Discover Curaçao …!
Beaches
Cas Abou
This bay is close to our house and is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in Curaçao. National Geographic ranked the beach fourth on its list of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Go snorkeling here late in the afternoon behind and around the pier, and you are almost certain to see the 4 sea turtles swimming around that come to visit.
Porto Marie
A quiet beach where, close to the shore, you have pots with openings in the water where lots of small fish swim. Great snorkeling! And sometimes piglets roam around here too.
Playa Lagun
Huge schools of tiny silverfish swim here. Have a drink at the little restaurant Bahia at the top of the stairs; you have a beautiful view here!
Coral Estate (near restaurant Karakter)
If you have breakfast or lunch here, you can use the beach and sunbeds for free. You do have to be there early for that! You can enjoy wonderful snorkeling here. There is also a good diving school. From Karakter, you can take a (trial) dive at the reef or go by boat to, for example, the Blauwe Kamer to snorkel or dive there.
Grote Knip
Make sure you are here before 10:00 AM; then you are sure to still be able to secure sunbeds by the sea with a parasol (for a fee of Nat 25.- for 2 sunbeds with a parasol). Snorkeling is beautiful on the right side of the bay. And sometimes you see small pigs scavenging around here.
Kleine Knip
The same applies here as to Grote Knip. Be on time for nice spots to lie down. By the way, the ticket you buy for the sunbeds is valid both here and at Grote Knip.
Playa Grandi
This is not such a beautiful beach, but in the morning between 9 and 9:30, the fishermen throw their fish scraps into the water from their small boat, which attracts sea turtles. It is an experience to lie in the water with your snorkel mask at that time.
Playa Kalki
A very quiet little bay where you can easily find a spot (for free) all day long. No sunbeds here, but the sand is soft and there are parasols.
Things to Do
Mount Christoffel
Climbing Mount Christoffel is a challenge. It goes up quite steeply, and because it is always hot on dushi Korsou, you must leave before 10:00 AM. You pay the entrance fee at the entrance to Christoffel Park (across the road) and drive a short distance into the park towards the foot of the mountain. Then you park here and set off with plenty of water (!!!!), sunscreen, and mosquito repellent in your bag (a backpack is recommended). It takes about an hour to climb, but once you are at the top—probably drenched in sweat—you will be surprised by the phenomenal view! Going down is faster, but… make no mistake… it is tough. Good shoes are a must! Reasonable health is also essential. Beforehand, you must sign a paper acknowledging the risks and confirming that you have at least enough water with you (tip: freeze some bottles of water in advance, so you have nice cold water along the way). A challenge, but do it if you can, because it is more than worth it!
Boca Tabla
The rugged coast at Boca Tabla invites you to follow the hiking trails, but you can also take routes by car here. You pay at the entrance to the Shete Boka nature park (seven inlets or bays). You will find powerful waters and natural beauty here! Punda, Pietermaai and Otrobanda Willemstad Nowhere in the world do you see so many colorful facades; that is typical of Curaçao. You see those colors all over Curaçao, by the way. It is amazing how people sometimes color their houses, sometimes several at once. You can book a guided walking tour in Willemstad, where you will learn a lot about the history. Willemstad is divided by the deep natural harbor with the Schottegat behind it. You can cross from one side to the other via the high bridge (Julianabrug), the pontoon bridge (Koningin Emmabrug), the free ferry (if the Pontjesbrug is closed), or drive all the way around the Schottegat. In the city center, there is a beautiful old botica, which is a pharmacy/drugstore. You stand in front of a large counter and everything is brought out for you. Just walk in and buy a tube of toothpaste. Typically South American. Nearby is the synagogue, the oldest synagogue still in use in the Western Hemisphere. Jews have played an important role in the history of Curaçao, and you can see that here. A beautiful, photogenic spot. A visit is well worth it. You can also find a nice place to sit on Gomezplein. Many politicians and business people have lunch there at midday, so you are just a little less surrounded by tourists. The Punda side is the east side, the somewhat more upscale side. Just enjoy a stroll, do a bit of shopping, and sit on the terrace by the quay. There is a nice terrace by the quay, in front of the beautiful Peña building. It is a lovely place to sit with a magnificent view. If you are lucky, the Pontjesbrug will open and a large (cruise) ship will pass by. Fort Amsterdam is the seat of government, a historic landmark, and there you immediately see how small-scale everything is. Incidentally, on very clear days, you can see the coastline of Venezuela from the terrace at the house. At sunset, on a clear day, you can often see the mountains of Venezuela in the setting sun. The Pietermaai neighborhood has been completely "in" lately. Many monumental buildings have been and are being beautifully renovated, and more and more nice restaurants and boutique hotels are popping up. Walk across the Pontjesbrug to the other side. The Otrobanda side is much more working-class and was the scene of unrest, riots, and fires in the late 1960s. It has only been properly renovated in the last 20 years or so. There is a nice shopping street, cheap little shops, lots of flowy dresses, shirts, etc. It is especially nice because of the people shopping there. The Rif Fort, at the tip of the harbor, has been beautifully restored; a major tourist boost has been given there, with hotels, a cinema, etc. It is nice to take a walk through. Jacob Gelt Dekker, a wealthy Dutch businessman with ideals and a heart for Curaçao, started cleaning up the ruins in Otrobanda in the late nineties. He turned dilapidated houses where addicts used to live into an amazing hotel! Highly recommended; you can just walk through it, it is called Kura Holanda. We really enjoy having a drink there during the day and in the evening on the terrace on the small central square at Flores! Every Friday and Saturday evening there is quiet live music here starting at 7:00 PM. It is located behind restaurant De Gourveneur. We park on the Kura Holanda grounds then. He also founded the Slave Museum, which is well worth a visit, especially with a guide! Visit these colorful neighborhoods on foot; they are so beautiful! Boat tour of the harbor in Willemstad. On Wednesdays at 2:00 PM, a ferry departs from opposite the Governor (on the other side of the pontoon bridge) for a tour of the harbor in Willemstad. The tour lasts one hour and includes a guide. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Maritime Museum.
