Sports & Recreation

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Curaçao 's more than 100 dive sites are famous all over the world with visibility ranging from 60 to 150 feet and water temperatures a comfortable 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The Curaçao Underwater Park is a 12.5 mile coral reef that has been protected as a National Park. Guides are available for hire, and lessons are offered for beginners.

Deep Sea Fishing: Private boats are always available for charter. The marlin, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo in nearby waters provide an exciting challenge even for accomplished fishers.

Windsurfing: With year-round winds of over 13 knots, Curaçao offers excellent opportunities for windsurfing operations. Skilled professionals are on hand to offer instruction for beginners.

Sailing: Curaçao is home to a number of sailing regattas throughout the year, and Hobie-Cat and Sunfish equipment are always available for rent.

Beaches: There are over 38 different beaches on the island from the popular hotel beaches to small, secluded coves. Westpunt Beach is framed by towering cliffs, which are famous for the divers who jump from them into the ocean below. Knip Bay Beach features live music and dancing on weekends. Some beaches are covered with exotic plants like cactus and sage.

Golf, Tennis, Squash: The Curaçao Golf and Squash Club has a 9-hole golf course with unique and unusual sand greens. Squash is also available, and tennis courts may be found at many of the larger hotels around the island.

Horseback Riding: Ashari's Ranch and Rancho Alegre provide guided tours on horseback for beginning as well as experienced riders.

Hiking: Trails run throughout the 4,500 acres of Christoffel Park, and the 2-mile Rif Recreation Area offers a surfaced track for jogging.

Shopping

Punda and Otrobanda:

These two shopping districts in downtown Willemstad, separated by St. Anna Bay and connected by the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, provide pedestrian malls where shoppers are free to stroll and browse at their leisure. Curaçao has no duty or tax on many imported items, which has earned it a reputation for bargain-hunters travelling in the Caribbean.

Nightlife

Gambling: There are 10 hotel casinos on the island featuring the latest in slot machines, roulette, blackjack, poker, craps, and bingo. Although hours vary, most casinos are open between 2pm and 5am.

Discotheques: Dancing to tumba, reggae, salsa, and popular music at the island's many discotheques is one of the many options for people interested in the busy nightlife the island has to offer. Some of the nightclubs even feature floorshows.

Restaurants: Owing to the island's great diversity in culture, restaurants offer many different types of international cuisine from Indonesian and Latin American to Italian, French, and Chinese.

Music: In addition to the many music festivals throughout the year, the sounds of tumba, salsa, merengue, jazz, and reggae can be heard in the streets of Willemstad and in many out-of-the-way spots around the island.