Curacao
Welcome to our Curaçao travel guide
Curaçao, one of the ABC islands off the coast of Venezuela, is a Dutch colony and is made up of Curaçao and the smaller, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao. Unlike many of its neighbors, Curaçao does not rely as heavily on tourism. Rather, they focus on industries such as their oil refinery and logistics.
Klein Curaçao has a gorgeous beach, but one will not find the same endless white sand beaches all over Curaçao, as they will find on many of the neighboring islands. The capital town, Willemstad, is a picturesque port-city with a number of restaurants, shops and entertainment.
My ideal day: boat rides, sea turtles and beautiful warm seas ❤️. what’s your perfect day? . . . . . . . . . . . #traveldeeper #travelblogger #travelblog #traveltheworld #traveladdict #travelbug #travellife #femmetravel #bestplacestogo #liveinspired #wanderlust #citizenfemme #ladieswhotravel #girlswhotravel #luxurytravel #luxuryworldtraveler #beachesnresorts #coupleswhotravel #dametraveler #femaletravelbloggers #caribbean #blueocean #curacao #imonaboat
It may not be easy to get there. It may not feel like you’ll ever reach the top, but when you do, you’ll realize it was worth it. Sometimes we have to keep telling ourselves “just keeping going” or “every step is another step closer”, even when we’re not sure we’ll ever find the top. Moments like these, at the top of that particular mountain, with the whistling wind and 360 degree views are magical. Every steep step and the 5am alarm fade away as distant memories and they’re replaced with the feeling of gratitude and joy. We hope you all have a great Monday, no matter how steep that climb feels after the holiday weekend. . . . . . . . . . . #traveldeeper #travelblogger #travelblog #traveltheworld #traveladdict #travelbug #travellife #femmetravel #bestplacestogo #liveinspired #wanderlust #citizenfemme #ladieswhotravel #girlswhotravel #luxurytravel #luxuryworldtraveler #beachesnresorts #coupleswhotravel #dametraveler #femaletravelbloggers #caribbean #blueocean #mountainside #hikecuracao #curacao
Happy 4th of July to all our American friends! We’re currently on our way to spend the holiday weekend in Puerto Vallarta and looking forward to some beach time. What’re you guys up to this weekend? Let us know in the comments! . . . . . . . . . . . . . #traveldeeper #travelblogger #travelblog #traveltheworld #traveladdict #travelbug #travellife #femmetravel #bestplacestogo #liveinspired #wanderlust #citizenfemme #ladieswhotravel #girlswhotravel #luxurytravel #luxuryworldtraveler #beachesnresorts #coupleswhotravel #dametraveler #femaletravelbloggers #caribbean #blueocean #curacao #catamaran #catamaransailing #independenceday #4thofjuly
Take the leap. Make the jump. It’s all about having faith in yourself and knowing you can do anything you set your heart and mind to 🙌🏻. ** This photo was taken at the famous Playa Forti Restaurant. People have been coming here to jump off the 40 foot cliff for years. The water below you is so blue! . . . . . . . . . . #traveldeeper #travelblogger #travelblog #traveltheworld #traveladdict #travelbug #travellife #femmetravel #bestplacestogo #liveinspired #wanderlust #citizenfemme #ladieswhotravel #girlswhotravel #luxurytravel #luxuryworldtraveler #beachesnresorts #coupleswhotravel #dametraveler #femaletravelbloggers #motivationsunday #leapoffaith #curacao #caribbean #blueocean #cliffjumping
Happiest in crystal clear Caribbean waters 🙌🏻. Anyone else a water baby like me? . . . . . . . . . . . . . #traveldeeper #travelblogger #travelblog #traveltheworld #traveladdict #travelbug #travellife #femmetravel #bestplacestogo #liveinspired #wanderlust #citizenfemme #ladieswhotravel #girlswhotravel #luxurytravel #luxuryworldtraveler #beachesnresorts #coupleswhotravel #dametraveler #femaletravelbloggers #curacao #caribbean #islandlife #beachlover
Things to See and Do in Curaçao
- Stay in Willemstad - it is the most picturesque town on the island
- Rent a car and drive around the island for a day - it’s small!
