Tips and Info: hiking on Curaçao
Hot!
Try the southern trails in the cooler season November - February. September and October are the real hot months...no cooling breeze, go North in those months. It can be raining a lot (in August and November) and in March there is a strong wind. But you can not be sure; some years the weather is different from what it should be.
Hat!
Wear a hat, don't burn your face, don't get overheated, that sun is hot!!
Rainy Season
In August, October and November there can be heavy tropical rainstorms.
Many trails will be under water, muddy or just gone...
Time
Best times to hike: In the early morning, just after the sun gets up or in the hours before sunset. We prefer the afternoon, starting about 16.00 hours (it gets cooler with everery step).
Water
Always bring enough water. Put a bottle half full in the freezer a few hours before you go hiking. When you are ready to go, fill it up with water from the tab. Keep Cool!!
In the dark
Bring a pocket light. Soon after sunset, it gets dark. Also, a light is useful when visiting caves.
Maps
Do study the maps! Oh .. uh .. chances are you'll get lost anyway. Curaçao-Actief and Uniek Curaçao are working on a new set of maps with more trails and more accurate info.
Company
It is better not to go alone. Try to find people to hike with you. Or ask for a guided tour at Carmabi, Uniek Curaçao, Curaçao-Actief, Wild Curaçao or Hòfi Pastór. See their websites.
Walking stick
A walking stick is useful! To give support on muddy trails, or when you walk on rolling stones, or while you are climbing (especially down) and you can use the stick to push thorny branches out of your way.
Dogs
On most trails you can bring your best friend, but it should not run off and chase goats or wildlife.
Shoes
Give your feet proper support! The trails can be wet, slippery or muddy. You will walk on soft sand, rolling stones, and hard sharp coral tuff (lava).
Dress
A white blouse or T-shirt keeps you cooler than a dark one.
Poison!
Don't ever touch the leaves or eat the apples from the Manzanilla trees. They are very poisenous!
In wet weather, don't walk under the Manzanilla trees and don't touch the leaves.
What to do: in case you touched the leaves or stood under a dripping tree during a rain shower, use Aloe ointment or gel.
If you took a bite from the apple, drink lots of milk! And see a doctor.
( Indien u een hapje van een appeltje hebt genomen, drink veel melk en ga naar de dokter.
Bij huidaandoening: indien u de bladeren hebt aangeraakt, of na of tijdens een regenbui onder een druppelende boom hebt gestaan, gebruik Aloe zalf of gel )