Things to do in Curaçao

Curaçao is a small island, but you’ll soon find that there is plenty to do. Many people visit the island to relax on the beach and enjoy a relaxed and laid-back vacation, but Curaçao is also perfect for the ones who love to explore and stay active. The island has something for everyone and will not disappoint. To do everything in Curaçao, it's handy to rent a car. This way, you're flexible and can get anywhere within an hour.

Explore Willemstad

Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, is a beautiful city divided into neighbourhoods, each with a unique look. You have Punda, Pietermaai, Scharloo, and Otrobanda forming the core of the city center. What's fun about Willemstad is that there are buildings and houses that look very European, but also houses as you'd expect from Curaçao; colorful and cute (and definitely Instagram worthy). Punda has nice little restaurants by the water and, of course, the pontoon bridge. Pietermaai is a real student neighbourhood and thus very lively in the evenings with their popular streets filled with hotspots. Otrobanda is known for its colorful and artistic surroundings, culture, and history and unique restaurants. Willemstad is nice to visit all day long, from daytime to nighttime.

Climbing the Christoffel Mountain

When you're in Curaçao, it's a must to climb the Christoffel mountain. This is the highest point of Curaçao, and from there, you have a view over the entire island. Did you know that Christoffel mountain is about 372 meters high? So, it's best to get up early to avoid the heat and bring enough water to stay hydrated during the climb. And the most beautiful part is that you can experience the sunrise when at the top of the mountain. This unique experience is something we’d recommend to everyone who visits the island.

Klein Kòrsou (Klein Curaçao or Little Curaçao)

Klein Curaçao is an uninhabited island that’s only an hour's sail from Curaçao. The island consists of hard rock because it was once a coral reef. It has fantastic pearly white sand beaches and clear blue water as you would expect in Curaçao (but better). On the island, you'll find an abandoned pink lighthouse that you can climb, and a little further, there are several large and small shipwrecks. The trip to Klein Curaçao lasts all day and you can even book a tour that includes drinks, snacks, and a lot of fun.

Snorkeling at the beautiful beaches and clear blue waters

Another thing you should definitely not forget to do is when on the island snorkeling in the beautiful, clear waters filled with exotic fish and corals. There are various beaches where you can have the ultimate snorkeling experience. For example, Playa Piskado (where you can snorkel among the turtles), Grote Knip and Klein Knip. These beaches are all located on the West Side of the island. You can also dive beautifully at Tugboat Beach, where a boat lies at just 5 meters deep. In short, plenty of places if you’re thinking of going snorkeling.

Kura Hulanda Museum

In the Kura Hulanda Museum, located in Otrobanda, you'll learn all about the slave past that took place here in Curaçao and in the Caribbean. The Kura Hulanda Museum shows how the African, along with his cultural heritage, has influenced Curaçao and the societies of the Caribbean to the present day. Very interesting to visit if you want to learn more about the history of the island.

Conclusion

In short, there's plenty to do on this beautiful island. The art is to find a good balance between rest and exploring. Ultimately, everything you do in Curaçao is for your own pleasure. Enjoy the Island!