What’s it prefer to journey to Curaçao?

We ended up in Curaçao on a whim — and it ended up being one in all our favourite islands within the Caribbean.

Between an extremely cool capital metropolis, among the bluest water I’ve ever seen, and iguanas in every single place, Curaçao is a vacation spot like no different!

So how do you find yourself ANYWHERE within the Caribbean on a whim? My husband Charlie and I knew we needed to be in Barbados in early December for our Star Clippers cruise, however we wished to fly KLM enterprise class if we might, and decide up some KLM homes for our assortment.

Properly, KLM flies to Curaçao. Increase. Booked!

We didn’t go in utterly clueless. A few of my buddies actually love Curaçao, and I knew that it was one of the photogenic Caribbean islands, with attractive, colourful structure and seashores with clear, attractive water.

Earlier than our journey, I reached out to the Curaçao Vacationer Board they usually provided to supply us a rental automobile with Plusify Leases, a ship journey to Klein Curaçao with Mermaid Boat Journeys, and a day with a cabana and therapeutic massage at Mondi Metropolis Seashore Membership. Every part else we paid for ourselves, together with our lodge, meals, and actions.

After which we received to Curaçao — and found this is perhaps essentially the most “us” Caribbean island there was. A spot that couldn’t be simpler to discover independently. An island that wasn’t overdeveloped. Landscapes with cacti and iguanas. Cliffs overlooking the brightest turquoise water.

We had a blast. And now I’m making an attempt to persuade my buddies to go to Curaçao, too. So if you wish to know extra, this publish is a good place to begin!

This publish was printed in January 2026.

Inform me about Curaçao!

Curaçao is a small island off the coast of Venezuela within the southern Caribbean, near the islands of Aruba and Bonaire, in addition to the coast of Venezuela.

These three islands are referred to as the ABC islands, and Curaçao is the most important and most populated of the three.

Is Curaçao a rustic?

It’s technically a rustic throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands (together with Aruba, Bonaire, St. Maarten, St. Eustacius, and Saba).

These 5 islands had been often known as the Netherlands Antilles till 2010, when the NA dissolved and every island grew to become an unbiased nation throughout the Netherlands. You possibly can refer to those islands because the Dutch Caribbean right this moment.

Curaçao is form of like Scotland or Wales in that they’re a rustic inside a bigger nation, however they play within the World Cup underneath their very own flag. Actually, in 2025 Curaçao grew to become the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup!

Then there’s the Olympics. Curaçao competed underneath the Netherlands Antilles flag till 2008, and right this moment they compete underneath the Netherlands flag.

What about language, cash, and telephone plans?

A number of languages are spoken in Curaçao, together with English, Dutch, Spanish, and Papiamento, a neighborhood Creole language. You will get by with English simply high-quality. When procuring in shops, locals would usually communicate Spanish to me.

Regardless of being a part of the European Union, Curaçao doesn’t use euros and your EU telephone plan is not going to work right here.

As an alternative, Curaçao makes use of the Caribbean Guilder (XCG) for his or her foreign money, although US {dollars} are often accepted. St. Maarten additionally makes use of the Caribbean Guilder; Aruba and Bonaire don’t.

You should utilize playing cards for nearly your whole purchases on Curaçao, however I like to recommend carrying round sufficient foreign money for a day’s bills. There was a giant energy outage once we had been visiting the west of the island, and lots of locations had been solely taking money.

Curaçao is very easy to discover independently.

What I beloved most about Curaçao is that it was really easy to discover as an unbiased traveler. For 2 large causes: it’s an inexpensive measurement, and the driving circumstances are fairly comfy.

From Willemstad, the capital, to the seashores within the west of the island, it’s a few 50-minute drive. From Jan Thiel, the neighborhood east of Willemstad that’s dwelling to many resorts, it’s about an hourlong drive to the western seashores. Fairly affordable!

And the roads are nice. Roads are in good situation for essentially the most half, there are by no means any super-steep or calamitous driving areas, there aren’t any sophisticated or complicated intersections, and the drivers are fairly affordable (although some will certainly tailgate in the event you’re going beneath the velocity restrict).

