Oranjestad
O-ran-ye-stad
Usage
Capital city of Aruba
Grammar Note
Dutch name, named after the Dutch royal House of Orange
Willemstad
Vil-lem-stad
Usage
Capital of Curaçao, UNESCO World Heritage Site for its colorful Dutch colonial architecture
Grammar Note
The historic district with Dutch colonial architecture is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Eagle Beach
Ee-gle Beech
Usage
Aruba's most famous beach, consistently ranked among the world's best
Grammar Note
Also a nesting site for sea turtles
Kralendijk
Kra-len-dijk
Usage
Capital of Bonaire, famous for its diving spots
Grammar Note
Means "coral dike" in Dutch; known as one of the world's premier diving destinations
San Nicolas
San Ni-co-las
Usage
Southern Aruba city known as the "art city" of the island
Grammar Note
Known for vibrant street art and Carnival celebrations
Boka Tabla
Bo-ka Ta-bla
Boca Tabla
Usage
Curaçao's western nature park known for dramatic sea caves and crashing waves
Grammar Note
Part of Shete Boka National Park; the sea cave with crashing waves is a top attraction
Arikok
A-ri-kok
Usage
Aruba's national park with desert-like landscapes, cacti, and hiking trails
Grammar Note
A Papiamentu-origin place name; it is Aruba's largest national park
Rincon
Rin-con
Usage
Bonaire's oldest village with a quiet atmosphere and historic buildings
Grammar Note
From Spanish "rincón" (corner); Bonaire's most historic village with vibrant cultural events
Christoffelberg
Chris-tof-fel-berg
Usage
Curaçao's highest peak, known for hiking trails and sea turtle conservation
Grammar Note
Dutch for "Christoffel's mountain"; located within Christoffel National Park in Curaçao
Palm Beach
Palm Beech
Usage
Aruba's main tourist beach area lined with hotels and resorts
Grammar Note
The English name is widely used; Aruba's busiest and most tourist-centered beach
Aruba
A-ru-ba
Usage
Westernmost of the ABC islands. A constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; currency is the Aruban florin (Afl.), with US dollars accepted almost everywhere
Grammar Note
Aruban Papiamento uses an etymological spelling (Playa, Oranjestad), unlike the phonetic orthography of Curaçao and Bonaire
Noord
Usage
District in northwestern Aruba; the Palm Beach hotel strip and the lighthouse area both fall inside it
Paradera
Pa-ra-de-ra
Usage
Inland district in central Aruba; the gateway to the Casibari rock formations and the Hooiberg hill
Santa Cruz
San-ta Cruz
Usage
Central Aruba district; the main visitor entrance to Arikok National Park is here
Savaneta
Sa-va-ne-ta
Usage
Fishing village on Aruba's southeast coast; the island's oldest settlement and its seat of government until 1797
Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix
A-e-ro-puer-to In-ter-na-cio-nal Rei-na Be-a-trix
Queen Beatrix International Airport
Usage
Aruba's only international airport (AUA), about 4 km southwest of Oranjestad; US-bound flights clear US immigration inside the terminal before departure
Grammar Note
Signed in English as Queen Beatrix International Airport; saying just "aeropuerto" works with taxi drivers
Arubus
A-ru-bus
Usage
Aruba's public bus operator; routes fan out from the Oranjestad bus terminal toward Palm Beach (line 10 and others) and San Nicolas
Grammar Note
Both the buses and the stops are marked Arubus; fares are paid in cash (florins or US dollars) to the driver
Caya G.F. Betico Croes
Ca-ya Be-ti-co Croes
Usage
Oranjestad's main shopping street, lined with shops and exchange offices and served by the streetcar
Grammar Note
"Caya" means street; most Aruban road names begin with it
L.G. Smith Boulevard
L.G. Smith Bou-le-vard
Usage
The coastal main road through Oranjestad linking the cruise pier, the airport and the hotel strip; a standard reference when giving a taxi an address
J.E. Irausquin Boulevard
J.E. I-raus-quin Bou-le-vard
Usage
The hotel-strip road running from Eagle Beach to Palm Beach; most resort addresses sit along it
Barcadera
Bar-ca-de-ra
Usage
Cargo harbour southeast of Oranjestad; container traffic and some boat departures moved here from the town pier
Fort Zoutman
Fort Zout-man
Usage
1798 fort in central Oranjestad, Aruba's oldest building; it houses a historical museum together with the adjoining Willem III Tower
