Everyone wants to be in the Caribbean right now. Interest in its white sand beaches and laid-back attitude is bigger than ever.
And one island in particular has been a roaring success story.
For the first time ever Curacao has recorded more than 500,000 overnight visitors in a single year.
Here’s why this beautiful Caribbean destination is breaking all tourism records right now:
Beaches And More
It would be impossible to talk about visiting any Caribbean island without mentioning the white sand beaches, and that is certainly true of Curacao.
The island boasts 35 named beaches, and each of them is a tropical paradise. Besides the beaches, the island is also a unique place for underwater activities. Whether you’re an avid diver or love to snorkel, you’ll find the ideal spot to indulge in your favorite pastime.
But what makes Curacao particularly appealing is that it offers so much more than just beaches and relaxation.
Curacao delivers a less touristy experience than other Caribbean locales because it’s more of a hidden gem, especially for Americans.
Away from the beaches Curacao’s capital Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site marked by its amazing architecture, waterways, tropical scenery and street cafes.
There’s color everywhere in Curacao. You should expect to see houses in every color imaginable. Willemstad is known for two bridges: the Queen Emma Bridge and the Queen Juliana Bridge. Both are worth exploring.
This means that Curacao attracts visitors looking for a typical Caribbean beach break as well as those interested in heritage and cultural sites.
A Place To Party
If you’re thinking ahead and looking for an ideal party vacation destination for early 2024 then Curacao should be at the top of your list.
Carnival is a popular event in the Caribbean but many people don’t realize that the Caribbean’s largest and longest Carnival celebrations are hosted in Curacao.
This month-long event that goes until late February turns the streets into colorful and vibrant displays with music pumping throughout. It’s a fun and fascinating fiesta and one that shouldn’t be missed.
If you can’t visit Curacao during Carnival month, then don’t worry: though this island’s reputation may be understated, its party attitude is huge year-round.
The island offers an impressive selection of nightlife venues for letting your hair down. So whether you’re looking for a chic cocktail bar or a wild beach party, you’ll find it here.
Why not head to Netto bar in the heart of Curacao’s Otrobanda neighborhood which is the oldest bar on the island and famous for its cocktail specials?
And if you want a more low-key vibe then try La Casa del Habano Curacao, which is a relaxed bar and cigar lounge that is incredibly popular with visitors and locals alike.
For a big night out the Wet and Wild Beach Club is the place to be, especially at weekends when you can dance the night away to a live DJ with sand between your toes.
Increased Interest From American Visitors
Curacao is a Dutch Caribbean island, and as a result many of its visitors have historically arrived from the Netherlands.
This changed in the summer of 2022 when Sandals opened their Royal Curacao resort.
Because Sandals is such a big name in the luxury and adults-only vacation markets, this led to significant interest in the island as well as increased arrivals.
And many of those arrivals were coming from the U.S.
As the newest property in the Sandals portfolio, the Royal Curacao resort is attracting visitors for its innovation as much for its location. This includes modern activity programs and an infinity pool which is the brand’s first-ever bi-level pool that overlooks the ocean.
The resort has also taken an ’island inclusive’ approach, encouraging visitors to head outside the resort with a fleet or cars available to hire and explore the island.
Many local residents believe that this resort has finally put Curacao on the map.
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