Curaçao – The Complete Guide

Curaçao is located in the Southern Caribbean Sea. It is about 70 km (44 miles) off the coast of Venezuela, with neighbouring islands Aruba and Bonaire. It is the C in what is known as the ‘ABC’ Islands that are connected to the Netherlands. Curaçao is under the Kingdom of the Netherlands but is a self-governing constituent country. So for us, it was not straying too far from our European home.

The best time to visit Curaçao

The best time to visit Curaçao is between December and April. However, the whole year is filled with warm temperatures so you can enjoy swimming and snorkelling all year around. February through June is the driest period. It can become busy over the summer months. More visitors come to the island as both Europe and the US have their summer school vacation. 

What we did

Curaçao was the first stop in our journey moving back to Australia. We didn’t choose to come here based on the season or ideal time to go. Being here in the first week of October we found it relatively quiet, without lacking vibrancy. We could tell when a cruise came into port as Willemstad became a beehive of activity. 

While we had a few rainy days, this didn’t stop us from enjoying the island as the air temperature is still quite warm. If you choose to go in the rainier seasons, make sure you keep a few indoor activities up your sleeve. I would also recommend choosing an accommodation that has protected outside areas. The temperature is too nice to be stuck inside with air conditioning all day. 

Getting around Curaçao

The easiest way to get around Curaçao is to hire a car. This allows you the flexibility to explore the island at your own pace. This is especially handy if you are staying at a private house or apartment. For those choosing to stay at a resort, you will find catching a taxi easy. And some resorts offer shuttle buses and tours to the popular beaches and into Willemstad. 

What we did

We hired a car through Budget, which we were able to collect and drop off at the airport. There are several car hire companies on the island. Be sure to do a bit of research to find out what is right for you and your needs when in Curaçao. 

Safety in Curaçao

Like anywhere you travel around the world, you always need to be wary of your belongings; both when in tourist areas and at your accommodation. Your common sense is all you need to be safe in Curaçao. Hiring a car? Do not leave your belongings in the vehicle. Going for a swim? Be wary of what you leave on the beach. 

In our opinion

Not once did we feel unsafe in Curaçao. The children were able to walk ahead of us in Willemstad, order their own food from street vendors (it is rare to find someone that will rip you off), and safely go to the bathroom in a restaurant. Be mindful though, that our children are 10 and 12, seasoned travellers and speak fluent Dutch; which is the official language in Curaçao. 

Now the fun stuff…

There is no denying that you are probably interested in Curaçao because of the beautiful waters and laid back Caribbean vibe. But there is so much more to the island than you probably know. 

The food

The food in Curaçao is representative of the cultural influences around the island. You will find a mix of Dutch, Indonesian, and Caribbean influence. 

With a dry yet tropical climate, nature isn’t always predictable (and neither is relying on imported food), so many soulful, creole dishes make use of what is available. As an example, this may mean eating the same dish more than once is slightly different (yet still tasty). 

In my opinion, these are the foods and drink you need to try while in Curaçao.

Guiambo (or Okra Soup)

While the texture isn’t appealing to some, this tasty seafood soup is packed full of flavour. Look out for a street vendor or road side stall for this homemade dish, as these are normally the best cooks you will find. If offered chilli and lime to add to it, do so! I loved this dish and was full for hours afterwards!

Batido

As you drive around the island you will see signs saying Batidos on many road side pop ups, and food trucks. 

A batido is a freshly made shake of crushed ice, milk and fresh fruit. They are addictively tasty and made fresh to order. Make sure you try a soursop batido at last once during your time on the island. 

Bitterballen

This is a must try for those of you who have not been to The Netherlands. This Dutch snack is a family favourite of ours and can be found at most cafes or bars in Willemstad. We enjoyed our “last” bitterballen at the restaurant at Kokomo Beach, along with many other Dutch snacks before we continued our travels to South and Central America. 

The nature – above and below the water

Like many Caribbean islands, Curaçao has stunning nature and National Parks.

Parks

The impressive Christoffel Park is a must see for land dwellers. You will find it 40-minutes from downtown Willemstad. Another recommendation for those who prefer land, is Shete Boka Park. Adjoining to Christoffel Park, this coastal wonder is a nesting ground for turtles but more impressively, when the waves meet the rocks you are met with a spectacular show. 

The bird watching is incredible in Curaçao. Make sure you head to Sint Michielsbaai to see the flamingos and if your up for it, wander the mangroves. Don’t forget good waterproof shoes and drinking water though as the temperatures rise quickly in Curaçao. 

On a side note…keep an eye out for iguanas! They are a lot more common than we expected and we saw them everywhere. Make sure you don’t approach them as they aren’t the friendliest of species!

