Curacoa is a tropical island just off the coast of Venezuela and is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Part of the Netherland Antilles, Curacao is the largest island in the group and covers approximately 171 square miles. It is oval shaped, with an estimated population of 140,000 people.

Being just outside the hurricane belt, Curacao receives little rainfall – less than 21″ – and, as a result, the terrain is arid and savannah like. It is also flat, with the highest elevation being only 1239 feet (Mount Cristoffel). The northern part of the island includes Cristoffel National Park, which is home to an abundance of local flora and fauna.

The coastline is jagged, with many coves and bays. The northern area of Curacao is more rugged, with cliffs, rocks, and a strong current running offshore. However, in the south and west are many undeveloped beaches with clear, calm water.

Naturally, the main hotels, resorts and facilities are located in the south of the island, near the beaches. There are about 40 beaches, offering the visitor variety, as well as seclusion for basking in the sun and swimming. (for more travel info please visit African Safari)

Most of the beaches in Curacao consist of sandy beaches and crystal blue water. However, these are not the long sandy stretches to be found on other islands but are often well hidden. They are known as “bocas” in Papiamento (the local language). The secluded beaches are especially popular with honeymooners and those who wish to have a more tranquil experience, away from the resorts and hotels.

A popular activity is shore diving, as the sea floor drops sharply just off shore and visibility in the water is excellent. This is largely due to the low rainfall and absence of rivers – there are no rivers on Curacao.

The water activities available include not only deep sea diving and snorkeling but also kayaking and windsurfing. The resorts and hotels on Curacao are well-equipped to offer these options to their guests.

Tourists mostly come from Europe, South America, and other Caribbean islands, with a growing number from the United States and Canada. Of more than 500,000 visitors to the island each year, over 300,000 arrive on cruise ships.

Resort accommodation is luxurious in Caribbean hues for those who stay, and the service is friendly and obliging. Your terrace overlooks a tropical garden with palm trees, colorful flowering bushes, and many birds that come to feed.

A popular choice at the resort restaurant is a lizard dish, as lizards abound and are everywhere in Curacao.

Some of the resorts also have animal enclosures, with activities such as feeding the flamingos and a variety of sea creatures, including sharks.

Perhaps better known than the island itself is Curacao liqueur (such as cointreau and triple sec), an orange-flavored liqueur sold world-wide. This is made from the dried peel of “Laraha” – bitter oranges (descended from the Valencia orange) that grow wild on the island. (for more travel destinations please visit Safari Travel)

The inhabitants of Curacao consist of more than 42 ethnic groups, mostly of African and European descent. The language, Papiamento, is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch, as well as the African languages brought by the slaves. English is widely spoken.

The island is a territory of The Netherlands and has had full autonomy in domestic affairs since 1954.

The capital city of Willemstad is a large port with much colonial architecture and was declared a “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO in 1997.

An especially strong element in Curacao culture is the love of music and dancing, with a major influence from their African heritage. Known as “tambu”, its main foundation is drumming. The early slaves used dried goatskin over hollow containers to provide rhythms for their dancing. The partners in this dance leave their feet in place and only make contact through their hips and bodies, to the rhythm of the drums.

With its low rainfall, sunny conditions, tranquil atmosphere, secluded beaches and modern resorts, the island of Curacao has much to offer the tourist who wants to experience still pristine conditions in an exotic location; where the inhabitants are as warm and colorful as any to be found in the beautiful Caribbean. (for more holiday info please visit Cheap Holidays)

NB: Don’t forget to browse these gorgeous Curacao Prints and Posters in our Curacao Gallery.

All Inclusive Caribbean Vacation

If you want the best all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort, then you ought to look for more than just a room with sun, sea, and sand. Hey, it’s not called all-inclusive for nothing you know.

You want your all inclusive travel Caribbean resort to have, if not everything, then at least, something really close. A buzz on the beach by day, a dining room open to the night air, water sports and other activities to go crazy on, a lounge deck within earshot of the waves for a relaxing afternoon, and a comfortable to retreat to – all that is available if you choose your all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort well.

More and more people are pampering themselves at all-inclusive travel Caribbean resorts where everything they could ever want is right at their disposal. What’s more, lots of these all-inclusive – about 79% – of them are beach front properties or sitting near lakes and other bodies of water where the views are spectacular.

Below are our top choices when it comes to all-inclusive travel Caribbean resorts:

Breezes Bahamas

Located on the eastern end of Cable Beach, Breezes Bahamas is the epitome of warm breezes wafting across an azure sea. This all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort was previously the venerable old Ambassador Beach Hotel. In 1995, the world-famous Super Clubs took over management and the resort underwent major renovations.

Breezes all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort is truly all-inclusive. At Breezes, almost everything you could ever want is included. Room accommodations, all meals, all snacks, unlimited wine or beer with lunch and dinner, as well as alcoholic drinks, mixed with premium brand liquors at each of the four bars, the list just goes on and on.

Club Med Turkoise

An island all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort, Club Med Turkoise is located directly on the white sand beach of a desert island called Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos, Caribbean. Unlike what you may expect of a tropical island, Turks and Caicos do draw the card with its breathtaking beauty and the astounding view of the beach and sea surrounding it.

With miles of white sand and translucent turquoise water, Club Med Turkoise all-inclusive travel Caribbean is the ideal for sports lovers and scuba divers. There are a total of 298 rooms, all beautifully appointed with comfortable accommodations, 3 meals a day, including unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, most sports, and nightly entertainment.

Le Sport

“Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind.” That’s the line Le Sport at St. Lucia uses on their clients. And indeed, this all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort does just that. With its quirky outlook on how an all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort should be, Le Sport has been helping the weary business traveler relax, suing a combination of holiday treats and intense pleasure of personalized rejuvenation.

Convinced to go? Read the vacation packing checklist tips before you go there.

Don’t forget to browse through our enticing and colorful Caribbean Prints & Posters Gallery.