s one of the most exciting
cities in the Caribbean, One of the best ways to explore
Willemstad – Curacao’s Curacao’s capital is by trolley.
charming colonial capital – Each day these open-sided cars
allows visitors to experience embark on a 75-minute tour of the
everything from historic city, passing by all of the most
architecture and museums to fascinating historical sites.
world-class dining and shopping. Groups meet at Fort Amsterdam
Willemstad is divided by a within sight of the Queen Emma
central canal into two districts, Pontoon Bridge, one of the
Punda and Otrabanda. Generally island’s most significant
speaking, Punda is of greater technological advancements. After
interest to travelers as the most touring the Willemstad by trolley
interesting historic sites and car, tourists can walk across
shopping areas rest on this side this pedestrian bridge that
of the capital. For instance, if connects the Punda and Otrabanda
you want to see the sections of the city. As the
pastel-colored colonial homes walkway rests atop the city’s
that Curacao is famous for, the busiest canal, the bridge was
Punda section is certainly the equipped with a diesel engine and
best place to spend your time. On designed to swing open several
the other hand, Otrabanda – times a day, allowing cruise
meaning “other side” – is known ships and commercial fleets to
as the contemporary half of the enter the bustling harbor.
city and home to some exciting
new developments. Regardless of As Willemstad is a city rooted in
where you spend your time in rich colonial history and
Willemstad, you will find plenty cultural traditions, local
of sites and activities capable museums offer some of the
of exciting any traveler. island’s most captivating sites.
One of the most interesting Located in the picturesque
collections can be found at the neighborhood of Scharloo, the
Museum Kura Hulanda, one of the Maritime Museum details the
largest museums in the Caribbean. history of the island from the
Showcasing the life’s work of Dr. arrival of the first inhabitants
Jacob Gelt Dekker, the restored around 600 B.C. to the present.
colonial warehouses of Kura With the assistance of 40
Hulanda are full of African permanent exhibits, visitors are
artifacts and oddities. As able to chronologically trace the
African culture has played an economic and cultural development
important role in the of Curacao. Alongside the
postcolonial development of the antiques, artifacts and
Caribbean, several exhibits are historical maps, guests can also
devoted to this historical view a number of video
relationship. The most impressive presentations featuring oral
example of this history is a histories offered by some of the
full-scale reproduction of a island’s most colorful
colonial slave ship, modeled personalities.
directly after a vessel that
sailed from Ivory Coast to the Near the Queen Emma Pontoon
Caribbean and the Americas. Bridge, you can find the charming
Located in Otrabanda, this Curacao Museum. Housed in a 19th
fascinating museum is open century military hospital that
everyday from 10 am to 5 pm and was painstakingly restored in the
offers a unique, informative mid-20th century, this small
experience for the whole family. museum is now home to historic
paintings, sculptures and
Another good site to learn about furniture crafted over several
the history of Curacao and the hundred years by local and Dutch
Caribbean is the Maritime Museum. artisans. The outdoor pavilion is
also a popular destination as one of Curacao’s great shopping
many performances featuring local traditions. Each day, small boats
and traveling musicians take line the city’s central canal and
place throughout the year. sell their products directly from
their vessels at the Floating
This bustling neighborhood near Market. As many of the boats
Fort Amsterdam and the pontoon arrive from Venezuela, Columbia
bridge also marks the entrance to and other Caribbean islands, the
the city’s best shopping vendors not only offer the
district. As you walk through the freshest produce and seafood
Punda district and approach the imaginable, but also sell art,
harbor, you will uncover one of handicrafts and other unique
the most exciting stretches of products from throughout the
shopping at the Waterfront Aches. region. The Floating Market
This special ¼-mile strip is hard typically opens at 6 am each day
to miss as it is marked by and new boats arrive throughout
historic 30 foot-tall stone the afternoon, guaranteeing
arches and cobblestone walkways. shoppers a distinctive experience
Beneath the arches, you will find whenever they visit.
numerous specialty boutiques and
restaurants, with options for When you visit Curacao, make sure
every taste and budget. This to spend some time in the
waterfront district also offers island’s captivating colonial
great evening activities, as many capital. Regardless of what areas
businesses remain open late and in Willemstad you visit, your
the narrow streets are elegantly family will be treated to sites
illuminated each night. and activities that are historic,
cosmopolitan and always exciting.
Near the central waterfront
shopping area, you can also visit
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