Location overview of Curacao

Curacao is located in the southwestern Caribbean, at ‘altitude 12’ north and longitude 68’ west. The island is just 70 km (44 miles) north of South America. It is 2.5 hours by air from Miami. The island is part of the Dutch Caribbean and is one of the “ABC” islands – Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. About 150,000 people live on the island. The local language is Papiamento, the official language is Dutch, English and Spanish are widely spoken. The population of Curacao consists of a mixture of people from several countries.

Climate, weather & nature

Curacao boasts a warm, sunny climate year round with an average temperature of 82 ?F (27?C). Refreshing trade winds blowing from the east keep things cool and humidity low.
Occasional rain showers may occur, but total annual rainfall averages only about 22 inches. Curacao is outside the hurricane belt. Curacao beaches are varied. Some are surrounded by giant cliffs, others by cactus and sage, but all share the same clear turquoise water. In Curacao, you are surrounded by unique landscape and natural vegetation (including aloe, cactus and stunted trees.)

Currency

The national currency is the Netherlands Antillean Guilder. Also called the Florin, and abbreviated NAFL or ANG. Although prices are quoted in the national currency, U.S. currency is widely accepted. The U.S. dollar is at a stable rate in guilders). The U.S. dollar is at a stable rate of US$1= Naf. 1.77

Time zone

Curacao is on Atlantic Standard Time, which is one hour later than US Eastern Standard Time (the same as Eastern Daylight Savings Time) and four hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time.

A little about the culture of Curacao

Seú

Each spring, it is time for the traditional corn harvest festival, Seú. In the past, this celebration saw farmers march triumphantly through the fields carrying their harvest to the warehouses. Carrying corn-laden dakwe (baskets) on their heads, the women danced to the music of drums and cow horns. In the effort to maintain this harvest tradition festival, the Curacao Department of Culture organizes the Seú Folkloric Parade, which takes place in the streets of downtown Otrobanda on Easter Monday each year. The parade has folkloric groups dressed in traditional costumes carrying baskets of fruit and vegetables. The groups perform the songs and dances of Seú, giving visitors a taste of colorful island tradition.

The Tambú

The Africans who Europeans brought to Curacao as slaves several centuries ago retained much of their native traditions. The tambú is one of them. His music style was transferred from generation to generation and consists of a rhythmic combination of song, the tambú (African drum) and the iron rake. The texts follow a pattern of questions and answers on actual social problems. They are often stories about a person or a situation. The tambú was an important way of release for the oppressed slave community. The music is accompanied by a dance, in which the man and the women move along each other without touching each other. Public tambú parties are often thrown at snack bars on the side of the road, especially in December and January.

Organ music

Organ music (kai orgel). At parties the kai orgel is played; it is a small street organ. The wiri plays popular songs on the street organ. It is ridged metal tuba that gives extra rhythm to the music.

The Tumba

Carnaval is a popular festivity of the people of Curacao. During this period almost the entire nation is on its feet. Several months before the local people prepare for carnival, which usually takes place in February. Costumes are made and tried for on, wagons are painted and music is composed. The highlight of this period is the road march through the streets of downtown Otrobanda at the end of February and the beginning of March. The tumba is the music played during the carnival festivities. For years a huge tumba festival is organized involving lots of participants. Out of the many tumbas one is chosen to be mainly played during the road march. The tumba is influenced by Latin American and Afro Caribbean culture.

Other music

Sonmontuno from Cuba, Reggae from Jamaica, Merengue and Bachata from Santo Domingo, North American music, Mariachi from Mexico and Salsa are widely played on the island.

Cuisine

Local dishes like Kabritú Stobá (goat stew), Tutú (make with beans), Pisca Korá (basically Red Snapper fish) and Kadushi (make with cactus) definitely worth a try.
Curacao have a variety of restaurants to suit every palate, with a choice of cuisines that is truly impressive. Argentinean, Creole, Chinese, French, Brazilian, Continental, Dutch, Caribbean, Indian, Italian, Thai and Indonesian cuisines are all represented here.