How To Plan Your First Visit To Curaçao, A Dutch Caribbean Island
How To Plan Your First Visit To Curaçao, A Dutch Caribbean Island
Published April 22, 2023
The Caribbean is a region with so many world-class destinations. Choosing one can sometimes be overwhelming! If you’re looking for an island with local charm that still has good tourism infrastructure, Curaçao is a fascinating place that really ought to be on your radar!
Although Curaçao is not as touristy as nearby Aruba, it is still pretty urban and industrialized. There are lots of awesome cultural attractions here, in addition to lovely beaches and tasty local cuisine!
Since travelers from the US might not be as familiar with Curaçao as they are with Aruba or the Bahamas, I figured I’d write this blog post to help anyone who wants to learn more about this lovely island. To skip down to any particular topic below, click or tap the corresponding link!
Initial Impressions of Curaçao
Two friends and I recently visited both Curaçao and Aruba over the course of a week. Our trip consisted of four nights in Aruba followed by three nights in Curaçao. We arranged our vacation like this precisely because we wanted a mix of familiarity (I had been to Aruba in 2017) and something new. Having visited one country right after the other, I found myself constantly comparing the two.
The very first thing I noticed about Curaçao is how urban it is. The capital, Willemstad, feels like a true city with a sense of hustle and bustle. There are distinct neighborhoods, and traffic can become congested. However, Willemstad’s historic center is really quaint and colorful!
The other noteworthy thing about Curaçao is that it’s big: nearly two-and-a-half times bigger than Aruba! The shape of the island is long and narrow, with both the far northwest and far southeast sides being pretty rugged. The best beaches in Curaçao are clustered on the northern half of the island.
Driving from Willemstad to Sabana Westpunt in the north takes about an hour each way. That’s why I recommend dedicating an entire day to visiting beaches. In addition, you will probably need to rent a car on Curaçao (especially if you want to explore beyond the capital). Three nights there was not long enough to see every Curaçaoan beach or village, but we did get a good sense of the country as a whole.
How We Got There
Although there are some direct flights from the US to Curaçao, we found it easier to fly from the US to Aruba. To get from there to Curaçao, we boarded a small propeller plane operated by local carrier Divi Divi Air. This was a memorable part of our vacation because this small plane offered stunning, low-altitude views of both islands!
The flight on Divi Divi Air only took about 30 or 45 minutes, but we did have to go through customs and immigration each way. It was cool to get passport stamps for both Aruba and Curaçao!
Where We Stayed
In addition to its desirable location, The Green Turtle Eco Lodge has a gorgeous private patio and pool! We loved relaxing in the pool each evening to cool off before dinner. Each room has its own travel theme, complete with décor from around the world. Finally, the hospitality was top-notch. The hosts gave us tons of tips and suggestions, and we were even greeted with a complimentary bottle of South African wine!
Explore Downtown Willemstad
A major reason to visit Curaçao is its historic capital city. Willemstad is quaint yet lively. The historic center is situated between the sea and a lagoon known as the Schottegat. A large ring road encircles the Schottegat and connects Downtown with other parts of city further north.
Handelskade & Punda
The most iconic symbol of Curaçao is the row of historic buildings on Handelskade. These beautiful pastel yellows, oranges, pinks, and blues are even more impressive in person than in pictures! This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a gorgeous example of Dutch architectural design that really can’t be missed.
Handelskade is located in Willemstad’s Punda neighborhood. This area is worth exploring in depth, even if just for an hour or so. Most streets in Punda are vibrant and colorful, and it’s a great place to go souvenir shopping!
Otrobanda
Downtown Willemstad is divided in two by a narrow waterway called the St. Anna Bay (Sint Annabaai). Punda is located to the east, and the neighborhood of Otrobanda is to the west. The two halves of downtown are connected by the Queen Emma Bridge (Koningin Emmabrug). This pedestrian bridge actually swings open to allow ships to come in and out of the Schottegat. It’s really cool to watch, but make sure not to get stuck on the wrong side of the river if you’re short on time! The bridge could be open and therefore uncrossable for about fifteen minutes at a time.
