Curaçao Ultimate Travel Guide

Photo of colorful buildings on a street with a red car and a person walking on the sidewalk. 
Discover a paradise like no other with a trip to Curaçao. Relax on its stunning beaches, explore its vibrant capital city of Willemstad and sample local dishes such as kabritu stoba or generous servings of baka bana (plantain). Visit the Christoffel National Park for some nature hikes or take an exhilarating drive around the island – you'll be captivated by its spellbinding beauty. With so many wonders to explore, your journey to Curaçao will be truly unforgettable!
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Decorative sign with the words 'Willemstad' and an image of the Curaçao sign in a circular frame.
A beach scene with a white boat named 'Keesha' resting on the sandy shore, people swimming and playing in the water, and colorful houses and palm trees on the hill in the background.

Best Time to Visit

With pretty consistent weather at all times of the year, there is no bad time to plan a trip to Curacao. The ABC islands typically avoid the Caribbean hurricane season which runs from June through November. If you are looking for a PTO get away, consider Curacao for your next Caribbean destination.

What to Expect

Language: Curaçao's native language is Papiamentu: a Creole blend of African, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, French, English, and Arawak Indian. The official languages in Curaçao are Dutch, Papiamentu, and English, but of those Papiamentu is used the most in local TV shows, in parliament, and on the street.
Currency: The official currency of Curaçao is the Antillean Guilder (ANG), also known as the Florin. The Antillean Guilder's exchange rate is fixed to the US Dollar at a price of 1 USD = 1.80 ANG.
Credit Cards and ATMs: You can use credit or debit cards almost anywhere in Curacao–especially in town, and if not you will surely find an ATM within a couple of minutes. Keep some cash on you for smaller purchases.
Safety: Some parts of Curacao can be sketchy and are popular spots for petty crime including armed robbery. Car break-ins are common among rental cars, so never leave any valuables in your rental vehicle, especially in more remote parts of the island. The resorts are generally safe, but crime has been reported to occur even within resort grounds, so always travel with a buddy. If you are traveling alone, keep your wits about you and make sure someone knows where you are at all times.

TRAVEL GUIDES

  • A collage showing two scenes from Curaçao. On the left, colorful Dutch-style buildings along a waterfront with a person in a hat overlooking the water. On the right, a beach scene with people relaxing under straw umbrellas and rocky terrain with sparse vegetation.

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BUCKET LIST EXPERIENCES

  • Four partiers pose with drinks in front of a DJ booth at Tropicana Day Club in Mykonos.

    Jump off the cliff at Playa Forti

    This beautiful restaurant provides panoramic views of Playa Forti, but that is not the main reason to visit! This spot is known for its 40 foot cliff that you can jump off into crystal blue water. I was so nervous to jump, but I knew it would be worth it and the whole restaurant was rooting for me as I worked up the nerves to jump. It was so exhilarating, but I recommend wearing shoes and keeping straight so you don’t get injured hitting the water.

  • A sea turtle swimming underwater over sandy ocean floor.

    Swim with Turtles at Playa Piskado

    Playa Piskado, also known as Playa Grandi, is a small fishing processing spot in Westpundt. It is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The beach is also known for its sea turtles, which can almost always be seen swimming in the shallow waters by the dock.

  • Woman in a blue and white floral dress and large sun hat standing on a wooden viewing platform overlooking rocks and water along a rocky coastline with hills in the background.

    Visit Shete Boka National Park

    Shete Boka National Park is a national park located on the northern coast of Curacao. The park is home to a variety of natural attractions, including Boka Tabla, a large underground cavern; Boka Pistol, a large sea cave; and several beaches.

  • A large red rock with the words 'Welcome to TUGBOAT BEACH' painted in white on its surface, set on sandy ground.

    Snorkel or Scuba Dive at Tugboat Beach

    Here you can snorkel out to see a sunken tugboat that has been in this same spot for over 30 years. The boat sunk accidently, and is now overrun with gorgeous coral and tropical fish. Some people even see octopi here. We were able to rent gear from Tugboat Beachbar which was a super cool spot.

  • A crowded street lined with colorful buildings, with signs for souvenir shops, stores, and various businesses. People are walking along the street, and there is a colorful signpost with multiple greeting words like 'Welkom,' 'Bonjour,' and 'Welcome.'

    Wander the streets of Willemstad

    The streets of Willemstad are narrow and winding, and they are often lined with colorful houses. The city is also home to many canals, which provide a unique way to explore the city. Make sure to visit the two local Markets: Plasa Bieu and New Market.

  • An outdoor beach bar with a thatched roof and wooden structure, called Kokomo, with people sitting and socializing. There are string lights hanging, trees in the background, and lounge chairs on the sandy beach.

    Watch the sunset at Kokomo Beach Club

    Kokomo is hands-down the best spot in Curacao for the sunset. With cool electronic music playing in the background and people dancing everywhere, it is a place you won’t soon forget!

  • People walking along a wooden pier with a series of white arches overhead, across a body of water with colorful buildings and cloudy sky in the background.

    Walk across the floating Queen Emma Bridge

    This bridge is extremely unique in that it actually is floating! The bridge is a pontoon bridge across St. Anna Bay in Curaçao. It connects the Punda and Otrobanda neighborhoods of Willemstad. It was named after Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont, who was queen of the Netherlands while it was being built.