Celebrating Curaçao Pride 2025 – Find Your Light

Experiencing Pride in Curaçao

Returning to Curaçao this year to witness the island’s 13th annual Pride celebration was

nothing short of magical. My stay at Dreams® Il Mare Curaçao, part of the Hyatt Inclusive

Collection alongside Zoëtry Curaçao Resort & Spa and Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa &

Casino, offered the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and connection.

This year marks a milestone for Curaçao Pride: 13 years of vibrant events, community

building, and cultural transformation on the Dutch-Caribbean island of Curaçao. Each

September, the island comes alive with parades, music, arts, and cultural gatherings that bring

together both locals and visitors from around the world.

For those who were part of the movement from the beginning, the celebration feels deeply

personal. One such person is Mr. Jurandy Regina, Manager of Zoëtry Curaçao, whose work

helped spark what would become one of the Caribbean’s most inclusive Pride movements.

Long before Zoëtry became the wellness-focused resort it is today, this property—then known as

Hotel Floris—was where Curaçao Pride was born.

“It all started right here,” Regina recalls, gesturing toward the lush gardens of Zoëtry. “Back in

the early 2000s, Floris wasn’t just a hotel—it was the heart of the local gay community. If you

search the old name online, you’ll still find stories and photos from those first events. Everything began here.”

“It started with just a handful of friends hosting events,” he adds. “My manager at the time and I

wanted to create safe spaces where people could celebrate. That’s how the foundations of Curaçao Pride were laid.” From small, informal gatherings to a world-renowned celebration, Mr. Regina has been at the heart of Curaçao Pride’s evolution—a testament to vision, courage, and community.

The Early Days: From House Parties to a Movement

The roots of Curaçao Pride trace back to 2004–2005, when a close-knit group of friends—many

returning from the Netherlands—began organizing small social gatherings. Initially, these were

informal, party-focused events, held over long weekends in September, including pool parties,

boat parties, and main social gatherings at Hotel Floris.

“Back then, there wasn’t a formal organization,” Regina explains. “It was just friends creating

spaces for the community. The parties grew bigger every year, turning into three-day

celebrations filled with music, dancing, and connection.”

“We just wanted a place to be ourselves,” Regina said. “There weren’t venues open to us at the

time, so we made our own.”

These early events became the bedrock of Curaçao Pride, emphasizing both celebration and community visibility. The gatherings attracted locals and visitors alike grew in scale, eventually evolving into organized Pride weekends with multiple events: pool parties, boat parties, and social mixers that drew the local community together.

By 2011, informal celebrations began evolving into Curaçao Pride Week, officially recognized in 2012 with the island’s first Pride Parade through downtown Willemstad. Regina vividly recalls those early parades: “I’ll never forget that first parade. We didn’t even have the permits in time, so we started in the hotel parking lot. People came waving rainbow flags, and suddenly, we had a parade moving through downtown Willemstad. The next year, we had permits and were officially part of

downtown.”

Building Allies and Global Connections

Visibility and acceptance didn’t happen overnight. In the early years, the Pride events faced their

share of skepticism. But over time, something beautiful happened: allies began to join in.The

organizers knew that community allies were key. Downtown merchants, local businesses, and

even city officials began supporting the parades, recognizing their cultural and economic

significance. “We realized that to make a real impact, we needed allies—families, friends, and businesses. Partnering with downtown merchants turned the Thursday night parade into a win-win: streets were busy, shops were lively, and Pride became a celebration for everyone.”

International support also played a key role. Organizations in Amsterdam and The Hague sent

ambassadors, DJs, and performers to Curaçao, helping to amplify the island’s Pride on a global

stage. Visitors from the U.S., Canada, South America, Brazil, Venezuela, and Africa returned

year after year, creating a sense of continuity and family. “By July, the hotels were already fully booked for Pride in September,” Regina recalls. “Guests plan their trips around Pride, and many return annually. It has become a reunion and a tradition.”

From Floris to Zoëtry: Luxury Meets Inclusivity

Today, the iconic property that helped launch the movement has transformed into Zoëtry

Curaçao Resort & Spa, part of the Hyatt Inclusive Collection. Though it now embodies a

luxurious, wellness-focused all-inclusive concept, the resort still honors its inclusive roots. “We still see LGBTQ+ travelers year-round, not just during Pride,” Regina says. “People remember the history here, and they know it’s a safe, welcoming space. Couples, groups of friends, solo travelers—they come to be themselves.”

He notes that the modern traveler values both comfort and connection. “Sure, there are Airbnbs, but here you don’t have to worry about anything—your meals, your drinks, your experiences—it’s all handled. And with a smaller, more personalized setting, guests feel genuinely seen and cared for.”

The resort also hosts special Pride-themed events, including Rainbow Lounge gatherings and

White Pool Parties, accommodating hundreds of guests and fostering connection and visibility

for the LGBTQ+ community.

Curaçao Pride Today: A Celebration for the World

Today, Curaçao Pride is one of the Caribbean’s most anticipated LGBTQ+ events, drawing

thousands of visitors annually. The island transforms into a vibrant festival of parades, music,

arts, and cultural programming.

This year’s theme, “Find Your Light”, emphasizes self-expression, courage, and

individuality, resonating deeply across the island and among visitors from around the globe.

“What makes Curaçao special is that it’s not just a place—it’s a feeling,” Regina reflects. “We

started with a handful of friends and a dream. Now, people from all over the world come

together to celebrate. That’s the true meaning of Pride.”

A Legacy of Love and Progress

Curaçao is recognized as one of the Caribbean’s most LGBTQ+-friendly destinations. Its motto,

“Biba i Laga Biba”—live and let live—perfectly captures the island’s inclusive spirit. While

challenges remain, particularly regarding marriage equality, Curaçao has made strides. In recent

years, local courts have affirmed legal protections for same-sex couples, and Curaçao’s

government has increasingly embraced tourism that celebrates diversity and inclusion.

Experiencing Curaçao Pride firsthand, in the very place where it all began, underscores how

visibility, community, and celebration can transform lives. From parades in downtown

Willemstad to quiet moments of connection at Zoëtry Curaçao, the inclusive spirit that Mr.

Regina and his team helped ignite still burns brightly, inspiring both locals and visitors to truly

find their light. “From those first pool parties at Hotel Floris to the modern-day parades and celebrations, Pride has always been about courage, connection, and joy,” Regina says. “It’s a legacy of love, acceptance, and progress.”

Honoring Mr. Jurandy Regina

Meeting Mr. Jurandy Regina again was an absolute joy. I first met him in May and was

immediately inspired by his energy, enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication to Curaçao Pride.

Although he no longer organizes the event—stepping aside to allow a new generation of

LGBTQ+ leaders to take the helm—he remains a steadfast supporter and champion for the cause.

Seeing Pride Week firsthand, I witnessed how his vision and passion continue to shape the

celebrations, creating a space where everyone can truly shine, celebrate, and find their light.

Book Your Next Curacao Experience Today

For anyone interested in visiting Curaçao and experiencing all it has to offer—from family-

friendly adventures to romantic escapes, thrilling activities, and rich cultural experiences—reach

out to us and let us introduce you to this incredible island. Biba i Laga Biba! (Live and let live!)