Otrobanda and the Koningin Emmabrug actually offer the best panoramic views of the historic architecture on Handelskade. This side of the river also houses the city’s cruise terminal. Lastly, be sure to check out the Renaissance Mall & Rif Fort, a multi-floor stone fort that has been converted into a shopping center. The upper level balconies of this fort offer unobstructed views of Punda to the east.
Do A Beach Day
As mentioned above, seeing the best beaches in Curaçao will take at least a full day. That’s because they’re really spread out! Most of my favorites were clustered on the northern side, but a few nice ones were closer to Willemstad. Below are some of the beaches you won’t want to miss!
Playa Kalki
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.curacao.com/en/activity/playa-kalki
Our beach-hopping day began bright and early with a drive all the way up to Sabana Westpunt, Curaçao’s northernmost village. From here, we worked our way down the southern coast. This meant our very first stop was Playa Kalki. This gorgeous beach was a great first impression. It has serene, light blue waters and a white sand beach with some sections made up of shells and rocks.
Like most of the beaches featured here, Playa Kalki isn’t very long. You can walk from one end to the other in a minute or two. You’ll probably have to share this beach with other visitors, but the crowd wasn’t overwhelming by any means.
Playa Forti
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.curacao.com/en/activity/playa-forti
This is the one beach on my list that we didn’t actually walk down to. Instead, we enjoyed the views of the crystal clear waters from a nearby cliff. Playa Forti is actually known for this cliff, and the fact that you can jump off of it into the sea! According to Wikipedia, the height is about 10 meters.
None of us dared to do jump off the ledge, but we did see a few other people go for it! We also enjoyed lunch at Restaurant Playa Forti, which is built on the top of the cliff. Waterfront restaurants can often be hit-or-miss, but this one was excellent! Read more about it below.
Grote Knip (Kenepa Grandi)
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.curacao.com/en/activity/playa-kenepa
Grote Knip is a popular beach that goes by a number of names in Dutch and Papiamentu, including the two listed above. “Grote/Grandi” mean large; directly to the south is a smaller beach known as Kleine Knip or Playa Kenepa Chiki, which means “Little Knip Beach.” Together, this set of two beaches is referred to as Playa Kenepa. It can be confusing since signs and maps may only use one language.
We only had time to visit Grote Knip (we skipped Kleine Knip), but it might’ve been my favorite beach on the island. The water is clear and calm, and this was the perfect place to swim. There were a lot of people here, but it wasn’t shoulder to shoulder. I’m not sure if we were supposed to pay to use the beach chairs and umbrellas here, but we claimed one for an hour or two and no one approached us asking for payment.
Grote Knip also had a bunch of pigs wandering around, and they were incredibly cute! However, I cringed when we saw people attempting to pet them and feed them. They generally seemed to keep to themselves, but one pig did start rummaging through a lady’s picnic basket. I’d keep a close eye on any food you have at this beach!
Cas Abao
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.curacao.com/en/activity/cas-abao-beach
This low-key beach has soft white sand, beautiful waters, and a casual vibe. It’s a smaller beach that’s a little off the beaten path, so you are not likely to encounter huge crowds here. The only downside to Cas Abao is that you have to pay a small fee to park (approximately 6 or 7 USD), so be sure to bring that in cash if you’re heading this way.
Playa Porto Mari
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.curacao.com/en/activity/playa-porto-mari
Playa Porto Mari is right down the coast from Cas Abao, but youre going to have to drive back to the main road (through Bisento and Sint Willibrodus) to get from one to the other. Playa Porto Mari feels a little more “built up” and touristy than Cas Abao. The vibe is otherwise kind of similar, although this beach is slightly rockier.
Caracas Bay
Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.curacao.com/en/activity/caracasbaai
This colorful stretch of coastline is surrounded by dramatic, rocky cliffs. Since Caracas Bay was pretty close to our Airbnb, we came down here to check it out one morning. Later, we returned to have dinner at Brisa do Mar, a restaurant on the water. Caracas Bay is interesting because it’s pretty close to Willemstad, but it never seemed to attract a ton of beachgoers. It also looks like there’s an oil rig here, which makes this beach feel sort of industrial.
