Traveling to Curacao in the Caribbean | First-time Visitors Guide
Let’s Get Your Guide to the Gorgeous Island of Curacao as a First-Time Visitor
Bon Bini (Welcome)! I know the first time I visited Curacao, I had a lot of questions! Let’s start with a brief introduction to the island to find out what you can expect here.
First things first; let’s talk about the sheer beauty of Curaçao. Why would a first time traveler want to come here? Do you like picture-perfect beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters? Check! Jaw-dropping landscapes that will leave you speechless? Double check!
So, whether you’re a sun-worshipper, an avid snorkeler, or just someone who appreciates Mother Nature’s finest work, Curaçao has got you covered.
Lets break it down below to find out why you HAVE to make this your next destination in the Caribbean!
The White sand/Turquoise Water dream:
Do you expect white sand, and turquoise water on a tropical vacation? I do! Are you looking to travel someplace a little different in the Caribbean… somewhere your friends haven’t been yet? Me too!
Curacao is off the beaten path but very handy with direct flights from multiple countries including Canada, the US and The Netherlands. It is part of the ABC island chain (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao).
Curacao is owned by the Dutch (and is it’s own country), but part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. They speak 3 languages fluently there; Dutch, English and the native language Papiamento.
The sand, sun, and water are juuuustt right. You won’t find any of the sargassum seaweed here that seems to be plaguing Mexico and other parts of the Caribbean.
The Weather:
As a first time visitor, I’m sure you’re wondering what to expect climate-wise in Curacao? The temperature on the island is VERY AGREEABLE. You don’t see the temperature drop below 25C.
Typically, there is a lovely breeze; although some months do seem to be quite windy indeed. The wind comes from the NE and the direction of land, making the ocean calm to snorkel and swim in.
When the winds switch and blow in from the ocean do you get days that the clarity is not as good in the water (personally, I have never experienced this).
I find the weather more often than not HOT. Without the breeze it might get uncomfortable for some, especially if you plan on doing a bunch of walking/hiking. I make the mistake every year of packing pants, and then immediately regret it once there!
You need only sleep with the windows open, fan on and a thin sheet on top of you. The nights only cool down a couple of degrees from the daytime high of around 30C.
Beaches:
What kind of beaches can you expect to see as a first time visitor? Caribbean Curacao has beautiful white sandy beaches, wildlife, and lots of fun activities.
The best beaches are on the west side of the island with white sand and turquoise waters.
Most of the beaches are budget friendly, being either free, or a small cost for parking or beach chair rental.
On our first trip, our local airbnb host recommended we go to Playa Piskado. It blew our minds that we could swim at no cost with wild turtles, it felt like a total dream. If you want to book a guided tour to swim with turtles, with a stop at the Blue Room Cave – that is possible too!
The fishermen in the area throw the fish scraps into the water and it attracts many turtles that the locals have affectionately named.
There are wild pigs that sunbathe and swim at a few different beaches including Grote Knip. I wrote about the beaches that have wild pigs over here <—-
The snorkeling in the waters around the island are like nothing I’ve ever experienced. It feels like an out-of-body experience seeing all the beautiful fish and coral.
MANY people have swam with wild dolphins. The dolphins will show up on the west side of the island every few weeks or so it seems.
I follow a couple of Curacao facebook groups and get regular updates on their whereabouts. One of these days we’re going to swim with them too!
If you don’t want to take your chances on the wild dolphins, you can always head to the Sea Aquarium Curacao and book a swim at the Dolphin Academy. My family has cherished our experiences at the Dolphin Academy over the years. <—-
Our favorite (not so secret) spot:
While on the subject of beaches…. our favorite beach may not be the most picturesque, but it definitely is the most FUN and UNIQUE.
That beach is located east of Jan Thiel – Tugboat Beach. This beach is NOT on the west-side of the island, it is East!
We met a friendly fellow Canadian (Mike) down there who also has his own blog; Curacao 4 Canadians. It helps Canadians achieve their dream of moving or planning a vacation to the island with very valuable information. Mike and his wife recently moved to Curacao permanently.
While at Tugboat beach you can rent underwater scooters, paint a driftwood memento after an art lesson from a master, have a hot dog and beer, and best of all – snorkel the tugboat shipwreck! There is typically a massive oil rig parked down there, but honestly it just enhances the charm of the place for me.
The parking is free and has an attendant, but beach chairs will cost $6USD.