Hooiberg
Hoi-berg
Usage
The 165 m cone-shaped hill in the middle of Aruba; some 560 steps lead to the top, with views as far as Venezuela on a clear day
Jamanota
Ya-ma-no-ta
Usage
Aruba's highest point at 188 m, inside Arikok National Park; a road runs up to the lookout
Casibari
Ca-si-ba-ri
Usage
Cluster of giant boulders in the Paradera district; steps and railings let you climb to the top for an island-wide view
Ayo
A-yo
Usage
Rock formation north of Casibari, with Arawak indigenous rock drawings
Alto Vista
Al-to Vis-ta
Usage
Hill on the north coast in the Noord district, site of Aruba's oldest chapel (Alto Vista Chapel, founded 1750)
California Lighthouse
Ca-li-for-nia Light-house
Usage
Lighthouse on Aruba's northwestern tip, a favourite sunset spot, named after the ship California wrecked offshore
Grammar Note
Signed in English; in Papiamento a lighthouse is a "faro"
Bushiribana
Bu-shi-ri-ba-na
Usage
Ruins of an 1872 gold smelter on the rugged north coast, standing above the surf
Conchi
Con-chi
Conchi (Natural Pool)
Usage
Rock-ringed natural pool on the north coast inside Arikok National Park; reachable only by 4WD, on horseback or on foot
Grammar Note
English signs call it Natural Pool; the Papiamento name is Conchi
Seroe Colorado
Se-roe Co-lo-ra-do
Usage
Headland at Aruba's southeastern tip with the former refinery housing colony and a lighthouse; the road to Baby Beach passes through
Grammar Note
"Seroe" means hill; Curaçao and Bonaire spell the same word phonetically as "seru"
Baby Beach
Ba-by Beach
Usage
Shallow, sheltered lagoon south of San Nicolas; calm water suited to families and snorkelling
Arashi
A-ra-shi
Arashi Beach
Usage
Beach on Aruba's northwestern tip just before the California Lighthouse; clear water good for snorkelling
Malmok
Mal-mok
Usage
Rocky shoreline north of Palm Beach; the launching point for snorkelling trips to the Antilla shipwreck
Hadicurari
Ha-di-cu-ra-ri
Usage
Beach at the north end of Palm Beach, the island's windsurfing and kitesurfing hub; known in English as Fisherman's Huts
Manchebo Beach
Man-che-bo Beach
Usage
Sandy stretch just south of Eagle Beach, known as the widest beach on the island
Mangel Halto
Man-gel Hal-to
Usage
Mangrove-fringed cove near Pos Chiquito on Aruba's south shore; calm water for snorkelling and kayaking
Boca Grandi
Bo-ca Gran-di
Usage
Windswept bay on Aruba's east coast, a kitesurfing spot; strong currents make it unsuitable for swimming
Grammar Note
"Boca" means inlet; Curaçao and Bonaire spell it phonetically as "boka"
Spaans Lagoen
Spaans La-goen
Spaans Lagoen (Spanish Lagoon)
Usage
Inland bay on Aruba's south coast; a Ramsar-listed mangrove wetland good for birdwatching and kayaking
Grammar Note
The Dutch name is what appears on road signs
Kòrsou
Kòr-sou
Curaçao
Usage
Largest of the ABC islands and a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the currency is the Caribbean guilder (Cg), which replaced the Antillean guilder in 2025, and US dollars are widely accepted
Grammar Note
Kòrsou is the Papiamentu form; Dutch and English signs use Curaçao. Curaçao and Bonaire both write Papiamentu phonetically
Punda
Pun-da
Usage
The east-bank quarter of Willemstad, founded in 1634; the oldest part of town with the main shopping streets and squares, at the heart of the UNESCO site
Otrobanda
O-tro-ban-da
Usage
The west-bank quarter of Willemstad, linked to Punda by the Queen Emma Bridge; the cruise berths and the Rif Fort are here
Scharloo
Schar-loo
Usage
District just north of Punda across the Waaigat; known for the 19th-century mansions of Jewish merchants and for its murals
Pietermaai
Pie-ter-maai
Usage
Seafront historic district east of Punda; restored colonial townhouses now hold restaurants and bars, and it is the liveliest area at night
Grammar Note
One of the four quarters — with Punda, Otrobanda and Scharloo — that make up the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Willemstad
Handelskade
Han-dels-ka-de
Usage
The waterfront row in Punda; the pastel-coloured facades in every Curaçao photograph line this street
Wilhelminaplein
Wil-hel-mi-na-plein
Usage
The main square in Punda, facing the courthouse and parliament and close to the Waaigat-side bus stops
