2 Best Sights in Curaçao

The 1,239-foot Mt. Christoffel, Curaçao's highest peak, is at the center of this 4,450-acre garden and wildlife preserve under the protection of Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI). They offer many forms of touring the natural preserve, including guided hikes, jeep safaris, mountain biking, deer-watching (the island's elusive white-tailed deer are very shy), animal presentations, cave explorations, and special activities like full-moon nature walks. Visitors can also hike the mountain on their own. The exhilarating climb takes about two hours for a reasonably fit person. On a clear day, the panoramic view from the peak stretches to the mountain ranges of Venezuela. Throughout the park are six hiking trails and a 20-mile (32-km) network of driving trails (use heavy-treaded tires if you wish to explore the unpaved stretches). The old Savonet plantation house there (one of the island's first plantations) now serves as a modern museum with exhibits retracing the region's history as far back as the indigenous inhabitants.

Shete Boka means \"seven inlets\" in Papiamentu, and this national park by the sea is well worth exploring. The rugged coastline with scenic inlets is dramatic and wild—the incessantly crashing waves have sculptured the coral rock into fascinating natural works art. The most impressive is Boka Tabla, where you can descend a natural rock stairway (take care, it's very slippery) to view an arched opening that looks out on the sea like a giant eye. Boka Pistol is also spectacular—jetting up into towering plumes of spray, often leaving rainbows lingering in the mist. And if you look closely as you walk upon the volcanic rock landscape, you will see coral fossil formations below your feet that are thousands of years old. This is also a popular nesting region for sea turtles. There are two hiking trails; you can purchase a map of them at park's entrance. There is no admission after 3 pm.