curacao vacation things to do

Cliff jumping can be a thrill in the Caribbean. As an adventure travel blogger, she has a special interest in unusual destinations and deep experiences. Its housed in one of the pastel-colored Dutch colonial buildings in Pietermaai. Not too far from Hato Caves is Kokomo Beach, a secluded cove in Vaersenbaai thats free to enter. A sunken tugboat lies in a sheltered and shallow bay covered by corals, sponges and sea fans. It goes without saying that one should explore the capital city of any destination as doing so can provide valuable insight into the lifestyle and culture of the people. In the evenings, the hip district of Pietermaai comes alive with trendy gastrobars and atmospheric restaurants. Its open to visitors, who are check out the crafts on sale. Dont let your Curaao experience pass you by without visiting Savonet Museum, one of the newest in town. But why would you want to? It is a constituent country that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Hato Caves tour is about 45 minutes in duration. The guide will point out stories behind some of the stalactites and stalagmites. Landhuis Groot Santa Martha is one of the oldest and largest villas on Curacao. You can watch a video of the production process while youre there and also get information about the plantation and products from the attendants. Grote Knip is the most expensive, at 12.50 ANG (US$14) per adult and beach bench. Part of the attraction here is the climb up Christoffel mountain, which rises some 350 meters/1150 ft. If youre looking for an island with a strong sense of identity and authenticity, Curacao is the place for you. Youll find it along the maze-like pedestrianized street near the Da Costa Gomez statue. Curacao has a vibrant restaurant scene, with lots of local seafood stands and cool upscale restaurants. Its hard to turn down a scuba diving opportunity in the Caribbean, and it will be even more so to do that in Curaao. Playa Kenepa is quite literally two beaches in one Kenepa Grandi, which means bigger beach, and Kenepa Chiki, the smaller of the two. The Dolphin Academy works with dolphins in the open sea, and as part of their open swim youll get to swim side by side with dolphins that choose for themselves when they want to swim with you! There are also many cafs and terraces, and an interesting event called Punda Vibes is held every Thursday night. This beach is sometimes referred to by divers as Alice in Wonderland for its mushroom-shaped coral formations. Note that COVID measures can change anytime, please refer to this website for the latest updates. Price: 9 ANG (US$5) per adult + bench. Be careful when parking here, as many TripAdvisor reviews say that car theft is common in this carpark (we didnt have any issues). It is located on thecorner ofBitterstraat and Van Raderstraat. The moderate depth (less than 5 meters of water) and the good underwater visibility makes it one of the best things to do in Curacao for water babies! The Curacao Liqueur Distillery dates back to 1896 and is open for tours that can take you on a journey through some of the islands history. The Hato Caves make for a great exploring point to start off with while in Curaao. The words Shete Boka means seven inlets, but there are many more at this location including Boka Tabla with amazing views from the top, and Pistolero, named for the sound the waves make when breaking on the boka. A fusion of dining, entertainment, music, fashion, art, and technology collide at the Madero Ocean Club. Its quite a commercial beach, but its got a few fantastic beach bars including the legendary Chill Beach Bar (with lots of hammocks and driftwood signs). It was built to defend theSpanish Waterin 1703. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 140 countries across 7 continents. Of that list, the one with highest prominence is Fort Amsterdam; it is included in UNESCOs World Heritage list. Nature here is pristine and the shoreline mostly untouched. There are 8 hiking trails at Christoffel and most are relatively easy to navigate. This park opens around 7:30 a.m. on weekdays, and 6 a.m. on weekends. Theres also a dark room with lots of cool reptiles from the Amazon, and an open area where red handed tamarin hang out freely. NOTE: Most beaches in Curacao are not public beaches i.e. The most photogenic ones are Scuba Lodge, BijBlauw, Ginger and the purple/orange houses at the end of Nieuwestraat. Karakter also offers seafood and vegetarian friendly options. Even Sandals professional equipment is included in the booking price! theres a fee to pay to visit each beach. At this location you can visit a beer brewery and museum, as well as play on the billiard tables and mingle with locals. If you are and find yourself wanting to tick this off your bucket list, then Playa Kenepa is the place to go. Beyond tourism, Curacao has many thriving industries which means it doesnt depend on tourism as much as its neighbors do. Miss Ann Boat Trips run day trips on their private yachts every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Ginger is another good place worth visiting the stylish Carib-Asian fusion restaurant serves some original dishes and cocktails. You can walk around Willemstad, but you definitely need to rent a car if you want to explore outside of the city. Curaao is located in the southern Caribbean Sea about 40 miles north of Venezuela. About 65km off the Venezuelan coast, this small island of just over 150,000 people is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Hope that helps! This