Captivated by Curasao’s Colors
Amazed! Bedazzled! Captivated! We could continue to run through the alphabet of words to describe our reaction from the moment we stepped off the plane through the weeks we spent driving about, swimming, strolling and hiking our way through this little island nation. But there’s no doubt about it – Curacao is all about c-o-l-o-r.
However, it wasn’t always that way. Curacao’s origins date all the way back to 1634 and the original buildings were constructed from island stones and coral or bricks from incoming ships that had been used as ballast. These structures were then coated with a lime plaster made from crushed coral and shells and the sticky paste from the aloe vera plant. The white facades reflected the rays of the intense Caribbean sun and the sight of these white stucco edifices against the vivid blue sky must have been quite dazzling.
And here’s where the legend of Curacao’s love affair with color begins. There are many variations to the story (and the locals will be delighted to tell you them!) but it seems that the early 19th century Governor-General, Albert Kikkert, suffered from killer headaches. Thought to have been migraines, he believed that his severe headaches were exacerbated by the glare of the sun reflecting off the brilliant white buildings. In the grand tradition of a ruling pooh-bah he issued an edict in 1817 that the buildings of Curacao be painted in a color other than white. All the government buildings including the governor’s home were painted a deep yellow which still seems to be a favorite color throughout the island today. And to take the story a few steps further and uncover a mercenary motive, we’ve heard it told that the governor had an interest in the local paint business, hence the mandate. Another variant of the story was that paint colors were priced differently and yellow was the cheapest. People painted their homes with more costly colors and even used two or more accent colors to reflect their status and boast about their wealth. Some things never change…
Google Curacao and one of the first pictures that appears is the historical waterfront, Handelskade, on the Punda side of Sint Anna Bay with its Dutch colonial houses painted in a kaleidoscope of colors. Named number eight on Tripadvisor’s 2012 “Top 10: Fantastically colorful places,” the blocks and blocks of colorful homes and businesses in Willemstad’s Punda, Otra Banda and Scharloo historic districts will wow even the most travel weary. And no one will dispute any of the reasons that Willemstad was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.
But the colors of Curacao are far greater than just the picturesque painted houses and businesses found ubiquitously throughout the island. Everywhere one looks there’s a color that pops. Overhead is the brilliant, bright blue sky with soft white cumulous clouds and the vivid orange troupials flying by or parakeets and parrots. The Caribbean Sea shimmers, undulates, waves and roils in shades from a clear shimmering turquoise to a deep blue. During rainy season green hues are underfoot and overhead. The largest park in Curacao, Christoffel, is filled with the deep greens of the many species of cactus, flowering in season, orchids and trees like the divi-divi or the highly poisonous, lime-green manchineel tree with its small and sweet but very toxic little apples. And did we mention the corals and colorful fish below the water’s surface or the flamingoes wading through the Jan Kok salt pans?
Curacao could almost be compared to an onion with many layers. For those who visit Willemstad for a day of sightseeing from one of the numerous cruise ships, the medley of Caribbean colored architecture with its curlicues and shuttered windows found throughout the winding city streets are the first few tiers. But, if time allows and you have a few weeks or longer the island won’t disappoint you. There are myriad opportunities for the eyes to behold the variety of hues existing with each new layer that is peeled back. It’s impossible to leave Curacao without a belief that you have witnessed something unique.
By Anita and Richard
No Particular Place To Go 
What a magical place Curacao is! I think to live in a location that looks so full of life and happy thru the color must do something for the residents psyche. How can you not be in a good mood when such a pretty visual presents itself every day.
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We agree, Alison. It’s hard not to feel your spirits lift when you see such fanciful houses and picturesque architecture as well as the combination and contrast of all the colors against Curacao’s beautiful sky. I’m smiling now just thinking about it…
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This is a magical journey awash in soothing, charming, happy colors. If I had a genie lamp, I’d be there in the next minute!
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I think a genie lamp or magic carpet is a perfect way to arrive on this beautiful island. The sun, the balmy weather and especially the bright colors all play a part in lifting winter dulled spirits!
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Hi Anita and Richard,
Whatever the reason for colors being painted on all the buildings, we’re so glad they thought it up! What a fun story. I’m glad you peeled back those layers for us.
Very very pretty photos!
Regards,
Josie
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We like to ask WHY and we love trivia. So many times the answers are completely unexpected and lots of fun. So glad you enjoyed this!
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I want that licence plate! 🙂 With all that gorgeous colour, no wonder you were enchanted! Looks like much fun to explore.
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We were quite taken with Curacao’s license plate. It’s so different from the same run-of-the-mill plates and shows how picturesque the houses are. And enchanted is the perfect word to describe this island country.
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Looks like a great place, so cheery and bright! Thanks for sharing your great photos.
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Curacao is all that and more – There’s color and beauty everywhere and it’s hard not to feel your mood lift when you see it all!
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Love all the gorgeous colors of the buildings – very picturesque! On the Caribbean Coast I have visited Manzanillo Costa Rica and Cartagena Colombia, perhaps Curacao will be my next Caribbean vacation.
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We’ve been up and down the Caribbean coast from Mexico to Colombia and love the whole unique vibe and mix of Spanish, African and the original peoples, the Caribe culture, which is completely different from the Pacific coast. And the Dutch influence in Curacao has added a totally unexpected but very fascinating ingredient to the mix!
