Curaçao is a small Dutch island in the Caribbean. It's known for its colorful buildings as well as the famous Blue Curaçao liqueur. It's a great gateway island during the wintertime if you want to get some vitamin D and avoid the cold weather. It's also really nice to go during the low-tourist season, as it's a lot less crowded and cheaper.
1. Walk Around Punda
Punda is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Curaçao, located in Willemstad, it's a pedestrian area with colorful buildings and nightlife. Punda hosts its famous Punda Vibes every Thursday night, where you can listen to live music at BOHO6 Restaurant or around the Kon. Wilhelminapark.
There is a lot of street at to stumble upon when walking around, you can also refer to this Google Maps for all of the spots. If you want some nice restaurant and nightlife you can head to Pietermaai on Nieuwestraat street, they open mostly at night and there is nice lights and it's animated.
You can grab some coffee, lates or matcha at Café Bonchi or La Reina coffee.
2. Blue Curaçao distillery
The Blue Curaçao liqueur might be the first thing you know about the island, it was for me at least. So Landhuis Chobolobo, is a must do while you are there, they go through a quick tour of the distillery and the history of this blue liqueur. It's super interesting and informative, and you finish the tour with some samples of the different flavors then you can have some cocktails (and ice cream if you booked that ticket option). You can also buy some bottles at their shop, which of course will offer the best price on the island.
3. Playa PortoMari
Playa PortoMari was my all time favorite beach, the wildlife is a prominent part of this beach. It's rather big so you have a good amount of sun-beds and shades, and they have nice bar restaurant, with BBQ options and not just snacks. But the best part are definitely the pigs, they walk around the beach and randomly come say hi, they are super friendly, and of course mainly looking for some leftover food, so careful leaving your snacks all out in the open.
4. Eat fresh fish by the beach
De Visserij piscadera is the place to go for lunch if you are looking for fresh fish and simple meals. It's a local seafood spot where they get their produce directly from fisher-mans on the day, so it's first come first serve. People usually start queuing about 25-30 minutes before it opens.
5. Kura Hulanda Village
Kura Hulanda Village is a colorful small shopping center. You can walk around and stop and the small shops and restaurants, which mostly open at night. You can stop at RustiQ for some modern traditional food and drinks.
6. Venezuelan Floating Market
If you are cooking while on the island and are looking from fresh products coming straight from Venezuela, you can stop by at the Floating Market. You can find a wide range of fruits and veggies.
7. Have lunch at Plasa Bieu
Have authentic cuisine at the Plasa Bieu, it's a very local canteen, where you can try the local dishes for very affordable prices.
Follow this Google Maps for more food options in Punda.
8. Playa Kalki
One of my favorite beaches on the island was Playa Kalki, it's located on the upper part of the island so it's a bit less touristy (when I went in September at least), and there is an hotel just on top and a small restaurant for food and drinks. They have these platforms you can swim to and seat on to admire the view from the Ocean.
They have a lot of other beaches on the coast, like playa piskadó the Turtle beach, however it can get very crowded, I personally just sat on the small pier to look at the turtles for a few minutes and then left. Some of the other beaches are also in constructions, they are building small restaurant building so it's not very enjoyable at the moment with the noise.
9. Take a boat to Klein Curaçao Island
Lastly if you have time you should take a boat and head to the island of Klein. It's a small island on the south of Curaçao. There is no commercial boat to go there so you will need to find a private tour boat. There are a few available depending on what you are looking for. You can check on Viator or GetYourGuide, there is also a tourism office in Punda, you can go see them for advice if needed.
Make sure to check out the country's website if you have more questions, they also have the link to the form you need to fill out before traveling to the island.
10. Go to a beach party
Mambo Beach is a nice spot to go for a drink and watch the sunset, they have different restaurants, bars and clubs options, like MOOD Beach and Bonita Beach Club. You can also head to Jan Thiel, Zanzibar is a nice party spot after sunset.
✈️ When to go
Depending on what you are looking for, quiet and affordable would be during the low season from May to October.
Or the more touristy season so pricier, maybe better weather November to April.
🏠 Where to stay
Punda
Piscadera
Sint Michiel
Grote Berg (closer to the beaches, but further from the center)
🧳 What to pack
Light clothing, hat, sunglasses, beach towels, towel band holder (it's very windy so these come in quite handy), sunscreen, water shoes.
🚖 Getting around
If you are planning to travel around the island a lot you should consider renting a car, Car Renta D&D was a good option, easy and reliable (you can reach out to them via WhatsApp).
You can use Click app which is the Uber of the island, it's a great cheaper alternative to regular taxis.
💡 Things to know
There are a lot of mosquitos so bring products if mosquitos love you (like they love me).
Botica Brion was a good pharmacy, they have a lot of products available in case you are in need of anything.
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