What to do on Curaçao
Beaches, caves, a UNESCO-listed old town and a national park at the far end of the island. Most of it is a short drive from Willemstad, and none of it is on a bus route.
Dolphin Academy
Immerse yourself in the dolphin world and observe their behavior in one of their natural lagoons. Choose one of many Dolphin Experiences that fits you best. You can even snorkel or dive with the dolphins in the open water since Dolphin Academy is one of only three facilities in the entire world who takes the dolphins to the open ocean. Don't forget to walk around Curaçao Sea Aquarium as the entrance is also included.
Downtown Willemstad Tours
Downtown Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, a fairytale world of gingerbread Dutch houses, cobbled lanes and water views. Red-roofed gabled houses painted in sorbet colors of pink, blue and orange line the narrow lanes looking onto the canals of St. Anna Bay. Take an open trolley train tour from Fort Amsterdam to see the bridges, stone forts, and gorgeous pastel-hued buildings. There are several good museums in the downtown area of Punda, including a Maritime Museum, Fort Museum, Synagogue Museum, and Postal Museum. For a taste of the exotic Americas, buy some tropical fruit from the Venezuelan floating market on the harbor.
Carnival
Get ready for a kaleidoscopic blowout of color and creativity at the Curaçao Carnival. Developed over centuries, the great cultural celebration is one of the most immersive in the region. It takes place each year in the early spring, and brings troupes of local samba dancers to the streets, their clothes imbued with bright and bold Caribbean colors. There's oodles of Calypso and the island's own Tumba music too, along with curious masquerades and dance processions. It's also a chance for travelers to see the ritual burning of King Momo, whose great effigy goes up in flames and fireworks at the close of the festivities.
Watch Cliff Jumpers - or Jump Yourself
Jumping off the 40-foot clifftop at Playa Forti is a Curaçao bucket list item, and not just for tourists. Facing an expansive blue sea in Westpunt a few miles north of Playa Kenepa, this bluff boasts one of the most beautiful coastline views on the island and attracts crowds of locals and visitors who brave the leap on the weekends. The acrophobic can head over to Blue View restaurant, perched on a bluff opposite this cliff, for a Blue Curaçao cocktail and a free show from a safe distance.
Attend Thursday Punda Vibes
Once a week, Willemstad comes alive with Thursday Punda Vibes. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the city's most visited colonial district by day turns into one big outdoor cultural festival and night market. Traditional folkloric dancers show off the Curaçaoan waltz on Punda's main plaza at Gomezplein, outdoor stalls sell handmade crafts and jewelry and various local artists perform live around Punda's main streets — from a marching band to Latin and jazz groups. Restaurants and bars join in with Punda Vibes food and happy hour specials, and the electric evening ends with fireworks over St. Anna Bay.
Cabana Beach
It is located at Seaquarium Beach. The trendy restaurant offers its guests a dazzling view of the beach and the Caribbean Sea. At Cabana Beach, you'll find yourself in a tasteful lounge atmosphere. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The internationally oriented menu offers something for everybody. Cabana Beach is also available for parties. Drop by and allow yourself to be amazed.
Jan Thiel Beach
It all happens at Jan Thiel Beach. Dreaming of sun, sea, shopping, and entertainment? Jan Thiel Beach Curaçao is the place to be! Relax with an ice-cold cocktail, let our chefs surprise you and discover a world of entertainment and sports possibilities at the beach. With 4 unique restaurants at the beach, Jan Thiel Beach offers a diversity of culinary relaxation. Every restaurant has its own appearance, ambiance, possibilities, and activities.
Mambo Beach
On a small island like Curaçao, you don't have to travel far to find a beach. And if you need a convenient stop during a cruise excursion, look no further than Mambo Beach (aka Seaquarium Beach). It may be man-made, but this beach located just 4 miles south of Willemstad features the bright white sands, the crystal blue waters, a sand volleyball court and the piña coladas you've been craving. Once you've fulfilled your lounging quota for the day, head over to Ocean Encounters, where you can rent some snorkel gear or take a scuba trip.
Museums & Country Houses
Curaçao Landhuizen, built in the 18th & 19th centuries, are usually former plantation houses. They were raised from coral with the addition of some brick stone details. Our Museum takes its visitors on a discovery tour of more than 500 years of history of Curaçao. The story-line is illustrated through a permanent exhibition consisting of displays with authentic charts, models and equipment combined with audiovisual techniques.
Ostrich Farm
Visit the Curaçao Ostrich Farm and make use of this opportunity to see these fascinating birds up close. You will be able to touch them, feed them and even ride them (only for the most daring). On the hour every hour the Safari truck departs for an amazing tour. For that experience, all you need to do is announce yourself at the Zambezi restaurant on arrival.
Klein Curaçao
Klein Curacao is a small island of 3 km2 (1.2 square miles) big which is just 10 kilometer (6.2 miles) South-West from the mother island Curacao. Curaçao's longest and whitest beach is on Klein Curaçao, an uninhabited island eight miles off the southeast coast. Dive operators and charter boats take passengers out to the oversized volcanic rock for beach parties, cookouts, and fantastic diving. The shore is covered in soft white sand and the water is crystal clear.
Shete Boka National Park
This is an area adjoining the Christoffelpark covering more than 10 kilometers of the rocky wave-exposed north coast of the island. The park begins at stunning Boka Tabla, where huge waves thunder into an underground cavern. Steps cut into the rocks lead you directly into the mouth of the cavern; you can sit on the very edge and watch the surfs roll in.
Hato Caves
The Hato Caves were formed below the sea level millions of years ago. Guides will take you through the caves pointing out the apocryphal and fanciful stories behind some of the stalactites and stalagmites. It covers an area of 4900 m2, and is the home to beautiful limestone formations, romantic pools, a waterfall and a famous Madonna statue. Also inside the Cave is a colony of seldom seen long nose fruit bats.
Curaçao Liqueur Factory
Enjoy the real Blue Curacao at Landhuis Chobolobo. Blue Curacao is definitely one of the most famous liqueurs in the world. Join the tour through our Visitor Center, experience the production process and enjoy the taste such as it has been produced since 1896.
Christoffel Park
Christoffelpark is the largest national park of Curacao and a must see for everyone. The park has a rich variety of local flora and fauna. There are eight hiking trails, allowing the visitor the choice between an easy stroll, or for instance, a challenging hike to the top of the Christoffel mountain (recommended for early morning). Nature lovers will find the park teeming with local birds and plants, including species which are not easily seen elsewhere on the island.
Eat from a Food Truck
Curaçaoans are big on their truki pan — which translates literally, in the local Papiamentu language, as 'bread truck.' The most popular food trucks come out in the Caracasbaai area near Willemstad after 9 p.m., pimped out with flashing disco lights and blaring music while dishing out perfectly seasoned, grilled meats from ribs to stuffed sandwiches. Night owls flock to them between or after-party hops.
All of this needs a car
These places are spread across Curaçao and public transport does not reach most of them. Book online and your car is waiting when you land.