Above the beach is the Quarantainegebouw (old slave/military Quarantine house) which I mention again below. Driving down from there and you’ll find another beach off the beaten path Directeurs Baai. We love the not-so-busy beaches that feel a little secretive.
Activities:
When you travel to a new destination for the first time, it’s great to have lots of fun activities planned! What kind of activities can you expect to find in Curacao?
On the island are ATV tours, exploring caves + turtle tours, guided history tours, and Ostrich farm, Aloe Vera Farm, various history museums, open air markets that boast fruit and fresh fish. There is also boat and jet-ski rentals, and guided fishing tours.
Love Flamingos? Check out my post on Where to see Flamingos in Curacao to find and admire their pink perfection. These are self guided tours and are FREE! <—-
— > Visit the Uninhabited Island of Klein Curacao! There are several local companies that provide day tours here. Are you wondering if Klein Curacao is worth visiting? Download my guide detailing what a day out looks like.
It has been amazing to try out all the activities the island has to offer!
When we visit we spend half of our time relaxing by the pool or ocean, and the other time tucking into the BEST Things To Do In Curacao (Picked By A Pro!) 2024 like riding the sand dunes, or snorkeling with turtles!
ATV tour of the North part of the island. We saw sand dunes, wildlife, caves and had some spectacular views of the quietest part of the Island.
Groceries/Electricity:
What can you expect to pay for groceries and Electricity?
You might be surprised to learn you pay for your electricity usage here! We don’t find the prices outrageous, especially when comparing the costs we pay in Canada.
Electricity costs for some folks might seem high, and with private vacation rentals you will have you pay for the electricity you use (think running your air conditioner all day- a big nope!)
We are happy to run the AC for 20 minutes before going to bed, and leaving the windows (with screens on) open all night. Ceiling fan is a bonus!
We find that you can actually feel sick and stuffed up if you live in permanent AC while in a tropical climate. EMBRACE the weather, it’s part of the reason you came anyway isn’t it?!
What to buy in the Grocery Store:
What about the cost of groceries? Considering this is an island nation, groceries can be a little on the expensive side; depending on what you buy.
We’ve noticed that there seems to be a “fat tax” on things you wouldn’t necessarily pay extra for in Canada or the US, but we’ve also paid extra in Countries like Norway.
These are things that you don’t really need, but are considered more “treat” or “luxury” items such as; potato chips, regular pop, sugary cereals etc.
The alcohol is definitely considered a luxury item, and is again on the higher priced side, but not outrageous.
Staples such as bread, rice, potatoes and beans seem to be the cheapest option and are actually very reasonably priced.
It is an island, and they don’t grow their own food so most of it is coming from Mexico, the Netherlands, the US, and Costa Rica.
Landhuizen:
What can you expect to see and learn culture-wise as a first time visitor to Curacao? Let me tell you, part of the reason I love to travel, is to appreciate and learn another country’s history.
The island’s history is a story (sometimes SHOCKING) that continues to unfold for all of us with subsequent visits.
I learned that Curacao was a stopover for the transport of slaves coming from Africa before being sent other places in the Americas and Caribbean.
My son and I love to look at the many surviving ‘Landhuis’ locations across the island. Landhuis means “manor house” or “mansion house” in Dutch.
These were owned by the wealthy, and oftentimes we set on high ground to be able to watch and monitor their slave populations below.
A lot of them have been renovated and serve some different function now such as art gallery or even a distillery. MOST OF THEM ARE FREE TO ENTER!
Some of the Landhuis have been left to decay in the hot Caribbean sun. Slavery was only abolished just over 150 years ago on the island. That is just a couple of generations for the people living there today.
You’ll find monuments to Tula (see the fist below), who was the first to start the multiple slave revolts and uprisings in 1795.
Landhuis destinations:
- Landhuis Chobolobo – This is where the famous BLUE CURACAO liqueur is distilled.
- Landhuis Daniel – A restaurant and host of the Antillean market every second Sunday
- Landhuis Cas Abao – Historical landmark, partially in ruins (see below)
- Landhuis Jan Kok – Home to the Nena Sanchez art Gallery
- Quarantainegebouw – similar to a Landhuis, but was used as a hospital for soldiers, and a quarantine for sick slaves entering the country from Africa
- + many many more!
Where to stay:
We’ve stayed on the central/west part of the island (Cas Abao), and most recently we stayed on the eastern part (Jan Thiel).