After visiting round 15 or so Caribbean islands, I can attest that Curaçao is among the greatest locations to discover by automobile by yourself. It’s a far cry from the excessive velocity drivers of Barbados, the curvy nausea-inducing roads of St. Lucia, or the pothole-covered streets of Dominica.

Curaçao can be an extremely protected island to go to, and also you don’t have to take precautions past primary journey security.

On some islands, it looks like it is advisable to take excursions as a way to truly discover the island, which finally ends up costing extra money than you might wish to spend. Not so on Curaçao. Go wherever you need. Discover what you wish to discover. Drive your self there. Go away everytime you need. That is YOUR trip.

Briefly, driving in Curaçao is straightforward and joyful, and I extremely suggest you lease a automobile. Simply take into account that Google Maps will not be at all times 100% correct. It often wished us to bang a u-ey the place there have been indicators studying “NO U-TURNS.”

I additionally really feel like Curaçao is developed the right quantity. There are resorts and resorts, sure, and at varied value factors, however it’s not end-to-end resorts right here like on some Caribbean islands. As you drive across the island, particularly extra rural areas, you see a number of small and colourful properties the place locals reside.

Whereas tourism is a big a part of Curaçao’s earnings, it feels just like the island hasn’t utterly given over to tourism. Locals are valued right here.

On prime of that, Curaçao by no means felt crowded in any respect (apart from Willemstad when two large cruise ships had been on the town). Even originally of excessive season, it was at all times simple to discover a parking spot on the seashores. It wasn’t arduous getting seated at eating places, both.

Curaçao has the clearest, bluest water.

The one factor many individuals find out about Curaçao is the existence of Blue Curaçao, the brilliant turquoise liqueur that brings to thoughts the Caribbean. And truthfully, we’ll get to the liqueur later — however every part concerning the coloration of the water is completely true.

Curaçao has an abundance of swimming spots with vibrant blue water. Listed here are a couple of of them:

So if good images and movies with vibrant blue water is a precedence of yours, you need to completely take into account Curaçao!

Willemstad is an excellent metropolis.

Willemstad is a delight of a metropolis, full of stunning structure, colourful murals, and plenty of good eating places. Willemstad shortly grew to become one in all my favourite Caribbean cities I’ve ever visited (together with San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Fort-de-France, Martinique — although I feel Willemstad is the prettiest of all of them).

And Willemstad may be very protected and simple to discover by yourself.

The one factor I ought to warn you about is that Willemstad typically will get overloaded with cruise ship guests, which is usually a bit annoying.

It’s at all times a good suggestion to have a look at the native cruise ship schedule and plan your Willemstad exploration when the fewest cruise passengers are on the town. (I do that in each cruise port I go to, from Dubrovnik to Alghero.)

One factor to not miss is the Queen Emma Bridge. This pedestrian-only bridge connects the Punda and Otrabanda sides of Willemstad, and it truly swings out when it must accommodate giant ships!

More often than not, it solely swings out slightly bit to accommodate speedboats. However in the event you’re there when it swings ALL the best way out, it’s a deal with to observe! Simply know that if the horn goes off if you’re on it, get your self to the opposite facet shortly.

For me, the most important pleasure of Willemstad was simply strolling round, taking images, and admiring the surroundings.

However if you wish to do extra sightseeing, you’ll be able to go to the Kura Hulanda Museum, which focuses on the Trans-Atlantic Enslavement Commerce and Curaçao’s position in it, and Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, the oldest regularly open synagogue within the Americas.

Rif Fort is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Web site of Willemstad, Inside Metropolis and Harbour. And whereas there are some cool out of doors components to discover, right this moment the fort is generally full of retailers and eating places catering to vacationers.

For a pleasant memento, I like to recommend stopping by Heinen Delfts Blauw, a store in Rif Fort that includes attractive porcelain gadgets. Charlie and I picked up 4 colourful homes formed like Curaçao’s buildings so as to add to our KLM homes assortment.

