If you’re planning a vacation to Curacao, you might be wondering where the best place to stay is. The answer to that question depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want to stay right on the beach, near the nightlife, close to good restaurants, or prefer a quieter getaway? Most hotels and restaurants are concentrated around the Pietermaai district in Willemstad and the two popular beach areas, Jan Thiel Bay and Mambo Beach. The vast majority of people stay in one of these three areas. If you prefer a quieter experience, there are also lovely hotels further to the west of Curacao. Below, you’ll find information about the differences between these places to help you make an informed choice.
Staying in the colorful Pietermaai in Willemstad
In the heart of Willemstad, you’ll find the trendy neighborhood of Pietermaai. Expect not the hustle and bustle but rather a very relaxed and authentic area with colorful mansions, the occasional cozy bar, and many excellent restaurants, all within walking distance! You’ll also find most boutique hotels in Curacao and a few seaside resorts here. From here, you can explore Willemstad on foot, and if you’re looking for more excitement, you can reach Mambo Beach in just 6 minutes by car. If you want to explore the west of Curacao for a day, you’ll quickly reach the main road from here. Pietermaai offers the best of both worlds, making it an excellent base for exploring Curacao.
Our favorite places in Pietermaai: If you prefer to stay directly on the beach and in a prime location in Pietermaai, Avila Beach Hotel is the best choice. We found snorkeling here, just outside the hotel’s bay, absolutely fantastic. They have two private beaches, so the beach is also pleasantly quiet. If you’re looking for a luxurious boutique stay, Villa Tokara is fantastic. This monumental villa has a wonderfully large pool, and in the morning, you’ll be served an extensive breakfast on the terrace.
Staying at the bustling Mambo Beach (Seaquarium Beach)
If you prefer a bit more hustle and bustle, Mambo Beach might be the right choice for you. Actually, the beach here is called Seaquarium Beach, but due to the popular beach club Mambo that used to be here, it is now better known as Mambo Beach. The beach is beautiful with powdery white sand and is filled with palm trees (and beach beds). The crystal-clear blue sea is calm due to the various coves created with large stones. Here, you’ll find many large resorts and beach clubs along a boulevard with shops. During the day, you can enjoy the beach, and in the evening, there’s always a party to be found somewhere. In terms of location, you’re a 15-minute drive from the center of Willemstad, so it’s still relatively central.
Our favorite places at Mambo Beach: Perhaps the most beautiful resort in Curacao is Kontiki Beach Resort. The resort is full of palm trees, and natural materials have been used extensively. There’s a beautiful tropical pool, and you’ll stay in an idyllic bungalow. Another good resort at Mambo Beach is LionsDive. LionsDive is located on a pure white private beach, surrounded by swaying palm trees, and the seawater here is crystal clear blue.
Staying at the vibrant Jan Thiel Beach
Of all these places, Jan Thiel Beach is the easternmost. Just like at Mambo Beach, you’ll find many hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs here. It’s a bit smaller and slightly less crowded than Mambo Beach, but it’s certainly not less busy. If we have to choose between the beaches of Mambo and Jan Thiel, we find Mambo Beach a bit more beautiful because it’s more spacious. You can also dance with your feet in the sand in the evening at Jan Thiel.
Our favorite place at Jan Thiel Beach: At Papagayo Beach Resort, you’ll stay in a spacious bungalow with a veranda and a great view of the sea or the beautifully landscaped garden. There are two pools: one infinity saltwater pool and one freshwater pool. Right behind the resort are the salt pans of Curacao, and you can often spot large groups of flamingos here in the morning.
Note: Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel Beach may seem close to each other, but because the salt pans are in between, you have to take a long detour via the Caracasbaaiweg. This is a total of 8 kilometers (5 miles), but during rush hour, there is often a long queue, and it can take up to 30 minutes for this stretch. So, you are relatively far from the rest of Willemstad, and you should keep this in mind when going somewhere.
Heading more to the west of Curacao
Further to the west, you’ll mainly find small lodges in beautiful natural locations. It’s perfect if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle for a few days and also ideal for exploring more of this side of the island. This way, you won’t have to drive as far each time. In terms of restaurants, you’ll have fewer choices, but that’s balanced by the beautiful locations and authentic experiences.
Our favorite places more to the west of Curacao: West of Willemstad, you’ll find very nice accommodations such as Mondi Lodge. You’ll stay here in idyllic bungalows or treehouses hidden in a beautiful garden full of banana trees and other tropical plants. If you prefer to stay in a luxury resort, Coral Estate Luxury Resort is a top choice. The resort has a large infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea, and there’s Karakter Beach Club at the resort where you can enjoy delicious food and relax.
Tip: Renting a car is recommended when you go to Curacao, but when you stay more to the west, it’s necessary because the restaurants and attractions are not within walking distance.
Where do we prefer to stay?
Of course, you can best determine which place suits your wishes, but if you ask us, we found staying in Pietermaai the most enjoyable. The beach is nearby (sometimes even in front of your hotel) and it’s not too crowded. This area offers the best restaurant options, and you never have to walk far for some fun. But what might be even more fun is to stay in two different places. Of course, you’ll have to move in the middle of your vacation, but it’s also fun to experience two different locations and hotels. Choose, for example, a nice boutique hotel and then a resort for the perfect mix. Above, we’ve already recommended some great places to stay, but if you want to see all our recommendations, read 5x the most beautiful boutique hotels in Curacao or 5x the most beautiful resorts in Curacao.
