You will Never forget a trip to Curacao...
Discover the historic sights in and around Willemstad and visit Curacao's popular Seaquarium in this fun filled half-day tour. You will drive through the Otrabanda section of Willemstad, crossing the new Queen Juliana Bridge for a picturesque view of the city and harbor. Then continue past the Franklin D. Roosevelt House, the residence and offices of the United States Consul General, en route to Chobolobo, a colonial mansion where the original Cura Liqueur is distilled in 100-year-old barrels. You will have an opportunity to sample this delicious local product. Then you'll pass the island's delightful residential section as you make your way to the Curacao Museum . Finally, you'll visit the island?s fascinating Seaquarium, featuring aquariums filled with tropical fish. Other exhibits include many of the island?s 440 different species of marine creatures, such as sharks, lobsters, turtles, coral and even sea lions.
The human civilization began in Curaçao at about 600 years a.d. with the arrival of Indians of the coastal regions of South America. They belonged to the Arowaks who formed part of the Caiquetíos tribe. They lived on agriculture, fishing and hunting. The Arowaks were known as friendly and peaceful people. This is in contrast with the Cariben who passed the Lesser Antilles around 1530 and advanced to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Both the Arowaks and the Europeans were afraid of the Cariben. The reason was the outward appearance of the Cariben and their ritual cannibalism. The Caribbean Region owes its name from the Caribben. 
A Spanish expedition led by Alonso de Ojeda discovered the island of Curaçao in 1499. The Spaniards went ashore in search of drinking water, after having noticed footprints in the sand, they came to the conclusion that the island was inhabited. They appeared to be the Arowaks. Because of their height, the Spaniards named the island Isla de los Gigantes (Island of the Giants). Owing to a shortage of labourers, most of the Arowaks were taken as slaves to Hispaniola and other Spanish colonies in the region. In 1513 they named the Lesser Antilles Islas Inútiles (Useless Islands) because no precious metals or natural riches were found. In 1525 Governor Juan Martínez de Ampuéz repopulated Curaçao with Indians. Curaçao has always known very dry periods. Its strategic position and natural harbour were the most valuable assets. 
Curacao Hato Caves. These caves had a utilitarian purpose during the early days of the slave trade in Curacao, escaped slaves used them as hiding places, and lived in them for months at a time. Even before the arrival of Europeans and slaves, the Amerindian Arawaks used them for shelter, and left behind cave drawings, or petroglyphs, estimated at 1,500 years old. Guides will take you through the caves. They'll point out the apocryphal and fanciful stories behind some of the stalactites and stalagmites; in the eerie lighting, some take on shapes and are called the Pirate's Head, the Sea Tortoise, and the Giant of Jack and the Beanstalk fame. The caves are north of Willemstad on the Roosevelt Weg ('weg' is 'street' or 'road' in Dutch), across the road from the Hotel Holland. The Caves are open Tuesday through Sunday. Multi-lingual tours are given on the hour from 10 am to 5 pm. 
Curacao Christoffel Park. The park consists of three former plantations and offers 20 miles of one-way driving trails abundant with flora and fauna, including prickly pear cactus, divi divi trees and exotic flowers. Here, cacti reach up to ten feet in height, and several different species of orchids, some of them extremely rare, can be found blooming on them. Protected wildlife includes iguanas, rabbits, donkeys, several species of birds and between 150-200 small, white-tail Curacao deer which historians believe Indians brought from South American coastal areas, particularly Colombia and Venezuela, in the 14th and 15th centuries. Since 1926, the deer has been a protected animal on Curacao. Deer watching is offered year-round; sessions are held in the afternoon, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Guides lead small groups (maximum of eight people) on a ten-minute walk to the observation tower, for a presentation and to wait for the deer.
Curacao is truly a remarkable place to visit. Snorkeling, Diving, Eco-tours, Fishing Charters, Sailing trips, kayaking trips and much more... 
