A visit to the Iguana Café is as much a part of a visit to Willemstad as the green iguana (zoolog. Iguana Iguana) is to Curacao. There’s hardly a better place to enjoy the view of Sint Anna Bay and the harbor exit. The restaurant is located in Punda right next to Love Hearts at Handelskade. The Handelskade waterfront separates the Iguana Café from its large terrace. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic colonial buildings.

Entrance at the Handelskade

Sun protection at the Iguana Café

The café is located in an orange building with Chopard emblazoned on the gable. Years ago, the arched awnings on the windows were red like the house next door. Today, they are blue to match the color of the neighboring building. If you look closely at pictures of the Handelskade, you’ll see the small changes to the façades over the years.

Changes to the facade

I wouldn’t usually mention the awnings, but they’re one of the highlights of the Iguana Café. I’m talking about the wind- and weatherproof awning construction over the terrace on the quay. On the one hand, it provides plenty of shade for the many tables underneath, and on the other, the metal tubes spray water vapor every few meters. At temperatures of around 30° C, the spray mist is a great way to cool down and a great service. Downtown Punda is often hot and the harbor exit is not a beach where you can quickly jump into the water.

“Look closely” – can you see the spray mist?

Sometimes, cool just isn’t cold enough…

…which is why perhaps the only thing that helps is ice from the inside. You can drink it without hesitation on Curacao, because the tap water is of the best drinking water quality everywhere on the island.

For us, it’s almost a ritual to have a frozen cappuccino at the Iguana Café. Our personal highlight is also the cocktails. However, in a modified form as the ‘Secret Iguana’, which also contains coffee liqueur, Ponche Caribe (a brandy-rum-based cream liqueur with cinnamon and vanilla), amaretto and whipped cream. We haven’t tried this yet, but we have tried others as sundowners (happy hour Monday-Friday 6-7pm).

Frozen cappuccino or rather colorful cocktails?

In addition to drinks, the Iguana Café serves a variety of dishes from local and international cuisine, including grilled food and burgers. On the menu, you’ll find the iguana grinning cheekily at you from the café’s round logo:

The Iguana Café logo with the green iguana

You can see that we photographed the logo from the card by the bow tie at the G of IGUANA – it was real. 😂

Eating iguana at the Iguana Café?

In our article on the green iguana, we mentioned that iguana is one of the local dishes on Curacao, like iguana soup, stew or even a burger. It’s not on the menu at the Iguana Café, but it’s the restaurant’s mascot and gave it its name. You can sit on the terrace with a large, green and black striped specimen. The waiters also wear T-shirts with the cool Iguana logo, which you can buy if you want.

The waitress wears the logo shirt of the house

In the Iguana Café, you’re right at the front

Make way for the colorful hustle and bustle on the ‘Swinging Old Lady’. Of course, no old lady sings swing here. This refers to the floating pontoon bridge dedicated to Queen Emma of the Netherlands. It always moves to the side when ships have to pass. The wooden bridge, which is over 100 years old, connects the districts of Punda and Otrobanda and is reserved exclusively for pedestrians.

The swinging old lady swings to the side

Whenever a ship is coming through, a loud bell rings. This means that the bridge is about to move aside and the high, iron gates will close. Nobody knows whether the Queen Emma Bridge will open fully or only halfway. That’s why people on the bridge start running to get to the other side of the river. But it is also possible to be ‘locked in’ and stay on the bridge. Then you ride on it, rocking along to the side. It’s an experience, especially for kids! Sometimes, though, it can take a while, depending on the type of ship and how many ships are involved.

Something bigger is approaching here

Ships up close

The cab is at the Punda end of the bridge, so smaller ships pass very close to the Iguana Café. After all, people should be able to cross the bridge again quickly. When the engine of the bridge is started, it sounds like a truck weighing several tons. The old queen has to be moved somehow. Then there is always a little smell of diesel in the air – real authentic harbor feeling.

This ship is good in the corners

I love the show on the water. When I’m not on a boat myself, I love to watch. Of course, waving is allowed, and it’s even reciprocated by uniformed coast guard officers. That only happens on Curacao, you immediately think.

But what if you’re in Otrobanda and can’t get to Punda because the bridge is temporarily closed? Don’t worry! Just take the free ferry a few meters further on. The boats that leave from the ferry dock after the Briónplein near the Gouverneur restaurant are free and will shuttle you to the other side.

Ferry dock with ferry boat right next to the Iguana Café

By the way, Otrobanda means nothing other than “other side” in the local language Papiamentu. Our friend Pablo from Iguana Ride e-scooter tours explains with a wink:

“If you’re in Punda, Otrobanda is on the other side. But if you’re in Otrobanda, Punda is Otrobanda.”

He also settles our debate about whether it’s Otrobanda or Otrabanda. He says both are correct.

The last will be the first

If you don’t get a seat at the front near the Queen Emma Bridge, but only at the back near the inside of the Iguana Café, that’s no big deal. Because from this side, you can watch the ferries dock and depart. If you make your way to the ferry as soon as the bell rings, you’ll be the first in Otrobanda.

A ferry shuttle is available at Handelskai

The white and blue boats with the green deck are really cute because they look like little toy boats and are completely symmetrical. You should have taken a ride on one of these. It gives you a different perspective of the bridge and the two parts of the city. Unfortunately, the 2-minute crossing is over quicker than you’d probably like – assuming you don’t get seasick quickly. 😉

The stern and bow are almost the same

Play of colors at Iguana Café

When it gets dark on the horizon, it gets light on the Handelskade and on the Queen Emma Bridge. The colorful facades of the buildings on both sides of the Sint Annabaai are illuminated and the bridge glows in all the colors of the rainbow. The reflections of the colors in the black water enhance the play of lights even more.

Rainbow colors in St. Anna Bay

The Punda Vibes happen on Thursdays. Ther’s live music all over Punda, including at the Iguana Café. Guests mingle with passers-by and the wandering dance groups in traditional dress. On days like these, it’s hard to keep your feet still – the lively atmosphere is sure to get you in the mood to dance and party.

Dance performance at Iguana Café

The Iguana Café is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. In an interview with Relaxed Curacao, our friend and diving partner Bryan, who lives on the island, recommends the Iguana Café as a great place to meet friends. Not only because of the mixed plates, but also because of the flair.

The Handelskade with Iguana Café at night