WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Tourist Board and the government are moving forward with plans to significantly upgrade the public spaces on the Caracas Bay Peninsula, one of the island’s most popular recreational and historical areas.
The project will focus on improvements to roads, parking facilities, public squares, sports amenities, and surrounding natural areas as part of a broader effort to enhance the visitor experience and preserve the area's long-term appeal.
Authorities have emphasized that public access to the beaches and coastline will remain guaranteed under the future development plans. According to project organizers, maintaining free and open access to the waterfront is one of the key principles guiding the initiative.
As part of the planning process, residents, business owners, and other stakeholders are being invited to contribute ideas and feedback regarding the future of the peninsula. An information meeting scheduled at Kant’i Awa restaurant in the Caracas Bay fishing harbor has already reached full capacity due to strong public interest.
Because registration for the meeting is now closed, organizers are encouraging members of the public to participate through an online survey. The anonymous questionnaire allows residents and visitors to share their concerns, suggestions, and priorities. The information collected will help determine the criteria that will guide the final development plan.
The survey can be accessed through the following link:
The Caracas Bay Peninsula occupies a unique place in Curaçao’s history. The area is home to the 18th-century Fort Beekenburg, one of the island’s best-preserved colonial fortifications. The fort was originally constructed to defend Curaçao against pirates and foreign invaders entering the bay.
The peninsula also played an important role during the island’s industrial era. For decades, access to parts of the area was restricted while Shell operated a tank storage facility there. It was not until 2006 that the area was fully reopened to the public, allowing residents and visitors to once again enjoy its beaches, natural scenery, and historic landmarks.
Officials hope the planned improvements will strengthen the peninsula’s role as a recreational, cultural, and tourism destination while preserving its historical character and environmental value for future generations.