Ultimate Curaçao Travel Guide: Best Activities, Day Trips, Beaches and Places to Eat

Must Visit Places Overview

Beaches

• Playa Kenepa Grandi (Grote Knip) – Iconic turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs.
• Cas Abao Beach – Excellent for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.
• Playa Porto Mari – Known for its double reef and friendly beach pigs.
• Playa Lagun – A quiet cove perfect for spotting sea turtles.
• Klein Curaçao – Day-trip to an uninhabited island with powdery white sand and a historic lighthouse.
• Mambo Beach – Lively, modern beach with restaurants, shops, and nightlife.
• Jan Thiel Beach – Trendy beach area with clubs, dining, and beautiful sunset views.

Cities & Cultural Spots

• Willemstad (Punda & Otrobanda) – UNESCO-listed pastel buildings, floating bridge, shopping, and dining.
• Pietermaai District – Trendy area with boutique hotels, nightlife, and colorful architecture.
• Scharloo – Street art, murals, and the famous “Chichi” sculptures.
• Westpunt – The island’s quiet, scenic west end—home to many of the best beaches.

Nature & Adventure

• Christoffel National Park – Hiking trails, wildlife, and panoramic island views.
• Shete Boka National Park – Crashing waves, rugged coastline, and natural blowholes.
• The Blue Room Cave – Snorkel into a glowing blue underwater cave.

Experiences

• Curaçao Sea Aquarium & Dolphin Academy – Family-friendly marine encounters.
• Hato Caves – Explore ancient limestone formations and Arawak petroglyphs.
• Curaçao Ostrich Farm – Fun and educational stop for families.
• Landhuis Plantation Houses – Historic estates like Landhuis Chobolobo (home of Blue Curaçao liqueur).

Restaurants

Kome – Great for overall dining and families. A creative Caribbean-fusion restaurant in Pietermaai known for fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and a relaxed but polished atmosphere. They also have a kids’ menu and are very welcoming to families. More info

De Visserij – Best for seafood lovers. A true sea-to-table experience where you choose your fish fresh off the boat, prepared simply and perfectly. Casual, lively, and always fresh. More info

Plasa Bieu (Old Market) – Best for authentic local food. A classic lunch spot serving Curaçaoan dishes like stews, fried fish, plantains, and krioyo comfort dishes cooked by local “tantes.” Cultural, busy, and budget-friendly. More info

Komedor Krioyo (Landhuis Dokterstuin) – Best for traditional island cuisine. Set in a historic plantation house, this restaurant serves goat stew, fish dishes, and local sides—full of Curaçaoan flavor and heritage. More info

Jaanchie’s Restaurant – Best for a slow, local Westpunt experience. Known for handwritten menus and unique dishes like iguana stew. Charming, old-school, and part of Westpunt tradition. More info

Fort Nassau – Best for views and romance. Located inside an 18th-century fort overlooking Willemstad with sweeping panoramic views, especially at sunset. Great for celebrations and date nights. More info

Baoase Culinary Beach Restaurant – Best for luxury romantic dining. Upscale beachfront setting, candlelit tables, elevated cuisine, and personalized service. One of Curaçao’s most intimate dining experiences. More info

The Wine Cellar – Best for classic fine dining. A long-loved French/European restaurant offering impeccable service, an excellent wine list, and an intimate, timeless atmosphere. More info

Pirate Bay – Best for families. A fun, casual, beachside restaurant with a pirate theme, tasty comfort food, and a laid-back setting where kids can play right on the sand. More info

Landhuis Brakkeput Mei Mei – Best for families and groups. Located on a historic estate with open-air seating, a big menu, a kid-friendly atmosphere, and even mini-golf. More info

Karakter – Best for beachfront dining with a relaxed, upscale vibe. Known for its comfortable lounge beds, oceanfront setting, and all-day menu ranging from fresh breakfasts to stylish dinners. Great for sunsets, snorkeling before your meal, and a peaceful, romantic atmosphere without being overly formal. More info

Curaçao Travel Tip: Do You Need Restaurant Reservations? Here’s the Quick Guide!

