Things to See & Do in Curaçao
Willemstad for colour and history, the west end for beaches, and the reefs for the days in between. Most of the island is within an hour’s drive of the capital.
Willemstad
The capital’s historic centre and harbour are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The painted Dutch-colonial buildings of the Handelskade line the water in Punda, and Otrobanda sits across St. Anna Bay.
The Queen Emma Bridge, a pedestrian pontoon bridge, links the two sides and swings open to let ships through. Allow a slow morning for the streets, markets and cafés of Punda.
The west-end beaches
The island’s best-known beaches are small coves rather than long strands. On the west end, Grote Knip (Playa Kenepa) and Playa Lagun are favourites, set between limestone cliffs with calm water.
Some beaches charge an entry or parking fee, and some have loungers and a snack bar while others have little shade. Water shoes help on rocky entries.
Christoffel and Shete Boka
Christoffel National Park covers much of the northwest, with hiking trails and Mount Christoffel, the island’s highest point. Start early, before the heat.
Nearby, Shete Boka National Park protects the wilder north coast, where waves crash into rocky inlets. It is a striking contrast to the calm beaches on the other side of the island.
Snorkelling, diving and a boat day
Reefs sit close to shore along much of the southwest coast, so a lot of snorkelling and diving starts straight from the beach. Some spots are known for sea turtles.
A full-day boat trip to Klein Curaçao, a small uninhabited island with a lighthouse, is a popular day out. The crossing can be rough, so it suits travellers who are comfortable on the water.
What to eat and drink
Look for keshi yena, a dish of seasoned meat baked in cheese, and fresh fish at casual seaside spots. Blue Curaçao liqueur is made on the island from the peel of the local laraha orange, and a distillery tour is an easy stop in Willemstad.
Let’s plan your Curaçao trip
Tell me who is travelling, when, and whether you’d rather be near Willemstad or tucked away on the west end. I’ll match the area and the stay, and book the flights and car.
The initial 30-minute consultation is complimentary. The professional research fee is $50 per traveller aged 2 or older, paid before research begins.