CURACAO
In Curaçao the atmosphere is warm and refreshingly hospitable, with a genuine welcome for gay travellers.
It’s the aquamarine colour of the warm sea lapping its golden beaches that gives Curaçao’s famous cocktail liqueur its name. This picturesque and comparatively little known island is without doubt the gay tourist’s jewel in the Caribbean crown.
Willemstad is the island’s main town and well worth a visit. In fact it’s so trendy that it regularly plays host to members of the Dutch royal family.
The town is a UNESCO World Heritage City, built around a spectacular harbour with its constantly opening and closing Queen Emma pontoon bridge linking its two distinct areas of Otrobanda and Punda.
In the main streets an eccentric mix of ethnic cafés and bars fight for attention with clothing and craft shops all housed in magnificent colonial buildings.
Dotted throughout the town are a number of outdoor craft stalls and beside the harbour is a Venezuelan floating market selling locally caught fish.
Willemstad’s most fascinating feature, however, is the stunning mixture of pastel colours decorating the buildings. A trip through town is a bit like travelling through a giant Dulux colour chart gone wild!
Everything is within walking distance but if you must do the tourism bit take the English language trolley tour
for the full history of Curaçao and its diverse culture.
If you’re the adventurous sort Curaçao has plenty to offer. Its scuba and snorkel diving is second to none and the island abounds with equipment rental shops for the experienced diver and for schools for beginners. For a really unique aquatic experience try the “swimming with dolphins” experience.
To see the island in the raw, take a Yellow Tourism off-road Jeep safari along the cactus-lined dirt tracks beside the volcanic shore stopping off at the not-to-be-missed bat cave!
On a less frenetic tour the Blue Curaçao distillery welcomes visitors to see how the liqueur is made from locally grown oranges (with samples of course), and for those who like their birds big try a visit to the massive ostrich farm!
Located in the tropics, just 12° north of the Equator, Curaçao has a warm, sunny climate year round. The average temperature is about 27° C (in the mid-80s F). Cooling trade winds blow constantly from the east, picking up in the spring months.
The rainy season, which is between October and February, is usually marked by short, occasional showers, mostly at night, with continued sunny weather during the day. This temperate climate mixed with a warm “bon bini” gay welcome makes this island an ideal vacation spot throughout the year.
If you have always fancied visiting this part of the world but have been discouraged by tales of Caribbean homophobia give Curaçao a try. You’ll be glad you did!