It’s as easy as A B C
The Dutch Caribbean by Claire Milner
You went where?
When I told friends and relatives that I was travelling to the islands of the Dutch Caribbean earlier this year, I was met with blank looks. While it may be a cliché to say that they are an "undiscovered secret", it is certainly true that these islands, which hug the Caribbean coast of Venezuela, are still relatively unknown as a holiday destination in this country.
The three islands, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, share a cultural melting pot of influences from Holland, Spain, Portugal, Venezuela, the West Indies and the United States. The official language is Dutch and papiamento is the local tongue, but virtually everyone speaks English and the US dollar is accepted everywhere.
Small and easy to get around, the islands are ideal for a stop-over on the way to or from Latin America, (on KLM), as well as a perfect beach destination in their own right. Famous for year-round sunshine, the ABC islands have a hot and dry climate with an average temperature of 28°C and annual rainfall of only 560mm. They are located outside of the hurricane belt.
In sharp contrast to many Caribbean islands, the landscape is flat, arid and with scant vegetation. The coastline however boasts white sand beaches, turquoise water and an offshore coral reef with abundant marine life, thus making the islands a popular destination for divers, water sports enthusiasts and those who simply just want to laze on the beach. The islands are laid-back in ambience and very safe - you will not be hassled to buy anything and you can go out safely at night. For those wishing to explore inland, you can easily hire cars or bikes to get around.
Which island to visit?
You can island hop between all three, each a short 20 minute flight apart, or choose one based on your personal preference.
Aruba, the smallest of the three islands (184km sq) lies only 25 kilometres from the coast of Venezuela. Aruba is best known for its spectacular beaches, but can also offer superb snorkelling and diving, world-class windsurfing and a championship golf course. The superb 12 km-long stretch of beach, Palm and Eagle Beach, is lined with first-class and good medium-class hotels to suit all tastes and pockets.
The least developed of the ABC islands, Bonaire is a mecca for divers, with crystal-clear waters and one of the most pristine coral reefs in the world - a protected national marine park for 20 years. Beyond the arid interior and salt pans, lie mangroves and salt water lagoons - home to the largest colony of pink flamingos in the Caribbean. The hotel infrastructure is small-scale, quirky, friendly and with a very laid back ambience.
Curaçao has more of a cultural life of its own. The capital Wilhemstadt, a UNESCO world heritage site, is remarkable for its fusion of Caribbean pastels, peaches and ochres with the delicate gabled architecture of the Netherlands. In the barren, windswept hinterland you will find giant cacti, caves and beautifully restored old plantation buildings. There are also nice beaches, good hotels and excellent watersports.
The authorities in all three islands are very conservation conscious and each has its own well-run national park, with hiking and biking trails, and a plethora of colourful tropical birds. There are many high-class duty-free shops and casinos, especially in Aruba and Curaçao.
Claire Milner is the Operations Manager for Journey Latin America’s Escorted Groups department