Dutch-speaking isle is a part of the ABC island chain that includes Aruba and Bonaire. It is just a few minutes from Willemstad, and during a tour here youll learn about the production process and even get to taste some of the different flavors produced at the distillery. On the east coast of Curacao, youll find the best spot for snorkeling: the Tugboat. Ocean temperatures are usually warm in this area year round, which adds to the appeal. You can now create your personalized list of your top 10 (or 20) favorite things to do on this tropical island destination! The baby ostriches here are the absolute cutest! These two beaches are also known as Grote Knip and Klein Knip. Theyre often found right next to the road. This island is known as Klein Curaao and it is uninhabited. Which Sandals Resort Is Best For You? If hiking isnt your speed, then you can get a tour arranged to explore the scenery at Christoffel by jeep, mountain bike, or on horseback. The Mambo Beach Boulevard, a modern mall overlooking the beach, also offers nice sunset views at its roof terrace. The Montana Bierhuis Village is a family-friendly tourist attraction. One of the best places to sip a cocktail and watch the sun disappear over the horizon is Mambo Beach, the nearest beach to Willemstad. So loved are they that million. Want something cold and delicious? Check room rates. Eat the Best Seafood on the Island at De Visserij, Curacao Travel Guide: All You Need to Know, Staying at the Avila Beach Hotel in Curacao. Curacao feels like a little slice of Europe in the Caribbean, with its distinctive Dutch identity, vibrant restaurants, and history museums. It takes about 30 minutes to get here from Willemstad by car. At this old plantation, several significant features still remain including an old slave bell. Plasa Bieu was once an old market in Willemstad where women sold food. Alonso de Ojeda, a lieutenant to Christopher Columbus, discovered the island in 1499. Not only is this one of the best beaches in Curaao, it is also one of the safer cliff jumping areas. Playa Jeremi is a beautiful little cove with stunning views. Jan Thiel Beach is a commercial beach (i.e. If you plan on traveling during peak season, its a good idea to book your trip at least six months in advance. Its rich history is evident in every corner of the old town, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afull-scale revitalizationeffort began in 1999, and now almost all of the historic buildings have been converted into boutique hotels, restaurants, galleries and bars in this district. The heart of the city lies at Handelskade, a picturesque stretch of pier youve seen on every Curaao postcard. The most popular day tour from Curacao is the trip to Klein Curacao (Small Curacao in Dutch). Price: 10 ANG (US$11) for rental of bench. A vacation in a destination as exotic as Curaao calls for accommodation thatll cater to your every need, which hints strongly at an all-inclusive property. It is advisable to schedule your hike before11 a.m., when its cooler. A small, intimate boutique hotel converted from a historical plantation estate, located in the west near the best beaches in Curacao. The area where this museum is located played a significant role in the trading and transshipment of enslaved Africans by Dutch entrepreneurs, and thus the museum tells much of this story through its exhibits. We found it to be quite a disappointment though theyve built concrete paths, lit up the caves with kitschy lights and put fans all over the place. A glimpse at the beautiful Kokomo beach in Curaao says it could very well be with its peaceful ambiance and stunning waterside views. Once inside you can use the facilities which include showers and restrooms. Near the Tugboat, Fort Beekenburg stands on a rocky outcrop next to the Caracas Bay. Price: 13 ANG (US$7) per adult + bench. Nieuwestraat is the palpitating heart, popular with expats and locals alike. Learn how your comment data is processed. Theres also a few emu on the farm as well. This is a simple, casual spot in Piscadera that serves the freshest, juiciest shrimps Ive ever had. This fort houses the Governors office as well as the Council of Ministers and government offices in Curaao. The property was owned by the government in the 19th century, at which point small plots of land were leased to former slaves in the hopes of developing local agriculture. As part of this tour, youll ride around the farm in a safari vehicle and learn about the African Ostrich and the Etmu. It is also one of the oldest. Theres also shows with dolphins that get underway as well, which can be fun to witness. Here you can see how the famous and colorful Chichi sculptures are made by Serena and her always inspired team. If you dont drive, you can still visit on a jeep tour leaving from Willemstad. This is a beachside lounge and restaurant with great food including Dutch, Caribbean and European cuisine. The hike is gorgeous and rather easy even our 5-year-old could do it with no difficulties. Established sometime around 1650, Plantation Daniel is said to have been built by a castaway who washed ashore in Curaao on St. Daniels Day. Here are 24 best things to do in Curacao, including the best beaches, hikes and museums. She has also received many awards for the part she has played in helping to preserve culture and the healing herbs. Stop over at Dagaz Gelato in Punda to choose from 25 different flavors of ice cream made fresh every day with imported Italian ingredients. This is where you go to immerse in the lush greenery of Curacao and see