Curaçao

Willemstad is the capital and chief town of Curacao and is located on the southern coast of the island of Willemstad is the capital and chief town of Curacao and is located on the southern coast of the island of Curacao in the Caribbean sea. It is divided into two parts by  Sint Anna Bay, leading to Schottegat Harbour. The two halves, Punda and Otrabanda, are joined by the Koningin Emma Bridge in the Caribbean sea. It is divided into two parts by  Sint Anna Bay, leading to Schottegat Harbour. The two halves, Punda and Otrabanda, are joined by the Koningin Emma Bridge.

 Willemstad is a Caribbean trade center for petroleum storage, refining, tourism, and banking. The town has many Dutch-style gabled houses. Noteworthy buildings include Fort Amsterdam (1635), which once guarded the entrance to Schottegat Harbour and is now the seat of government; the Dutch Reformed Church; and the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (1732), the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. Attractions include the Museum Kurá Hulanda, which chronicles the history of African empires, the slave trade, and the experiences of Africans in the Western Hemisphere. 

In Curacao, the climate is tropical, hot all year round, with daytime temperatures ranging from around 28/29 degrees Celsius (82/84 °F) between December and February to approximately 31 °C (88 °F) between May and October. The period from May to October is the most sultry, but the trade winds constantly blow, tempering the heat.

Curacao's native language is Papiamentu: a Creole blend of African, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, English, and Arawak Indian. The official languages in Curacao are Dutch, Papiamentu, and English.

1. The capital of Willemstad is a beautiful location, full of historical Dutch colonial architecture and a designated UNESCO world heritage site. The buildings were painted white at one time, but now they are a riot of bright, contrasting colors. It is rumored that one of the island’s governors ordered the repainting of the buildings to cut down the sun’s glare. The effect is incredibly striking and unique, whether this is true. The color often continues inside the houses, as it is a Curacao tradition to paint the walls red and white spots. This unusual decoration is locally believed to repel flies.
2. Several reefs and wrecks close to the shore are popular dive sites, including the aptly-named Mushroom Forest. The shapes of the corals at this site resemble underwater woodland fungi – a magical experience. Head over to the tiny uninhabited sister island of Klein Curacao for more healthy reefs. The island below the hurricane belt also helps, as the corals stay relatively undisturbed by turbulent seas.
3. The island's cuisine also reflects its varied history, including an abundance of traditional Dutch street snacks. Other local delicacies include sweet treats like pumpkin pancakes, cashew cake, and the famous orange-flavored liqueur that shares the island's name. 
   
   

•  Pagara Parties one of the most famous Curacao holiday traditions is the chunk of 'pagara' parties organized on the island. Starting from the 26th of December until the 31st, there are at least one (often more) 'pagara' parties and firework shows every day.
• Parties in Curacao are like nothing you’ve seen before. We have unwritten rules and scripts that everyone who did not grow up on the island finds very amusing. Let’s start from the beginning. When someone invites you to a party at 8 pm, don’t you dare arrive at 8. The host will probably not be ready, and you will look desperate. But then, when the cake or soup comes out, you know that that is your queue to leave. The party is over! A lot of planning goes into the parties here, so expect tons of food and good drinks and be prepared to loosen those hips.
• Shandileska, Ruthmailinda, or Rideylison are not names that are easy to pronounce. Still, a lot of people in Curacao have these unique names. Why go for a simple Sandra when you can make a much more creative and unique name. In Curacao, we often combine characters of the parents or grandparents or any close relatives and make one-of-a-kind names. Like our cheerful colleague Sierpinski, who got her name from her godmother Miniska. 
• Driving in Curacao is like visiting a concert, but a show of car horns. If someone lets you cross in front of them, you give a short honk. If someone cuts in front of you, that deserves a very longhorn. So you can measure the level of angriness by the longitude of the funnel.