Grammar Note
"Plein" is Dutch for square; in Papiamentu it is "plaza"
Brionplein
Bri-on-plein
Usage
Square at the Otrobanda end of the Queen Emma Bridge; the starting point for many bus routes
Grammar Note
Named after Pedro Luis Brión, a Curaçao-born hero of the South American independence wars
Brùg di Reina Emma
Brùg di Rei-na Em-ma
Queen Emma Bridge
Usage
Pontoon footbridge between Punda and Otrobanda; it swings aside whenever a ship passes, and a free ferry runs while it is open
Grammar Note
Signed in Dutch as Koningin Emmabrug and in English as Queen Emma Bridge
Brùg di Reina Juliana
Brùg di Rei-na Ju-lia-na
Queen Juliana Bridge
Usage
The high road bridge over the harbour entrance in Willemstad; all vehicle traffic uses it, and it offers the widest view over the bay
Sint Annabaai
Sint An-na-baai
Sint Annabaai (St. Anna Bay)
Usage
The narrow channel that splits Willemstad in two; Punda and Otrobanda face each other across it
Grammar Note
The Dutch name is what appears on maps and signs
Fort Amsterdam
Fort Am-ster-dam
Usage
17th-century fort at the harbour mouth in Punda, now housing the government offices and the governor's residence
Rif Fort
Usage
An 1828 fort guarding the Otrobanda side of the harbour mouth; part of the UNESCO site, with shops and eateries inside the walls
Saliña
Sa-li-ña
Usage
Commercial district east of central Willemstad with supermarkets, banks and restaurants; a common base for visitors
Grammar Note
Written Salinja in Dutch; in Papiamentu "saliña" means a salt pan or tidal flat
Aeropuerto Internashonal di Kòrsou
A-e-ro-puer-to In-ter-na-sho-nal di Kòr-sou
Curaçao International Airport
Usage
Curaçao's only international airport (CUR), in the Hato district about 12 km northwest of Willemstad
Grammar Note
Formerly Hato Airport; locals still call it "Hato", and road signs point to Hato
Hato
Ha-to
Usage
District on Curaçao's north coast holding the international airport and the caves; taxi drivers usually call the airport by this name
Kueba di Hato
Kue-ba di Ha-to
Hato Caves
Usage
Limestone cave near the airport with indigenous rock drawings, visited on a guided tour
Grammar Note
Signed in English as Hato Caves
Konvoi
Kon-voi
Konvoi (public bus)
Usage
The local name for Curaçao's full-size public buses, which run from the Punda and Otrobanda terminals to the rest of the island
Grammar Note
The smaller minibuses are called "bùs chikí" and display a hand-written destination sign
Mega Pier
Me-ga Pier
Usage
The large cruise berth on the Otrobanda side, about a 10-minute walk from central Willemstad
Grammar Note
Smaller ships dock at Mathey Wharf, closer to Punda
Bandabou
Ban-da-bou
Usage
The whole western half of Curaçao; the national park and the best-known beaches are on this side
Bandariba
Ban-da-ri-ba
Usage
The eastern half of Curaçao, covering the area east of Willemstad toward Jan Thiel
Westpunt
West-punt
Usage
Village at the western tip of Curaçao, about an hour's drive from Willemstad, ringed by beaches and dive sites
Barber
Bar-ber
Usage
The main village of Bandabou in western Curaçao, where the roads to the western beaches and the national park meet
Christoffelpark
Chris-tof-fel-park
Christoffel National Park
Usage
National park in western Curaçao with the trail up Mount Christoffel and driving routes through the grounds; start the climb early in the morning
Grammar Note
Road signs use the Dutch Christoffelpark; in Papiamentu it is Parke Nashonal Christoffel
Shete Boka
She-te Bo-ka
Shete Boka National Park
Usage
National park on Curaçao's north coast, a chain of inlets pounded by surf, linked by walking paths
Grammar Note
The name means "seven inlets"; Boca Tabla is part of this park
Kenepa Grandi
Ke-ne-pa Gran-di
Kenepa Grandi (Grote Knip)
Usage
The signature beach of western Curaçao: white sand in a blue cove, also known for cliff jumping
Grammar Note
Signed in Dutch as Grote Knip
Kenepa Chikitu
Ke-ne-pa Chi-ki-tu
Kenepa Chikitu (Kleine Knip)
Usage
The smaller cove next to Kenepa Grandi; quieter, with natural shade
Grammar Note
Signed in Dutch as Kleine Knip; "chikitu" means small
Playa Porto Mari
Pla-ya Por-to Ma-ri
Usage
Beach in western Curaçao with a double coral reef, ideal for snorkelling straight from shore
