Postcards from Curaçao – Soaking up the Sun and Culture

After an extremely long and cold winter, we yearned for sun and warmth, so at the end of March 2026 we headed to the stunning island of Curaçao (pronounced Kur-uh-sow) for a short but much needed and welcomed holiday. Located on the Caribbean Sea in the Leeward Antilles, the island is outside the hurricane belt making it a desirable year-round destination. While renowned for its diving and beaches, the island offers visitors much to experience, whether on land or in the sea, and we had a ball! In addition to those vacationing on land, Curaçao is also a cruise ship destination, and the activities we have included in our “Postcards” work well for those staying on the island or visiting for a few hours during a cruise ship stop.

Things to Do – On and Under The Sea

Experience the beaches whether walking them, snorkeling, scuba diving, or diving deep with Substation Curaçao. We spent many happy hours strolling the beaches soaking up the sun (wearing sunscreen of course), as well as snorkeling from shore. Curaçao has 65 distinct types of corals, and a plethora of fish, which makes snorkeling or diving so interesting.

Curaçao snorkeling

A few of the fish we saw included Blue Parrotfish, Rainbow Parrotfish, Foureye Butterflyfish, Banded Butterflyfish, Trumpetfish, Blue Chromis, Spotted Smooth Trunkfish, Blue Tangs, and more. Corals included Whip Coral, Fan Coral, Staghorn Coral, Boulder Brain Coral, Pillar Coral, and others. Especially wonderful was swimming in the warm water or floating on our backs and relaxing by looking up and enjoying the perfect blue-sky days. 

Curaçao snorkeling

Substation Curaçao

Let’s Go Diving!

Whether you are diver, snorkeler, or just love exploring, Substation Curaçao is the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the depths of the Caribbean Sea from inside their safe and state-of-the-art mini-submarine, called CuraSub.

As certified scuba divers, we have been diving around the world and have been down to a maximum depth while diving to 157 feet/48 meters, which was indeed impressive, however, to be able to experience even deeper depths and learn about the inhabitants was an amazing experience.

On March 31, 2026, we experienced Substation Curaçao’s Wreck Dive in their 3-person CuraSub that took us to a depth of over 490+ feet (150+ meters). Stretched out on our stomachs, and looking through a convex window, we had an experience of a lifetime as the beauty of the Caribbean undersea life appeared as we descended from 30 feet, 80 feet, 200 feet, to 490+ feet. We passed over a shipwreck, viewed some of the over 65 types of corals, viewed crabs, Lionfish, rusticles, and so much more.

Rusticles on Ship Wreck

The first color to disappear at depth is the color red, so with the aid of the powerful Curasub lights we were able to see the colors that depth takes away. Two phones and a camera clicking away, we tried to capture as much of the extraordinary experience as possible while also knowing that the images captured in our minds will always be there.

CuraSub 478 foot reading

Substation Curaçao offers three unique experiences, their 60-minute Wreck Dive that will transport you to a depth of 450 feet/135 meters, their 2.5-hour Explorer Dive that dives down to 650 feet/200 meters, and their 2-hour Research Dive that goes to a maximum of 1,000 feet/300 meters.

Lionfish

Having experienced their Wreck Dive, you cannot even begin to imagine the exhilaration of being at such amazing depths and what we saw during our exploration voyage. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should be on your “bucket list” of things to do when visiting Curaçao.

Read more about deep diving experience with Substation Curaçao in the Adventures section of Luxury Experience: Diving Deep in Curaçao with Substation Curaçao

Substation Curaçao Experiences and Pricing: Wreck Dive: 1-hour, 450 feet/135 meters, $450 per person; Explorer Dive, 2.5 hours, 650 feet/200 meters, $650 per person; and Research Dive, 2 hours, 1,000 feet/300 meters, $1,000 per person.

For more information, please visit their website: https://substation-curacao.com/curasub/

Substation Curaçao (located on the grounds of Curaçao Sea Aquarium)
Bapor Kibra z/n Willemstad
Curaçao
Telephone: +599-9-461-6666
WhatsApp: +599-9-5110287
Email: info@substation-curacao.com
Website: https://substation-curacao.com/curasub/
Facebook: www.instagram.com/substationcuracao
Instagram: www.facebook.com/substationcur @substationcur 

Things to Do – The Underwater World – Above and Below Water 

Curaçao Sea Aquarium 

The Curaçao Sea Aquarium is another fabulous adventure to experience especially if you plan on snorkeling or swimming during your stay on Curaçao. They have several interesting programs that will captivate your senses as well as acquaint you with their undersea “residents.”