And in the event you’d prefer to get out into nature proper within the metropolis, you’ll be able to go kayaking in Curaçao Rif Mangrove Park!

Thursday nights are one of the best night time in Curaçao!

In the event you’re going to be in Curaçao for lower than per week, I strongly encourage you to have not less than one Thursday night time throughout your keep. Thursday nights are Punda Vibes — when the Punda neighborhood goes all out with music and celebrations!

That is such a enjoyable time to exit in Willemstad. I beloved how alive town felt.

On the recommendation of locals, we went to Cascada Rooftop Bar to observe the fireworks at 8:15 PM. It’s a preferred spot and there was no seating out there, they instructed us — however we discovered a giant desk and simply sat there, and no person appeared to care. It’s also possible to stroll round if no tables are free.

And one other factor — Thursday is perhaps your solely probability to expertise nightlife in Curaçao. I used to be genuinely shocked at how useless Punda was nearly each different night time. Some eating places might be open, after all, however most bars received’t be.

Klein Curaçao makes a beautiful getaway-from-your-getaway.

So, you’re already on a small tropical island. What do you do? Clearly, head to an excellent smaller tropical island!

There’s a small island to the southeast of Curaçao referred to as Klein Curaçao, or Small Curaçao. A day journey right here is among the hottest actions in Curaçao.

Klein Curaçao is a small, flat island a few 90-minute journey from Curaçao. There are a couple of sights to see, like an previous lighthouse and some shipwrecks, and the snorkeling off shore is great.

There are a number of tour suppliers that do the boat journey to Klein Curaçao. We went with Mermaid Boat Journeys, who hosted the 2 of us, and truthfully, I wouldn’t go together with anybody else!

So what do you do on the island? Charlie and I did a lap, trying out the lighthouse and shipwrecks, however spent the majority of our time swimming within the sea and stress-free on the Mermaid compound.

Sure, there’s a compound, a bit ramshackle however with every part you want (and larger than something some other firm has). There’s a actual rest room, a number of areas to eat, snorkeling tools, and greater than sufficient seaside chairs for everybody. Charlie and I received seaside chairs and a palapa and nobody else was even close to us!

We had a breakfast buffet, together with breakfast sandwiches and fruit salads. Lunch was a giant barbecue with hen, burgers, ribs, rice, and salads, and it was all scrumptious.

There’s additionally a bar making tasty frozen cocktails, which aren’t included.

The journey takes about 90 minutes there and about an hour on the best way again. It’s a bit uneven at instances, and I like to recommend movement illness tablets in case you are susceptible to seasickness.

What makes the Klein Curaçao journey value it? I feel it makes a pleasant day the place you’ll be able to flip your mind off and simply lounge, the place you get to reside with out wifi or telephone sign, and every part is dealt with for you. It’s particularly good in the event you’re staying at a lodge within the metropolis quite than a resort, so you continue to get to have a resort-like day.

The fee for the day journey is $140 USD per grownup, $70 USD per baby age 4-12, and free for kids three and underneath. Decide-ups can be found for an additional payment; we drove to the dock.

One tip: the tour consists of breakfast and lunch, however you’re not served breakfast till you’re on the island. (There’s espresso on the boat, although.)

For that purpose, I extremely suggest stopping at Espresso Bike Curaçao within the car parking zone throughout the road (that’s a Google Maps hyperlink) and getting a espresso and cake to stave off your starvation in the course of the boat journey.

Curaçao has a well-known liqueur!

In the event you’ve ever labored in a bar, you’ve most likely seen a bottle of Blue Curaçao — a liqueur from the island within the brightest shade of turquoise, good for making neon cocktails just like the Swimming Pool.

However there’s far more to Curaçao’s liqueurs than simply the blue one!

On our one cloudy day of the journey, Charlie and I drove to the Landhuis Chobolobo (what a reputation!!) to go to the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery.

We took a tour and discovered that Spanish settlers supposed to domesticate Valencia oranges in Curaçao, however they didn’t develop properly on this local weather and the fruit got here out bitter. However it wasn’t a whole loss — the peels had been ripe for distilling.

