Nature and Parks

Christoffelpark is the largest national park of Curacao and a must see for everyone. The park has a rich variety of local flora and fauna. Nature lovers will find the park teeming with local birds and plants, including species, which are not easily seen elsewhere on the island. For example wild orchids, the Palabrua, the rare native barn owl. The Curacao White Tailed deer (of which there are only about 250 left) and much more.

Feel free to visit the plantation; no reservations are necessary and there is no admission fee. Shop attendants will offer you information about the plantation and products, and you can watch a video of the production process. You are free to browse around the plantation premises, test products and enjoy a nice cup of coffee under our “palapa” while taking in the serene environment.

In 1981, Dinah Veeris started her research for healing herbs and traditions by interviewing the older people to recover and preserve the secret knowledge of the former generations. She studied at the California school for Herbal Studies. In 1991 she started the garden plant by plant. She wrote a book about the herbs and their use and received several awards for her input in preserving the culture and the healing herbs. She also got a decoration form the Dutch Royal Family.

Den Paradera refers to Paraguiri Indians who long ago had the biggest herb garden at the east side of the island.When the Spaniards came, they brought their slaves to the Paraguiri Indians to be cured and called the location ” En Paradera”. Later the local people changed this name into “Den Paradera” which means “the place where you feel at home.”

The Hato Caves were formed below the sea level millions of years ago. With the Ice Ages the water level dropped down and Curacao was born. The Hato cave covers an area of 4900 m2, and is the home to the beautiful limestone formations, romantic pools, waterfall and our famous Madonna statue. Also inside the Cave is a colony of seldom seen long nose fruit bats.

Area with more than 10 beautiful Boka’s (inlets) where three species of turtles nest. A boka is, in fact, an inlet. Shete Boka stands for ‘seven inlets’. Years ago, the environmental group Amigu di Tera arranged excursions in this area along seven bays. Hence, the name is taken, although in reality there are more than seven coves in this national park. The park begins at the beautiful Boka Tabla where large, unpredictable waves crush against an underground cave. An impressive experience!