Go on a Tour of Klein Curaçao
Klein Curaçao is a tiny islet southeast of the main island that is Curaçao. A handful of companies offer day trips via boat to Klein Curaçao, and we booked ours through Mermaid Boat Trips. Klein Curaçao (which is sometimes referred to in English as “Little Curaçao”) is incredibly pretty and worth dedicating an entire day to. I’ll be writing a separate blog post all about that, and I’ll link it here as soon as it’s published!
Food and Drink Options
In terms of food, Curaçao offers pretty typical Caribbean fare. The cuisine is similar to Aruban food, but I will say that Curaçao has a more local, casual dining scene. I never came across any restaurants or bars that I would consider to be overt tourist traps. Below are some great options to consider!
Komedor Kriyoyo Plus
Address: 66 Schottegatweg Oost, Willemstad, Curaçao
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/restaurantkomedorkrioyoplus/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restaurantkomedorkrioyoplus/
This amazing eatery might be my top recommendation. It’s very local: in fact, their menu is only in Papiamento! Luckily, their staff helped explain in English what all of their options are. We tried their stewed conch (karkó) and ribs. Everything was phenomenal and so flavorful! Their plates come with your choice of sides as well, such as rice and peas (aros moro) or funchi (a polenta-like specialty unique to the Dutch Caribbean).
Restaurant Playa Forti
Address: Kòrsou Sabana, Curaçao
Website: https://www.playafortirestaurant.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortirestaurant
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playaforti_restaurant/
This is where we ate lunch on our beach-hopping day, and I’m glad we did! Restaurant Playa Forti has an extensive menu of food and drink options, including seafood and Caribbean classics. I got their oxtail, which came with a salad, rice and beans, plantains, and a slice of cantaloupe. The oxtails were so juicy and tender, just like they’re supposed to be!
Brisa do Mar
Address: Caracasbaaiweg, Jan Thiel, Curaçao
Website: https://brisadomarpopsplace.everyorder.io/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brisadomarpopsplace
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brisadomarcuracao/
Located right on Caracas Bay Beach, Brisa do Mar is a festive restaurant with a large, partially outdoor dining room. We ordered burgers, fruity cocktails, and a bunch of appetizers to share while we watched the sun go down. This dinner feast was the perfect end to a day of driving around and soaking up the sun on a bunch of different beaches!
Restaurant & Café Gouverneur de Rouville
Address: De Rouvilleweg, Willemstad, Curaçao
Website: https://de-gouverneur.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GouverneurCuracao
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gouverneurderouville/
If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, Gouverneur de Rouville is probably where you should go. This large, multi-story restaurant offers ample indoor and outdoor seating throughout various balconies, dining rooms, and bars. Their largest balcony overlooks Sint Annabaai, offering that classic postcard view of the Handelskade across the water.
We split a bunch of soups and appetizers, and for my main meal, I tried the keshi yena. This baked dish, which means “filled cheese,” originates from the ABC Islands. It’s sort of like a casserole, in which the base is cheese and the stuffing is meat, raisins, and a mixture of other ingredients. If you’re looking to experience local cuisine during a visit to Aruba, Curaçao, or both, keshi yena is a must! It’s a rich and decadent plate that embodies the culinary essence of the Dutch Caribbean.
Restaurant In De Buurt
Address: 280 Caracasbaaiweg, Willemstad, Curaçao
Website: http://www.indebuurtcuracao.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indeBuurtcuracao
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indebuurtcuracao/
Without a doubt, our most memorable meal on Curaçao was dinner at Restaurant In De Buurt! This establishment’s name means something like, “In The Neighborhood,” and it can be found in the Eden Mall. Why was this place so memorable, you ask? Well, as you can see in the pictures below, our meals ended up being monster portions! Ismael and I both ordered schnitzels, but they were so big that they had to be served on wooden boards with handles on each side instead of plates.
We definitely were not expecting these mountains of food, but it was kind of our fault for not realizing how much it would be. First of all, the food menu at In De Buurt is only in Dutch, but this wasn’t unmanageable. There were pictures, plus quite a few Dutch words are cognates with English. However, the real issue was that as an American, I had no conception of what their “small” 250 gram portion entailed. The same can be said of their large 500 gram portion.
