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Caribbean: Island Escapes
Curaçao and St. Thomas are beautiful, fascinating Caribbean - Opens a dialog islands. Curaçao, perched just off the northern coast of South America, has a friendly, welcoming vibe. St. Thomas is known for its dramatic history, towering green hills, fine beaches and posh resorts. Here’s a look at both.
Take a stroll in Willemstad in Curacao.
Curacao
Curacao - Opens a dialog is a land of beautiful beaches, amazing architecture, waterways and much more. Shete Boka National Park is a must-see. Wild waves violently collide with limestone cliffs and send magnificent walls of water towering into the blue Caribbean sky. The so-called floating market (it’s actually on land but near a harbor) in the capital city of Willemstad is focused on seafood and features boats laden with fresh snapper and other fish from nearby Venezuelan waters. You can also buy fresh produce and fragrant spices there. A short distance away, the New Market is land-based,and has food stalls with delicacies such as batidos (fruit smoothies) and pastechi (flavorful pastries).
Snorkel with turtles at Playa Porto Mari.
The Punda district of Willemstad is famous for its waterfront buildings in shades of aquamarine, orange, soft pink and shiny blue. The Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue was consecrated in 1732 and is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas.
Most of Curaçao’s resorts are concentrated in the southern part of the island. More northerly beaches have been left relatively undeveloped, which is a huge treat. Which Curaçao beach is best is a matter of debate. Some swear by Kenepa or Cas Abao, while others prefer Grote Knip, which has great swimming. Or, try snorkeling at Playa Porto Mari.
The Punda district of Willemstad is famous for its waterfront buildings in shades of aquamarine, orange, soft pink and shiny blue. The Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue was consecrated in 1732 and is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas.
Most of Curaçao’s resorts are concentrated in the southern part of the island. More northerly beaches have been left relatively undeveloped, which is a huge treat. Which Curaçao beach is best is a matter of debate. Some swear by Kenepa or Cas Abao, while others prefer Grote Knip, which has great swimming. Or, try snorkeling at Playa Porto Mari.
Snorkel with turtles at Playa Porto Mari.
Experience beautiful views of the bay from Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas.
St. Thomas
St. Thomas - Opens a dialog is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), so you don’t need a passport. Visitors enjoy cool laneways dotted with buildings painted in pretty shades of pink, blue and peach, just off Main Street (aka Dronningens Gade). Check out 99 Steps (there are actually 103, but who’s counting?), one of a series of “step-streets” built by Danish colonists to help them navigate the city’s steep hills. The steps are surrounded by tropical flowers and dreamy homes. It’s only a short drive from the USVI capital city of Charlotte Amalie to Magens Bay, one of the Caribbean’s best beaches. It’s a long and lovely stretch of sand bookended by high green hills. The water is clear and warm, and the sand is soft. Magens Bay Beach Bar has a casual Caribbean vibe. A series of switchbacks and hairpin turns (hint: let someone else drive) takes you from bustling Charlotte Amalie to Mountain Top, an observatory at 1,200 feet that offers superb views of St. Thomas and 14 other islands. There’s also a gift shop and a place that sells the “world-famous banana daiquiri.”
St. Thomas is sometimes called the shopping capital of the Caribbean. Tons of duty-free shops sell luxury watches and fine jewelry, as well as Caribbean rum, perfume and more. After your shopping trip, refuel at one of the many local restaurants. Dig into Caribbean delicacies such as fried plantains (like bananas, but not as sweet) or jerk chicken. Gladys’ Café features local artwork on exposed stone walls in a 300-year-old pump house.
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Once You Are Ready to Travel, Costco Travel Can Help
We invite you to take some time to browse around and dream of your next vacation, rental car or cruise, whether you’re booking for next month or toward the end of next year.
Curaçao and St. Thomas are beautiful, fascinating Caribbean - Opens a dialog islands. Curaçao, perched just off the northern coast of South America, has a friendly, welcoming vibe. St. Thomas is known for its dramatic history, towering green hills, fine beaches and posh resorts. Here’s a look at both.
