Curacao is a paradise destination known for its sun, sea, and beaches, but this Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela has much more to offer than just that. In addition to lounging on azure blue waters or sipping cocktails on pristine white beaches, you can also get active. Curacao has something for everyone and is sure not to disappoint. We’ve scoured Curacao from east to west to find the coolest hotspots, most exciting activities, and the most beautiful sights. In this article, you’ll find our selection of the 15 best things to do (and tips) in Curacao. Welcome to Curacao!

What about transportation in Curacao?

Curacao offers plenty of beauty to discover, both in the east and the west, and everywhere in between. It’s not a large island, but when you drive from east to west, you’re still in for a journey of about an hour. The attractions are scattered across the island, so if you want to explore Curacao, you’ll need transportation. Public transportation takes a lot of time and is quite limited, so it’s not really recommended. The most enjoyable and practical way to explore Curacao is by renting a car. This gives you the freedom to go wherever you want, and traffic in Curacao is very relaxed. We had a rental car throughout our entire stay, but if you’re on a tighter budget, you can also rent a car for just part of your vacation. If you don’t want or can’t rent a car, you can also book tours and excursions that take you to different parts of Curacao. However, this option is usually more expensive, and you’ll have less freedom to come and go as you please. Check out our tips for renting and driving a car in Curacao before your trip.

The Most Exciting Things to Do in Curacao

Whether you’re going for one or two weeks, with these tips, you won’t get bored in Curacao!

Climb the Christoffelberg

Of course, you come to Curacao to relax, but you can’t leave the island without climbing the Christoffelberg. This is the highest point in Curacao, and from here, you have a fantastic 360-degree view of the entire island. The Christoffelberg stands at 375 meters (1230 feet), and the climb takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Go early in the morning to beat the heat and enjoy the sunrise while hiking. Along the way, you’ll encounter the most beautiful tropical plants and birds. Planning to make the climb? Be sure to read our tips for climbing the Christoffelberg.

Explore the lesser-known side of Curacao on an ATV

One of the most exciting things to do in Curacao, in our opinion, is the 3.5-hour quad tour. After a brief instruction, you hop on the quad to explore the eastern part of Curacao. You’ll go off the beaten path and zoom through deserted landscapes towards the coast. It takes a bit of getting used to at first, especially if, like us, you’ve never been on a quad before. Fortunately, it’s not difficult, and soon you’ll be drifting through corners past giant cacti without any fear. An adrenaline rush is guaranteed! You can book this tour here, and it’s advisable to do so before your trip.

Please note: when booking, you can choose different options. You can opt to rent a quad for 1 person or a quad for 2 people. If both of you want your own quad, you’ll need to make two separate bookings for a quad for 1 person.

Explore colorful Willemstad

Willemstad is the capital of Curacao, and you’re sure to spend an afternoon wandering around here. You’ll find many buildings with typical Dutch architecture but with a cheerful splash of color. The best of both worlds come together here. Stroll through the colorful neighborhoods of Otrobanda and Pietermaai to discover famous hotspots and photo locations. Head to the Handelskade via the Queen Emma Bridge, also known as the pontoon bridge. Want to know what else there is to do in Willemstad or where to find the coolest hotspots? Check out our tips for Willemstad.

Snorkeling with Tropical Fish and Turtles

The waters around Curacao are perfect for snorkeling due to their clarity. While the coral may not be as impressive, you’ll find many unique fish, and with a bit of luck, you might even encounter turtles. If you’re eager to explore more coral, consider going diving as well. Either way, it’s delightful to alternate between lounging on the beach and snorkeling. So, be sure to bring your own diving mask, snorkel, and fins! We’ve explored the well-known snorkeling spots and found these three places to be the most beautiful:

• Tugboat: Here, a shipwreck lies just five meters (26 feet) deep.
• Playa Lagun: A charming small beach with a beautiful shallow reef on the left.
• Avila Beach Hotel: To our surprise, the most beautiful snorkeling spot was the house reef of our hotel. Swim out to the right bay and immediately turn left. Here, you’ll find an extensive reef teeming with colorful coral and a variety of fish. If you’re not staying here, you can buy a day pass for $9. Staying here is definitely recommended as well! We captured the photo below there.

Diving around Curacao

If you want to explore the underwater world thoroughly, diving is undoubtedly the best option. There are nearly 100 dive sites and dozens of dive schools. You can dive here as a beginner, but there are also plenty of challenging dives for experienced divers. The waters around Curacao offer something special for every skill level.

Visit Curacao’s Most Beautiful Beaches

Are you coming to Curacao for stunning white sandy beaches with crystal-clear blue waters? Then, this Caribbean island will not disappoint you. We’ve visited many paradise countries, but nowhere was the water as crystal clear and bright blue as here. Curacao boasts a total of 37 beaches to choose from, so if you like, you can relax on a different beach every day. Some beaches are free to access, while others may require a small entrance fee. Below, we recommend the five most beautiful beaches in Curacao, although they can get quite crowded since everyone wants to enjoy these stunning spots. However, if you go early, you can avoid the crowds:

• Cas Abou / Bon Bini Beach (entrance fee)
• Playa Porto Mari (entrance fee)
• Playa Lagun (free access)
• Grote Knip (free access)
• Kleine Knip (free access)

Explore the Rugged Coastline of Shete Boka

In addition to Christoffel Park, Curacao is home to another national park called Shete Boka. This park features seven inlets along the coastline where the sea is often very rough. You can take various hikes, but there’s little to no shade, so they’ve made the three most popular attractions accessible by car. You may need to walk a few minutes at one particular spot. The most spectacular attraction is Boka Pistol. Here, the water crashes forcefully into a narrowing of the inlet, causing it to shoot feet high into the air. It’s a remarkable natural spectacle and a refreshing shower if you get too close. The other two spots are Boka Tabla and Boka Wandome. Boka Tabla is a cave you can climb into, and Boka Wandome is a natural rock bridge over the sea.

