Pietermaai Smal

One of Curaçao’s four historic districts, Pietermaai Smal lays just to the east of Punda, between the Waaigat Harbor and the Caribbean. Once the most exclusive neighborhood on the island, Pietermaai endured a long, painful period of deterioration. But recently, it’s picked itself back up and become a home to the island’s favorite clubs, trendiest restaurants and most popular boutique hotels.

Willemstad’s initial expansion outside its city walls was west, across the Saint Anna Bay into Otroba...