unique species like the giant columnar cacti (kadushi), white-tailed deer and green iguana. This is a great spot if youre looking for a trending ocean club where you can enjoy sunbathing, socializing, or just relaxing on a poolside daybed with a cocktail. Sandals all-inclusive resorts throughout the Caribbean, Curaao Restaurants: The 12 Best Places To Eat During Your Stay In Willemstad. You can only visited on a guided tour. A family business by design, Shelterrock Paradise has been in existence since 2016. Her work has appeared in many major publications including BBC Travel, CNN and LonelyPlanet.com. Most dive sites in Curaao are accessible from shore. Having just returned from two weeks in Curacao, we were very privileged to experience Curacao without many tourists around. You can find everything from jewelry and electronics, to cosmetics, clothing and souvenirs in this area. Check rates here. It is one of those places in Curaao where you can go to learn about the healing properties of herbs and other long ago traditions. This plantation house was built around the 1700s, and can be found atop a hill on the northeast of Santa Martha Bay. Ribs and Tex-Mex food are specialty items served up at the Ribs Factory in Salinja. Further down the coast enroute to Willemstad, youll pass through the salt lakes of Jan Kok where hundreds (sometimes thousands) of flamingos like to converge. The architecture of Willemstad is vibrant and inviting, and theres many attractions in this area including Handelskade, a waterfront street with colorful colonial Dutch houses. Learn how to dive at the resort at additional cost and dive the rest of your vacation for free. Curaao is an amazing destination to visit year round, but many visitors find that the island is most exciting during peak season, between December and April. It is located just outside of Willemstad and is a great place to go for panoramic views of the city. Sambil Curaao is a shopping mall with over 100 stores located within 10 minutes of the airport and cruise terminal in an area known as Veeris. If youre looking for a great beach to dive on while in Curaao, Playa Lagun is worth considering. See Blowholes at the Shete Boka National Park, 11. Closer to shore, theres a roped off area with a floating platform. The best way to get around Curacao is definitely by car rental, as public transport is few and far between. Visit a Landhuis or Plantation Estate, 17. If you go here to unwind or have a meal, you can choose from options including chicken, stewed meat, goat, shrimp, fish, vegetarian or seafood mix. Sculptures here are hand-painted by a group of over 60 women under the guidance of Serena and her team. Because of the geography of Curacao, you wont find miles-long stretches of beach instead there are a series of coves and lagoons tucked amidst rocky sandstone cliffs. Punda in Willemstad is a great place to shop. Theres also a restaurant and bar on this beach. The latter is great for snorkelling. Bring along your towel, swimsuit, and sunblock and youll be good to go. Queen Wilhelmina Bridge is a high rise auto bridge that you can cross to get between the two separated parts of Willemstad. Only some of the apartments are renovated though definitely ask for the ones by the pool. Diving is possible here, and theres even a dive operator on the beach. Copyright Hello Paradise - The Official Sandals Resorts Travel & Lifestyle Blog. Though this is quite the spectacular beach stop, there isnt much shade so youll definitely need to bring hats and other beach gear. Located in Pietermaai overlooking the sea, Scuba Lodge is a stylish boutique hotel and iconic landmark in Curacao. For more details, check outmy travel tips resource page. Grote Knip is lauded by many (including myself!) Plantation houses are commonly found all over the Caribbean built by the colonizers in the 17th century in sugar and salt plantations. Another hotel with a great location in Willemstad, this resort (pictured) has two private beaches and modern five-star hotel facilities. Tours often include snorkelling, refreshments, and a picnic or barbecue lunch. Curaao has a tropical climate year round. Undoubtedly, one of the best things to do in Curacao is to swim with the turtles here. This convenient beach spot also has a bar, restaurant, showers, and a massage facility. Nena Sanchez is a native of Curaao and her unique paintings and giclees (digitally reproduced fine art on canvas) depict some of the islands most vivid scenery. Today, Chobolobo houses the distillery Senior Co., producers of the famous Blue Curaao. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Blue Bay Beach is perfect for a day of snorkeling which starts or ends at a simple but trendy beach bar. If you didnt rent a car, you can book a Tugboat snorkeling trip that leaves from Willemstad. Entry: 27 ANG (US$15) per adult and 12 ANG (US$7) for kids 5-12 years old. The beach is within an area known as Mambo Boulevard that is something of a shopping complex complete with restaurants, stores and other services, which means you can find a little bit of everything as part of your Mambo Beach day. Was this the beach that the Beach Boys were talking about in their catchy hit that speaks about falling in love, melting tropical drinks in hand, at Kokomo? Overall, your experience at Blue Bay is bound to be breezy and fun, and even more memorable if you stay until sunset! Another plus is that theres lots of sights and sounds around this area as well, so you can make a stop here part of your wider exploration of the city. There are