Curacao

Strolling the Dutch-inspired city streets and squares of Willemstad, then reclining on the soft-sand beaches is a fantastic way to spend any holiday in Curacao – but there’s more.

Snorkellers will enjoy swimming among the marine life of the beachside reefs, while scuba divers can venture deep into the thriving strait between ABC Islands and the Venezuelan coast. Look out for pods of dolphins and tropical sharks, circling between the fishing boats of Klein Curaçao. And you can find green sea turtles on the shores of Shete Boka National Park.

Step inland to climb Christoffel Mountain. Here, you’ll see exotic orchids, cottontails and hummingbirds in daylight, before the bats come out to play at sunset. You can also uncover tales of Arawak Indians, pirates and plantation histories at Savonet Museum in the Christoffel National Park. Or head underground to marvel at the stalactites, stalagmites and petroglyphs of Hato Caves.

Explore the pastel-shaded streets and distinctive districts of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the capital of Curacao. You can wander the historic streets of Otrobanda, and stroll along the waterfront promenade of Hadelskade. Grab a bite beside St Anna Bay, and see the street art of Scharloo.

Watch the 130-year-old Queen Emma Bridge swing around to let ships pass, before stepping across its pontoon boardwalks to Brionplein and the striking colonial architecture of Punda. Take a photo by the Curacao sign at Wilhelminaplein. Skip along cobbled streets towards the enticing scents and tastes of Plasa Bieu Old Market. Admire the palm-lined lawns of Wilhelminapark and the elegant yellow-fronted Penha Building, built more than 300 years ago. Walk to the historic Fort Amsterdam, still the government building today. Or learn about the dark past of the island’s slave trade at the Kura Hulanda Museum.

It wouldn’t be a Caribbean holiday without beaches, and Curacao has some of the best. Spend lazy days in the sun on your resort’s private shoreline – with waiter service direct to your lounger – or head out to explore the sands surrounding the island’s coast.

You can snorkel, swim and sunbathe in the hidden cove of Playa Lagoon, where reclining chairs look out towards fishing boats and coral reefs. Feel dusty sand between your toes at Playa Cas Abou, which is a watersports playground by day, and a cocktail strip after dark. Mingle with locals between the palm trees and small cliffs of Blauwbaai, then dive into its clear waters to swim with hypnotic shoals of tropical fish. And, for a magical turtle-spotting experience, head to the inlets of Shete Boka National Park below the hills and cliffs of Curacao’s northern tip.

Although Curacao officially has a Caribbean climate with dry and wet seasons, you’ll barely notice the difference thanks to the island’s southerly position. Average temperatures range from 25°C in January to 30°C in July, meaning there’s never a bad day to hit the beach.

Rainfall is highest between October and January, but the showers tend to come in short bursts – so everywhere soon dries out. From February to September, it’s common for the rain to fall at night, leaving days dry and sunny throughout. Hurricanes rarely reach the island, so you can really plan your Curacao holiday for anytime. There’s never a bad time to go swimming, sailing and diving here. Just remember that Carnival comes to Curacao in January or February, so this is always the busiest time.

• Visas: British passport holders do not require a visa for Curacao if staying less than 90 days
• Currency: Antillean guilder (ANG)
• Time difference: GMT -4 hours
• Flight duration from London: Approximately 15 hours, depending on changes
• Capital city: Willemstad