Don’t waste your Curaçao vacation lounging at the resort—you simply need to get out and explore the island
This Dutch Caribbean Island just off Venezuela is the large of the ABCs ( Aruba , Bonaire , and Curaçao ) , and offer a surprising width of attractions it gasconade beyond the picturesque beaches and translucent weewee it is most commonly celebrated for ; a variety of hikes honour crampon with dazzling prospect at golden - hour , traditional bakeries hiding in plain sight and hawking classic and nouveau pastries , and unnumberable rows of brightly painted homes and construction embodying one of the most topically dear architectural tradition in the Caribbean — you simply necessitate to get out and explore it .
Venture beyond the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Handelskade — the noted rainbow words of pastel - colored building lining Santa Anna Harbour — to strike what locals think “ dushi ” ( a general condition for anything awesome in the local lingo of Papiamentu ) . But this island ’s best treasures are kept secret and scattered about its 17 - land mile circumference in neighborhood pockets ( or barios ) , hide cove beaches , surreal wilderness , ancient seascapes , and its straggling , biodiverse national park . So , you ’ll have to sleuth them out .
Who I am : Though I am ground in Canada , I have made it my business to explore and write about the Caribbean and tropical hotspots for the preceding 25 days , as I abhor the cold . I come down in dear with the Dutch Caribbean island ( the ABCs ) for many reasons . The fact that they all lie out of doors of the hurricane smash sure as shooting help since it almost vouch there ’s no spoiled time to visit year - pear-shaped . I ’ve authoredthousands of articlesand photographic print and online guides about them over the preceding few decades , and I ’m still delighted to report on what is Modern , cool , and fun to bask on each of them . And though they do share similar climates and refinement , each island is very unlike in vibration and offerings , even though they ’re only a few mile apart from each other . All of them are well worth discovering in - depth , so exit the repair and go search this one . You wo n’t be sorry .
Photograph by Frank Meyer for Thrillist
This Colorful Caribbean Island Is Full of Hidden Beach Coves
European architecture meets turquoise seas.
Before you go
necessitate to know . All foreign visitor to Curaçao must fill in adigital immigration cardup to seven daytime before entree .
Money smart . As of March 2025 , Curaçao ’s prescribed currency is now the Caribbean Guilder , but reference cards and US dollar bill are take at most tourism businesses . While off the storage-battery grid , whether you ’re grease one’s palms produce from a fresh fruit handcart or meandering through the many shops and peculiarity stores along Downtown Montego Bay ’s commerce strip , cash is favor , and you will likely get change in the local up-to-dateness .
Getting around . Most island house physician would not recommend visitant takethe public transportation systembecause of its complexness and its inclination to fill up rapidly . But think back , only women are give up to sit in the front seatof the compact buses regularly carting people between stops . On the other hand , taxis can be very pricey if not planned strategically to account for downtime or activeness that the taxi would have to loiter during . ( Although there is a commodious , app - base taxi systemalmost like Uber , it ’s best for brusk , urban jaunts . ) A rental car for at least a day is the honorable bet here . While there are many sparing andreliablemodels to choose from , 4 - wheel - drive vehicles are best for the arid outback regions , and after a rare pelting , condition can become very slippery . Keep an center peeled for wandering wild goats and donkeys on remote roadstead ; they are common .
Photograph by Frank Meyer for Thrillist
where to stay
Two Resort-Free Days in Curaçao
First affair to do when you land in township : Look for lines of local anaesthetic waiting to get their hands on freshly baked pastechis , deep-fried turnovers stuffed with thing like jambon , cheese , poulet , even chop suey ! There will also be bracing - yield shakes at countless hole - in - the - wall hideouts . It ’s a toothsome fashion to chance upon the island ’s best-loved on - the - go treat .
Day 1
Morning: Do the Willemstad walkabout
take this home
Afternoon: Head to Mambo Beach
Evening: Find Curaçao’s food truck culture all in one spot
Day 2
Morning: Take a hike or a safari
Afternoon: Go beach hopping or snorkeling (or both)
Evening: Dine over the harbor atop alegendaryfortress
If you have three days
All the above, but add…
If you have four days, plus
All of the above, but add…
Photograph by Frank Meyer for Thrillist
Photograph by Frank Meyer for Thrillist
Photograph by Frank Meyer for Thrillist
Photograph by Frank Meyer for Thrillist