Watch the Sunset at Santa Martha Bay Lookout

If you’ve spent a day in the western part of Curacao and are heading back to the east around sunset, make a stop at Santa Martha Bay Lookout. From here, you can enjoy a view of Santa Martha Bay, making it a lovely spot to watch the sunset. Bring some snacks and enjoy the view! If you feel like having a nice meal before heading back, Landhuis Klein Santa Martha is recommended.

Take a Day Trip to Klein Curacao

Klein Curacao is an uninhabited island located about an hour’s boat ride southeast of Curacao. The island is made up of hard rock as it used to be a coral reef. Due to the hard substrate, very little grows here, making it an unusually barren island. However, it boasts a fantastic pearly white sandy beach and crystal-clear blue water, as you would expect on Curacao. While the boat sails, you can sunbathe, and once you arrive at Klein Curacao, you can take a refreshing dip in the water. On the island, you’ll find an abandoned pink lighthouse that you can climb, and a bit further, there are several large and small shipwrecks. This enjoyable boat trip to Klein Curacao lasts the entire day and includes drinks (including alcoholic beverages), a BBQ, snacks, and snorkeling gear if you don’t have your own.

Tip: During this crossing, some people may experience seasickness. Therefore, it’s a good idea to take a motion sickness pill beforehand or use wristbands if you tend to get seasick on boats.

Visit the Kura Hulanda Museum

A visit to the Kura Hulanda Museum is a must. In this impressive museum, you’ll learn about the slave trade and the terrible events that are not so distant in our history. From capturing slaves in Africa and shipping them to their resettlement in the New World, the museum covers the entire journey. It’s a very moving museum located precisely where Dutch entrepreneurs used to trade and ship enslaved Africans.

Swim in the Tomasito Cave

Just around the corner from Playa Kalki, you’ll find the hidden Tomasito Cave. You can descend into the small cave through a steep staircase, where a tiny natural pool has formed at the back. It’s a delightful place to cool off, and when the sun shines on it, the water turns bright blue. To reach this spot, park your car at Kura Hulanda Lodge and pay the 5 guilders entrance fee for the cave. From the reception, it’s a minute’s walk until you see a sign on your left. Go early to have this unique place to yourself.

Update: Unfortunately, Kura Hulanda Lodge is closed, and it’s no longer possible to visit the cave. If you have seen or heard that it’s open again, please let us know via Instagram so we can update this information.

Relax at the Many Beach Bars

A day at a beach bar is a must on this list. Curacao has beach bars of all kinds and sizes. At Mambo Beach, you’ll find many of them, with Chill Beach Bar and Grill and Cabana being our two favorites. Additionally, there are some excellent beach bars at Jan Thiel, such as Koko’s. In the evening, you can also enjoy nightlife at Zanzibar. Finally, we want to mention Karakter because the food here is really excellent.

Nightlife on Curacao

A night of dancing is a must during your vacation on Curacao! To make it easy for you, there’s a party agenda so you know where to go each day of the week. The party agenda looks like this:

• Monday: Rest day
• Tuesday: Bar P Curacao – Mr. Porter
• Wednesday: Madero Ocean Club – Cabana Beach Club
• Thursday: Bar P
• Friday: Bonita Beach Club – Madero Ocean Club – Wet & Wild Beach Club – Chill
• Saturday: Zanzibar
• Sunday: Wet & Wild Beach Club – Chill

Spot Flamingos and Other Colorful Birds

On Curacao, you’ll come across colorful birds everywhere, such as the hummingbird, canary, troupial, and bananaquit, but the most extraordinary is undoubtedly the flamingo. Flamingos are naturally white, but they turn bright pink when they consume enough algae and small crustaceans. They are not always present, but sometimes you can find them in large groups in the lakes on Curacao. There are three places where you have a good chance of spotting them: this location near Sint Willibrordus, this location at Sint Michiel Baai, and at the salt pans of Jan Thiel. For the latter spot, you can park here and then walk down. You can spot them all day long, but in the early morning, you have the best chance of seeing large groups.

Enjoy Delicious Food or Drinks at the Many Hotspots

Curacao offers a plethora of culinary and cozy hotspots. Whether you want to enjoy a cocktail at a lively beach bar with live music, have tapas with a good glass of wine, or prefer fresh fish at a local eatery, Curacao has it all. If you plan to dine at popular restaurants, it’s a good idea to make a reservation. Also, be aware that some restaurants are only open on specific days of the week, with some open only on weekends and others on weekdays. Check this in advance to avoid disappointment. The following places are highly recommended:

• Caña: Fantastic food, excellent service, and delicious cocktails
• Mundo Bizarro: Cocktails, live music, and dancing
• De Visserij: Undoubtedly the best fish on Curacao
• Hofi Cas Cora: Healthy dishes from their own farm
• Maira’s Kitchen: Delicious and affordable lunch in Otrabanda
• Number Ten: Wonderful place for lunch or breakfast in a beautiful garden
• BijBlauw: Relaxed ambiance, a great menu, and right by the sea
• Nultwintig: Sister restaurant of the Michelin-starred restaurant 212 in Amsterdam

Extra Tip: Stay in a Boutique Hotel

A good hotel is key to a fantastic vacation. Curacao has no shortage of excellent hotels, but most of them are a bit on the larger side. Are you looking for something special? Check out our recommendations for the 5 most beautiful boutique hotels on Curacao. Here, you’ll have a fantastic time, whether you stay for the entire vacation or just a few nights.