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CUR → MDE
Which side of the plane to sit from Hato International Airport (Willemstad) to Jose Maria Córdova International Airport (Rio Negro)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior vantage point for the dramatic transition from the Caribbean coast to the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the winding Magdalena River valley.
Aruba Silhouette
On a clear day, look west shortly after departure to see the flat, arid profile of the neighboring island of Aruba.
La Guajira Peninsula
The striking orange sands of the Guajira desert meeting the bright blue Caribbean Sea at the tip of Colombia.
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
The world's highest coastal mountain range; look for snow-capped peaks like Pico Cristóbal Colón.
Magdalena River
The 'Mississippi of Colombia' snaking through the tropical lowlands with its distinctive brown sediment-rich waters.
Cordillera Central
Rugged mountain terrain and deep valleys as the flight tracks south toward the Antioquia department.
The right side is the 'star' side for this route. To see the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta peaks, you must book a morning flight, as convective clouds typically cover the summits by midday. Keep your camera ready about 20-30 minutes after takeoff for the coastline entry. During the approach to MDE, the right side provides a dramatic view of the deep valleys before the plane settles onto the Rionegro plateau.
Willemstad Coastline
Excellent views of the colorful colonial Dutch architecture and the Queen Emma Bridge immediately after takeoff.
Southern Caribbean
A vast expanse of deep turquoise water as the plane heads south toward the South American continent.
Serranía del Perijá
The northernmost extension of the Andes mountains forming the natural border between Colombia and Venezuela.
Rionegro Plateau
As the plane descends into MDE, view the high-altitude valley's red-roofed estates and agricultural plots.
Andean Cloud Forests
Dense, lush greenery clinging to the steep ridges of the Cordillera Central during the final approach.
Choose the left side for the best departure views of Curaçao. During the flight, morning sun will be behind you, providing clear, glare-free views of the Venezuelan coastline and the Perijá mountains. When landing at MDE, the left side often faces the rising slopes of the plateau, offering a sense of the airport's high elevation.
Distance: 975 km (606 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 38 min
Departure: CUR (12.1889, -68.959801)
Arrival: MDE (6.164540000000001, -75.4231)
Route Type: International
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