Experience Curaçao - The Official Site of the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association

Bon Bini! Welcome to ExperienceCuracao.com! Looking for the perfect vacation destination? Curacao offers authentic old-world European culture on a Caribbean island paradise. Visitors are pampered in world-class spas, resorts and hotels. Travelers can explore over 40 spectacular beaches, pristine diving and enjoy the Caribbean's best outdoor sports and some of the finest cuisine in the Caribbean. Luxury shopping and Dutch goods abound in Willemstad's cosmopolitan boutiques and stores. Sightseeing, activities, events, carnivals and festivals offer year-round entertainment. Dozens of museums, local art and unique Curacao architecture will delight and inspire stunning vacation photos. (Curacao is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.) Visiting by cruise ship? Get maps and find out where to eat, shop, how to rent a car, book an island tour or a round of golf. Doing business in Curacao? Get tips and useful information and resources for booking a successful meeting, wedding or group gathering. Order a free Experience Curacao vacation planner. Don't take our word for it. Watch our Curacao videos and virtual tours!

Did you know? Curaçao has been selected as Fodor's Top 21 Places We're Going in 2011. AOL Travel includes Curaçao in its Hottest Destinations for 2011. SmarterTravel calls Curaçao one of the Destinations to Watch in 2011 and voted the island's Cas Abao Beach as one of the Top 10 Beach Destinations for 2011.

One of the best times to visit Curaçao is during Carnival season! Experience the essence of Curaçao through its carnival, a cultural tradition passed down from generation to generation now celebrated by the island's fifty nationalities. Outrageous, fanciful costumes, elaborate masks and head dress, Tumba music (the island's typical music), Jump-Ins and Jump-Ups, parties, fireworks and parade after parade! Join the thousands of spectators that line the streets, or learn how you can join a group to participate in the Grand Parades.

Some of the 2012 Curaçao Carnival season highlights: The season officially opens January 7th, 2012 with the Carnival Village. The Tumba festival and competition takes place from January 30th through February 3rd. Do not miss the Carnival parades; The Horse Parade, Children's Carnival Parade, Teen Parade, Banda Bou Carnival Parade, the Gran Marcha - or Grand Carnival Parade on February 19th -- these are just a small taste of the number of events visitors can enjoy. Bring your camera and your spirit for fun!

Get full event details.

Curaçao is the most "Dutch" of its Caribbean sister islands: Aruba, Bonaire, St. Eustatius (Statia), Saba and St. Maarten. It is certainly the most colorful, with its restored mansions and tiny houses painted in a burst of pastel and bright colors. However, there is nothing "old world" about its hotels and beach resorts, even though some have incorporated all or parts of 18th and 19th century mansions, folk houses and museums into their architecture. The island is positioning itself as a tourism powerhouse, with the construction of six new resorts and the renovation of five existing properties. Travelers will find more lodging and meeting space for groups and weddings and more quality than ever before. Some new properties include: Clarion Hotel & Suites, Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino, Hyatt Regency Curaçao, Best Western Blue Bay Village and Boca Gentil Hotel & Villas. Additionally, renovations of some of Curaçao's favorite hotels include; Lion's Dive, Avila Hotel, Hilton Curaçao and the Curaçao Marriott.

It's almost impossible to visit Curaçao and not want to spend much of your time outdoors. But how to spend that time? For a small island, Curaçao is packed with sporting attractions. On land or on water, active vacationers can choose from a wide array of activities, ranging from swimming and snorkeling to hiking and horseback riding. Plus, visitors can enjoy special events and festivals all year long. Don't miss Carnival and the many festivals including Harvest Festival with traditional blues music and dance, Blue Marlin Release Tournament, Curaçao Dive Festival, the Amstel Curaçao Bike Race and the Heineken Regatta Curaçao.

There's plenty to enjoy here, all with a Caribbean flair. Curaçao is rich in flavor, with a vast selection of cuisines varying from their very own Caribbean (krioyo) dishes to European and Asian selections. The island boasts many top-quality restaurants, each with their own unique identity. Learn more about Curaçao's top chefs, dining and restaurants.

Curaçao's trade heritage is reflected in its many shops and boutiques, which are filled with quality goods from around the world, with everything from Dutch cheeses and chocolates to textiles and carvings from Indonesia. It's fun to hunt for bargains and one-of-a-kind souvenirs at colorful markets or in stores housed in centuries-old buildings and warehouses. Find out where to get the goods and the duty free zones in Curaçao.

Curaçao's reputation as a friendly, intimate Caribbean holiday resort is complemented by a vibrant, growing business industry with direct or close associations with global enterprises. Curaçao offers incoming business all the advantages of a highly developed economy. Its infrastructure and services match the highest international standards, providing a highly efficient business environment. Find business contacts and resources here. Learn how to stay in touch with people back home, using Chippie/UTS roaming in Curaçao and throughout the Caribbean.

There are several airlines that service Curacao's new state of the art international airport, built to accommodate the island's growing popularity. Find helpful information about car rentals, driving and tours. Driving here is on the right-hand side. Curaçao is a beautiful island in which to drive around, with gorgeous scenic views of the sea. Experience the island in a jeep from Hertz. Use our interactive map, below, to find popular island landmarks.

Click here to browse the digital edition of Experience Curacao magazine written in both English and Spanish.

Find resort and hotel listings and plan your time on the island.

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2012 Ride For The Roses Charity Event • January 29

2012 Carnival: Tumba Festival • January 30 - February 3

2012 Carnival: Horse Parade • February 5

2012 Carnival: Children's Parade • February 12

2012 Valentine's Day • February 14

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