Cas Abou
Cas A-bou
Usage
White-sand beach in western Curaçao with full facilities, used as a base for diving and snorkelling
Playa Piskadó
Pla-ya Pis-ka-dó
Usage
Fishermen's beach at Westpunt, known for the green sea turtles that gather for scraps from the catch
Grammar Note
Also called Playa Grandi
Caracasbaai
Ca-ra-cas-baai
Caracasbaai (Caracas Bay)
Usage
Peninsula and bay southeast of Willemstad, known for diving and snorkelling around the old pier
Klein Curaçao
Klein Cu-ra-çao
Usage
Uninhabited island southeast of Curaçao with a lighthouse and a shipwreck; reached on day boat trips of about 90 minutes each way
Grammar Note
Dutch for "Little Curaçao"; in Papiamentu, Klein Kòrsou
Boneiru
Bo-nei-ru
Bonaire
Usage
Easternmost of the ABC islands; a special municipality of the Netherlands (Caribbean Netherlands) using the US dollar, with a visitor entry tax to be paid online before arrival
Grammar Note
Boneiru is the Papiamentu spelling; Dutch and English signs read Bonaire. Bonaire follows the same phonetic orthography as Curaçao
Playa
Pla-ya
Playa (Kralendijk)
Usage
What Bonaireans call their capital Kralendijk; "going to Playa" means going into town
Grammar Note
Road signs say Kralendijk, but in conversation Playa is more common
Kaya Grandi
Ka-ya Gran-di
Usage
The main street of Kralendijk, lined with banks, supermarkets and shops
Grammar Note
Almost every road name on Bonaire begins with Kaya
Aeropuerto Internashonal Flamingo
A-e-ro-puer-to In-ter-na-sho-nal Fla-min-go
Flamingo International Airport
Usage
Bonaire's only airport (BON), just south of Kralendijk and about a five-minute drive from town; the terminal is painted flamingo pink
Grammar Note
Signed in English as Flamingo International Airport
Fort Oranje
Fort O-ran-je
Usage
Early-19th-century fort on the Kralendijk waterfront, with its yellow lighthouse; a standard meeting point in town
Antriol
An-tri-ol
Usage
Residential district inland from Kralendijk, with everyday local shops and bakeries
Nikiboko
Ni-ki-bo-ko
Usage
Residential district east of Kralendijk; the road toward Lac Bay runs through it
Seru Largu
Se-ru Lar-gu
Usage
Hilltop lookout north of Kralendijk with a view over the town and Klein Bonaire; a favourite sunset spot
Lac Bai
Lac Bay
Usage
Wide, shallow bay on Bonaire's east coast; a Ramsar-listed wetland surrounded by mangroves
Grammar Note
Dutch maps write it Lac Baai
Sorobon
So-ro-bon
Usage
Beach on Lac Bay; waist-deep flat water and steady wind make it a world-class windsurfing spot
Washington Slagbaai
Wa-shing-ton Slag-baai
Washington Slagbaai National Park
Usage
National park covering northern Bonaire, the oldest nature reserve in the Dutch Caribbean; unpaved loop roads are driven by car, and the gate closes in the early afternoon
Brandaris
Bran-da-ris
Usage
Bonaire's highest point at 241 m, inside Washington Slagbaai National Park and climbable on foot
Gotomeer
Go-to-meer
Usage
Saltwater lake in northwestern Bonaire where flamingos gather, on the road toward Rincon
Pekelmeer
Pe-kel-meer
Usage
Flamingo sanctuary beside the salt pans in southern Bonaire, one of the Caribbean's main breeding colonies; entry is prohibited and it is viewed from the road
Willemstoren
Wil-lems-to-ren
Willemstoren Lighthouse
Usage
Lighthouse at Bonaire's southern tip, built in 1838 and the island's oldest; the turning point of the southern coastal drive
Klein Bonaire
Klein Bo-nai-re
Usage
Uninhabited island off Kralendijk, about ten minutes by water taxi; part of the marine park and known for snorkelling and sea turtles
Grammar Note
Dutch for "Little Bonaire"; in Papiamentu, Klein Boneiru
Bonaire National Marine Park
Bo-nai-re Na-tio-nal Ma-rine Park
Usage
Protected area covering the whole coastline down to 60 m depth; a paid nature fee is required to enter the water, and shore dive sites are marked with yellow stones
Grammar Note
The managing foundation STINAPA signs it in English; in Papiamentu it is "parke marino"
More Papiamentu phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Art & Museums
- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Dating Apps
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Sustainability & Eco
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences