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There's more than enough to see and do in this lively island of Curacao that has for centuries been a major cultural and trading cross-roads. When you hear salsa on the buses and glimpse the Latin style of the islanders, you'll know you're not very far from South America. Neither, culturally, will you be that far from the Old World. The Dutch merchants who colonized the island and built the capital, Willemstad, designed the tall, narrow houses and warehouses with their curlicue gables to remind them of their homes in Amsterdam. Legend has it that an early Governor, suffering from migraine, decreed that buildings be painted anything but white -- so bright Caribbean colors became the order of the day -- and this continues today.
Sunbathers will find 38 beautiful beaches, from large strands to secluded coves and intimate bays that dot the coastline like pearls, while divers and snorkelers discover a haven in Curaçao’s Underwater Park; a 12-mile reef with coral beds, walls and shallow wrecks that will awe and delight its explorers. Water sports such as fishing, windsurfing and water-skiing are also major island activities, and for the golfer, the Blue Bay championship golf course is slated to be amongst the world's top 50 golf courses.
Real Estate in Curacao
Curaçao is located in the southern Caribbean, 42 miles east of Aruba, and 30 miles west of Bonaire, a group of islands affectionately known as the ABC’s and a mere 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela. The largest of the ABC’s, Curacao is 37 miles long and just over 8 miles wide (2.5 miles at its narrowest in the middle) Because of Curacao’s southerly presence in the Caribbean, it is well outside the hurricane belt. Close to 150,000 population, the official language is Dutch, however, English and Spanish are widely spoken as well as the local language, Papiamentu with its blend of European dialect with Arawak Indian and African influence.
As a self-governing island, Curaçao as with the other islands within the Netherland Antilles is an overseas territory of the Netherlands which also provides another assurance of foreign ownership. Further to this, slated for the future; The Netherlands Antilles is planned to be dispelled as a unified political entity and the five islands that form the Netherland Antilles will acquire new constitutional status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The restructuring will still position Curacao as a self-governing part of the Netherlands and as an overseas territory and will in fact make it an autonomous associated state, recognizing it as a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands (such as Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles are now). Thus regardless of Curacaos upcoming political change, foreign ownership protection is and will be assured and in place.
There are no restrictions on ownership of private property by non-residents in Bonaire.
Upon finding and purchasing your new Curacao vacation home you will require a notaris but not a lawyer. This is because the notari will take care of all legal matters; including due diligence. Notaris are appointed by the Dutch government and mandated by law to serve both the buyer and the seller. There are then three procedures to register property, which can take around 32 days to complete.
Properties in Curacao (and Bonaire) are significantly cheaper compared to the rest of the Caribbean but slightly higher than in Aruba. Renting your new vacation villa is also an option, providing a capital opportunity while you are not there. The amount is government controlled and is based on the rental yield of a property which is the rent as a percentage of the purchase price. You can expect a yield of around 6% or more. There are further guidelines such as a non-resident’s rental income that exceeds Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG) of 23,950 (or US$13,456) is taxed at incremental rates from 11% to 39%, depending on the tax base. Additionally a surtax is applied on the income tax payable which is 30% surtax in Curacao.
There are no capital gains taxes in Curacao however heirs inheriting property from a nonresident are subject to a special conversion tax at a flat rate of 8%.
Curaçao has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean and with a solid infrastructure- virtually the best in the Caribbean. The one industry of the island is naturally tourism but it is also oil refining and financial services as well as shipping and international trade. The Curacao government is also quite proactive to diversity their economy and are making significant efforts to attract more foreign investment with their 'Open Arms' policy specifically with Information Technology companies. Thus in fact, Curacao is one of the few Caribbean islands that does not rely mostly on tourism. Curaçao's fine deep water ports and ideal location in the Caribbean along with its strong business ties with both the United States and the European Union make it the significant center for international commerce it has come to be.
Curaçao also has a modern International Airport featuring the longest runway in the Caribbean (3,410 meters) and is served by a number of airlines with daily non-stop air services from the U.S., the Netherlands and Venezuela. Curaçao also offers flights to Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Santa Domingo, Bonaire, Aruba St. Maarten Surinam and Colombia.
The local currency of Curacao is the Netherlands Antilles Florin (NAF) or as it is often referred to, the Guilder. 1 Florin/Guilder is pegged to 1.8 US Dollar. Currency converter here. US Dollars however are widely accepted throughout the island as well as major credit cards.
Curaçao is a volcanic dry island with many cacti, aloe plants and rough brush. Its highest point of almost 1000ft (about 300 meters) being Mount Christoffel is surrounded by the Christoffel Park in the north-western part of the island The northern coast being on the windward side is rocky with several interesting caves and inlets to explore however the sea is rough while the southern and western coast of the island, the water is calm and crystal clear and where most beaches are located. Just about every beach is good for snorkeling and scuba diving in Curacao, although some popular dive spots are only accessible by boat. At the Seaquarium divers can enjoy swimming and have their picture taken with stingrays, turtles, all kinds of tropical fish, and can even feed sharks. Naturally there are many dive operators and several diving schools to assist in diving expeditions and to certify divers with courses offered in many languages.
So it comes as no surprise that visitors from many global regions come to enjoy the essence of Curacao from its re-known shopping, to its diversified landscape with caves to explore and emerald seas and golf, to its ever so popular Carnival- where Curacao takes on its own magic in late February with its flavorful Caribbean music, colorful costumes, large floats and dancing crowds moving throughout the streets of Curacao’s main city Willemstad.
With so much to offer why not come to Curacao and discover its magic and own your own piece of real estate in this topical island paradise.
Let Whitten Caribbean Real Estate take you there. Contact us today.
Map of Curacao
Whitten Caribbean Real Estate
visit us here at www.multiplelistingservicecaribbean.com
visit WHITTEN CAPITAL GROUP at www.whittencapitalgroup.com
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| Location: St Vincent and the Grenadines |
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Price: $1,700 Description: Bequai- This unusual, most attractive single story villa, consists of three separate individual units, and is set within its" own very pretty, colourful tropical gardens on the hillside ... MORE |
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| ID# ls96468 For Sale Land see more |
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