Manja van Kesteren
If you are looking for Dutch vibes combined with guaranteed sunshine and a pretty consistent temperature of 30 degrees celsius this summer, look no further than Curaçao, an island country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Ever since I visited Curaçao last year, I have been dreaming about going back. Here are my top tips on what to do when visiting this gorgeous island!
Curaçao, together with Bonaire and Aruba, is part of what is called the ABC islands. Together with Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius and Saba, these islands are known as the Dutch Caribbean. With an area of 444 square metres, Curaçao is the largest island in the Caribbean Netherlands.
Curaçao has a turbulent history. The island was first inhabited by the Arawak and Caquetio Amerindians. In 1499, it became a Spanish colony, used as a strategic cattle ranching area. In 1634, the Dutch colonised Curaçao, thereby making it a hub of the Atlantic slave trade. During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, it was occupied twice by the British but ultimately returned to the Dutch.
The island achieved autonomy in 2010, becoming a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Because of all of these cultural influences, the official languages spoken on the island are Papiamentu, Dutch and English.
Here are five things you should do when you are visiting Curaçao:
Don’t forget to pack your snorkelling gear, as the aquamarine waters surrounding the island are crystal clear. Plus, at many beaches, you can snorkel straight from the shore! When snorkelling in Curaçao, you can expect to see many colourful fish, and if you are lucky, you may even see a turtle or two.
Are you new to snorkelling? No worries, there are a few beaches that have barriers, ensuring the water is relatively calm.
Here are some great locations in Curaçao to get your snorkel on:
Located close to Jan Thiel Beach, one of the most popular places to go snorkelling is called Tugboat, named after the shipwreck of, indeed, a tugboat. Over the years, the wreck has become home to a wide variety of marine life. Located some five metres below the surface, the tugboat is easily accessible.
Another hot spot for snorkelling is the Blue Room Cave. This one, however, might be tricky to get to, depending on your personal situation. You can get there via a 25-minute walk where you have to do some rock climbing, or you can take a water taxi or guided tour.
Entering the Blue Room may be tricky as well, depending on the currents, as you will have to swim underwater for a bit to get inside the cave. But once there, you will be rewarded with a gorgeous view, as the sunlight reflects the blue water all around you.
One of the prettiest places to snorkel at is Klein Curaçao. This uninhabited island is a popular day trip destination for tourists. Expect gorgeous white beaches, insanely blue water and many colourful fish to spot, right off the beach. Turtles are also often spotted here!
Klein Curaçao is only reachable by boat, but there are many travel organisations that offer all-inclusive tours to the island. Please note that the water can be quite choppy on the way to the island, so have some motion sickness medication on hand if you need it.
Making sure that we can still enjoy Curaçao’s coral reefs in the future is the Reef Renewal Foundation Curaçao. They use new techniques to grow corals in order to repopulate coral reefs around Curaçao. If you would like to help them out, you can donate here!
Curaçao’s capital city is Willemstad, known for its colourful colonial architecture and its chill vibes. The city is well worth a visit, so make sure you schedule at least one day to discover all that Willemstad has to offer!
From a walk on the iconic Pontjesbrug to admiring the street art in the vibrant neighbourhoods of Otrabanda and Sharloo from an e-scooter, there is something for everyone to do here. Want to know more about Curaçao’s past? Be sure to visit Museum Kura Hulanda, which is an anthropological museum that focuses on the Atlantic slave trade.
You can’t visit Curaçao without doing some beach hopping, as the island is home to over 40 beautiful beaches. Some are very touristy, while others are well-kept secrets. Note that not all beaches in Curaçao are free to visit, so make sure to check if you need to pay an entrance fee beforehand. Here are some of the favourites:
With wavy palm trees, white sand and blue water, Mambo Beach is a great spot to do some beach lounging. This bustling beach boasts many restaurants, beach clubs, hotels and shops, making it a favourite amongst many. This does mean that it can be quite crowded during high season. For similar vibes, you can also visit Jan Thiel Beach.
Grote Knip is one of the most photographed beaches in Curaçao, which is no surprise as the turquoise water, white sand, and the surrounding green hills make for a pretty picture. This makes it one of the busier beaches on the island.
If you want something more intimate, visit Kleine Knip, which is a bit more peaceful. Unfortunately, facilities are sparse here; you can rent a lounge bed with a parasol, but that is about it, so make sure to bring your own snacks if you plan to stay for a while.
If you are fond of wildlife, Porto Mari is the place to be, as it is home to a family of wild pigs who are quite fond of taking a dip in the sea themselves. This makes for pretty photos, but they can be a bit rude if they smell your snacks…
Are you a scuba diver? Porto Marie is also a popular dive site, as it’s famous for its unique double reef.
Cas Abao is considered one of the prettiest beaches in Curaçao. It is a full-service beach with a bar, restaurant, gazebos and showers. Its reefs are easily accessible to snorkellers of all ages.
Tired of lounging on the beach all day? Then get ready to explore Curaçao’s natural surroundings.
If you like hiking, give climbing the Christoffelberg, the highest point in Curaçao, a try. It’s best to do this early, as it can get pretty hot later on in the day, especially since there isn’t much shade around to benefit from. This one is not for absolute beginners.
Situated between Jan Thiel National Park and Mambo Beach, you can find the salt pans. This area features hiking trails suitable for beginners. Enjoy gorgeous vistas over the salt lakes and beyond, and if you are really lucky, you might even see some flamingos!
Adjoining the Christoffel Park, you can find the Shete Boka National Park, which covers an area of almost 10 kilometres. Highlights of the park include Boka Tabla, an underground cavern with spectacular views, and Boka Pistol, where waves crash loudly over the rocks, creating a thrilling experience.
Curaçao is home to many nice restaurants, so I would advise against booking an all-inclusive hotel when visiting. Curaçao’s local food is diverse and reflects the island's multicultural influences.
Fresh fish is abundant, making fried red snapper a popular local dish. Another local favourite is slow-cooked goat stew, seasoned with local spices. If you are afraid you are going to miss the Dutch kroketten, no worries, there are some snack bars that offer this typically Dutch classic.
If you are dining out on the weekend, make sure to reserve a table. Some restaurants can get quite busy, especially when cruise ships visit the island.
From an intimate boutique hotel right in the centre of Pietermaai to a 5-star resort on Mambo Beach and from a nature lodge on the quiet west coast to an Airbnb with a private pool, there is something available for every budget.
Just be sure to book your accommodation well in advance, as Curaçao is a popular destination for Dutch tourists.
High season is from mid-December to April; this is when the island enjoys the best weather. However, Curaçao does not have a hurricane season, and it’s pretty consistently 30 degrees celsius all year round. So, if you want a more budget-friendly trip, it’s best to visit in the off-peak season.