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Not your typical Caribbean island - Though geographically part of the South American continental shelf, Curaçao is a Dutch country. While located about 37 mi (60 km) north of the Venezuelan coast, it was granted autonomy in 2010 by the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles.

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Part of the ABC Islands - With Aruba to the west and Bonaire to the east, the colorful country is often overlooked for its brilliance, though it was once a booming trade hub for merchants in the Dutch West India Company.

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No one's sure how it got its name - The popular theory is that it comes from the Portuguese word meaning "heart," as the island was the center of trade in the 17th century. Portuguese is just one of the languages you'll hear on the island—Papiamento, Dutch, English, and Spanish are others.

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A protected melting pot - The island offers a bold pastel-painted capital city, Willemstad, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site for over two decades.

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More than enough beaches - The island has 37 beautiful strips of sand rimming the coastline. Grote Knip is a favorite on the west side, though many love the northern beaches as they're farther from tourist hubs.

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Snorkeling and diving - With plenty of shipwrecks in the area, diving and snorkeling are some of the most popular things to do in Curaçao. You can also spot sea turtles, eagle rays, sharks, eels, lionfish, and fish species unique to Curacao, like the yellow-spotted sand goby.

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Perfect for everyone - Beach bums, families, adventurers, couples, and groups of friends can all find things to do in Curaçao, and accommodation ranges from five-star resorts to affordable hostels.

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A flamingo oasis - Of course the colorful island hosts colorful animals! Check out the flamingo sanctuary in the town of Sint Willibrordus to see the pink birds socializing amid tranquil surroundings of green hills and calm waters. Be mindful of your distance, however, as they scare easily!

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Eras in the architecture - Five bridges, each named after Dutch royalty, connect three areas of Willemstad: Punda, Otrobanda and Scharloo. Punda features colonial architecture of the 17th century, Otrobanda of the 18th century, and Scharloo of the 19th century.

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The only floating bridge in the world - Nicknamed “Swinging Old Lady,” the Queen Emma bridge was built in 1888 and is a star attraction on the island, as it's the only swinging floating bridge in the world.

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An island made for walking - Willemstad is tremendously easy to explore by foot! Its cobbled lanes and alleys are lined with restaurants, art galleries, shops, and gabled houses, which were once all painted white.

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Legend has it… - In 1817, the governor of the island was getting migraines from the sun shining off the white-painted houses, so he ordered them to be repainted in a palette of bright colors to combat the glare.

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Which was quite convenient for him - As the story goes, the governor was also the owner of a paint factory on the island, which may have influenced his decision a tiny bit...

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It stuck - Now the tradition has continued on for centuries, and it reflects the bright and vibrant culture of the island.

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Handelskade Street - One of Willemstad's most famous streets, Handelskade is lined with row houses that seem plucked straight out of Amsterdam, except that they wear the bright colors of sweet candy.

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Los Barquitos Floating Market - Roughly every two weeks, Venezuelan sailors make the long voyage to Curaçao to form a floating market along the Waaigat Harbor in Willemstad, continuing a 100-year-old tradition. The boats are connected to mainland stalls shaded by colorful tarps, and vendors sell their fresh fruit and seafood.

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The trendy Pietermaai District - Fondly referred to as the “SoHo” of Curaçao, the area is rife with hip bars, cool shops, nightlife, cozy little cafés, and top-rated restaurants, all nestled in beautifully colored buildings.

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Local delicacies - The island offers a mix of Dutch and Caribbean treats, including crunchy meat-filled pastries called pastechi di karni, spiced balls of baked cheese and meat called keshi yena, and traditional Dutch pastries like stroopwafels and poffertjes (mini stuffed pancakes, pictured).

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Postcard perfect - When you go to an island, often times beaches are taken for granted—but this Caribbean island puts others to shame. Cas Abao is one such example in Curaçao, with powdery soft sand and bright blue water.

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Family-friendly - While the island offers great nightlife, it also makes for a perfect family getaway. Blue Bay's shallow sea floor is safe for young swimmers, and there are endless activities to keep everyone entertained.

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Artistic culture flourishes - Punda Vibes Thursdays is a cultural festival that fills the streets with live music, dancing, local craft markets, and live theater, ending with stunning fireworks over the harbor.

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The oldest running synagogue in the Americas - The Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue is nearly 300 years old, and besides it being an architectural jewel, its most interesting feature is the floor of sand. It's a tribute to the earliest Jewish settlers who, during the Spanish Inquisition, muffled their footsteps when meeting in secret.

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The complicated history of Rif Fort - Though today it offers shops, bars, restaurants, and a great view of the city, the fort was originally built in 1828 to defend Willemstad from pirates and other enemies. It was also a brothel, police station, and prison at various times.

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Excursions off the island - A two-hour catamaran tour will take you to the tropical oasis called Klein Curaçao, or Little Curaçao, which is a coral atoll with unspoiled beaches and an abandoned pink lighthouse from the 1850s.

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No hurricane season! - Curaçao conveniently sits below the hurricane belt, making it appealing for travelers who are hungry for sunny skies. Plus, with the wet season being only two to three months long, rain is a rarity.

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Green rum at Netto Bar - The oldest bar in Curaçao is situated in Otrobanda, and has been serving up shots of green rum (or Ròm Bèrdè, which is made bittersweet with orange peels and anise) for six decades.

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And, of course, Blue Curaçao - One of the most famous liqueurs in the world, Blue Curaçao is distilled in a 19th-century mansion on the island called Landhuis Chobolobo. It's made especially flavorful with dried peels of the Laraha orange grown only on the island, and it's then bottled by Senior's Curaçao Liqueur, which has been operating since 1896.

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Progressive and pristine - Sure, there are many islands to choose from in the Caribbean, but Curaçao boasts a progressive and pristine nature, with over 35 beaches, 65 dive sites, and friendly locals who represent over 50 cultures!

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It's easy to get to the island - With an airport on the island (and a bright yellow one no less), direct flights run daily and weekly from big North American hubs like New York City and Toronto, and of course, there are regular flights to and from Amsterdam.

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Make another stop on your trip - When you've gotten your fill of bright colors, check out this lush Dutch Caribbean island with a population of just 2,000 people.

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