Curacao Island and Flavors

Vivid, sherbet-colored buildings showcase Dutch colonial architecture not to be found anywhere else outside of the Netherlands. Your tour of Curacao Island, rich with culture and natural beauty, begins with a scenic drive through the Otrabanda residential area of Willemstad, the capital. The area's impressive history has earned it designation as a UNESCO World Heritage City. You will view St. Anna Bay, an inlet that bisects the capital city, dividing it into two notable regions. At the west entrance of the bay stands the Riffort, which was built to protect the city in 1828 and is now filled with restaurants and shops. Pass by the Queen Emma Bridge, a floating pontoon bridge known for its beauty and function as a moveable bridge that allows vessels to enter the bay. Cross the Queen Juliana Bridge, which offers a colorful view of Willemstad's unique pastel colored buildings.

Your first stop is the plantation house Chobolobo, where you can see how authentic Blue Curacao Liquor is made while enjoying some tasty samples. This is the home of the authentic Curacao Liqueur, named Curacao of Curacao to differentiate it from other brands of the Curacao Liqueur that are not original.

Next, the tour takes you to the east side of the island through the Spanish Water area, where views of the cliffs along Caracas Bay will take your breath away. Caracas Bay provides superb anchorage for large and small boats with the picturesque Table Mountain and Spanish Water in the background. It is headquarters for water sports, boating, sailing, fishing and the Curacao yacht club. This is where the Spaniards discovered Curacao in 1499.

Continuing your Curacao food tour, you'll make your way to Mambo Beach, now that you have worked up an appetite. Enjoy this beautiful beach and the water as you experience a local culinary lunch. Your culinary experiences in Curacao will enrich you with the island's cuisine, which is a flavorful blend of Dutch and Indonesian, with hints of other international fare mixed in. Relax and savor the true taste of the island, with a choice between stewed beef or chicken, white rice, Spanish rice, beans and fries. Your meal will also include a house salad, plantains and the freshest seasonal vegetables.

Discover Mambo Beach Boulevard, a unique concept for the island that combines shopping, dining, entertainment, and the best beach Curacao Island offers. Have approximately one hour to stroll this area after your lunch concludes.

The tour concludes with a pass through the Scharloo area, a historic Jewish neighborhood with colorful architecture marked with unique elegance. For those looking to discover a true taste of the island, this tour is exactly what your senses long for.