Escape to the Caribbean
Escaping the winter blues but where to go in these pandemic times? The Caribbean ABC islands, known as the "islands under the wind", have just reopened. Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, which are part of the Netherlands Antilles, guarantee year-round summer temperatures, fine sandy beaches, turquoise-blue seas and constant trade winds. The best conditions for surfers, divers, hikers and sun worshippers. Golf may only be a niche with seven courses, but it is definitely worth exploring.
"Island-hopping" with fascinating impressions
If you decide to travel despite the pandemic warnings, you've done everything right with this trip. After a 9-hour flight with KLM via Amsterdam and a 5-hour time difference, you land in the middle of Caribbean paradise - whether on Aruba, Bonaire or Curacao. Three islands of different sizes, colorfulness and a whole range of sights are currently vying for international guests: Aruba, the smallest island, which skillfully combines two worlds - the cosmopolitan and Caribbean, Bonaire for nature lovers as the second largest of the ABC islands and home to flamingos and finally the lively Curaçao as the largest island with the World Heritage city of Willemstad and most of the idyllic bays and sailing areas. What they all have in common are temperatures of 28°, white sandy beaches in front of pastel-colored houses, 26° warm water temperatures and culinary delights to rave about. If you still want to indulge in your hobby and have your golf bag with you, you'll get your money's worth on all three islands - and in very different ways: With adventure golf and a sand course on Bonaire, two golf resorts on Aruba and three times golf with the most beautiful of the Antilles on Curacao. Find out how this island hopping works best, where the best sightseeing hotspots are and how everything can be combined with golf in the following travel diary.
Further information:
www.abc-inseln.com/specials/inselhopping
Entry to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao
Each island has an airport, which are served by KLM via Amsterdam. Small Probeller aircraft are available for island hopping. Flights take a maximum of 45 minutes. Please pay attention to baggage limits! Various cruise ships call at Oranjestad (Aruba), Kralendijk (Bonaire) and Willemstad (Curacao). There is also a fast ferry between Bonaire and Curaçao (passengers only). A visa is not required. Passports must be valid for at least six months upon entry. In times of pandemic, each island requires the digital ED form and a negative PCR test in advance.
Currency on the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao:
Aruba: Aruba-Florin, Bonaire: US dollar, Curacao: Antillean guilder and USD. Language on the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao: In addition to English and Dutch, Papiamento is spoken, which comes from the Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch vocabulary. It is the only creole language based on a Spanish-Portuguese vocabulary. Internet reception is predominantly good on all islands, and mobile telephony is also possible almost everywhere.
A comprehensive German-language Caribbean portal with all the information you need is available at www.caribbean-embassy.de.
