Curacao and St. Maarten become autonomous countries: what it means for travelers

by Meg Nesterov on

Get ready for two new passport stamps: the former Netherlands Antilles has dissolved, and Curaçao and St. Maarten are now autonomous countries. Smaller islands such as Bonaire will now become Dutch municipalities. Aruba, the biggest of the ABC islands, has been a similarly autonomous state since 1986. It’s not a major status change for residents, as Curaçao has been self-governing for more than 50 years, but it will mean greater independence from the Dutch monarchy and more control over their own finances and local courts.

So what does this mean for travelers? The new independent status means more tax dollars for both Caribbean islands, meaning more money for tourism infrastructure and development. Curaçao, with one of the only UNESCO World Heritage sties in the Caribbean, has already seen huge growth in visitors from North America, up 40% this year. Development so far in Curaçao has been conservative and thoughtful, with many well-kept public beaches and no mega-hotels or high-rises spoiling the scenery. Even the island’s newest resort, the 350-room Hyatt Regency Curaçao Golf Resort, Spa, and Marina, barely makes a dent in the landscape; let’s hope the island maintains its charm.

In other news for Curaçao, the island is planning to enter the space tourism game with flights to space in 2014, perhaps the new tourism revenue stream will speed up the process.

[Photo credit: Flickr user Jessica Bee]

Photo of the Day (7.27.10)

by Stephen Greenwood on
Holy mackerel! Er, more like holy scad! This thrilling moment under the sea was captured by Flickr user Ka wai punahele off the coast of Bonaire, an island in the southern chain of the Netherlands Antilles.

The photographer writes; “It’s an amazing experience to have a big shoal of fish come straight towards you and then suddenly change direction and swim around you – quite surreal.” Bonaire is world renowned for its excellent scuba diving and is consistently rated among the best diving locations in the world. Even Bonaire’s license plates carry the logo Diver’s Paradise!


If you have an incredible travel moment to share, upload it to Flickr and include it in our Gadling Flickr Pool; it could be our next Photo of the Day!

Caribbean Islands & Hurricane Season 101

by Adrienne Wilson on

With storms brewing and the weather being all out-of-wack these days, it’s easy for a traveler eyeing the Caribbean to look the other way. I myself have been guilty at one point in assuming all the islands were doomed during the months long season of torrential rains, lightning and overall horrific T-storms, but such is not always the case. The Miami Herald has a nice little write-up on the Dutch-flavored Caribbean island of Curacao, which hasn’t been hit head-on by a hurricane since 1877. While Curacao is the featured island of the piece there are two others, Aruba & Bonaire, that clump the three into what can be called the ABC’s of hurricane season since ill-winds rarely grace any of them during the time.

For Curacao, there are many reasons to visit aside from escaping the storms that plague other nearby islands. Beaches are almost a given and there is tons of diving for the underwater fanatic. The author of the piece also explores the hip side of Curacao and describes the Museum Kura Hulanda in downtown Willemstad, the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, and a classy outdoor music venue at the Avila Beach Hotel.

Sounds like a good place to go to me. Avoid the rain-pelted beaches by traveling to Curacao this season! I wish I could. Um, yeah!