A Dozen Reasons to Visit Curaçao

A block-long bright yellow building standing almost fortress-like above the surrounding streets in Willemstad, the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue bears testament to the long history of Judaism in the Americas. Built in 1730, it is the oldest continuously operating synagogue in the western hemisphere. Its most notable feature is the sand floor. While there are several different explanations for it, the sand is not a nod to the Caribbean location. The most common theory is that it was created to continue a tradition from Spain and Portugal where, when Jews were prohibited from practicing their religion openly and met in private homes, sand was used to muffle the sounds of worshippers.

Don’t miss the small museum across from the front entrance to the synagogue. Its artifacts and photographs record how Curaçao‘s Jewish community has survived and thrived over the centuries.

With its remarkable historic buildings dating back almost four centuries, it is perhaps not surprising that much of Willemstad has been included as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was long the center of Dutch power in the Caribbean, and it is now the capital of Curaçao. It all began, however, with Fort Amsterdam, constructed in 1634. The typical white and yellow buildings reflect the adaptation of Dutch styles to the Caribbean climate. Here, some of the walls do talk—the cannonball from a British ship lodged in the exterior wall of the church within the fort speaks to a long history of European conflicts playing out in the Caribbean. The church is still used for weekly services while the fort also houses the office of the island’s governor (appointed by the king of the Netherlands) and other administrative offices.

If you have developed a thirst walking around Willemstad exploring its sites under the Caribbean sun, La Bohème is an ideal place for a pit stop. The casual restaurant has sidewalk seating on Columbusstraat, right around the corner from the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue. Choose from juices and smoothies made with fresh fruits or, if it’s happy hour on your holiday schedule, there’s also a wine list and cold beers to choose from. If you are hungry as well as thirsty, the enormous Whopper sandwiches will satisfy large appetites—you may want to split one if you are only feeling peckish.

The Pietermaai district, just beyond the heart of Willemstad, emerged in the 18th century as the city’s first suburb, a neighborhood of merchants and artisans. While it was a fashionable area then, in the 20th century it suffered a decline. As often happens, this ended up having an upside as many of the area’s historic buildings survived—albeit neglected.

Now many of Pietermaai’s colorful buildings have been lovingly restored and it has become a destination again, especially when its bars get busy in the evenings. Among the neighborhood landmarks that are enjoying a second life is Blessing Curaçao. The restaurant is located in, appropriately given its name, a former church reborn as a restaurant in 2007. The menu includes some dishes that are on the daring side, like a crème brûlée bouillabaisse, but there are also basics like sirloin, salmon risotto, and burgers for less adventurous eaters. The setting, under the watchful eyes of statues of saints and angels, is divine.

Curaçao has, by a common count, 38 different beaches. Ask locals which is the very best one on the island, and you can expect a variety of answers. Most likely, however, you’ll hear the name Knip come up frequently. At the northwestern tip of the island, Knip has that magical turquoise blue water that is the stuff of Caribbean fantasies, in a bay surrounded by green hills. It also has a few vendors and beach shacks serving snacks, sandwiches, and sodas. Note there are two beaches with Knip in the name, Grote Knip (or “Big Knip”) and Kleine Knip (“Little Knip”). The one seen here is Grote Knip. Kleine Knip is only a few minutes to the south (by car), and while it is almost as stunning as Grote, it is, well, smaller (as its name makes clear) and has fewer facilities. You can always visit both, and then decide which one you prefer.

Williwood’s big deck overlooking the Salina Sint Marie, a lagoon where flamingos congregate, is pleasant. Its menu is delicious and dependable—from the Dutch treat bitterballen to other more familiar bar snacks like mozzarella sticks and jalapeño poppers, there are plenty of choices that pair perfectly with a cold Amstel Bright. The reason most people venture to this off-the-beaten-path restaurant, however, is to try a goat-meat burger. The restaurant is credited with the invention of the so-called Williburger (which can now also be found on some other menus throughout the island). You may not be convinced that goat burgers are an improvement over beef ones after trying one, but if this local specialty is on your must-eat list, this is the place to check off that item.

Walk up from the water along Breedestrat in Willemstad and you’ll soon leave behind the restaurants, bars, and souvenir stores catering to tourists. Among the shops catering to locals, you’ll come upon the decidedly funky and low-attitude Netto Bar. The bar is adorned with strings of lights, old photos of various celebrities and island scenes, and the clientele is a mix of mostly locals with a few curious tourists who have come in search of a glass of the famous Green Rum, or Ròm Bèrdè. While Blue Curaçao may be the island’s best-known colorful spirit, this rum is more of a local secret. The bartenders are known for their discretion and will not divulge what gives the rum, which is more herbal and sweeter than other rums, its flavor or color.