Districts · Oranjestad
Oranjestad by district
Oranjestad is one small town in two levels. The Upper Town sits on the ridge with the fort, the museum and the ruined synagogue and church. The Lower Town is at sea level around Oranje Bay with the dive shops and the restaurants. A steep road links them, a 6–10 minute walk. Beyond town, The Quill is a short drive south and Zeelandia Beach a short drive north.
About these names
The four clusters follow the island's plan. Roads are few; drivers navigate by landmark and by name.
- Upper TownsleepseeeatSuits: First visit, history, walkingFort Oranje, the synagogue and church ruins and the museum on the ridge; quiet, steep in places.4 sights · 5 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Lower Town and Oranje BayLower TownsleepseeeatSuits: Divers, evenings by the waterDive shops, the beach and restaurants, with the warehouse ruins along the shore.1 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- The QuillseeSuits: HikersThe dormant volcano and its crater rainforest; reach it by car or taxi.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- Zeelandia BeachseeSuits: A short look at the Atlantic coastA long windward beach with strong currents; a quick drive north.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- Airport areaskip as a baseSuits: Arrivals onlyF. D. Roosevelt Airport is a few minutes from town; nothing else to see.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: F. D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX) (10–25 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Airport area. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Upper Town (Upper Town): Fort Oranje, the synagogue and church ruins and the museum on the ridge; quiet, steep in places. Suits: First visit, history, walking. Price band $$.
- Lower Town and Oranje Bay (Lower Town): Dive shops, the beach and restaurants, with the warehouse ruins along the shore. Suits: Divers, evenings by the water. Price band $$.
- The Quill: The dormant volcano and its crater rainforest; reach it by car or taxi. Suits: Hikers.
- Zeelandia Beach: A long windward beach with strong currents; a quick drive north. Suits: A short look at the Atlantic coast.
- Airport area: F. D. Roosevelt Airport is a few minutes from town; nothing else to see. Suits: Arrivals only.
- Sleep area Lower Town by the bay: suits Divers, evenings by the water, price band $$.
- Sleep area Upper Town guesthouse: suits First visit, history, walking, price band $$.
- F. D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX), 10–25 min by the usual route.