The Ultimate Curaçao Guide | Everything you Need to Know Before Visiting

Curaçao is a Caribbean paradise brimming with vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and unforgettable experiences … and it’s honor to call it our second home! Since Gabi’s family is from the island — her dad was born & raised there and her Grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. still live there — we visit every single year together. But Gabi has been visiting the island every year for her whole life, so we are definitely some of the best people to give you great, local tips for your trip. From hidden gems to iconic landmarks, here's everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to Curaçao.

A little Glimpse of Curaçao

Curaçao is more than just a tropical destination—it's a melting pot of cultures, history, and natural beauty. With its colorful Dutch colonial architecture, crystal-clear waters, and warm hospitality, the island captivates visitors from around the globe. The locals there speak 4 languages fluently: Dutch, English, Spanish, and Papiamentu (the local island language). Whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Curaçao has it all.

Where to Stay in Curaçao

Bario Hotel - Immerse yourself in the charm of the historic Pietermaai District at this boutique hotel, offering stylish accommodations and personalized service with an on-site restaurant!
Marriott Beach Resort - Indulge in luxury and convenience at this beachfront resort, featuring spacious rooms, world-class amenities, and breathtaking ocean views.
Coral Estate Luxury Resort - Escape to tranquility at this secluded resort overlooking the Caribbean Sea, where you can unwind amidst lush gardens and pristine beaches.
Pietermaai District (aka Bijblauw, Scuba Lodge) - Experience the vibrant energy of the Pietermaai District known for its colorful buildings and laid-back atmosphere. We recommend staying at either Bijblauw or Scuba Lodge for a lux boutique experience.
Wynwood Boutique Hotel - Discover urban chic in the heart of Willemstad at this trendy hotel, offering modern accommodations and a rooftop pool with panoramic views.

Find other Curaçao properties to stay at here in Hotels.com

How to Get Around Curaçao

Renting a car is the absolute best way to see the island. The beaches are all spread out and most are at least a 30 min drive from the city center. With a car you can explore the island at your own pace. There are also many secluded beaches and sites off the beaten path that you will want to see and are only accessible by car. We love renting our cars through Expedia because they are always reliable and have great prices!

Best Things to Do in Curaçao

Punda & Otrabanda: Explore the historic districts of Punda and Otrabanda, where you can stroll along cobblestone streets, admire colorful architecture, and shop for souvenirs at local boutiques. The two towns are connected by the floating Queen Emma Bridge which has great views and is really nice to walk across during the day or at night.
Pietermaai District: Discover the vibrant arts and culture scene of the Pietermaai District, home to street art, live music venues, and eclectic restaurants serving up delicious cuisine. This neighborhood is very colorful and great to walk around and explore! You can check out the separate post we did on the Pietermaai District here.
Kura Hulanda Museum & Kura Hulanda Village: Dive into the island's rich history at the Kura Hulanda Museum, which showcases artifacts and exhibits tracing the origins of Curaçao's diverse population.
Blue Room Cave Tour - watch our full YouTube video on everything you need to know about this experience here!
Fort Beekenburg: Explore the ruins of Fort Beekenburg, a 17th-century fortress built to protect the island from pirates and invaders. Climb to the top for panoramic views of Caracas Bay.
Hike Mount Cristoffel: Lace up your hiking boots and tackle Mount Christoffel, the highest peak on the island, for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes and coastline.
Shete Boka: Experience the raw beauty of Curaçao's rugged north coast at Shete Boka National Park, where you can marvel at dramatic cliffs, blowholes, and crashing waves.
Day trip to Klein Curaçao - We did a whole separate blog post on Klein Curaçao here! You can check that out for all the info.
Rif Fort: Step back in time at Rif Fort, a historic landmark turned shopping and entertainment complex, offering shops, restaurants, and stunning views of the harbor.
Visit the Oldest Synagogue in the Western Hemisphere: Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue: Step inside this historic synagogue, dating back to 1732, and learn about the island's Jewish heritage and traditions.
ATV Tour - watch our YouTube video specifically about the ATV Tour with Curaçao adventures here!
Crystal Clear Kayak - watch our YouTube video on this activity here!
Hike the Seru Mateo Trail at Playa Porto Mari - at the end (or beginning) of your beach day at Port Mari, do the quick 20-30 min easy hike on the Seru Mateo trail! The hike begins at the back of the beach parking lot.
Hangout wit the Flamingos - There are two salt flats on the island where you can almost always spot Flamingos and that is Sint Willibrordus and Sint Michiel.
Do a Hato Caves tour - take a tour through the famous million year old caves on the island!

