Curaçao: a diver's dream

Willemstad has lots to offer ashore as well. Wherever you go in this colorful city, you can’t help but notice its Dutch heritage. No wonder, then, that Willemstad is also called the Amsterdam of the Western Hemisphere - you'll even see a Dutch windmill here and there! The clearly historic area of the city that developed around a large natural harbor contains hundreds of historic buildings. Handelskade provides a special place to walk and admire the city's typically pastel-colored buildings.

Much of life in Willemstad is spent outside - not surprising since the average annual temperature is around 82°F! What’s more, there’s not that much difference between day and nighttime temperatures (around 9 degrees) and the temperature of the seawater is always around 80 degrees. Under these very tropical conditions, locals love spending their time at the many restaurants and eateries located both in the city and along its sparkling white sand beaches.

Willemstad is surrounded by lively beaches, but it also has little bays and other places where you can get away from it all. One of the most attractive hot spots on the island is Mambo Beach - a favorite hangout for the beau monde and the athletic types. Another preferred spot is Zanzibar, a popular club on lively Jan Thiel Baai. Infatuated couples can retreat to the intimate and scenic Daaibooi Bay while the jet set and families prefer Barbara Beach.

Tip:
Please don’t take the liberty of swimming or sunbathing in the nude - people on Curaçao don't appreciate this. Going topless, however, is permitted on certain beaches.

Downtown Willemstad has plenty of stores with a concentration of shopping facilities on Heerenstraat and Madurostraat. They are usually open from Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. A stay in Willemstad, however, is not complete without a walk through the open-air market on Handelskade that overflows into a floating market made up of old fishing boats manned by Venezuelan fish and fruit sellers.