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Cool reasons to visit Curaçao (and how to pronounce it)

Melanie Reffes
Special to USA TODAY
Updated Dec. 16, 2019, 9:23 a.m. ET
If the thought of booking a Caribbean vacation during hurricane season makes gives you palpitations instead of daydreams, it ' s time to consider Cura ç ao (pronounced " Cure-uh-saow " ) which sits south of the path of most storms. It ' s a three-hour flight from Miami to reach the capital of Willemstad, known for its brightly-colored, centuries-old buildings.
If the thought of booking a Caribbean vacation during hurricane season makes gives you palpitations instead of daydreams, it's time to consider Curaçao (pronounced "Cure-uh-saow") which sits south of the path of most storms. It's a three-hour flight from Miami to reach the capital of Willemstad, known for its brightly-colored, centuries-old buildings.
Curaçao Tourism Board
Willemstad is home to architectural gems like the bright yellow Penha building built on the corner in 1708. The city has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List for more than 20 years.
Willemstad is home to architectural gems like the bright yellow Penha building built on the corner in 1708. The city has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List for more than 20 years.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
Bridges span the St. Anna Bay, connecting Willemstad's Punda and Otrobanda enclaves.
Bridges span the St. Anna Bay, connecting Willemstad's Punda and Otrobanda enclaves.
Curaçao Tourism Board
The famous Curaçao sign is located on the Punda side of the Queen Emma Bridge in Willemstad.
The famous Curaçao sign is located on the Punda side of the Queen Emma Bridge in Willemstad.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
Queen Emma Bridge, connecting the Willemstad neighborhoods of Otrobanda and Punda, Is the world's only floating pontoon bridge.
Queen Emma Bridge, connecting the Willemstad neighborhoods of Otrobanda and Punda, Is the world's only floating pontoon bridge.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
The Willemstad waterfront is lit up at night.
The Willemstad waterfront is lit up at night.
Jody Diamond
Punda Vibes, a cultural street party held every Thursday night in Willemstad, showcases local performers.
Punda Vibes, a cultural street party held every Thursday night in Willemstad, showcases local performers.
Berber Van Beek/Curaçao Tourism Board
The outdoor art installations in Willemstad are as eye-catching as its buildings.
The outdoor art installations in Willemstad are as eye-catching as its buildings.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
Rif Fort once protected Willemstad from pirates and other enemies.
Rif Fort once protected Willemstad from pirates and other enemies.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
Today, Rif Fort is home to many shops like Heinen Delfts Blauw, which features the largest selection of Dutch blue ceramics on the island.
Today, Rif Fort is home to many shops like Heinen Delfts Blauw, which features the largest selection of Dutch blue ceramics on the island.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
Pietermaai is a trendy neighborhood with bars, clubs and galleries.
Pietermaai is a trendy neighborhood with bars, clubs and galleries.
Curaçao Tourism Board
Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino is situated close to Willemstad's cruise piers, making it the go-to hotel for travelers who prefer to stay in the city.
Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino is situated close to Willemstad's cruise piers, making it the go-to hotel for travelers who prefer to stay in the city.
RenCuracao
Renaissance Curaçao Resort features a unique faux- beach that fronts a saltwater lagoon that slopes into an infinity pool.
Renaissance Curaçao Resort features a unique faux- beach that fronts a saltwater lagoon that slopes into an infinity pool.
RenCuraçao
Cas Abao Beach is on the northwest coast of the island.
Cas Abao Beach is on the northwest coast of the island.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
Grote Knip is a cove beach on the west coast.
Grote Knip is a cove beach on the west coast.
Curaçao Tourism Board
Playa Kenepa is where you'll find brazen cliff divers.
Playa Kenepa is where you'll find brazen cliff divers.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
Chic Jan Thiel Beach is located on the east side of the island.
Chic Jan Thiel Beach is located on the east side of the island.
PBC
Ferries cross the St. Anna Bay when the Queen Emma Bridge is up.