Book other tours & activities in curaçao here on expedia!

If you are interested in the best Instagram/photo spots in Curaçao, we did a separate blog post on that topic linked here!

Best Beaches to visit in Curaçao

We actually did a whole separate blog post on just our favorite beaches on the island. We recommend checking that out for more in depth info, but here is a quick list of our favorites:

Cas Abao - clear water, white sand, and great for snorkeling!
Kokomo Beach - one of the beaches that is near to the city center with blue water, a beach restaurant, and an “instagrammable” swing in the water.
Playa Porto Mari - An all around great beach to come to no matter what age you are. There are plenty of chairs, a full service beach restaurant, and crystal clear water that is great for snorkeling.
Grote Knip - the most famous beach on the island for a good reason! This beach is nestled between cliffs and offers some of the bluest water we have ever seen. If you dare, you can also go cliff jumping into the water!
Klein Knip - translates to “small Knip”, it’s nearby Grote Knip but is smaller and more relaxed. It also has crystal clear blue water & white sand.
Tugboat Beach - our favorite beach for snorkeling! Here you can see a sunken tugboat as well as tons of fish under water. Tugboat is a very unique & eclectic beach where you can also paint your own driftwood art here which we love.
Karakter - the beach that is part of the Coral Estate hotel. This is a nice, relaxing beach to come to with a full service restaurant.
Jeremi - a unique, lesser-visited beach near Knip. This beach is popular for the rocky sand and seashells you can find.
Other beaches we love: Playa Kalki, Daaibooi Beach, Blauwbaai/Blue Bay Beach. Jan Thiel, Playa Lagun, Santa Cruz

Where to Eat & Drink in Curaçao:

Soi95
Serafina
Rozendaels
Gingers
MosaCaña
Pops Place (for the non-vegans)
Cafe Gouverneur De Rouville (lots of local dishes)
Kome
Poke Food Station (perfect place for a quick meal)
Mairas Kitchen
Ceviche 91
The Wine Cellar (for a nice night out)
Jaanchies Restaurant (for the most local experience)
Disfruta Mas - great place for a local Batido (smoothie) or a quick snack.
Hofi Cos Cora
Number 10
Kafe 5999
La Reina
3 Brothers
De Dames
Pakaya Society
Van Gogh Specialty Coffee
Munchies Curacao
Gaze Bar & Lounge - Curaçao’s only LGBTQ+ bar!

You can read our full Vegan Guide to Curaçao here!

Local Dishes to Try on the Island (we did a whole video on this topic linked here!):

Karni Stoba: A hearty beef stew slow-cooked with onions, garlic, herbs, and spices, considered the national dish of Curaçao.
Pastechi: Delicious savory pastries filled with various fillings like cheese, chicken, or beef.
Banana Soup: A unique and comforting soup made with ripe bananas.
Pumpkin Pancakes: Fluffy pancakes infused with the sweetness of pumpkin, perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Keshi Yena: A unique dish made of a hollowed-out cheese rind filled with savory meat, vegetables, and spices, then baked to perfection.

Since we have so much content on Curaçao, we recommend checking out our Curaçao playlist on YouTube where we have videos from our trips dating back to 2016! Our videos have the most comprehensive info on Curaçao as well as videos on specific tours & activities we did. You can watch our Curaçao playlist here & watch our FULL Curaçao video guide below:

Some links on this post are affiliate links of which we receive a small commission, but the price is the same for you.

Shanna SciaraMarch 27, 2024curacao, caribbean, south americaComment