WILLEMSTAD – A newly launched online petition calling for improved access to beaches in Curaçao has rapidly gained traction, gathering hundreds of signatures within hours of its release.
The petition, published Tuesday evening by an initiative operating under the name “Kosta Liber,” collected at least 260 signatures within the first two hours. The identity of the organizer has not been disclosed.
According to the initiative, the campaign seeks to address growing concerns that beaches on the island are becoming increasingly difficult for residents to access. Organizers argue that the issue extends beyond recreation, touching on cultural traditions, community life, and the historical connection between residents and the coastline.
Central to the petition is a request for Curaçao Parliament to urge the government to produce a comprehensive and public overview of all beaches on the island and their accessibility. The proposed overview would identify public access points, indicate whether roads or pathways exist, clarify who manages access, and outline what alternatives are available when access is restricted or closed.
The initiative states that, at present, it is not always clear which beaches are publicly accessible or how residents can reach them, creating uncertainty for the community.
In its appeal, the group emphasizes the social and cultural importance of beaches for many Curaçaoans, describing them as spaces where families gather, children learn to swim, and fishing traditions are maintained. The organizers argue that free access to public beaches should be considered a fundamental right and warn that parts of the coastline are gradually becoming less accessible to the local population.
The petition, titled “Our sea, without barriers,” continues to circulate online as the debate over public access to beaches gains renewed attention across Curaçao.