Dolphin Training

There are scheduled activities throughout the day such as Lobster Feeding, Amazing Sea Life Facts, Action Feeding Sessions, Dolphin Training Demonstrations, Flamingo Feeding and more for you to experience.

Be sure to plan your visit so that you can experience all that they offer and meet some of the stars of the Curacao Sea Aquarium such as Freddie Flamingo and his rescued flamingo friends, Greenie the sea turtle, and Herbie the 30-year-old Grouper.

Greenie SeaTurtle

We spent a perfect morning exploring the undersea world with Substation Curaçao and then spent a perfect afternoon topside at the Curaçao Sea Aquarium! There are wonderful exhibitions that will excite all ages, including the dolphin experiences, where we were kissed by a dolphin! Magical.

Feeding Flamingos

Also interesting to watch are their rescued flamingos. We had the opportunity to feed these graceful beauties and also watched a courting ritual where they squawk and display their wing feathers. Fabulous, educational, and fun!

Curaçao Sea Aquarium Experiences and Pricing:
Curaçao Sea Aquarium: Ages 5-12 years, $10, Ages 12+, $20 

Ocean Lens Curaçao: Must be a minimum of 6 years of age
Sneak Peak: Ages 6-12 years, $7, Ages 13+, $15
Guided Tour: 1.5 hours, Ages 6-12 years, $29, Ages 13+, $59
Times: 8:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm

Guided Tour Animal Encounters: Must be a minimum of 8 years of age.
Participants must be able to swim and feel comfortable snorkeling in deep water. This program is not accessible for pregnant women.
Ages 8-12 Years, $40, Adult (13+): $75
Times: 9:00 am, 11:30 am, and 2:30 pm 

Curaçao Sea Aquarium Hours: Open year-round, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. There is a food and beverage terrace, as well as a gift shop. 

Please visit their website for more information on Experiences and Pricing, www.curacao-sea-aquarium.com 

Read more about visit to Curaçao Sea Aquarium in the Adventures section of Luxury Experience.

Curaçao Sea Aquarium
Bapor Kibra z/n Willemstad
Curaçao
Telephone: +5999-461-6666
Email: info@csapark.com
Website: www.curacao-sea-aquarium.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curacao_sea_aquarium/ @curacao_sea_aquarium
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curacaoseaaquarium/

Shake It Up Baby 

Landhuis Chobolobo

Landhuis Chobolobo, Curaçao

What would Tiki and tropical cocktails be without Curaçao Liqueur? Boring! On Monday, March 30, 2026, we took an interesting tour at Landhuis Chobolobo to learn the inside scoop on what makes Curaçao Liqueur so special as Senior & Co., owners of Landhuis Chobolobo, have used the same recipe to make their Genuine Curacao Triple Sec Liqueur from sun-dried Laraha orange peels for over 130 years.

Landhuis Chobolobo – Laraha Tree

It is interesting to note that the Laraha orange is very bitter with a richly aromatic skin. To create their Genuine Curaçao Triple Sec Liqueur, they hand cut the oranges off the trees, peel the oranges, and place the peels in the sun to dry for 4 days. The peels are then cooked with cardamom, sugar, cloves, and ethyl alcohol derived from natural cane sugar and imported from Holland. The product is bottled in their distinctive round glass textured bottles with flat fronts and back where the labels are placed by hand.

Genuine Curaçao Liqueur Triple Sec

The Genuine Curaçao Liqueur Triple Sec is made in a rainbow of colors that represent the colors of the island including blue, red, orange, green, and clear, which have 31% alcohol by volume; the colors were introduced in the 1950 and 60s. There is also a special Senior’s Genuine Curaçao Liqueur, also made with Laraha peels, which is clear and has a 40% alcohol by volume.

Genunine Curaçao Liqueurs

In addition to their Genuine Curacao Liqueur Triple Sec line, they created four very tasty liqueurs, also made with Laraha orange peels in the 1940s. Flavors include Tamarind (Tamarèin), Rum (Rasenchi), Coffee (Kafe Korsou), and Chocolate (Chukulati). The four liqueurs all have 25% alcohol by volume.

Gen Riley & Edward F. Nesta – Landhuis Chobolobo, Curacao

After our tour, we enjoyed a refreshing cocktail made with Senior’s Genuine Curaçao Liqueur, of course, in their attractive Colonial garden. It was a delicious learning and tasting experience. Cheers!

Read more about visit to Landhuis Chobolobo in the Liquor Cabinet section of Luxury Experience: Landhuis Chobolobo, Experiencing the Art of Making Curaçao Liqueur, Willemstad, Curaçao 

Landhuis Chobolobo Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm.
Landhuis Chobolobo Guided Tours Ticket Prices:
Standard: 60 minutes: $20 USD per person
Deluxe: 60 minutes, $30 per person
Chobolobo Cocktail Workshop: 120 minutes, $50 USD.

Guided Tour Times: 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.

Guided Tour Available Languages: Papiamento, English, Spanish, Dutch

Age Requirements: Children 13 and older require a ticket, under 13 can join the tour for free. Alcohol Policy: Alcoholic beverages served only to guests 18 years or older.

For more information on visiting Landhuis Chocolobo, please visit their website: https://www.chobolobo.com/home

Landhuis Chobolobo
Salina Ariba
Elias R.A. Moreno Boulevard
Willemstad, Curaçao
WhatsApp: +599-9-511-3526
Email: info@chobolobo.com
Website: https://www.chobolobo.com/home
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/landhuischobolobo @landhuischobolobo

Curaçao Liqueur
Website: https://www.curacaoliqueur.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curacaoliqueur/ @curacaoliqueur

Good To Know Before You Go

Location, Location, Location 

Curaçao is located in the Southern Caribbean Sea, approximately 37-40 miles north of the Venezuela coast and is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of The Netherlands. Together with Aruba and Bonaire, Curaçao makes up the ABC islands. Important to note that Curaçao is part of the Leeward Antilles and is outside the hurricane belt making it a perfect year-round destination.

Curaçao in their first FIFA World Cup

In addition, Curaçao is participating in their first FIFA Soccer World Cup 2026 – Congratulations and Good Luck!

Language

The official language of Curaçao is Papiamento, which is spoken on the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (the ABC islands), although Dutch, English, and Spanish are also spoken there. It is interesting to note that Papiamento is a cultural blend of Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, African, and Creole languages.

Here are a few words and phrases to help you get around and into the friendly island spirit.

Money, Money, Money

The currency of Curaçao is the Caribbean Guilder (Cg), introduced on March 31, 2025, and is used on Curaçao and Sint Maarten and holds the same value as the former Netherlands-Antillean Guilder (ANG). Dollars are accepted everywhere; however, Euros need to be exchanged at a bank. 

“To ensure stability, the Cg is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a fixed exchange rate of USD 1 = Cg 1.79. In commercial transactions, the exchange rate is USD 1 = Cg 1.82, just as it was with the Netherlands-Antillean Guilder. If you still have Netherlands-Antillean Guilders in your wallet, you can still exchange ANG for Cg at the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten until 2055.” 

See You in Curaçao

Plug Me In

“Curaçao standard current outlets provide 110-130 Volt at 50Hz. The standard plug type is a two-pin ‘Type A’ power plug as used in the US. Some devices are designed to operate at both 110V and 220V, but please check in advance. It is wise to bring a plug adaptor for other plug types, but they can also be bought on the island. Some hotels and apartments do have 220V outlets. These outlets are easily identified, as they require the standard European plug.” 

Whether you opt to experience the island’s plethora of exciting land or sea activities, venture no further than sitting on a beach chair under a sun umbrella, or reading a good book or enjoying a cocktail (or two) poolside, Curaçao will surely enchant and leave you with indelible and wonderful memories of your visit.

Until next time, keep enjoying travel with Luxury Experience. 

Read more about Curaçao in the Destinations, Adventures, and Liquor Cabinet sections.

For more information on Curaçao, please visit the tourism website at: https://www.curacao.com/en/ 

Follow Luxury Experience on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LuxuryExperience to see photos and videos.

Follow Luxury Experience on YouTube at @edwardnesta9910 @luxurypair

Follow Luxury Experience on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/luxurypair @luxurypair

© May 2026. Luxury Experience www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.