And the well-known blue coloration? It’s completely a gimmick. It was simply added for enjoyable. Curaçao liqueur is available in a number of flavors, most of them in pure brownish colours. We had been shocked that we loved the chocolate and low liqueurs essentially the most!

After the tour, you get to get pleasure from some cocktails within the bar. Additionally they have an intensive checklist of scrumptious nonalcoholic mocktails, that are good in your designated driver.

Chill Out at a Seashore Membership

In the event you’re staying at a non-beach lodge in Curaçao like me, it may be enjoyable getting the seaside resort expertise elsewhere. Klein Curaçao is the lie-on-the-beach-and-veg expertise, however in order for you one thing a bit extra high-end, spend a day at a seaside membership!

We spent a day at Mondi Metropolis Seashore Membership, who hosted us, and we had a wonderful time. This membership is situated inside strolling distance from Willemstad, near the cruise terminal and Curaçao Rif Mangrove Park.

There isn’t an precise seaside right here, however it’s perched on the shoreline and there are good swimming pools for cooling off.

We received the Cabana XL bundle for the day, which prices 200 Caribbean guilders or $111 USD. It consists of a big shaded cabana for 2 folks, one snack platter, two apps, two most important programs, two drinks (beer/wine/gentle drinks), one bottle of wine, and one bottle of water. I feel that’s GREAT worth for cash!

There was SO a lot meals, and it was so tasty. The cheese balls might need been essentially the most addictive meals I ate in Curaçao.

So what did we do this day? We relaxed. We ate. We learn. We drank cappuccino milkshakes. We loved being shaded all day lengthy, and we received an hourlong therapeutic massage, which Mondi Metropolis offered for us as properly.

There are iguanas EVERYWHERE in Curaçao.

Curaçao has far more of a desert really feel than the rainforest-covered islands within the Japanese Caribbean. Dry, sandy expanses and plenty of cacti. And there are iguanas EVERYWHERE!

I beloved seeing these cool animals pop up in other places. They’re pretty cool with people, for essentially the most half, so you’ll be able to simply {photograph} them.

The place the place I noticed essentially the most iguanas was at Bahia Restaurant, the restaurant overlooking Playa Lagun. There needed to be 5 or 6 good-sized iguanas hanging out up there, basking within the solar, gazing upon the seaside prefer it was their kingdom.

When you have a child who loves lizards, that is another excuse why Curaçao is perhaps for you.

They even eat iguana in Curaçao. I didn’t partake, nor did I search for it — however I do know you could find it with a little analysis.

The place to Eat in Curaçao

We spent 5 days in Curaçao, which gave us an opportunity to attempt a number of completely different eating places. Listed here are the locations we favored:

Cafes in Willemstad

Van Gogh Specialty Espresso — A pleasant cafe and breakfast spot in Punda with among the higher espresso we had on the island. Good place to go if you’re jet-lagged and up early.

Home of Stroop — A small cafe in Otrobanda specializing in stroopwafels, one of the best Dutch meals merchandise ever to exist! Get those made contemporary; they’re so a lot better.

Eating places in Willemstad

Plasa Bieu — A market corridor in Punda turning out scrumptious, hearty plates of native delicacies.

Mar y Tierra — A classy-feeling spot in Punda, subsequent door to Cascada Rooftop Bar. They made some scrumptious ceviches.

— Nothing earth-shattering at this place in Punda, however you may get easy dishes like sandwiches, wraps, and Caesar salads. Additionally they have a full breakfast menu.

Bario Meals Yard — I feel we had an off night time at this place in Otrobanda — it was abandoned and plenty of menu gadgets weren’t out there — however the meals was first rate and it appeared like it will be enjoyable on a busier night time.

Bars in Willemstad

Swinging Outdated Girl Brewery — A brewery in Otrobanda with a FANTASTIC title, a pleasant out of doors seating space, and a few tasty native beers.

Cascada Rooftop Bar — Good place to observe the fireworks in Punda on Thursday nights. Our cocktails had been ridiculously tasty — I had one thing that tasted like a watermelon Jolly Rancher!

