Elsewhere
Besides the excellent beaches and hotel resorts, the island itself has a number of other points of interest. Just outside Willemstad is the modern site of the Netherlands Antilles University and, further along the western road, is the Landhuis Papaya (a country house), the Ceru Grandis (a three-storey plantation house) and the driftwood beach of Boca San Pedro. Also of note is Boca Tabla, the thundering underwater cave of the north coast and the picturesque fishing village of Westpoint. St Christoffel National Park, occupying the most northwestern part of the island, is a nature reserve dominated by the St Christoffel Mountain. There are several caves decorated with Arawak Indian paintings, some unusual rock formations and many fine views across the countryside – the ruins of the Zorguliet Plantation and the privately owned Savonet Plantation and the Savonet Museum may be seen at the base of the mountain; the latter dates back to the 18th century and is still in use today. The indigenous flora includes orchids and some very interesting evergreens. As well as the interesting birdlife, iguanas and the shy Curaçao deer may also be observed at the park. Well worth a visit are the interesting Caves of Hato. Magnificent stalactite formations, wall paintings and underground streams with cascading waterfalls can be seen within the 4900m (16,076ft) labyrinth.
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