Curaçao is an island full of color, friendliness and tropical vibes. From beautiful beaches to lively markets and beautiful nature. The island is bigger and busier than Bonaire, slightly quieter than Aruba, but still with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. This mini travel guide with fun activities and practical tips will help you get the most out of Curaçao.
In this article:
Things to do on Curaçao
Discover Willemstad
Curaçao’s capital is full of colorful colonial buildings and has a nice mix of Caribbean and Dutch influences. Stroll across the iconic Queen Emma Bridge (the floating pontoon bridge), stroll through the neighborhoods of Punda and Otrobanda and have a drink at one of the beach bars.
Thursday night is extra fun with Punda Vibes: stalls, music and fireworks at 8:15 pm. The best place to watch the fireworks is from Wilhelminaplein because they are set off from Marichi Beach.
Taste the local cuisine at the Plasa Bieu market
For the real Curaçao cuisine you must be at the Plasa Bieu. This is an indoor food market where you can taste delicious, local dishes for a small price. Think stewed goat meat (kabritu stoba), freshly baked fish and funchi (a kind of polenta). The place is warm, crowded and cozy!
Grote Knip and Kleine Knip
On the northwest coast of Curaçao you will find the most beautiful beaches. Grote Knip and Kleine Knip are the island’s most famous beaches and look like the ones you see on postcards. They offer free access, turquoise waters and are perfect for relaxing. Grote Knip is the most popular beach on the island and Kleine Knip is a little further away and is quieter. Here you can rent sunbeds and have great snorkeling along the rocks.
Visit Klein Curaçao
Klein Curaçao is a small, uninhabited island off the coast and a true paradise. White beaches, crystal clear water and plenty of snorkeling opportunities. You can get here by boat and have a good chance of seeing dolphins along the way! Most tours leave early in the morning and offer food and drinks. A day at Klein Curaçao feels like a mini-vacation within your vacation!
Snorkeling at Tugboat Beach
Tugboat Beach is known for the sunken tugboat wreck that is full of colorful coral and fish. It does take a bit of a swim, beyond the stone pillars, but is worth it! The beach itself is not very special, so after snorkeling, it’s better to drive on to Jan Thiel Beach to relax and have something to eat or drink.
Jan Thiel Beach
Jan Thiel Beach is the perfect place for those who love a trendy, lively atmosphere. This beach attracts a young crowd and has several cozy beach bars where you can lounge all day with a cocktail in your hand. You do have to pay an entrance fee to enter the beach, but in return you get a well-maintained beach with plenty of amenities. You can easily spend a whole day here!
If you feel like it, you can walk a bit to Doggy Beach. I think the name was created because it’s a place where people walk their dogs, although I didn’t see anyone with a dog. It’s a beautiful, secluded stretch of beach where mangroves grace the shoreline.
Swimming with turtles at Playa Grandi/Playa Piskadó
If you want to be guaranteed to see sea turtles during your trip to Curaçao, visit Playa Grandi/Playa Piskadó. Here, sea turtles arrive at the end of the morning to collect fish leftovers from the fishermen. Be on time, because in the afternoon they are usually gone. Around this time a van of tourists is often dropped from tours as well, so it has become quite an attraction. Fortunately, these tours don’t stay long, so you can enjoy the peace and quiet again, too.
If the parking lot is full, you can also park in this parking lot on the other side.
Climb or drive up Christoffel mountain
Curaçao’s highest mountain is a must for adventurers! The climb to the top is tough: about 1.5 to 2 hours up a steep and rocky path, but you get an insane view in return. Good shoes and plenty of water are necessary.
Prefer not to climb? You can also drive up Christoffel Mountain for a bit, but only with a good car and enough driving experience. Keep in mind that you can only go up the mountain before 10:00 am. This is because in the afternoon it gets too hot and you are no longer allowed to go up the mountain. You can also drive the coastal route in Christoffel Park or visit Shete Boka National Park.
Shete Boka National Park
This rugged nature reserve on the north coast is one of the most beautiful places on Curaçao. You can drive through the park with any car, although some parts are quite bumpy. Hiking is also possible, but keep in mind the heat and sharp rocks. Closed shoes are a must!
The best route? Start your route on the left at Boka Wandomi and end at Boka Pistol, where the waves pound spectacularly against the rocks and your route becomes more and more spectacular!
Hofi Mango
Hofi Mango is a beautifully landscaped garden where you can walk and enjoy the tranquility. It was completely renovated in 2024 after a flood caused a lot of damage. The park is owned by Jandino Asporaat and has an atmospheric restaurant where you can eat delicious food. There is also a small store with some local liquors. It is a fun activity for a few hours when you have had enough of the beach for a while!
