BEACHES AND WATERSPORT
There are over 40 public and private beaches to choose from in Curaçao. Most of the public
beaches, while they are excellent for swimming, have no facilities. Private beaches may
charge a modest fee. The southwest coast offers sheltered bays and beaches that are
excellent for swimming and snorkeling. Windsurfing, waterskiing, yachting and fishing are
available at resorts. Curaçao’s beaches are exceptionally safe. Shoreside, your only
concern is the poisonous yellow and green fruits of the shady manchineel tree, which can
cause an allergic reaction in some people if they come into contact with wet skin.
Mosquitos and gnats that sometimes come out at dusk can be kept away with a good insect
repellent.
JEEP SAFARI
Get to know the beautiful and rugged Curaçao countryside by jeep. Jeep safaris take you
along narrow tracks past grand estates, mansions, caves, flamingos, huge fields of cactus
and many gorgeous beaches. The experienced drivers can also make a night rally.
THE UNDERWATER PARK
The underwaterlife of Curaçao is fascinating and is a must for the experienced as well as
the beginning snorkelers and scuba enthusiasts. Stretching more than 20 km (13 miles) along
the southeastern shore, the park offers divers a chance to investigate untouched coral
reefs, steep walls and two shallow wrecks. The underwater vision is super and the
temperature of the water makes it possible to dive without a suit. The park have been
granted the status of national park. Competition between the more than 20 diving-schools
is crazy, and that makes diving on Curaçao relatively cheap.
FISHING
The excellent fishing for species such as tarbot and pike in the sheltered bays of Curaçao,
is one of the best kept secrets of the Caribbean. In particular, the 'Emmabaai' and
'Schottegat' have rich stock of tarbot and pike throughout the entire year. April, May and
June are the top months with some really large fish amongst them. In some bays it is
possible to fish for barracuda, horse-eye jack and ladyfish in addition to tarbot and pike.
NIGHT LIFE
Curaçao has an active social nightlife with music festivals all year long and dancing at
the popular discotheques. Every day there are activities organised in the hotels such as
Folklore night with buffet, live jazz, Latin night, Caribbean dance night, Manager's
Cocktail Parties, Karaoke night etc. To qoute just a few examples. There are ten casinos
in the large hotels in Willemstad. The games include roulette, blackjack, craps,
mini-baccarat en gaming machines. Admission is free for all casinos.