A Travel Guide to Curacao
Curacao is a stunning island located in the southern Caribbean Sea that sits approximately 40 miles North of the Venezuelan coast. As part of the ABC islands – Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, it takes only 50 minutes to drive from one end of Curacao to the other. Our two-week escape to this Caribbean gem was a fusion of European paradise and tropical adventures. Curacao is country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Curacao's landscape is very diverse from crystal-clear turquoise waters, powdery white beaches, and rugged desert terrain, the views across the island do not disappoint. Despite its compact size, the island offers a diversity of experiences, from serene coastal retreats to adventurous inland excursions. The inner city of Willemstad is colorful and offers rich Dutch culture.
Our first week in paradise we stayed in the presidential suite at Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino in Willemstad. The resort is one of few all-inclusive resorts on the island. The resort was super clean, well kept, a great layout with lots of food options. The waterfront is stunning, and the resort has a great pool and bar area. There is nightly entertainment which we could watch from our balcony but also we went down and enjoyed the entertainment front row a couple times as well. We went on two excursions including a safari that took us literally through all the diverse terrains of Curaçao where we saw flamingos in the wild, a crazy cave in the desert and then we went full circle to a couple beaches where we swam with the sea turtles and hung-out with pigs.
The shorts I am wearing: VERVET By Flying Monkey High Fives and Fist Bumps Boyfriend Shorts
The Cave: Nestled near Kueba di Indjan, the cave is a local hangout spot, reachable only by an all-terrain vehicle and requiring a local guide or a booked excursion for access. While the area has numerous caves, including the famous Hato Caves, exploring these geological wonders is a must-do activity in Curacao. Our excursion was with Breeze Adventures in the big white Safari truck.
Swimming with the Sea Turtles: Playa Piskado, also known as Playa Grandi is a picturesque bay with clear turquoise waters and a rocky shoreline. The beach is a fisherman’s paradise which as a result attracts the sea turtles that feed off the scraps of fish discarded by the fishermen making it a hot spot for snorkelers and swimmers to swim with the sea turtles. As a note: The local fisherman will try to get you to pay for them to feed the turtles for you but if you just get in the water and swim, you will see them all on your own! They are everywhere! For lunch we ate just up the road at Restaurant Playa Forti. I had the vegetarian version of a local signature dish of Curaçao Keshi Yena which is stuffed cheese, and it was fantastic.
Grote Knip – ‘Pigs on a Beach’: After lunch we made a stop at Grote Knip beach which is known as the Curaçao version of ‘Pig Beach’ where we were greeted by literally pigs on the beach. They are very friendly especially when you feed them! Renowned for its stunning natural beauty and crystal-clear turquoise waters, Grote Knip is considered one of the island's most picturesque beaches.
Our next adventure (also with Breeze Adventures) took us on a catamaran to the remote island of Klein Curacao, a place so stunning I am certain there must be some computer wallpaper photos of this island somewhere. The beauty of the island is simply awe-inspiring, with pristine waters and white sand stretching the entire West side of the island. The island is uninhabited and there is no electricity, you can walk around the whole island in minutes. The East side of the island has more rugged terrain with an abandoned lighthouse and a few scattered old shipwrecks including an oil tanker. One can't help but wonder about the history of the island and wonder if the lighthouse was abandoned before or after the ships wrecked on the island. I assume they slammed into the island at night because the lighthouse was not on but that is an assumption! Regardless, Klein Curacao is a must-see destination for any traveler seeking a taste of untouched paradise. Its serene beaches and untouched landscapes offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, making it a true hidden gem in the Caribbean. Might I mention there is no cell service on the island, so don’t plan on calling into any meetings that day!
The Dreams Presidential suite was literally a dream but not sustainable for another week, so we switched to an Airbnb that we booked only a few days out and we hit the jackpot on availability! It was a one-bedroom waterfront with a private beach located right next to Mumbo Beach. We could walk everywhere within minutes, from the best shopping, beaches and restaurants. We didn’t eat a bad meal; the food was excellent everywhere we went. Our only complaint was the service wasn’t the best… but that might have been partly due to a language barrier. And because it’s a European country there is still smoking allowed everywhere including restaurants!
Mumbo beach is breathtaking and honestly a perfect spot to bring kids (we don’t have kids - but just as an FYI if you’re looking to go and you have kids) the waterfront is in an inlet, so the water is calm, crystal clear and not very deep. The aquarium is right across from the Mumbo Beach, and they have daily dolphin shows!
The beach clubs and restaurants on Mumbo beach are a bit boujee but I wouldn’t say more expensive than a less-equivalent you would get in the US. Every night was date night for us – we were on our honeymoon, but in particular we had a blast at Cabana Nights. Every Wednesday night is Cabana Nights at Cabana beach! From 7:00 pm onwards, you'll enjoy a set menu dinner accompanied by live entertainment from the band Gino & Friends. After dinner, Cabana transforms into a night club with a live DJ.
A couple more things worth mentioning:
Every Thursday evening in Willemstad city center is a street festival/night market with live music, good eats and shopping! It’s call ‘Punda Vibes’ and it’s downtown Willemstad. We went and it was so much fun! Highly recommend - apparently, we had so much fun we forgot to take pictures, so I have none to share.
Secondly Tugboat Beach is a must see! We had to take a cab but well worth it! The snorkeling is amazing, we saw an underwater shipwreck and amazing underwater life including an octopus. The beach is right in front of an anchored offshore oil rig which I researched the heck out of and found so fascinating. The beach bar is a very eclectic/one-of-a-kind place. Highly recommend going and checking it out.
Curaçao hands down was a trip of a lifetime Curacao, a captivating island nestled in the southern Caribbean Sea that offers travelers a unique blend of European charm and tropical paradise. From pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and fantastic snorkeling to the colorful streets of Willemstad, and fascinating heritage sites, Curacao offers something for every type of traveler. Whether you're seeking a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, Curacao promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you longing to return again and again.
A few of my favorite vacation outfits from this trip are:
Frayed Just Right V-Neck Sleeveless Top + Frayed Just Right Drawstring Shorts with Pockets
Splash of Color Cami Mini Dress
Feeling Tropical Flowy Wide Leg Pants with Drawstring Waist
Just a Little Extra Backless Mini Dress
Travel dates: July 13 - July 27, 2023 *My husband and I’s honeymoon in paradise.
- LaVerne (Z & Joxa Founder)