Aloe Vera Farm
At the aloe vera farm, you will learn all about the aloe vera plant and the ways it can be used. It is fun to take a tour or do a workshop to make your own product. Tours and workshops can be booked in advance online through their website.
At the aloe ver farm, they produce various aloe vera products, which you can find in many restaurants and hotels on the island. In the store you can buy a nice and local souvenir or a nice aftersun after all those beach days!
Serena’s Art Factory
At Serena’s Art Factory, Chichi figurines are handmade. These colorful, round figurines of seated women are a symbol of Caribbean culture and represent strong, caring women. Conceived by German artist, the Chichis are painted by local artists.
You can do a workshop here to paint your own Chichi, but be sure to book in advance! It’s fun to combine with a visit to the Aloe Vera Farm since they are located near each other.
Kokomo Beach
Kokomo beach is located on the west coast, north of Saint Michael. It is not a super well-known or popular beach, which is exactly what makes it so nice. It has beach beds, a swing in the water and a deck to jump from. The atmosphere here is relaxed and casual, with a beach bar where you can enjoy a cocktail or a nice lunch. The water is clear and perfect for swimming.
Kokomo Beach is a top spot to end the day relaxed and enjoy a beautiful sunset. On the way to the beach you can stop along this road where you have a great chance to see flamingos.
Where to stay at Curaçao?
In Curaçao you will find different types of accommodations in every price range, from resorts, hotels or apartments. The location also depends on what you like to do on the island.
Jan Thiel is super popular for a young crowd, such as groups of friends, couples and families with older children. Here you will find beautiful resorts, a nice beach and a lively atmosphere. There are plenty of bars and restaurants, but the road to them can sometimes be a pretty busy one, especially during rush hour.
Willemstad, of course, is the capital, and you have quite a bit to see there! The historic center is nice, with the colored houses and some nice stores. But honestly, I didn’t find the atmosphere super special. The liveliness I expected wasn’t really there. Still, it can be convenient if you want to be near most amenities and soak up a little culture.
Westpunt is highly recommended if you are just looking for peace and nature. This is the quiet, more remote part of the island close to the national parks. The beaches here are often less crowded and you can enjoy nature and clear water. Ideal if you like a quiet vacation and want a little more privacy. The downside? It is a bit further away from the crowds and you have some longer travel time to other places.
Mambo Beach is another totally different vibe. It’s nice and touristy and offers everything you need for a day at the beach: stores, bars, restaurants and, of course, the beautiful beach. It’s quite popular, so if you like a more “cozy” crowd, this is a nice place.
Sint Michiel and Julianadorp are nice places if you like to stay centrally on the island because you want to see a lot of the island. You’ll find a handful of resorts and nice affordable apartments here. Another plus: you’re a 15-minute drive from the airport so you don’t have to take a long drive to your accommodation after arrival.
Safety in Curaçao
Curaçao is generally a safe destination, but like anywhere, it’s wise to stay a little vigilant. Theft is the most common form of crime, so it’s smart not to leave valuables laying around on the beaches or in your car and avoid remote areas at night. I usually felt perfectly comfortable in the tourist areas, but some lesser-known neighborhoods can feel less pleasant. By using your common sense, you will enjoy your vacation without worry!
As for traffic, there are a few things to watch out for. On roundabouts you don’t always have the right of way, so it’s good to be extra sharp there. Most roads are of decent quality, but some have lots of potholes and may not be as well lit at night. On weekends, especially on the road to Westpunt, it is good to pay extra attention. After a fun beach day, some locals drink a bit more than is responsible, which can cause unpredictable driving behavior.
Practical tips for Curaçao
Rent a car: To explore Curaçao you will need a car. You can often rent one through your accommodation, at the airport or in town. Road quality is good in most places (and are e.g. better than on Bonaire) but there are still potholes and unexpected speed bumps in the road.
Pay with dollars or Antillean guilders: In Curaçao you can pay with both U.S. dollars ($) and Antillean guilders (ANG), if paying with guilders is the most advantageous. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but some cash is handy.
SIM card for the ABC Islands: Do you plan to drive around a lot and want internet? Then buy a Digicel sim card in Willemstad. Should you plan to travel on to Aruba or Bonaire, you can just use the same sim card!
Best time to travel Curaçao
The best time to travel to Curaçao is from January through June, when there is the least rain. Temperatures are around 30°C year-round. Between June and December there is more rain on average and a greater chance of tropical storms in the Caribbean.
Combine your trip with Bonaire or Aruba
Want to catch another island? From Curaçao you can fly to Bonaire or Aruba in half an hour. There are several flights a day with EZAir or BIA, so the islands are easy to combine in 1 trip. Want to know more about traveling Bonaire? Check out this post about things to do in Bonaire.
