Things to Do in Curacao

Shete Boke National park offers rocky coastal views and wild wind-lashed landscapes bordering Christoffel National Park. There are beaches tucked away on the rocky limestone coast, where three species of sea turtles lay their eggs.

At Boka Tabla, wild waves wash into an undersea cavern. Find a sheltered nook at the entrance to the cavern for a bird’s-eye view of the crashing sea. Scenic one-hour hiking trails wind across the cliff tops for spectacular coastal views.

If you’re taking a drive to explore Curacao, plan a stop in Jan Kok, an area along the west coast, about midway between Willemstad and Westpunt. Here you can birdwatch along old salt pans, large shallow ponds used to evaporate salt from seawater, that have become a popular gathering point for pink flamingos as the travel between nearby Bonaire and South America. The birds wade in the warm shallow water grazing on small creatures that live in the water. Also nearby is Landhuis Jan Kok, a former salt plantation from the late 18th century that is now used as a gallery by a local artist.

Just inland from Willemstad’s city center, Punda, is a historical section of the city called Scharloo, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, along with the Punda, Otrabanda and Pietermaai neighborhoods. Scharloo served and something of a colonial-era suburb, and today you can still stroll the streets to marvel at the abundance of beautifully restored mansions that sit within easy walking distance of what was the central business district of colonial Willemstad. Some of these restored homes have been converted to hotels and guesthouses.

Across the mouth of St. Anna Bay from Willemstad’s Punda area is the other of the city’s historic downtown, Otrobanda, which literally means “the other side.” While Punda was settled in 1635, Otrabanda was built about a century later. If you walk from Punda across the Queen Emma Bridge, Otrabanda offers a great view of the iconic and colorful Punda waterfront. One of Otrobanda’s most popular attractions is Riff Fort, which was built in 1828 to help defend the city. Today the fort is a shopping mall where you can buy souvenirs or have a meal at one of the fine dining restaurants with wonderful views of the waterfront. In this area of the city, you’ll also find the Curacao Museum, which exhibits the works of local artists, antique furniture and the cockpit of the SNIP, the Dutch airline KLM’s first airplane to fly from Holland to Curacao.

Cave paintings, stalactites and stalagmites are a feature of Curacao’s limestone Hano Caves. The indigenous Arawaks used the caves for shelter, and runaway slaves hid here in the colonial days.

These days Curacao’s long-nose fruit bats call the cave home, and dramatic lighting illuminates the cave’s waterfalls, pools and Madonna statue.

Guided tours departing on the hour point out the 1,500-year-old cave paintings and share some of the legends and history of this mysterious underground world.

Located off the coast of Venezuela, this tiny island nestled in crystal blue waters was once the center of commerce for the region. Today, the influence of French, Dutch and Portuguese traders can be felt in the food, architecture and culture of this unique island. Tour the historic forts or spend a day snorkelling in the nearby coral reefs, which draw divers from across the globe to its calm, clear waters.

How to get to Curacao

Most cruise ships dock right in the cosmopolitan capital city of Willemstad. The area is divided into two districts connected by a floating pedestrian bridge. The tourist-friendly city is full of storefronts and cafes that are easily accessible on foot.

Stop at one of the nearby cafes for breakfast before hopping a taxi to Seaquarium Beach. The white sands of this quiet retreat are just a short taxi ride from port. After spending the afternoon lounging in the Caribbean sun and snorkelling off the coast.

Curacao’s largest nature reserve is Christoffel National Park, the ideal place on the island to see the rare Curacao white-tailed deer, native barn owl and wild orchids.

The best way to explore is by following one of the park’s 8 hiking trails, graded from easy to challenging. The easiest trail is the 20-minute walk through the white-tailed deer sanctuary. If you’re thinking of going on the relatively arduous climb to the top of Mount Christoffel, head off in the early morning so you avoid the heat of the day.

Scenic driving routes lead across the hills to the coastline, or you might like to take a tour of the historic Plantation Savonet within the park’s grounds.

Take a trip through Curacao’s history at the Savonet Museum, located within one of the island’s oldest plantations at the heart of Christoffel Park. The museum’s exhibits include depictions of local life starting from the original Arawak inhabitants who came to the island about 4,000 years ago, through the Dutch colonial era and modern day. Choose the audio tour to get in-depth details about life on the plantation, or ask for a guided tour from one of the museum’s docents. As you explore, you’ll see historical artifacts, documents, and pictures, and after you’ve looked around the museum, you can take a hike through the surrounding park to spot local wildlife like the Curacao white-tailed deer or the Palabrua, a native barn owl.

Downtown Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, a fairytale world of gingerbread Dutch houses, cobbled lanes and water views. Red-roofed gabled houses painted in sorbet colors of pink, blue and orange line the narrow lanes looking onto the canals of St. Anna Bay.

Take an open trolley train tour from Fort Amsterdam to see the bridges, stone forts and gorgeous pastel-hued buildings.

There are several good museums in the downtown area of Punda, including a Maritime Museum, Fort Museum, Synagogue Museum and Postal Museum.

For a taste of the exotic Americas, buy some tropical fruit from the Venezuelan floating market on the harbor.

A fascinating dive into the beautiful underwater world of the Caribbean, the Curacao Sea Aquarium in Willemstad Curacao has much to discover. Set in an old naval vessel, just stepping into the Curacao Sea Aquarium lets you know that you’re embarking on a unique marine adventure.

Once aboard, visitors can take in the sight of sharks, turtles, stingrays, rockfish, flamingoes and other vibrant sea creatures that constitute the local waters and surrounding shores. Other highlights include the legendary seal and dolphin shows, while the opportunity to swim with dolphins is a family favorite. With all this, the Curacao Sea Aquarium is one of the top attractions in this little corner of the lesser Antilles.