ragged sandstone cliffs along the whole coast, but the ones overlooking Playa Forti are the best for diving. All inclusive resorts like Sandals Curaao go above and beyond the typical all-inclusive, offering guests a wide range of quality inclusions that only begin with things like gourmet dining, day and night entertainment, unlimited land and water sports (including scuba diving), golf, access to multiple (swim-up) bars, and more. We waited in line for 15 mins to get in, but it was easy to see why this place has such a loyal following. Or, you can just visit the gallery. Italian bio-milk, vegan and sugar free options can also be enjoyed as part of this unique experience. We booked our car on Discover Cars before our trip. Sometimes you can even get seafood here. On your way back to Willemstad, be sure to stop by a landhuis or plantation estate. The entire Dolphin Academy experience lasts about one and a half hours, with 30 minutes spent in the water. Nenas art can be purchased at local art galleries including the gallery at Landhuis Jan Kok, and in Punda. Insider tip: At all Sandals resorts diving is included (up to two free tanks per day per guest), which means that as long as youre certified, youll be able to do plenty of diving during your Curaao vacation once Sandals Curaao is open. Its one of the oldest historic hotels in Curacao, but all rooms have been renovated and given a fresh new look. Hi Nellie, I really liked your article, its very well written and offers lots of information. But its about a 2-hour choppy boat ride from Curacao, and day tours cost around $100 per person. It is not allowed to start your climb after 10 am (as it gets too hot). :). Turtles are drawn to this area because of all the fishing activity and youll see many of them around the dock while the fishermen undertake their fish cleaning duties. The sand is white as sugar, the water is spearmint blue and the beach is flanked by rocky cliffs. We didnt do the trip as I heard that you can see pretty much the same underwater life as when you snorkel off the beaches in Curacao. In Curacao, you can see the sun set almost everywhere along the islands west coast. A former plantation house, Landhuis Habaai (Habaai Mansion) is considered one of the most beautiful in Curaao. Theyre often hanging out at the beach, sniffing at your food and snooping in peoples bags. Find your serenity at Karakter Curaao, a tropical dining spot known and loved for its relaxing atmosphere. Wander down the narrow cobblestoned alleys tucked behind Breedestraat, have a local lunch at the Plasa Bieu market, then snap a signature photo at the Wilhelminapleins giant Curaao sign. Curaloe is an aloe vera plantation in Curaao. Here you can relax, taste local food, and even throw parties if you wish. Theyve consistently given us the best prices and service. Theres no entrance fee required, and youll have access to beach chairs for lounging and a dive center. If youre lucky, you might even see them swimming! Their prices are reasonable and customer service is top notch. Last Updated on June 27, 2022 by Nellie Huang. Sometimes this bridge moves about to make way for passing boats, but when its stationary, it can make for a romantic stroll with cool views. Not PADI certified yet? This is a great one-stop location where you can find brands like Bath and Body Works, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Aldo, Victorias Secret, US Polo, American Eagle, The Childrens Place, and more. Youll need to walk down some steps cut into the rocks to get down to the beach, but once you get there youll be in total admiration of how crystal clear the water is, and how blissful it is to be there especially as the sun goes down. The variety of birds (especially the rainbow-colored macaws and cuckatoos) is impressive. Theres an observation deck on the edge of the salt pans where you can go to see a nice view of the flamingos without traipsing on the mud. Located in Mambo club Boulevard, Madero also includes a restaurant and bar by the seaside and sometimes live bands. Two hours off the coast of Curaao (about 8 miles off the southeast coast) theres a small island which is known for having the longest and whitest beach in Curaao. My absolute favorite place to eat in Curacao was De Visserij. Popular menu items here include spare ribs, chicken and tenderloin, as well as Tex-Mex favorites like fajitas, quesadillas, and more. We spent around $400 for our 2-week car rental. Theres a viewpoint perched on the top of a winding road, which offers a view of the inland bay. The Curaao Sea Aquarium focuses on rehabilitation and creating safe, natural habitats for marine creatures. Caribbean Breezes Italian ice cart is usually on the streets of Punda where the frozen blend of dairy-free and fruity sweetness can be found. Spearmint water, cacti-studded mountains, and pastel-colored Dutch architecture Curacao is a Dutch Caribbean island unlike any other Caribbean islands weve been. I would be really happy if you could tell me! Traveling the Dominican Republic with Kids, 10 Best Places to Scuba Dive in the World, 35 Cool Things To Do in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. While in Curaao, you might even get a chance to take in a concert, book or poetry reading, or another artsy event here. The best beaches lie along the northwest coast. The Kura Hulanda Museum is located in central Willemstad, right at the harbor. The natural formations arent massive, but watching the waves crash and hit them is mesmerizing.

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