World’s Finest Mojito Bar — Tasty mojitos within the coronary heart of Punda, and I made a enjoyable video right here. Take note they shut at 6:30 PM each night time however Thursday night time.

Locations Exterior Willemstad

Bahia Restaurant — We solely had drinks right here, however the view overlooking Playa Lagun is SENSATIONAL. Probably the greatest views on the island.

Uncover Lagun — A enjoyable and informal out of doors restaurant with nice burgers simply subsequent door to the car parking zone at Playa Lagun.

Espresso Bike Curaçao — A bit of espresso bar constructed on a bicycle in a car parking zone throughout from the place a number of the boats to Klein Curaçao go away in Caracasbaai, Jan Thiel. I extremely suggest getting espresso and cake (the banana bread was nice!) earlier than your boat journey.

Methods to Get to Curaçao

Curaçao is perhaps simpler to achieve than you assume! As somebody from the Boston space, the place a LOT of individuals go to Aruba for trip, I used to be underneath the impression that Aruba was the large hub and Curaçao was the facet vacation spot, however that’s not the case in any respect.

There are direct flights to Curaçao from a number of North American cities, together with Miami, New York, Toronto, Chicago, and Atlanta, amongst others. There are additionally direct flights from Amsterdam, which is the easiest way to fly in from Europe.

It’s also possible to fly direct from Curaçao to the opposite ABC islands, Aruba and Bonaire, in addition to a handful of locations within the Caribbean and South America. There are not any worldwide ferries.

Charlie and I flew from Prague to Amsterdam to Curaçao on our manner in, and from Curaçao to Trinidad to Barbados on our manner out.

The place to Keep in Curaçao

The place to remain in Curaçao relies upon fully on what sort of journey you wish to have. Some folks come right here for the resort expertise, however you can even have a extra native expertise staying in a smaller guesthouse within the metropolis.

We selected to remain in Willemstad, at Atelier Skalo Boutique Lodge, which was largely good, however had one large downside. The situation was PERFECT — simply over the bridge from Punda, so we might simply stroll over and luxuriate in eating places and metropolis life, however there was additionally ample avenue parking and it was simple to drive out and in.

The room was an excellent measurement and tastefully embellished, the breakfast was paid however was first rate, and the workers had been good.

The massive downside of this lodge is that the water by no means received hotter than lukewarm. I can take care of that when it’s actually scorching out, however in the event you’re hanging out in an air conditioned room and go bathe in not-that-warm water, it’s not nice.

So if that’s a downside for you, don’t keep there. If that’s not a giant deal, keep there!

Scorching water will not be at all times a given within the Caribbean. We had been within the Caribbean 4 weeks and solely had constant scorching water at one place. So preserve that in thoughts.

High-Rated Locations to Keep in Curaçao

Finest Time to Go to Curaçao

The ABC islands — Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao — are particular as a result of they virtually by no means get hurricanes. These islands are situated within the southern Caribbean, outdoors the hurricane belt.

For that purpose, in the event you’re set on a Caribbean journey in September or October (prime hurricane season), I feel Curaçao would make a superb alternative.

However total, Curaçao’s peak season runs from November by March, when there tends to be extra sunshine and fewer rain, and when the northern hemisphere is experiencing chilly temperatures.

And whereas I visited on the finish of November and starting of December, there was a quick mild bathe day by day. It wasn’t sufficient to disturb us; we simply waited a couple of minutes and it was over. That’s fairly customary for the Caribbean.

Is Curaçao Price It?

After studying all this, you is perhaps questioning if it’s truly value visiting Curaçao. Properly, let me inform you one thing — I beloved it right here, I’d return in a heartbeat, and I’ve been recommending it to lots of my journey buddies.

I feel Curaçao makes a superb alternative for people who find themselves pretty well-traveled and luxuriate in exploring independently. The cool landscapes, pleasant folks, and enjoyable issues to do are all a bonus.

I hope you might have a wonderful time in Curaçao!

Extra on the Caribbean:

Extra on what it’s prefer to journey right here:

Have you ever been to Curaçao? Have any ideas? Share away!