CARIBBEAN DREAM

5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Curaçao’s “Get Wet Weekend”


Curaçao is on our mind this time of year: The Carribean island’s fabulous Get Wet Weekend, September 27-30, is just around the corner and it’s always the best (and gayest) time to plan a trip to this slice of paradise located just 35 miles north of Venezuela.

There are plenty of gay-friendly resorts and accommodations on the island, but everything fills up quickly on Get Wet Weekend, when Curaçao Gay Plasa rolls out rolling the red carpet for an international crowd. We thought we’d round up a few helpful hints about getting the most out of a stay. And remember, everyone is welcome at the Get Wet Weekend, whether you’re a high roller, a lovey-dovey couple or a single soul looking for a good time.

Click through for five tips on making the most of a trip to Curaçao during the Get Wet Weekend

 


1. Book Your Room Now

The posh Hotel Kura Hulanda, Spa & Casino is offering a glamorous “Get Wet” special at $165 per room, plus tax and service charge based on single or double occupancy, including a special buffet breakfast for two.

The swank Avila Hotel is offering a special upgrade (valued at about $100) to an Octagon Deluxe Room when an Octagon Preferred Room is booked for the weekend. Nearby, the Floris Suite Hotel is the ultimate Get Wet Weekend bargain, offering rooms starting at $99. These specials can all be booked by contacting the hotels directly by merely mentioning “Get Wet” when you email or call to make your reservation.

If you decide to go last minute and there are no more rooms at these properties be sure to book at one of Curaçao’s other gay-friendly accommodations: Hilton Curaçao, Lion’s Dive & Beach Resort, Papagayo Beach Resort and the Lodge Kura Hulanda & Beach Club are all great options.

Image courtesy of Kura Hulanda

2. Select Your Whites (& Colors) Carefully

You won’t want to miss out on any of the fun over Get Wet Weekend, so be sure to clear your week from Thursday to Sunday and get plenty of rest leading up to your trip. The weekend kicks off on Thursday, September 27 at 9pm at the “Get White” illumination party in downtown Punda at the G-Lounge. You’ll want to make a splash at the first party so don’t wait until the last minute to pick out your whites. We recommend bringing two options to see what looks best under the stunning Curaçao moonlight. Who knows– maybe you’ll decide to have a costume change halfway through the night. The rest of the weekend is pretty casual so leave your Tom Ford suits back home. Most of the parties are outside, on the beach, and in the open air so pack accordingly. Think beachwear across the board and don’t worry about dressing for fancy dinners and formal cocktail parties.  Things do get slightly cooler at night, but you won’t need sweaters or jackets. If you’re the kind of person who gets chilly easily, a light pullover or zip-up will do the trick.

Photo by Jeffrey James Keyes

 

3. Meet, Greet and Mingle

Don’t just attend the parties and after-parties. Spontaneous mixers and small group activities come up left and right during the weekend. Be sure to attend the official “Meet & Greet” on Friday, September 28 at the Klooster Hotel. You’ll find a nice cross-section of people, everyone is welcome, but the crowd is definitely young, hip, and a mix of power lesbian couples and well-off traveling gay men.  Grab a margarita or a tropical cocktail and introduce yourself to representatives of the Curaçao Gay Plasa. The Curaçao Gay Plasa is a small organization committed to welcoming GLBT travelers to the island and organizing regular parties and events for locals and tourists alike. The organization was started by a group of friends who came back after their studies in the Netherlands and wanted to organize some cool celebrations. Today the Get Wet Weekend continues to grow in attendance every year and there’s something for everyone in Curaçao.

The “Meet & Greet” is a great opportunity to make new friends and get a feel for what you’ll be doing the rest of the weekend. Don’t worry, dancing queens – there’s an after-party planned at Otra Cosa Bar in downtown Willemstad later.

Saturday can be a bit of a wildcard but there will be plenty of mini pool parties and perhaps even some invitations to private beaches if you meet the right people. If you’re looking for something to do, simply grab a Pina Colada and head to your hotel’s pool;   you’ll certainly make friends and run into other Get Wet companions. Looking for a beach recommendation? See #5. From 9pm-2am the legendary “NaviGAYtion” party at Wet & Wild Beach Club will keep you busy dancing, sipping cocktails, mingling with cute boys and girls, or stepping out onto the sand with someone special to gaze at the night waves. The NaviGAYtion party is really the highlight of the weekend.  It’s a hot & heavy old school beach dance party, kind of like a Fire Island circuit party, only more down-to-Earth and tropical. Things mellow out on Sunday at the “Starfish” Pool Party at the stunning Floris Suite Hotel–be sure to pack a cute swimsuit to show off your sexy new tan as you sip on your last few fruity “Get Wet” cocktails.

 

4. Get Your Culture On

You might need to give yourself a bit of time before or after the weekend to take in more of what Curaçao has to offer. Take an afternoon and enjoy a guided tour of the mysterious Hato Caves, swim with the dolphins at the Curaçao Seaquarium, or take in a bit of history and culture at any one of Curaçao’s many museums. We recommend the Museum Kura Hulanda, the Jewish Cultural Historial Museum, and the Curaçao Museum. If you need to bring something back for a friend or coworker, head to the Punda neighborhood for trinkets, jewelry, and local artisan-made odds and ends.

 

5. Enjoy the Beach

There are tons of beaches all over Curaçao. Give yourself a break from partying to catch some rays and take a nap on the sand. Cas Abou is one of the local beaches, but our favorites are on the other side of the island. If you have a little extra time, check out Klein BeachKnip Beach, and (our favorite) Little Knip. What you bring in your beach kit is up to you, but we recommend a strong bottle of sunscreen, a trashy novel, and that cutie you met at the “Get White” Party.

 

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