Our preference is now definitely the eastern side. You have access to grocery stores, downtown, and restaurants all within 5-15 minutes drive.
For instance, when we stayed central/west we were having to plan our trips into town, (as it felt quite rural) to do our grocery shopping. If you want to go with the flow and potentially pop out for dinner if you don’t feel like cooking, the options are limited in the west.
The central and west (Westpunt) part of the island do get you much closer to the most picturesque beaches, however, and the turtles and dolphins.
—> Pro tip: Find a list of the best vacation rentals to stay at here. There are so many great properties on the island to choose from! <—
Favorite Restaurants:
What kind of dining options are there in Curacao? Well, you’re on ‘island time’ so please don’t be in a hurry!
Service can be a little slow at some places, and we’ve found a lot of the servers to be unenthusiastic. Not sure if it’s a culture thing. We’ve also had great and very friendly service.
Most people look at us as a family and assume we’re Dutch, so they immediately start speaking Dutch. They are easily able to switch into English though, which is an amazing feat and we appreciate very much!
Our personal favorite restaurants are below!
- Pasawa Box Eatery (see photos below) – This is a super cool permanent food truck site, but all of the food trucks are in funky shipping containers! You use the QR code located online or inside the complex to browse through multiple restaurant menus. Then you go up to the box you want to order from, and afterwards sit at one of the tables in the square. Drinks are from the bar in the central island. The food was fantastic here, and the atmosphere was really exciting and had a fun vibe!!
- Hongxin Restaurant – had really fresh, yummy tasting Chinese food if the mood strikes you.
- The Don Street Restaurant – another food truck, but with amazing BBQ. Once you get your order there are lots of sauces to choose from to enhance your BBQ, I recommend the pink sauce!
- Number 10 – This is a great breakfast and lunch restaurant. I ordered waffles, my husband got the fish tacos, and my son got a giant burger. Cocktails were superb! This place fills up quickly and you definitely need reservations – book ahead!
- Shelterrock Paradise – A show and dinner! This place is very unique. I recommend the Friday meal where the cook the food in coconuts in the ground all day giving the meat/veggies a unique flavor. This is on the west part of the island, but worth the drive!
- De Gouverneur – this is one of the only spots on the island that you can get the unique dish of Keshi Yena. Book a table far in advance, and try to get a balcony seat so you can watch the Queen Emma Pontoon bridge and the boats on the water. The garden is also nice!
Some popular foods in Curaçao that I recommend trying are:
- Keshi Yena: a ball of cheese stuffed with meat
- Bitterballen: deep fried gravy balls
- Oliebollen: deep fried donuts rolled in powdered sugar
- Stoba: a hearty stew
- Lionfish: an invasive species of local fish
- Tamarind juice: sweet and sour at the same time!
Flights:
It’s easy to get to Curacao from Canada or anywhere in North America and Europe. I love to plan and budget a holiday to this tropical island as much as I can. Check out the link for a budget timeline and some other great tips and tricks.
Is Curacao Safe?
Curacao is one of the safest countries on the planet right now, but if you’re concerned about scams and safety issues while traveling to the island, rest assured by reading my guide.
Curacao First-Timer Guide Summary
For those craving adventure, Curaçao offers a plethora of activities to get your adrenaline pumping. Read about the 25 BEST Things To Do In Curacao (Picked By A Pro!) 2024 < —–
From diving and snorkeling amidst vibrant coral reefs to exploring hidden caves and hiking through lush national parks, there’s never a dull moment on this island paradise.
We enjoy activities that allow for us to get in the shade regularly, have minimal cost, and most importantly are LOTS OF FUN! Don’t forget to grab my handy 7-Day Packing List above so you know exactly what to take to this island paradise.
Pro Tip: Don’t run, jog, or hike in the midday heat.. go for a swim in the Ocean! This country gets hot every day; and while getting physical activity is so important to our health, do it in a way that keeps you cool and heat-stroke free.
Pro tip: Looking for a refreshing treat? Fresh fruit smoothies are found just about everywhere on the island. Look for the smoothie stands that the locals are lining up for.. you’re unlikely to be disappointed.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, book your ticket, and get ready to experience the magic of Curaçao for yourself.
Trust me, once you’ve experienced the beauty, culture, and hospitality of this incredible island, you’ll be counting down the days until your next visit. ??
Until next time, happy travels!
Xoxo Tanya
What’s the best place to fly into for Curacao? Does the size of the island allow you to travel between sides easily?