22 Curacao Facts: Exploring the Beautiful Island Nation in the Caribbean

There are certainly enough interesting Curacao facts to learn about on an island with such a rich cultural history.

You can now stop wondering what motivates this intriguing small Dutch-Caribbean island. These are some odd and fascinating facts about Curacao to deepen your appreciation for this endearingly wild island.

Interesting Curacao Facts:

Curacao has two Islands.

Actually, there are two islands in Curacao

One of my favorite interesting facts about Curacao is that, despite what many people believe, the island is actually made up of two!

Curacao is the larger island most people are familiar with; Klein Curacao is the smaller, deserted island.

Little Curacao

This tiny island paradise, also called “Little Curacao,” is roughly 26 miles off the shore and is only accessible by boat.

It is regarded as an independent nation within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As a result, the Netherlands’ government manages the island’s defense and international relations.

Regarding their freedom to reside and work throughout the EU, Curaçaoans have rights comparable to those of Dutch citizens.

US Dollars Are Accepted

US Dollars are Accepted in Curacao

You’re in luck if you’re departing from the US and heading to Curacao! Despite the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) being Curacao’s legal currency, US dollars are accepted everywhere on the island! Normally, $1 USD is equivalent to 1.75 ANG.

About 165,000 people are living there.

Curacao’s population was estimated to be 165,319 as of May 2, 2022. The Willemstad region is home to the vast majority of residents.

The Curacao Flag’s Colors Are Intended to Represent Nature

Curacao Flag Colors Stand for Nature

You no longer need to wonder why the Curacao flag’s colors are blue and yellow. The dominant yellow color stands in for the sun, while the blue represents the water and sky.

It is situated beneath the Hurricane Belt.

Here’s some encouraging news if you’ve ever hesitated to visit the Caribbean because of worries about hurricane season.

Curacao is situated outside of the Hurricane Belt because of its location in the Leeward Antilles island group. As a result, despite being occasionally severe, the winds here rarely pose a threat.

Travelers can benefit from the island’s dry season from January through September; however, it’s impossible to guarantee ideal daily circumstances.

On the Island, There Exist Many Old Military Forts

Old Military Forts In Island

Eight forts that have lasted the test of time may be found on the island of Curacao, which has a long military history.

Although there are eight forts in total, only six are well known because they are the finest preserved:

Approximately 40 Beaches are There

On Curacao, there are almost 40 gorgeous beaches. This number varies depending on who you ask (usually between 35 and 36) because some are private hotel beaches.

It’s one of the top diving locations on Earth.

Curacao is a Top Diving Spot Worldwide

Not only in the Caribbean but also worldwide, Curacao features some of the top diving locations. Divers of all levels may enjoy the over 60 amazing dive sites on Curacao, which range from reefs to wrecks.

The fantastic Curacao dive resorts on the island may also provide the best underwater experience in addition to the many diving spots. There are several underwater wrecks there.

Shipwrecks and other underwater wrecks are major attractions on the island, where diving is a common sport.

There are two national parks there.

Curacao has two national parks: Shete Boka National Park and Christoffel National Park, which are great news for nature lovers. The northernmost part of the island is where both parks are situated.

Turtles use Shete Boka, stretching more than six miles along the north shore, as a crucial breeding location.

In addition to Boka Pistol, a small inlet that shoots water backward into the air when struck by ocean waves, the park has ten pocket bays for turtles.

A Portuguese word inspired its name.

Curacao's Name is Inspired by Portuguese.

The Portuguese word “coracao,” which means “heart,” is the source of the name “Curacao.” Although no concrete evidence supports this, many people think it is because Curacao was once considered the center of trade.

The language used officially is Papiamento.

Although several languages are spoken on the island, Curacao’s official language is blended, known as “Papiamento.”

This tongue combines Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish (and includes hints of French and English).

Moreover, English and Dutch are frequently regarded as the island’s other two official languages. Also, it’s not unusual to hear locals speaking several other languages.

It’s a Fusion of Cultures

A Cultural Fusion in Curacao

Curacao is a true cultural melting pot due to its linguistic fusion and invasion by people from all corners of the world. On the island, Sephardic Jews have a long history of settling alongside the Dutch.

It’s a Huge Thing, “Dushi”

There’s a good probability that you’ll run into the Papiamento term “dushi” while exploring the island of Curacao. What does that signify, then? Although the word “dushi” can indicate a variety of things, it is often used to describe something that is attractive, appetizing, or pleasant.

This word can be found on anything from signage to creating murals, so don’t be surprised to find it.

The Dutch educational system serves to education.

Educational System in Curacao

Curacao’s public education system is based on Dutch, which serves as the island’s official language and is used for instruction.

Furthermore, Curacao has a wide range of higher education options available at its language schools, art academies, and offshore medical school.

It once served as the hub of the Atlantic slave trade

The fact that Curacao was regarded as the hub of the Atlantic Slave Trade in 1662 is one of the terrible realities about the island that is challenging to comprehend.

Slaves were transported to Curacao and then from locations in the Caribbean and Africa to labor on plantations and salt mines.

Although there was a slave uprising in 1795, it was tragically put down by the Dutch, who continued the practice until it was ultimately outlawed in 1863.

The Kura Hulanda Museum allows visitors to travel historically through the island’s slave trade.

The food is quite different.

Curacao Food is Unique.

The great and varied cuisine you’ll discover on the island, from Dutch street food to fresh seafood, is one of the advantages of having a diversified culture.

One of the local delicacies is an iguana. Iguana is regarded as a delicacy in Curacao, which makes me uncomfortable speaking! Usually, it is served as “soba yoana” (a.k.a iguana stew).

Dry orange peels are used to make Curacao liqueur.

The Sarah, a sour Seville orange introduced to Curacao from Spain in the 1500s, is grown there.

Although the extremely bitter flavor of these oranges initially rendered them unusable, it was subsequently found that a distinctive aromatic oil could be produced from the unripe skins. Ultimately, this oil served as the foundation for the current Curacao liqueur!

Curacao liqueur’s blue coloring is flavorless.

Did you realize that the Blue Curacao liqueur’s dazzling blue color is actually flavorless? Contrary to looks, Blue Curacao tastes precisely like its original and clear version because Curacao liqueur is inherently colorless.

Therefore the drink will taste like the bitter Sarah orange peels that flavor it, whether the bottle you buy has clear or blue liqueur!

To produce drinking water, seawater is desalinated

While ordering tap water might occasionally be dicey depending on where you are in the world, it is absolutely fine to drink in Curacao! This is because the water in Curacao is distilled directly from the ocean.

Alternatively, you can order your water “awa di launch,” which will come with a dash of lime and some sugar.

UNESCO has designated Willemstad as a World Heritage Site

Willemstad is a UNESCO Heritage Site.

The Willemstad Old Town was included on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List of 1997. The most vibrant capital in the Caribbean is Willemstad. It doesn’t take the title of “most colorful Caribbean capital” lightly!

You can see from one glance alone that Curacao’s capital doesn’t only have one or two lively streets.

Nevertheless, the bright buildings were originally white

You might be surprised to learn that Willemstad wasn’t always this vibrant if you visit it today. In reality, the vividly colored structures we see now were previously completely white.

This article contains research on several fascinating facts about Curacao. Follow this page to learn more about these details.

Was this article helpful?
Hungry for more Facts?

Want to learn something new? Our fact generator tool is your solution. Click and get facts as much as you like!

Let's Go
Explore Fun Facts!

Leave a Comment