Take a stroll in Willemstad in Curacao.
Curacao
Curacao - Opens a dialog is a land of beautiful beaches, amazing architecture, waterways and much more. Shete Boka National Park is a must-see. Wild waves violently collide with limestone cliffs and send magnificent walls of water towering into the blue Caribbean sky. The so-called floating market (it’s actually on land but near a harbor) in the capital city of Willemstad is focused on seafood and features boats laden with fresh snapper and other fish from nearby Venezuelan waters. You can also buy fresh produce and fragrant spices there. A short distance away, the New Market is land-based,and has food stalls with delicacies such as batidos (fruit smoothies) and pastechi (flavorful pastries).
Snorkel with turtles at Playa Porto Mari.
The Punda district of Willemstad is famous for its waterfront buildings in shades of aquamarine, orange, soft pink and shiny blue. The Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue was consecrated in 1732 and is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas.
Most of Curaçao’s resorts are concentrated in the southern part of the island. More northerly beaches have been left relatively undeveloped, which is a huge treat. Which Curaçao beach is best is a matter of debate. Some swear by Kenepa or Cas Abao, while others prefer Grote Knip, which has great swimming. Or, try snorkeling at Playa Porto Mari.
The Punda district of Willemstad is famous for its waterfront buildings in shades of aquamarine, orange, soft pink and shiny blue. The Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue was consecrated in 1732 and is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas.
Most of Curaçao’s resorts are concentrated in the southern part of the island. More northerly beaches have been left relatively undeveloped, which is a huge treat. Which Curaçao beach is best is a matter of debate. Some swear by Kenepa or Cas Abao, while others prefer Grote Knip, which has great swimming. Or, try snorkeling at Playa Porto Mari.
Snorkel with turtles at Playa Porto Mari.
Experience beautiful views of the bay from Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas.
St. Thomas
St. Thomas - Opens a dialog is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), so you don’t need a passport. Visitors enjoy cool laneways dotted with buildings painted in pretty shades of pink, blue and peach, just off Main Street (aka Dronningens Gade). Check out 99 Steps (there are actually 103, but who’s counting?), one of a series of “step-streets” built by Danish colonists to help them navigate the city’s steep hills. The steps are surrounded by tropical flowers and dreamy homes. It’s only a short drive from the USVI capital city of Charlotte Amalie to Magens Bay, one of the Caribbean’s best beaches. It’s a long and lovely stretch of sand bookended by high green hills. The water is clear and warm, and the sand is soft. Magens Bay Beach Bar has a casual Caribbean vibe. A series of switchbacks and hairpin turns (hint: let someone else drive) takes you from bustling Charlotte Amalie to Mountain Top, an observatory at 1,200 feet that offers superb views of St. Thomas and 14 other islands. There’s also a gift shop and a place that sells the “world-famous banana daiquiri.”
St. Thomas is sometimes called the shopping capital of the Caribbean. Tons of duty-free shops sell luxury watches and fine jewelry, as well as Caribbean rum, perfume and more. After your shopping trip, refuel at one of the many local restaurants. Dig into Caribbean delicacies such as fried plantains (like bananas, but not as sweet) or jerk chicken. Gladys’ Café features local artwork on exposed stone walls in a 300-year-old pump house.
Sign Up for Costco.ca Emails
If you are interested in great deals Costco Travel has to offer, click here - Opens a dialog to sign up to receive emails. This will ensure that Travel and Costco.ca values are sent directly to your inbox.
Once You Are Ready to Travel, Costco Travel Can Help
We invite you to take some time to browse around and dream of your next vacation, rental car or cruise, whether you’re booking for next month or toward the end of next year.
About the Author: The above piece was written by Jim Byers, a travel writer based in Toronto. He was formerly travel editor at the Toronto Star, and loves good wine and a great beach.
