Heres what it’s crucial that you know to plan the perfect trip to Curacao.
“Curacao has always been a melting pot,” says local Sascha Mercer ofSandals Royal Curacao.
Best Things to Do
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Explore Willemstad.
Willemstad waterfront in Curacao.Credit:BriBar/Getty Images
Curacao’s dual-sided city ofWillemstadis one Caribbean capital not to miss.
Go snorkeling or diving.
Even the casual diver knows that Curacao is among the best diving destinations in the Caribbean.
Villas at Sanda’s Royal Curacao.Courtesy of Sandal’s Resorts
Notable dive sites are theMV Superior Producerwreck and the shore-accessible Tugboat wreck, which even snorkelers can explore.
Explore Hofi Mango.
Beach-hop around stunning shorelines.
Cas Abao Beach in Curacao.fokkebok/Getty Images
Head west of Willemstad for one of Curacao’s true treasures: a cache of untouched, undeveloped shores.
Stop at local beachfront eateries serving fresh seafood and cold beers to recharge throughout the day.
Visit the Kura Hulanda Museum.
Busy restaurants in Willemstad, Curacao.Westend61/Getty Images
Highlights include dishes prepared in the restaurant’s custom-designed smoker and in-house bakery.
He recommends sampling okra soup, goat burgers, and the local pumpkin pancakes for the full experience.
Maira’s Kitchen
Caribbean cooking seeps into traditional Mediterranean dishes atMaira’s Kitchenin the Otrabanda neighborhood.
Busy street in Willemstad, Curacao.Orietta Gaspari/Getty Images
Late August and early September bring two events that are worth marking your calendar for.
The back-to-backNorth Sea Jazz Festivaland theKaya Kaya Festivalgenerate some of the buzziest days on the island every year.
Despite the jazz festival’s star-studded lineups, the Kaya Kaya Festival is the highlight of the season.
Westpunt, Curacao.Connect Images/RUSS ROHDE/Getty Images
It gives back to the local community while showing off the cutting edge of Curacao’s creative scene.
How to Get Around
Curacao doesn’t have Uber or a comparable rideshare platform.
Most travelers rely on taxis to venture outside walkable Willemstad, though fares can be relatively expensive.
Locals recommend renting a car for longer excursions outside of the city or beyond the resort.
