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Curacao Information

History

Alonso de Ojeda, a Spanish navigator and Lieutenant of Christopher Columbus, discovered Curacao in 1499. Approximately 136 years later theDutch conquered Curacao and removed the Spanish government. The victorious Dutch merchants transformed Curacao into a very important trading center for the entire Caribbean basin.
In 1816, the Dutch were granted all six islands via a treaty; during this time they removed the indigenous ndian (Arawak) population and imported and used slaves until 1863, when slavery was finally abolished. This was immediately followed by a period of slow commercial activity, while the island's economy readjusted.
In 1916, the industrial development of Curacao was launched with the opening of the Shell oil refinery. Years later, in 1985 the Shell oil company had to close its refinery due to the global economic situation. However, just two days after the refinery closed its doors, the plant was reopened under PDVSA, a Venezuelan oil company. This in combination with the large and efficient offshore sector, and the island's close relationship with the European Union, has ensured Curacao's economic survivability and prosperity clear into the next century.

Activities

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Curaçao 's more than 100 dive sites are famous all over the world with visibility ranging from 60 to 150 feet and water temperatures a comfortable 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The Curaçao Underwater Park is a 12.5 mile coral reef that has been protected as a National Park. Guides are available for hire, and lessons are offered for beginners.
Deep Sea Fishing: Private boats are always available for charter. The marlin, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo in nearby waters provide an exciting challenge even for accomplished fishers.
Windsurfing: With year-round winds of over 13 knots, Curaçao offers excellent opportunities for windsurfing operations. Skilled professionals are on hand to offer instruction for beginners.
Sailing: Curaçao is home to a number of sailing regattas throughout the year, and Hobie-Cat and Sunfish equipment are always available for rent.
Beaches: There are over 38 different beaches on the island from the popular hotel beaches to small, secluded coves. Westpunt Beach is framed by towering cliffs, which are famous for the divers who jump from them into the ocean below. Knip Bay Beach features live music and dancing on weekends. Some beaches are covered with exotic plants like cactus and sage.
Golf, Tennis, Squash: The Curaçao Golf and Squash Club has a 9-hole golf course with unique and unusual sand greens. Squash is also available, and tennis courts may be found at many of the larger hotels around the island.
Horseback Riding: Ashari's Ranch and Rancho Alegre provide guided tours on horseback for beginning as well as experienced riders.
Hiking: Trails run throughout the 4,500 acres of Christoffel Park, and the 2-mile Rif Recreation Area offers a surfaced track for jogging.

Shopping
Punda and Otrobanda:
These two shopping districts in downtown Willemstad, separated by St. Anna Bay and connected by the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, provide pedestrian malls where shoppers are free to stroll and browse at their leisure. Curaçao has no duty or tax on many imported items, which has earned it a reputation for bargain-hunters travelling in the Caribbean.

Nightlife

Gambling: There are 10 hotel casinos on the island featuring the latest in slot machines, roulette, blackjack, poker, craps, and bingo. Although hours vary, most casinos are open between 2pm and 5am.
Discotheques: Dancing to tumba, reggae, salsa, and popular music at the island's many discotheques is one of the many options for people interested in the busy nightlife the island has to offer. Some of the nightclubs even feature floorshows.
Restaurants: Owing to the island's great diversity in culture, restaurants offer many different types of international cuisine from Indonesian and Latin American to Italian, French, and Chinese.
Music: In addition to the many music festivals throughout the year, the sounds of tumba, salsa, merengue, jazz, and reggae can be heard in the streets of Willemstad and in many out-of-the-way spots around the island.

Work Permits and entry requirements

I. Residence in the Netherlands Antilles.
Foreigners who wish to reside in the Netherlands Antilles need a residence permit, which has to be applied for at (and is issued by) the Lieutenant Governor of the concerning island territory, at the following addresses:
· Lieutenant Governor of the island territory of Curacao,
Concordiastraat 24, Willemstad, Curacao, N.A.
· Lieutenant Governor of the island territory of Bonaire,
Plaza Reina Wilhelmina 1, Kralendijk, Bonaire, N.A.
· Lieutenant Governor of the island territory of St. Maarten,
Philipsburg, St. Maarten, N.A.
· Lieutenant Governor of the island territory of St. Eustatius,
Oranjestad, St. Eustatius.
· Lieutenant Governor of the island territory of Saba,
The Bottom , Saba, N.A.
To work in the Netherlands Antilles foreigners need a work permit, which has to be arranged by the future employer of the concerning person. Those looking for a Caribbean job in Curacao must be hired by an employer before they can legally work on the island. Curacao jobs are available to expats only if there is not a local who is available and qualified for the Curacao job.

II. Admission of tourists
By "tourist" is meant any person who visits the Netherlands Antilles for a period not exceeding three month's for the purpose of recreation, sports, health, family reasons, study, religious purposes or business; and does not take up any gainful occupation during his stay in the Netherlands Antilles.

In general, tourists nay enter the Netherlands Antilles, without a written permit and may remain for a period not exceeding fourteen days. However, for tourists who are nationals of the countries mentioned in appendix I, this period is three month's.
Both periods can be extended locally by the same period.

This regulation does not apply to:
- Nationals of the countries listed in appendix II; these persons need a visa to enter the Netherlands Antilles. Visa have to be applied for at least one month in advance at any representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the concerning country.

Furthermore, the following conditions apply to a touristic stay in the Netherlands Antilles:

Tourists should be in possession of
· One of the travel documents mentioned in appendix III;
· A return or outward ticket on arrival;
· The necessary documents for returning to the country of origin, or further travel elsewhere.
Tourists must have sufficient means at their disposal to be able to support themselves during their stay in the Netherlands Antilles and must be able to prove this to the appropriate authority upon arrival, if so requested.

Tourist are not allowed to work, to look for, or to accept work without the explicit consent of the Lieutenant Governor of the respective island territory.