Snorkelling

When it comes to being below the water, you will be spoilt! No matter where you end up, you will see schools of fish in a rainbow of colours. All the places are unique and spectacular. Not only were we lucky enough to snorkel with sea turtles, we also were surrounded by trumpet fish, coral, parrot fish and eels, and many other colourful species we cannot name!

You can take it up a notch and go diving in these same spots. You can even gain your PADI certification if you do not dive. However in Rog’s opinion ( he is a certified rescue diver), you probably won’t see much more variety when diving. Save that for and island like Bonaire instead. 

The beaches

With stunning beaches on everyside of the island, you will probably need to plan your beach days so you don’t miss any of them! Among our favourites were Playa Lagun, Grote Knip, and Kokomo. 

What you need to know about the beaches in Curacao

Getting there

If you have chosen accommodation near one of the beaches, I encourage you to explore others during your time in Curaçao. All of the beaches are a little different and offer something amazing.  Public transport is not an option for these locations. And taking taxis everywhere can really blow your budget. Renting a car as we did is the best choice, and worth it once you start seeing the beaches you can access. 

What to take

Water shoes – While there are beaches in Curaçao that are sandy, some of them have small stones, larger rocks to access snorkelling points, and dead coral at the shore. If you have sensitive feet like I do, I recommend buying water / reef shoes. Make sure they are a tight but comfortable fit, and you won’t even know you are wearing them. I found them especially handy for Playa Lagun and Tugboat Beach. 

Bottled water and snacks – Some beaches are located next to beach clubs and restaurants. However, you will also pay a lot more there so it pays to be prepared, where possible. As an example Kokomo beach doesn’t allow outside food and drink to be brought in, although we did have bottles of water in our beach bags. 

Additional Costs  

Throughout Curaçao you may find that some beaches are privately owned by a hotel and they may charge you a fee for entrance to the beach. It may have been the season that we went however we didn’t pay entrance fees to the beach anywhere. There is an additional cost for hiring a beach lounger for the day, and some say this is also for added security for your belongings. We chose to set up on the ground in the shade of a palm tree everywhere we went, and we were not asked to leave or hire a chair. Even at Kokomo Beach, the waiters approached us to ask if we wanted to order anything even though we hadn’t hired a chair.

Other must-dos in Curaçao

Perhaps you need a break from the beach or want maybe you just want to experience everything Curaçao has to offer. 

Check out some of our favourite non-beach highlights

Curaçao Maritime Museum

We checked out the Curaçao Maritime Museum which explained in great detail the history of the island, as well as a great exhibit explaining about the Dutch Military and their presence here and in the Caribbean. It was a great day of homeschooling for the kids as they learnt more about how the Dutch play a role throughout the history of the island, and how it all works today.

Wander Willemstad

There is nothing more iconic in Curaçao than taking a photo of the brightly coloured buildings of Willemstad from the Queen Emma Bridge. 

Walking across the bridge itself is an experience as it moves! You may even be lucky enough to be able to stand on it as it swings open. Some openings are longer than others, so check out the signs and the light signals at each end of the bridge to make sure you don’t get stuck on there for two long!

Willemstad has some great cafes, local shops and of course the best place to buy your curacao souvenirs. If I can give you any advice about heading to Willemstad is to check out if any cruise ships are docking during your time on the island. If they are, plan your days accordingly and avoid Willemstad, Jan Thiel Beach, Playa Piskado and the distillery when ships are docked, as these are the most popular shore excursions offered. 

Landhuis Chobolobo – Curaçao Liqueur Distillery

Another great insight into the island’s history is visiting the Landhuis Chobolobo, which is also the home of the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery. You can join a tour from $15 USD per person (cost correct at time of publishing), which includes a cocktail. We didn’t plan to go when we did so hadn’t booked a tour in advance. However we were able to look around ourselves and were still able to help ourselves to the three different flavours to taste for the day. There is a bar for coffees, cold drinks and of course cocktails to purchase so if you need to bring the kids along, they are more than welcome (children under the age of 12 are free at the time of publishing).

Just so you know, before you go…

• Everywhere we went we could use credit and debit cards but it is a good idea to have the local currency on you for street vendors. The currency is Netherlands Antillean Guilder and can be found as ANG or NAf in your currency converter. 
• When staying at an apartment or private house, you may need to pay for your own electricity. This is done by buying credit with a pin number that your host will give you. Make sure you check the fine print of your booking conditions so you aren’t caught by surprise. 
• Power sockets are the same as the US, so bring a travel adapter if you require

Final Thoughts

Curaçao is a place that has something for everyone, and a wonderful place for a vacation at anytime of the year. And don’t forget, you don’t need to be a water enthusiast to enjoy this beautiful island.