Planning where to eat on the island? Here’s a simple breakdown of which popular Curaçao restaurants do and don’t require reservations:

✔️ Reservations Recommended / Required

• Kome – Popular and fills fast.
• Fort Nassau – Best sunset views; books up quickly.
• Baoase Culinary Beach Restaurant – Reservation required.
• The Wine Cellar – Small and intimate; books early.
• Veranda at Landhuis Vredenberg – Helpful to reserve, especially at dinner.
• Karakter – Reserve for sunset or beachfront seating.

Walk-In Friendly (No Reservation Needed)

• De Visserij – No reservations taken; line-up system.
• Plasa Bieu (Old Market) – Casual lunch hall.
• Komedor Krioyo (Landhuis Dokterstuin) – Easy walk-in.
• Jaanchie’s Restaurant – Casual Westpunt classic.
• Pirate Bay – Walk-in friendly; optional to reserve.
• Landhuis Brakkeput Mei Mei – Big open-air space; reservations only needed for busy nights or groups.

Day Trip Itineraries for Beach & Nature

Route: Willemstad → Westpunt → Return
Best Day: Any sunny day, start early!

8:00 AM – Leave Willemstad + Drive to Playa Lagun: Snorkel with turtles in the calm cove. Enjoy small fishing boats, sea turtles, parrotfish and clear water tucked between cliffs.

Drive Time: ~45 minutes
Stop Length: 1 hour

9:15 AM – Playa Kenepa Grandi (Grote Knip): Visit the famous cliffside lookout and relax on one of Curacao’s most iconic beaches.

Drive Time: 10 minutes
Stop Length: 1–1.5 hours

10:45 AM – Playa Kenepa Chiki (Kleine Knip): Snorkel near the rocks (great coral and fish) in the calm water and less crowded beaches than Knip.

Drive Time: 3 minutes
Stop Length: 45 minutes–1 hour

12:00 PM – Playa Porto Mari: Snorkel the “double reef”, one of the best easy-access snorkel spots. Look for the famous beach pigs that roam the area. Eat lunch at the beach restaurant, Playa Porto Mari Restaurant & Bar.

Drive Time: 15 minutes
Stop Length: 1.5–2 hours

2:30 PM – Daaibooi Beach: Chill at this local favorite beach. Snorkel near the rocky edges in the calm cove.

Drive Time: 5 minutes
Stop Length: 1 hour

3:45 PM – Shete Boka National Park: Explore wild coastlines of crashing waves. Walk down into Boka Tabla Cave and see the famous blowholes and rugged landscape.

Drive Time: 20 minutes
Stop Length: 1 hour

5:15 PM – Christoffel National Park Lookout or Westpunt Viewpoint (optional)

Drive Time: 10–15 minutes
Stop Length: 20–30 minutes

6:00 PM – Dinner at Karakter or Playa Piskadó (optional)

Drive Time: 20 minutes (Karakter) or 10 minutes (Piskadó)
Stop Length: 1–1.5 hours

Beach Clubs & Day Passes

A day pass gives you access to a hotel or resort without being an overnight guest.

Most day passes include:

• Private beach & swimming pool access
• Sunbeds and towels
• Sometimes food and unlimited drinks
• Resort extras like spa, gym, or even waterparks

Must do Excursions

All West Beach Hopping Tour

The west coast of Curacao is known for its beautiful beaches, fringed with palm forests and coral reefs. On this tour, spend a day beach hopping and visit popular beaches such as Piskado Beach, Kenepa Beach, and Cas Abao Beach. Along the way, stop to admire the natural wonders of the Shete Boka National Park, visit the Flamingo Sanctuary at St. Willibrodus, and dive in to swim and snorkel in the Caribbean Sea.