- Climb to the top of Christoffelberg, the highest peak on the island, for 360 degree views
- Take a boat trip to Klein Curaçao for a day on the beach
- Scuba dive off the coast- its proximity to Bonaire means you’ll see the same gorgeous sea life
- Shop local in Willemstad - there are several adorable, chic shops in town selling local products
What to know
Curaçao is not your typical beach vacation destination and because of the lack of focus and investment in tourism, there aren’t a lot of brands to choose from. You can find a Hilton and two Marriott’s on the island: the Renaissance and the Marriott Beach Resort. Otherwise, you’ll find a few options on beaches: namely, Avila Beach and Santa Barbara. There are also several boutique hotels in Willemstad. Prices vary, but expect to pay between $200-400 nightly for a room rate at a 4 star property.
Car rentals in Curaçao are quite reasonable and most hotels offer the option to book a day rate directly with the front desk. We recommend renting a car to explore the island for a day or two, it’s almost impossible to get lost.
Taxis are available as well and we recommend taking one if you plan to leave your hotel for dinner. While the island is safe enough compared to some destinations, we did feel a bit anxious walking longer distances at night.
The town of Willemstad is the only really notable “dining” area on Curaçao. The cruise ships dock in the town center, and therefore a number of restaurants have sprouted in the area. The best restaurant we found was at the hotel Bijblauw.
We did find several cute bars on the water’s edge along the main canal and we had a great time enjoying beverages while the ships came and went. Overall, we found the service to be about the same everywhere as well as the food quality.
There are some great shops in Willemstad that sell adorable crafts and jewelry. Our favorites are Seeya and Out of the Blue. They sold local jewelry, bags, accessories and gifts. We loved their focus on sustainability and awareness.
Unlike its neighboring Aruba, Curaçao’s lack of tourism focus also means you will get a more “real” experience with the island. There are certainly parts of town outside Willemstad that have been long abandoned and never revived. You won’t find endless tour companies and activities in Curaçao. People in Willemstad are friendly and helpful, but the farther you get outside the main town, the less you’ll find the same level of service and safety.
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Read MoreTypical costs
Overall, Curaçao is a pretty reasonably priced island. Most of the hotels you will see are 3-4 stars with prices ranging $200-400 USD. You won’t find any all-inclusive deals or cater-to-your-ever-whim luxury here, but you will find some great deals.
From what we see, most hotel rooms include breakfast if booked direct, so be sure to check the hotel websites for their offers.
When to TravelCuraçao Seasons
There really is no such thing as a “rainy season” on the ABC islands - which is great news for travelers! The best time to go is May-November, during off-peak season when rates are approximately 50% of the peak seasons from December-April.
Travel Tips
- Explore the region – Consider island hopping to neighboring Bonaire and Aruba during your trip, to experience all the ABC islands
- Hotel requirements – Be sure to check the hotel location to ensure there is a beach, if that’s what you’re looking for
- Get adventurous – Cliff jump off the restaurant at Playa Forti (skip the meal, but grab a cocktail)
- Take a hike – Climb to the top of Christoffelberg, the highest peak on the island, for 360 degree views
How to plan your trip
While Curaçao was not our favorite island in the Caribbean, we had a great time exploring something incredibly different than what we’re used to on an island. There’s a lot you can do in a short amount of time on the island and we recommend you stick to a hotel near Willemstad to be close to the “action”. The cruise ships all dock in Willemstad, so the majority of the tourism focus is centralized in this small town.
As you start to plan your trip, be sure to check the Google Satellite images to make sure your hotel is on the beach you’re hoping for. Our recommendation is to book a hotel near Willemstad and rent a car for the duration of your stay.
Gallery of Curaçao
