Curacao may be the biggest of the ABC islands, but along its lush and mountainous terrain are hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. On a press trip to the island that commemorated JetBlue’s first direct flight to Curacao, my fellow writers and I were able to witness its adventures and beauty firsthand. Here are five must-see attractions this beautiful country has to offer.

Ostrich Farm

Visitors are nowhere near Africa, although they might think they are once they’ve set foot on Curacao’s Ostrich Farm, which is one of the largest outside of the continent. Even the shop that sits right outside the farm embraces African culture with stone sculptures, hand-made jewelry, wood carvings, and eccentric ornaments. Nevertheless, this is only a glimpse of the cultural experience that awaits guests.

A tour guide vibrantly dressed in ethnic attire and a hat greeted everyone as he escorted us onto an old military truck before taking the wheel. Starting the engine that purred loudly along the dusty trail of this nine acre attraction, we were off to explore just how remarkable ostriches really are.

Telling captivating stories of their mating rituals, defense mechanisms (that includes a weird dance seen in the video below), and how they routinely suck in air to stay dry, this was no ordinary day at the farm. Especially since we were periodically encouraged to disembark the truck to feed them, take photos, balance on a real ostrich egg (which can hold up to 400 pounds), and even ride the bird for the ultimate adventure. And after working up quite an appetite from this 45-minute tour, the Zambezi Restaurant sitting conveniently on the property, offered a variety of ostrich-infused specialties including ostrich jerky, which was quite delicious.

CurAloe Plantation

Adjacent to the Ostrich Farm, travelers are invited to enjoy another side of Curacao’s natural splendor at the CurAloe Plantation where over 100,000 aloe vera plants are cultivated. The popular plant, which is also considered a lily, migrated to the country with slaves, and has evolved into an organic skin rejuvenator that is traditionally incorporated in lotions, soaps, and mosquito repellents, as well as shampoos.

Shaded by a "palapa" which acted as an umbrella constructed out of branches and leaves, we watched as our attendant sliced the aloe vera and drained its bitter liquid before giving us a bite of the translucent, slimy plant. From here, we were guided into a shop that was well-stocked with aloe merchandise and given a refreshing swig of juice that was also produced from the plant.

GO WEST Diving

Of course no visit to Curacao is complete without testing the waters of the Caribbean Sea. And thanks to GO WEST Diving's expert instructors, seafarers can experience a riveting underwater snorkeling adventure. Sailing in harmony with the rhythm of the waves, guests onboard its fully-equipped boats are showered with views of the island’s lush mountainsides and rocky cliffs before making a big splash beneath the blue depths of the ocean where turtles, tropical fish, and occasionally seahorses make an appearance.

However, it is the sight of the "Blue Room" that leaves snorkelers in total awe. This underwater cave of Curacao’s Mushroom Forest is just one of the subterranean highlights encountered when swimming with GO WEST Diving.

Mikvé Israel-Emanuel

Expect to leave this synagogue with sand in between your toes although it sits in the heart of Curacao’s bustling capital city of Willemstad. Mikvé Israel-Emanuel may be the island’s version of the Esnoga, which is the oldest of its kind in Amsterdam; yet, it stands proudly on its own as the oldest synagogue of the Americas that remains a constant place of worship.

The building which is enclosed by a courtyard was constructed in the early 1730s and boasts a carpet bathed in sand to symbolize the Jews’ 40 year pilgrimage as well as to lessen the pitter-patter of worshipers entering the premises. Along with its sugary floors, other sacred remnants decorate Mikvé Israel-Emanuel including four 18th century chandeliers designed out of copper, blue stained-glass windows, mahogany pews, a huge organ, the Holy Ark and sanctuary.

Located behind the synagogue through a small entrance is the Jewish Historical Cultural Museum where ancient treasures like circumcision chairs, pictures, coins, an ancient Torah scroll, and other artifacts are well-preserved.

Shete Boka National Park

The sounds and impressive sights of huge waves crashing against gigantic rocks are enough to drive anyone to the Shete Boka National Park. Here, the beauty of Curacao is impressively accentuated by panoramic views of limestone cliffs that sprinkle water in the air with each passing wave. Even more magical is the underwater cavern that is reachable via a climb over the park’s jagged rocks.

Remnants of the island’s traditions are also found in Shete Boka National Park, with many of them decorated with shrines by natives who believed stacking seven rocks on top of each other would make their wishes come true.