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No question, I do love the colors of Curacao. You might enjoy my colorful experience there, http://berkeleyandbeyond.com/Way-Beyond/Travel-Articles/Abroad/Curacao/curacao.html
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Thanks for the link, Carole. Your info was so timely and interesting that I forwarded it on to a friend who is thinking about a visit to Curacao. We loved the our visit to the Kura Hulanda museum and found the whole area to be picturesque and just plain gorgeous!
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The colours and architecture are beautiful. I love the story about Governor-General, Albert Kikkert and how the bright colours began.
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We have to agree with you, Donna. We love the colors and architecture, too!
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Gorgeous, I love all the colorful architecture, must be fun exploring all of the colonial past of this beautiful area.
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We had a great time exploring the island and the history and culture of Curacao and really had a feeling that we made this island “ours” (if that’s not too presumptuous!) Each place we travel to leaves an indelible mark on us but Curacao is really a special place that has something to offer everyone who visits her.
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Just captivating! We should be grateful for the gentleman’s migraines! I don’t know which color I like best, but the vivid turquoise popped out at me, or maybe the bright coral pink? Beautiful!
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There were so many amazing color combinations that we found throughout our drives around the island (lime green/purple and red for example!) that it would be hard to pick favorites but that deep yellow against a brilliant blue sky is a definite contender!
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I love colour and think that it makes a place happy and unique. I should send this to my own city council.
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Your comment about sending this post to your city council reminded me of a Canadian friend we made while we were in Ecuador. A realtor and developer had asked her what his Ecuadorian city could do to attract more tourists (and more tourism dollars) and her reply was to invest in a lot of paint and pick up the trash. It’s surprising how often cheap and simple things are overlooked that can add so much appeal!
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Isn’t it fabulous that color is such a part of our world – it just makes me feel happy seeing all this color so early this morning. Thanks for all the beautiful photos of Curacao.
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You summed it up very neatly with your comment, Yasha. All the rich, vibrant and pastel colors that we found in Curacao just made it easier to smile!
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Great Article, I follow your post and just wanted to say hello. Can’t wait for the next installment. Julie Baca – Cahuita
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Terrific to hear from you,Julie and we’re so glad you liked our post. As you can see, we’re still traveling with no plans to stop anytime soon. One day we’ll have to retrace our steps to say hello and swim in your coral rock pool in Cahuita!
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Hi I was wondering if you could compare this trip to South America….expenses and living expenses. Have you come across a charming inn or bed and breakfast similar to Granada ( where we met before going to dinner) two years ago? It will be Curassao or Cartegena! Thanks Maida Sent from my iPad
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Hi Maida! We wrote the woman we housesat for to see if she could recommend a B&B or condo in the city of Willemstad itself so that you could walk around to all the points of interest. We loved where we stayed but it was a good half hour away and you’d need a car. We’ll contact you by email when we hear from her and also give you some info on meals and our thoughts on Curacao versus Cartagena. We’ll be in touch soon!
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That was such a vicarious thrill and I loved seeing the area from your fresh perspectives. So hope to visit Curacao one day.
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We’re so glad you enjoyed sharing our enthusiasm for this lovely island and her many sides. We hope you get an opportunity to see this country for yourself.
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J’adore!
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Thanks Cindy – we loved Curacao, too!
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How could one not be happy surrounded by all that colour? Another destination to add to my wishlist! – Ginette
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You sound a lot like us, Ginette. The more travel blogs we read the longer our list becomes! And thanks to Curacao all of our dreams are in techni-color!
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Who would have known? Your tidbits of history are so enjoyable to read. I’m ready to head to the most colorful city in the world, now. 🙂
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It’s always fun to go digging into the history and lore of a place and Curacao has proven to be a dazzling, multi-hued goldmine.
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Your blog sure makes me want to visit Curaçao. It looks so colorful and welcoming. I hope the housesit is going well. Be safe and keep blogging. It helps us with our itinerary!!!!
Cheers,
Suzi
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Curacao tops our list for recommendations of Caribbean destinations. There’s so much to see and do or places to chill out and relax that the time flies by and, before you know it, it’s time to move on. We loved our housesit and visit and this island would be a place that would be very tempting to return to!
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This looks so fabulous! I will right over to visit…how long will you be there? Lol in all my travels I do not recall seeing anyplace (including Europe) that offered so much glorious color. Describe the cost of a visit for a tourist…expensive or same as any Caribbean spot?
The snow is just about gone and spring is arriving. I am sure you heard about the horrendous winter we had.
Keep well
Love
Maida
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Maida, a visit from you anytime would be fun! As for costs, since we were housesitting for the seven weeks we were in Curacao I can’t tell you what rental accomodations cost although I know there are many rentals ranging from simple and very adequate (we have friends who rent a lovely apartment in the upper budget range) to outrageously expensive. Groceries and restaurants are similar to other Caribbean tourist islands and you can choose to save money here or go all out. The city of Willemstad has a pedestrian friendly old city with places to eat and shop but a car rental or taxi will be necessary to explore more of the city and the island since the bus system leaves a lot to be desired. You would love it and, if I had to pick between Cartagena and Curacao, Curacao wins hands-down!
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