Caribbean
Curaçao
Willemstad
Things to Do in Willemstad
Kura Hulanda Museum
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Kura Hulanda Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
Kura Hulanda Museum
4.5
1,310
#8 of 134 things to do in Willemstad
Speciality Museums • Art Museums • History Museums
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Exhibits trace Curaçaoans African roots and the legacy of the slave trade in the region.
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Admission tickets
from $11.54
All you need to step foot in the door.
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See what other travelers are saying
  • Pollyseed00
    Los Angeles, California90 contributions
    Must See
    The museum is a must see by all who visit the island. I was impressed by the museum staff and the museum guide; everyone we came in contact with had passion about the work they do. Each exhibit at the museum takes you back to important parts of history. Make sure to bring a camera. I am so thankful that I got to experience the museum and really understand how we are all connected.
    Traveled with family
    Written September 1, 2022
  • flemon lewis
    St. Thomas81 contributions
    A must-see experience
    You must visit if you are interested in the history of the slave trade and the atrocities of mankind. My ancestors survived the Middle passage and then went into a life of despair. The museum is well layout from different eras. The belief of evolution is beyond me. The most grappling part was the torture of the original inhabitants on the earth. Further, the organized strategy to disenfranchise humans is deplorable. One must spend a couple hours viewing the collections.
    Traveled solo
    Written January 29, 2023
  • Allen B
    Muskegon, Michigan1,037 contributions
    Full of history. We really enjoyed it.
    This was the first place we went after we met our wonderful and amazing private tour guide Ralph from Curacao VIP Tours. Ralph was amazing, taking us everywhere interesting and important in his private Chrysler 300 air conditioned taxi! The museum was so amazing and contains so much history, especially about the slave trade. It is full of artifacts from the past and even has a replica of a slave ship that you can "board". So many things here brought tears to my eyes that mankind behaved this way, and that so much prejudice and ignorance still exists.
    Written May 25, 2022
These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,310 reviews
Excellent
652
Very good
452
Average
161
Poor
29
Terrible
16
MaryEliseM
Arlington, VA68 contributions
Hidden Gem of Human History
Aug 2021
Both gut-wrenching and a little breathtaking, the large portion of the museum dedicated to the island's history of slave trade (hidden behind a dividing wall) is an absolute must do. The recovered shackles hanging along all the walls left me literally breathless and I had to remove myself a few times. It stays with you.
Written August 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SMRahman
Somers, NY33 contributions
This is a true gem in the Caribbean
Dec 2019 • Family
We visited this museum on the day we were leaving and limited time to do the tour. It was amazing and we would go back to spend more time. The African and archeological artifacts in this modest size museum is very impressive. This is a journey through time that takes you from evolution to the history of Africa and ultimately to the terrible details of slave trade. It is moving, enlightening and very educational.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CosmosMomLA
104 contributions
Worth Visiting
Feb 2020
We got to the museum when it opened around 9 AM and for a while we were the only ones in the museum. The museum is worth visiting to gain a better understanding of the slave trade and see their collection of African artifacts. However, some of the artifacts are not well cared for and crumbling and that is sad to see. We spent about 2+ hours viewing all the exhibits and their were only a few people in the museum.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rob C
New York City, NY735 contributions
Definitely worth a visit
Jan 2021 • Couples
Well designed informative museum focused on the slave trade in Curaçao, which was a transit point and supplier of slave labor to the Americas. The original water tap for slaves and the leg irons used to shackle slaves on board ships transporting them from Africa to the Caribbean graphically demonstrate the inhumanity of the slave trade. A valuable and necessary reality check for visitors otherwise enjoying the beaches and breezes of the island.
Written February 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Patrick B
Maastricht, The Netherlands662 contributions
Mixed impressions
Oct 2020 • Couples
This museum is a must-go for those who have never really dived into the history of slave trade and the issue of decolonisation. But for those who have, there is not much new to learn. The exhibition is a bit messy at times - lots of artefacts, at times confusing text. This is a shame because some of the things on view are interesting/shocking.
Written October 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Shellsway
30 contributions
Great History Lesson
Aug 2022
This was a great museum regarding the slave trade. I wasn't expecting so many artifacts. It is heavy and deep, especially if you are descendants of enslaved people but the level of detail and all of the genuine artifacts were amazing to see. A range of emotions on this visit. I want to go back and spend more time really taking all of the information in.
Written August 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NeneJLM
Chicago, IL55 contributions
Interesting stop
Oct 2021
This museum was interesting. They had a ton of artifacts for such a small museum. It seems as if the Dutch have a romantic view of their role in the transatlantic slave trade. It was also missing an exhibit on Tula, an important figure in Curacoan history. I would still say stop by because if you're an American you can learn a little bit more about the Dutch role, in particular the WIC, in the slave trade than what they taught us in school. The pictures of them as the benevolent planters looking after their slaves just "getting healthy exercise," is laughable though.
Written October 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sharon Wells
9 contributions
An awesome place
Jan 2023
I have been to many museums, but nothing like the one in Curacao. I learned some things I didn't know before. I saw some things that I didn't see before as well. I shed tears and finally had to leave because it was extremely too emotional to see what my ancestors had to endure during the slave trade.
Written January 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PoltergeistZ28
Toronto, Canada49 contributions
Back in time
Dec 2019
The streets and building have been restored. It is nice to walk along the narrow cobbled streets and realise how the better-off Dutch people lived. This restoration project is overlooked by many, but should be visited. The restaurant and buffet evenings are worth visiting.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Excursion32563
Atlanta, GA1 contribution
Museum - Must See!
If you want to take a break from the Caribbean sun, I highly recommend the Kula Hulanda Museum. However, to really get the most of the museum, you need to allow yourself at least a good 3 hours to read and understand the horror of the slavery trade business. The displays of the chains (which you can actually touch) and a replica of a ship's holding area gives you a sense of the inhumane treatment of another human being. Very educational and the soft background of African music brings you closer to the culture. My only disappointment was once you passed the entrance, there was no one available if you had additional questions and after asking four people of what the acronym "B.C.E. - Iran" stood for, I'm still at a loss. Regardless, the overall experience was well worth the time!!
Written March 13, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Kura Hulanda Museum (Willemstad) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Kura Hulanda Museum
Kura Hulanda Museum admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $11.54, while a popular guided tour starts around $77.00 per person. See all 3 Kura Hulanda Museum tickets and tours on Tripadvisor
Kura Hulanda Museum can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 3 Kura Hulanda Museum tickets and tours on Tripadvisor