Curacao
Curacao is the Caribbean island that looks like someone turned up the saturation. The waterfront of Willemstad, the capital, is a row of narrow Dutch colonial buildings painted in every color imaginable: bright yellow, deep orange, electric blue, bubblegum pink. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most photographed waterfronts in the Caribbean.
But Curacao is more than a pretty postcard. This is a surprisingly large island (the biggest of the ABC islands, alongside Aruba and Bonaire) with over 35 beaches, a thriving restaurant scene, excellent diving, and a cultural identity shaped by Dutch, African, Spanish, and Portuguese influences. It sits outside the hurricane belt, which means the weather is reliable year round.
Why Curacao Is Worth Your Time
Curacao has a depth that a lot of Caribbean islands lack. Willemstad alone could keep you busy for two days with its museums, restaurants, markets, and street art. The Floating Market, where Venezuelan vendors sell tropical fruits and fish from their boats, has been operating since the early 1900s. The Mikve Israel Emanuel Synagogue, built in 1732, is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas.
The beaches are spread around the island, each one different from the last. Playa Kenepa (also called Kenepa Beach or Knip Beach) is a stunner: a wide arc of white sand with bright turquoise water, framed by cliffs. Cas Abao is a well maintained beach with great snorkeling and full facilities. Playa Lagun is a tiny cove where sea turtles are spotted regularly.
Where to Stay
Sandals Royal Curacao opened in 2022 and quickly established itself as one of the top all inclusive options on the island. It sits on the Spanish Water bay on the southeastern coast, with its own private island accessible by boat. Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort is right in the heart of Willemstad, giving you walkable access to everything the city offers. Baoase Luxury Resort is one of the most exclusive boutique properties in the Caribbean, with just 23 suites and a private beach.
Things to Do
Walk across the Queen Emma pontoon bridge in Willemstad. It is a floating pedestrian bridge that swings open to let ships pass through, and crossing it is a quintessential Curacao experience. Explore the Handelskade waterfront, the Punda and Otrobanda neighborhoods, and stop for lunch at one of the local restaurants in Pietermaai, a formerly run down neighborhood that has been transformed into the island’s coolest dining and nightlife district.
The Hato Caves are a limestone cave system with stalactites, underground pools, and ancient Arawak petroglyphs. Christoffel National Park covers the northwestern tip of the island and offers hiking trails up Mount Christoffel, the highest point in Curacao, with panoramic views of the island and ocean.
Diving and snorkeling are excellent. The Curacao Underwater Marine Park protects the reef along the entire southern coast, and you can enter the water right from shore at dozens of spots. The mushroom forest dive site, with its unusual coral formations, is one of the most unique in the Caribbean.
Let Us Plan Your Curacao Trip
Curacao rewards the curious traveler. It is a place where you will spend as much time exploring the island and its culture as you will lounging on the beach, and you will be glad you did. Let us help you put together a trip that does both.