Hofi Mango
Plantation area and one of the most diverse nature reserves on the island, on the road towards Westpunt. It is home to Curaçao's only sugar mill and over 600 mango trees that are hundreds of years old. Country Houses
Many old country houses from the colonial era have been preserved on the island. These country houses are all situated high up on the island and are (usually) free to visit. Here are a few tips on two beautiful country houses in the area.
Landhuis Jan Kok
Incredibly colorful items by Curaçao's most famous artist, Nena Sanches, are sold here. She has passed away, but her art still changes hands. And it is not only her art that is worth a visit; the view from the country house is also phenomenal. Admission is free. You can view the country house and buy nice, high-quality souvenirs, cheerful prints, and the like. Near this country house are lagoons where flamingos live. Sometimes it takes a bit of searching to spot them, but they are always there. Country House Klein Santa Martha
Stunning view, you won't believe your eyes! Groot Santa Martha is a very beautiful and large country house, located near Soto (on the way to Lagún Bay). Pay close attention, otherwise you'll drive right past it. You can have lunch there (delicious nasi goreng) and take a walk around. The cheese fondue here is also not to be missed, and we think the apple pie here is the best in Curaçao.
Flora and fauna
The most striking are the iguanas. A type of large lizard. They look terrifying, but you get used to them; they don't do anything. They are friendly and timid. They are vegetarians. If you have them around, they love a piece of tomato, melon, or lettuce. They eat it skin and all. There are plenty of small lizards; some have beautiful blue-green tails. You will certainly see them scurrying around the pool.
The birds are colorful, especially the orioles, which are superb, in yellow or orange with black. The size of a magpie and sometimes very cheeky. And if you are lucky, you will also see hummingbirds in the flowering bushes around our pool. Sugarbirds are like sparrows; they come to eat the sugar from the jar, small yellow birds. You also regularly see and hear small parrots. By the sea, you regularly see pelicans fishing. The birds with a sort of forked tail that glide high in the air are wara-waras.
The underwater world is beautiful; you really must see it. It is fun to discover how many species of palms there are. Furthermore, you will find trees blooming profusely on the island, especially the bright orange flamboyant. Dividivi trees are characteristic of the island. And there are also many species of acacias in shrub form. Curaçaoans call them picas. The cacti are spectacular; the globe cactus you see on the Hato plain is protected.
Restaurants
Karakter at Coral Estate
Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner with your feet in the sand, overlooking the sea; it is breathtaking here, especially at dusk! Booking online is recommended. We always make sure to arrive early in the evening to see the beautiful sunset.
Koraal at Coral Estate
This restaurant is located just slightly higher than Karakter. Every Friday evening there is a cozy BBQ night with relaxed live music. On Saturdays, they serve delicious sushi. They also have a great menu on all other days. Book a spot with a sea view online (be sure to be on time!).
Landhuis Klein Santa Martha
Incredible view! Very affordable food on the terrace at a beautifully restored old country house. We love having cheese fondue here (with fruit, vegetables, and bread), but of course, there are many more tasty things on the menu.
De Buurvrouw
Good value for money and nearby, but reservations are recommended.
VipGrill
Good Truki Pan, along the road between Tera Cora and Grote Berg, open from 6:00 PM. We eat it there, but of course you can also take the food home.
Bahia at Playa Lagun
Delicious food with, once again, an amazing view! We often eat here early when we return from a bay on our way home.
De Gouverneur in Willemstad
Reserving online is recommended, and choose a spot on the balcony! Eat the Cuban banana soup here; it is world-famous on Curaçao!
De Visserij in Willemstad
Local fishermen bring their catch here and receive a fair price. The fish goes straight from the water, via oven or fryer, onto your plate. Be sure to eat the delicious shrimp here! Eating here is an experience in every respect. Open Friday through Monday. We arrive early to avoid long queues.
Bij Blauw in Willemstad (Pietermaai)
Enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner by the sea in one of the most beautiful streets of Willemstad. Reservations required for dinner.
Sol Food
Open only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for lunch and dinner. Reserve via [email protected]. An older American couple runs a small restaurant with a beautiful view. The pizza is big enough to share between two people.
Heeren@Sea in Willemstad (Pietermaai)
They also serve a good breakfast here (traditional Curaçaoan pumpkin pancakes!), and a tasty lunch. We find dinner here too busy.
Mundo Bizarro in Willemstad
We like to go here for a drink during the day. Very colorful decor; it is a feast for the eyes.
Jaanchie’s Westpunt
The oldest restaurant on the island. Time has stood still here, but the food is no less delicious. Try the stew with iguana, chicken, or goat.