Our visit to Willemstad wouldn’t have been complete without exploring Otrobanda, one of the city’s most vibrant and historic districts. Unlike the iconic pastel-colored waterfront of Punda, Otrobanda has a more rugged charm—narrow streets lined with colonial-era buildings, some beautifully restored, others wearing the marks of time.
Crossing the Queen Emma Bridge from Punda, we stepped into what locals call the “other side” (Otrobanda literally means “the other shore” in Papiamentu). The district was once home to freed slaves and working-class families, and over the centuries, it evolved into a cultural melting pot. Today, it’s buzzing with street art, cafés, and small businesses that reflect Curaçao’s rich history and diversity.
As we wandered through the maze of colorful alleys, we stumbled upon lively plazas where locals gathered, reggae music drifted from open windows, and the scent of fried plantains and fresh seafood filled the air.
Otrobanda is a place of contrasts—history and modernity, struggle and resilience, restoration and decay—all coexisting in a way that makes it one of Willemstad’s most fascinating districts. It was an unforgettable stop on our Curaçao journey, where every corner had a story to tell.
