TravelPulse Canada was on location in Curacao, a Dutch island located in the southernmost part of the Caribbean, commonly known as the Netherlands Antilles. This region, made up of three islands, Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, is less known to Canadians, since the main market remains Europe and the Netherlands, where this is an easy vacation hub with the same language and a bit of the charm of Amsterdam.

First of all, it's impossible not to fall in love with Curaçao and its main city, Willemstad, where it is more than pleasant to walk around and admire the colorful buildings, the lively streets, the street art that is everywhere and the floating bridge which connects the eastern and western portions of the city separated by a canal; a bit like Amsterdam.

The influence of the Netherlands is felt everywhere in Curaçao and almost everyone speaks Dutch, the official language, but the local dialect is a mix of a Spanish, a little, English; a pleasant mix of genres for an atmosphere as colorful as this country.

Dushi is a little love name that is used everywhere by everyone who crosses the streets of Curaçao, so Bon Bini means Hello and Welcome. The atmosphere is friendly, the city is safe and the island is extremely easy to visit. You can rent a car and get around easily to explore beyond the city, the roads are easy and the country safe.

While everything is concentrated around the one and only town on the island, it takes about an hour by car to get to the western end where the most beautiful beaches in the region are said to be. We experienced the most magical snorkeling excursion there is in Bahia Beach, where you can see fish by the hundreds directly from the beach, and, just next door, in Playa Forti, it is sea turtles that we can admire.

The most beautiful beaches are actually concentrated in the western portion of the island, where we also find the national park and the natural reserve of pink flamingos, two stops that are worth the detour.

We love Curaçao for its magnificent beaches in the west, its incredible snorkeling, the magnificent city of Willemstad where we like to walk, its lively life and its offer of hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions make a rich destination where you definitely don't do "just the beach".

Practical information:

How to get there: From Montreal and Toronto, you can fly twice a week to Curaçao by direct flight, and it takes five hours to get there. The Thursday flight with a return on Sunday allows for a long weekend, otherwise, we go for the week and yes, there is enough to see and do not to be bored.

Where to stay: Mambo Beach is definitely "where it's at", close to town, this beachside boulevard offers: entertainment, beach club, restaurants, shops and attractions from morning till night. Nearby, Kontiki Beach Resort has just inaugurated (last December) a brand new wing, the Ocean Suites, which offer luxurious, beautifully decorated suites located directly on the beach. Each of them offers a private pool, a huge balcony with dining area and a boho chic decor in addition to a reserved section on Mambo Beach.

What to do: rent a scooter to explore Willemstad, discover its colorful alleys and its street art, plan a day in the western part of the island to see its beaches and its sites of interest (national park, reserve of pink flamingos, turtle beach) and live to the rhythm of this island which offers a bit of Europe in the Caribbean.