Thirty-five soft sandy beaches, a pristine turquoise sea and friendly islanders welcome gay honeymooners to Curacao
Photo by Michael Andre Adams
While homophobia runs rampant throughout the Caribbean, the savvy and colorful Dutch island of Curacao—where education ranks highest/unemployment lowest in the entire Caribbean—sends a message loud and clear message that says, “We want you here!”
Be it a spectacular beach-side resorts, or chic, sea-side resort in the heart of the capitol city of Willemstad, locals of this wonderland off the coast of Venezuela and outside of the hurricane belt know how to satisfy both pure hearts and risqué minds.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Where sunny weather rules, temperatures range from the mid to upper 80s by day, with a 10-degree drop after the sun sets. Summer here in the States means summer there. The rainy season follows in the final quarter of the year, which is the time to discover the greatest value in hotel and airfares. The exact opposite is the reality during high season, beginning around Christmas through Carnival season (Jan. 8 through March 13) and into early spring.
LGBT-FRIENDLY FACTOR:
Curacao’s “Live and let live” tagline markets directly to the LGBT community, including a specialized website at www.gaycuracao.com, chock full of resources including a hot list of gay entertainment for every night of the week.
Gay Pride is celebrated between the end of September and early October. Announcements are made through www.gaycuracao.com. Highlights throughout the weekend of festivities include a standing-room-only drag show with overwhelming support from the friends and family of the performers.
By 2012, the former Dutch colony of Curacao, now under direct Dutch rule, is expected to offer marriage and adoption to GLBT couples. Meanwhile, it appears that heterosexuals mix and mingle seamlessly with same-sex couples and same-gender-loving singles.
Photo by Michael Andre Adams
SLUMBER:
Willemstad:
Baose Luxury Resort
Through the gates of this urban estate in between a middle of the road residential community lies a gothic-style check-in suite amidst an enchanted forest of trees and lush foliage. Continue along a winding path on the outskirts of which a handful of lavish guest suites and villas culminates before a private beach on the sea. The rich, warm and tasteful décor combines the many cultures of the Caribbean, all of which touches the soul unlike anything here in the States.
Kura Hulanda Hotel
An eight-block radius of 17th and 18th century Dutch architecture encompasses this Unesco World Heritage site of cobblestone streets lined with multiple restaurants and bars, shops, a world-class museum depicting the history of slavery, a spa, casino, courtyards and winding gardens. Each unique unit in this previously dilapidated neighborhood-turned-five-star-resort has been meticulously furnished, and now resembles an overnight stay at a mall of antiques. Expect oversized crawl-feet bathtubs, dramatic ceilings, hardwood floors and furniture from an era bygone.
Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino
In a contemporary setting overlooking another side of the harbor, shops, restaurants and a movie theater, the convention-sized Renaissance Resort celebrates the colorful tones by which the Dutch Islands are known. And you can hit the casino without ever stepping foot outside, where everything else is in easy walking distance.
Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina
One of Curacao’s newest and finest properties, the Mediterranean design of this ocean-front resort puts all other Hyatt Regency properties to shame. Super friendly service, acres of flora-packed landscaping and a marina with its own dive shop are just a few of the sites to take note of while facing the sea. A full-service spa incorporates freshly picked, locally grown herbs into every treatment for the ultimate in holistic care. The ice-cream parlor located steps away adds further indulgence to the experience. And libations on the fire-lit patio while Flamenco dancers stomp, snap and clap makes it all so dramatic by night.
Photo by Michael Andre Adams
WINE & DINE:
Restaurant Governeur
From the balcony, you’ll have a clear view of the adjacent harbor, with the Floating Market in the distance. Great place to experience keshi yená—the island’s insatiably delicious signature specialty of chicken with cheese, prunes and nuts.
Shor
Sexy, open-air seating on a small bluff overlooking the sea is a great place to partake of the Hyatt’s martini and cigar bar where you’ll meet locals and tourist while enjoying a dozen oysters, or a tuna poke with wontons appetizer. Choose from citrus chipotle rub, orange ginger rub or other seasonings for your tuna, mahi, grouper or other fish du jour served grilled or pan-seared. Happy hour (5-7 p.m. daily) includes live jazz by the sea.
SEE & DO:
Marinelife: The clear waters of the Caribbean Sea are ground zero for diving and snorkeling in the National Curacao Underwater Park, where rare 100-year old shipwrecks, colorful coral reefs cove and picturesque marine life take center stage with no marine park fees.
Island-wide, a total of 81 dive sites offers great options for novice, avid and in-between divers and snorkelers.
An ATV expedition is an exhilarating means to exploration from sea level to plateau. Along the way, the tour guide leads at Eric’s ATV Adventure take guests through the heart of residential communities for a true destination experience. http://www.curacao-atv.com/
A visit to the Blue Curacao Liqueur Factory reveals that there is just one, despite many colors of this never-to-be-patented beverage. www.curacaoliqueur.com
Photo by Michael Andre Adams
Willemstad: There is also but one downtown on the 171-square-mile island of less than 150,000 inhabitants. And that’s the capitol city of Willemstad. Here along the bustling harbor amidst many streets of restaurants and shops, lies the Floating Market, where farmers and fisherman from nearby Columbia and Venezuela continue the 150 year tradition of showing up in a cavalcade of sea crafts at 5 a.m. to do business through 6 p.m. daily.
Also within walking distance of the harbor is the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue. Celebrated as the oldest continuously running synagogue in the Americas, the sand floor facility is open daily for tours and picture taking. http://snoa.com/snoa.html
Photo by Michael Andre Adams
PERFECT FOR COUPLES LOOKING FOR:
Caribbean sun, sand and sea; luxury resort accommodations; adventure by day, gay life at night, coupled with a warm, island-wide welcome to you, just as you are.
DAYS TO STAY:
A Thursday through Sunday getaway is the perfect amount of time to see and do Curacao on a roll. To partake of the laid-back island vibe and allow for a dark tan to permeate your skin, stretch your visit to a full week.
OH, AND BY THE WAY:
While Curacao is small, rush hour on the island’s many two-lane, two-way paved roads and highways is best to be avoided. Therefore, plan your outings early. As an option, end your stay in Willemstad, after you’ve distressed at a hot new resort on the outskirts of the island.