Of course, I could’ve just thrown that into Google and seen that 500 grams is 1.1 pounds. But even if I had done that, I don’t think I would’ve processed just how much food that is. When our waiter casually asked if we wanted the small or large schnitzels, we just figured we could go for their larger portion.
When three different staff members came out to deliver our feasts, we couldn’t stop laughing. We tried our best to make a dent, but we had to give up before even the halfway mark. Ismael’s wooden board of food was even more daunting than mine, and we ended up taking not one, not two, but four large carryout containers of food back to the Airbnb! The food and service at In De Buurt were good! But if you’re an American, know that 500 grams of schnitzel could easily be split among two or three people!
Kafé 5999
Address: Kaya Jacob Posner #, Unit 1 7, Willemstad, Curaçao
Website: https://www.kafe5999.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kafe5999
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kafe5999/
This lovely coffee shop and breakfast joint is the only place we went to twice! Willemstad doesn’t seem to have a ton of coffee options. Luckily, the drinks, pastries, and hot plates at Kafé 5999 are all incredibly tasty!
Try their Iced Black Sesame Latte or their Iced Blue Moon (lavender) Latte if you’re looking for something refreshing to sip on. The “OG Sunny Morning Bowl” (pictured above) includes eggs, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, sausage, and more. It is a delicious and filling breakfast platter that is sure to hold you over until lunchtime!
Additional Tips and Final Thoughts
Below are a few extra tips for a successful visit to this lovely destination!
Safety
You might be wondering whether Curaçao felt safe, and I’d say it did for me. We never had any instances that put me on high alert. Of course, you should exercise regular precautions while on the island; avoid reckless or risky behaviors.
Getting Around: Taxis, Rental Cars, Etc.
As mentioned earlier, this itinerary required a rental car. According to multiple sources (e.g. Curaçao Tourist Board and ExploringCuraçao.com), there are no ridesharing platforms currently operating on the island. According to that latter source, taxis are an option, but we never tried them since we had the car. Taxis would probably be a reasonable way to get around Willemstad. I doubt they would be feasible for beach hopping on the more remote northern side of the island.
We booked a car from Enterprise with pickup and dropoff at Curaçao Hato International Airport. We had no issues or incidents, and we found the car to be reliable and comfortable. Drivers licenses issued by the United States were sufficient for rental. Traffic patterns and driving norms on Curaçao were not significantly different from the US. However, this island has more stop-and-go traffic than Aruba and can at times be congested, especially in Willemstad. On the flip side, Curaçao does not have nearly as many roundabouts as Aruba (they are ubiquitous there and can take some getting used to).
Languages
One awesome thing about Curaçao is that it sits at the intersection of many cultures, so the island is truly multilingual. There are three official languages: Papiamentu, Dutch and English. Of those three, Papiamentu is the local language. It shares some similarities with Portuguese and to a lesser extent Spanish and is beautiful to listen to. As a language enthusiast, I loved hearing the soft mellow tones of Papiamentu during this trip!
You are unlikely to find yourself in a situation on Curaçao where English is not understood. You may experience a slight language barrier like we did at Restaurant In De Buurt, or you may dine at a local restaurant with menus only in Dutch and/or Papiamentu. Other than that, I wouldn’t worry about having to rely on Google Translate to be understood here.
Go Enjoy This Stunning Island! 🇨🇼
I hope this blog post showcases what a captivating destination Curaçao is! With a population of over 150,000 people, it’s definitely a major player in the Caribbean both culturally and economically. I’m so glad we split up our weeklong vacation between Aruba and Curaçao, and I highly recommend other travelers do the same! Both islands are gorgeous and share a lot of similarities, but each has its own unique character.
Have you been to the Dutch Caribbean before? Are you planning a trip to Curaçao? Leave a comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading and enjoy your visit if you’re headed to the Caribbean!
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This post was published on Apr 22, 2023
The Caffeinated Man Behind The Blog
Where I’ve Been
I have read many travel blogs on the Dutch Caribbean Island, but I enjoyed this blog the most. The big, high-resolution photographs, and the practical advice for beach lovers, foodies, and history enthusiasts are encouraging for planning a trip to Curacao.
Thanks for the information! My husband and I plan to visit during Thanksgiving week 2024.