• Visit at least three different beaches along Curacao’s West Coast
• Incredible wildlife sightings including turtles and flamingos
• Plenty of beach time with chance to swim and snorkel 
• Comfortable coach transport with unlimited drinks on-board

The best walking tour Willemstad

Join us on the our unique and fascinating guided walk through Willemstad, with tour options to suit all travellers and interests and operated by a fully licensed guide! Our vibrant capital Willemstad has a rich history and is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. During you tour, you will get to admire the colonial buildings, iconic monuments as well as the famous Emma Bridge. Willemstad been a popular destination for traders, mariners, and tourists for centuries due to its port. More than just a tour, during our time we will share with you the most fascinating tales and intriguing history of Curaçao’s stunning historical landmarks. You will also learn about our culture and meet the proud locals, all the while being in awe of the stunning murals which line the streets of Willemstad.

• See UNESCO World Heritage sites and colorful colonial buildings
• Admire bold street art, meet locals and learn about Curaçao culture, history and cuisine
• Visit several different city districts and iconic monuments on one trip
• See a side of Curaçao that less savvy travellers often miss

Hato Cave, Turtles & Beach

Venture to the northern part of Curaçao, where it’s more rural, and discover several natural attractions on this full-day adventure from Jan Thiel. Start out at the Hato Caves, known for its unique limestone formations and ancient paintings. Then, swim and snorkel with sea turtles at the small fishing beach of Piskado. End your day with more swimming and relaxing at Porto Mari Beach.

• Learn about sea turtles and their environment
• Swim, snorkel, and soak up the sun in Curaçao
• All necessary snorkeling equipment is provided
• Hassle-free transfers from select hotels are included

Beach Hopping Curacao; UTV/Buggy All Inclusive Semi Private Tour

Visit five of Curacao’s best beaches on this small, intimate group tour, where you ride in UTVs, snorkel, and dine on an included lunch in Bandabou. You don’t need to plan any logistics or navigation. Start your tour with hotel pickup, and then you’re on your way. Choose which of the five beaches is your favorite, and make plans to visit again.

• Enjoy round-trip pickup from your hotel to keep things running smoothly 
• Visit multiple beaches in this one tour 
• Ride in UTVs for an ultimate beach adventure
• Enjoy this intimate group tour with max of 5 guests

Klein Curacao Sunset Cruise with Open Bar and BBQ

Prepare to be whisked away to an uninhabited island as we set sail from the mainland of Curacao to the stunning Klein Curacao. As we cruise towards Klein Curacao, you’ll see it’s iconic pink lighthouse standing tall on the horizon and the inviting pristine pearl white beach stretching for miles.

Upon arrival, you’ll have ample time to indulge in various activities. Whether you choose to swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, sunbathe on the soft sands, or explore the island’s iconic pink lighthouse, wrecks and ruins, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

After soaking up the sun and enjoying an extensive BBQ lunch buffet on board our catamaran, we’ll embark on our journey back to the mainland.

As we sail back towards Curacao, you’ll be treated to a mesmerizing Sunset Cruise along the island’s east coast. While onboard, our attentive crew will pamper you with refreshing drinks and vibrant music, creating the perfect ambiance for an unforgettable evening.

Snorkel Cruise with BBQ Lunch and Open Bar

Get away from the tourist masses and discover the underwater wonders hidden in Caraca Bay. Starting with a cruise through Spanish Water Bay, we anchor at two more famous sights. Vibrant corals and bright schools of fish await you. This adventure goes at your pace, with plenty of time to relax on board the sun lounges and sip at tasty tropical cocktails.

• Sample local cuisine for an included BBQ lunch
• All snorkelling equipment is provided
• Marvel at the sunken tugboat found at Caracas Bay
• Memorable viewing opportunities of native marine life

Happy Hour Sunset Cruise

End another great day in paradise with a relaxing sail on the Caribbean Sea just as the sun is setting. Board your vessel and choose a spot on the spacious catamaran to take in the scenic views. Enjoy a drink from the open bar as well as a selection of finger foods while you sail and watch the sky turn from blue to hues of yellows, oranges, and pinks.

• Take in the views of Curaçao while you sail
• This cruise is suitable for guests of all ages
• Upgrade to include hotel transfers for a fee
• Relax on deck or on the comfy boat nets