Ferries cross the St. Anna Bay when the Queen Emma Bridge is up.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
Curaçao's dive sites are among the best in the Caribbean.
Curaçao's dive sites are among the best in the Caribbean.
Curaçao Tourism Board
Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, the island's largest, is 15 miles from Hato International Airport.
Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, the island's largest, is 15 miles from Hato International Airport.
SBRCuraçao
Golfers get a glimpse of the Caribbean Sea and Spanish Water Bay as they tee off on the 18-hole Pete Dye-designed Old Quarry golf course, voted the Caribbean's top facility by 10Best readers for the past two years.
Golfers get a glimpse of the Caribbean Sea and Spanish Water Bay as they tee off on the 18-hole Pete Dye-designed Old Quarry golf course, voted the Caribbean's top facility by 10Best readers for the past two years.
SBRCuracao
At at the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, the setting sun is night theater all on its own.
At at the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, the setting sun is night theater all on its own.
SBRCuraçao
Built in 1949, Avila Beach Hotel is the oldest inn on the island.
Built in 1949, Avila Beach Hotel is the oldest inn on the island.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
Avila Beach Hotel hosts sunset happy hour at the Blues Bar on the pier.
Avila Beach Hotel hosts sunset happy hour at the Blues Bar on the pier.
Avila Beach
Restaurant Gouverneur de Rouville in Otrobanda was once the Governor’s mansion.
Restaurant Gouverneur de Rouville in Otrobanda was once the Governor’s mansion.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
In Otrobanda, Kura Hulanda Museum houses the largest collection of African slave trade artifacts in the Caribbean.
In Otrobanda, Kura Hulanda Museum houses the largest collection of African slave trade artifacts in the Caribbean.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
Blue Curaçao Liqueur is made from bitter orange peels and colored blue to match the water.
Blue Curaçao Liqueur is made from bitter orange peels and colored blue to match the water.
Curaçao Senior Liqueur
Curaçao Genuine Liqueur is distilled and bottled at Landhuis Chobolobo.
Curaçao Genuine Liqueur is distilled and bottled at Landhuis Chobolobo.
Senior Curaçao Liqueur
Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Willemstad is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas.
Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Willemstad is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas.
Curaçao Tourism Board
Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, which dates back to the 1730s, has sandy floors as a tribute to the island's earliest Jewish settlers from Portugal and the Netherlands.
Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, which dates back to the 1730s, has sandy floors as a tribute to the island's earliest Jewish settlers from Portugal and the Netherlands.
Curaçao Tourism Board
Cactus grows wild on the island.
Cactus grows wild on the island.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
At 1,227 feet, Mount Christoffel is the highest point on the island.
At 1,227 feet, Mount Christoffel is the highest point on the island.
Curaçao Tourist Board
Chichi dolls are one of the most sought after souvenirs made on the island.
Chichi dolls are one of the most sought after souvenirs made on the island.
Chichi Curacao
Serena's Art Factory is where artist wannabees paint their own Chichi dolls.
Serena's Art Factory is where artist wannabees paint their own Chichi dolls.
Serena’s Art Factory
Landhuis Brakkeput Mei Mei is a charming restaurant in an 18th-century country house.
Landhuis Brakkeput Mei Mei is a charming restaurant in an 18th-century country house.
Landhuis Brakkeput
La Bohème opens early for a strong cuppa Cuban coffee.
La Bohème opens early for a strong cuppa Cuban coffee.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
Keshi yena Is a cheesy casserole and Curaçao's national dish.
Keshi yena Is a cheesy casserole and Curaçao's national dish.
Sbrcuracao
In Scharloo, burgers on bagels at Beyglz are big sellers.
In Scharloo, burgers on bagels at Beyglz are big sellers.
Beyglzcuracao
Netto Bar in Otrobanda is island-famous for its shots of green rum.
Netto Bar in Otrobanda is island-famous for its shots of green rum.
Caroline Castendijk
Batidos are fruity milkshakes sold at kiosks around town.
Batidos are fruity milkshakes sold at kiosks around town.
Melanie Reffes/Special To USA TODAY
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