My Quick and Dirty Guide to Seeing Curacao

    Curacao is an island located in the southern Caribbean Sea just off the coast of Venezuela. It is part of the Lesser Antilles and is one of the ABC Islands- Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. With Dutch, South American and native island influences this island has a unique culture to go with its beautiful scenery. It is my favorite Caribbean island and I can't wait to go back in August 2024! 

   

     I made a version of this itinerary for one of my clients but I want to also share it on my blog. On a lot of Caribbean islands the driving can be quite scary and sometimes is on the left. In Curacao they drive on the right like in the US. I highly recommend a car rental as the best way to see everything the island has to offer. Don't be intimidated by those long Dutch road names you will get used to it! 

Day 1 aka the travel day

Flights arrive at Hato International Airport in Curacao

Pick up rental car at the airport

Check in to your hotel

Relax and enjoy the amenities/get settled in

Find a near by restaurant for dinner- ask a local they will tell you where to find the best food based on where you choose to stay

Day 2

I would recommend a relaxed day such as checking out the downtown area of Williamstad the capital city of Curacao and doing some shopping near the cruise port. Have a nice lunch in the downtown area it has a lot to offer. If you want a beach day there are a lot of local beaches that are public you pay an admission fee and parking but they have beach bars and things set up for refreshments. You can stay all day they usually have DJ's and music its a lot of fun. We really liked Mambo Beach for more of a party atmosphere and another popular one is Jan Thiel Beach. 

For dinner I would recommend trying Soi95.

Day 2

Book an excursion! I would recommend the catamaran to Klein Curacao it is pretty much an all-day (6-8 hours i think) trip around $131 per person it includes lunch. You take a catamaran to a small uninhabited island called Klein Curacao or "little curacao". You snorkel and eat lunch its beautiful a great place for lots of photos. 

Come back and have a relaxing dinner at or near your hotel. 

Day 3

Relax and enjoy some pool time or head to another local beach or take a shopping trip into town whatever sounds good to you.

I would also recommend working in time to go see the Blue Curacao factory. It is a really short excursion if you have a car, you can just drive to it, just check the hours it is open and do a self-guided tour. They will let you sample some of the famous Blue Curacao liquor. 

Day 4 

If you have a car, I would also recommend taking a drive to Shete Boka National Park. You can also book guided excursions for it. It's a gorgeous national park you can drive around and take really great pictures.  A tip if you need gas in Curacao pull to the pump and someone will come out to get it for you. Don't get out of the car, try to pump and look like a dumb American like we did. 

For dinner if you want something fancy, I would recommend making a reservation at Baoase resort restaurant. If you google Baoase resort Curacao there is a tab for restaurants and reserve a table. Honestly some of the best food I have ever eaten was there!

Day 5

I would recommend seeing the Hato caves in the morning its a short little excursion only took a couple hours.

Spend your last day soaking up the sun at the hotel or at a local beach.

For dinner try Kome a restaurant sustainably sourced with local ingredients on a rotating menu. 

Day 6 the saddest day, it's time to say goodbye!

Check out by noon

Return rental car at airport

Fly back home 

I couldn't cover everything there is to do and see in Curacao in one post but I hope you enjoy my itinerary as one example of how to spend 6 days in paradise! 

I am a full service travel agent. I charge no planning fees for all inclusive resorts and cruise bookings for custom itineraries please reach out for a quote. 

Email egrandorff@nhsvoyages.com or call or text 803-280-0934. 

Happy travels sending light and love to all!

Erin