Where to Stay in Curacao

Our Favorite Curacao Hotels

A 5-star hotel is the Renaissance Wind Creek • Boutique Hotel: Bayside
• An affordable option: Hibiscus Beach House
• A family-friendly option is the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort
• Opt for an all-inclusive experience at the Sandals Royal Curacao resort • Best Pool: Renaissance Wind Creek
• · Near the Airport: Accommodation

a large body of water with palm trees

The Best Area to Stay in Curacao

For a long time overshadowed by its neighbor Aruba, the former Dutch territory of Curacao is becoming just as enticing a destination, with direct flights from North America making it an accessible and appealing spot for a beach escape. Positioned in the southern Caribbean, just offshore from Venezuela, Curacao features unspoiled bays and coves home to an assortment of small but tempting beaches. It also boasts amazing diving and snorkeling opportunities as well as an interesting blend of cultures that combines colonial Dutch, indigenous, and African influences – most locals speak Papiamentu, a language primarily based on Portuguese with some words originating from African, Dutch, and Spanish. Though the Netherlands still has input regarding defense and foreign policy, Curacao has been self-governed and essentially independent since 2010.

The island`s size is relatively modest (around 38 miles/60km long and over 7 miles/11km wide), and can be explored easily by renting a car – your biggest decision will be where you lodge. Though many accommodations are along the coast, not all hotels have direct beach access – there are also excellent boutique places inland. Your main choice will be whether to stay at a resort with beach access (in which case transport may not be necessary), or elsewhere and rent a car to investigate the island’s full range of beaches and cultural attractions on day trips.

You will want to spend time exploring Willemstad, the island`s capital city, which houses the finest dining, shopping, bars, and museums. (The bulk of lodging is located in and surrounding the town anyway.) The historical center is an enjoyable place to discover on foot, with its colorful Dutch architecture and European-style cafes. Not far away is the coastal community of Bapor Kibrá, best known for hosting the Sea Aquarium and a series of spacious, family-friendly coastal resorts. Further east lies the Jan Thiel district, best known for preserving unspoiled beaches and several quality hotels – a suitable base for visitors primarily interested in sunshine and ocean. To the west of Willemstad sits Sint Michiel, a slightly calmer and more atmospheric place to lodge, but with fewer beaches. The remote western region of the island – Westpunt- is an arid, hilly area housing several fascinating historic sites and many pristine beaches. Most travelers visit this terrain by vehicle on day trips from elsewhere, but there are a few lodging options for a more tranquil retreat (though not many dining establishments or nightlife options).

Curacao Travel Tips

    • The

Curacao International Airport,

    also known as Hato International Airport, serves as the island’s sole international gateway. It lies on Curacao`s northern coast around 12 kilometers from Willemstad. Many hotels provide transfers, otherwise guests can take a taxi or rent a vehicle upon arriving here

  • Unless you plan on spending most of your time at your hotel, renting a vehicle is the best way to make the most of your time in Curacao. All the major car rental companies operate on the island, and your hotel should also be able to recommend local options. There is a basic system of public buses and minivans but it’s limited and may not be very convenient for visitors. Taxis are safe but quite expensive in Curacao – OK for a couple of trips (or a day tour), but it will be cheaper to rent a car otherwise. There are no ride-sharing services (Uber etc) available on the island.
  • The currency in Curacao is the Antillean Guilder (ANG), also referred to as “the Florin”, but since the exchange rate between the US dollar and ANG is fixed at US$1 equaling ANG1.80, most establishments will accept US currency (albeit at a US$1 to ANG1.75 exchange, with change provided in guilders). Other international monies are not accepted. Credit cards are widely used and accepted everywhere.
  • The Curacao Carnival starts just a few days after the new year, but the main parades occur in the last 10 days before Ash Wednesday (Feb/March) – it’s one of the biggest carnivals in the Caribbean, so book well in advance if you visit during this time. In April there’s usually the Curacao International Film Festival Rotterdam; in August there’s the Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival.
  • From February through June is the driest timeframe in Curacao, with the wettest months October, November, and December, though there’s no true rainy season and the island remains relatively sunny and dry year-round.

The Best Places to Stay in Curacao

Best Districts in Curacao for…

    • Best Place to Stay for Beaches: Westpunt or Jan Thiel
      Westpunt” – the northwestern half of the island – is decorated with beautiful beaches, most of them small sections of sand tucked away in coves or narrow inland waterways. Playa Knip (also called Kleine Knip) is one of the best for lounging and swimming, with beach chairs available for rent, drink stands, and free parking. Just to the south, Playa Lagun lies at the end of a narrow bay with excellent hotels on either side: Lagun Blou and Lagoon Ocean Resort. It’s the ideal beach for snorkeling, with crystalline waters making it simple to spy the offshore reefs and marine life. Continuing south, the finest beaches overall are Cas Abao and neighboring Playa Porto Marie, relatively long (by Curacao standards) stretches of sand, with food stalls and beach loungers available to rent. Porto Marie also boasts a short pier providing spectacular views of the coastline. Jan Thiel Beach is more conveniently found near several major hotels (and the capital Willemstad), comprising a narrow strip of sand facing a calm inland waterway, lined with restaurants and bars – it`s also the best place to catch the sunset.
    • Best Place to Stay for Diving: Westpunt or Jan Thiel
      The coast near Westpunt features some of Curacao’s finest reef and wreck diving destinations, like the Watamula coral fields, the Mushroom Forest, and the Blue Room Cave. Major dive companies are situated in this area, such as Go West Diving at Playa Kalki, Bahia Diving at Playa Lagu, B Diving & Watersports at Cas Abao, Porto Mari Sports and Divers Republic. Numerous hotels in this region cater specifically towards divers, like Marazul Dive Resort,All West Apartments & Diving,Bahia Apartments & Diving, and several others. Jan Thiel also caters to divers with dive businesses such as Jan Thiel Diving,Curious 2 Dive,Center Scuba Do,Dive Charter Curacao, and Fun Diving situated in this region
    • Most Romantic Spot: Willemstad or Wespunt
      Curacao is a preferred destination for couples, with the main choice between the more secluded hotels in Westpunt (where diving or just relaxing on the beach is the primary activity), and the stylish boutiques of the capital Willemstad, where you’ll have access to romantic restaurants, bars, and the pretty historic streets of the Punda district. In addition to traditional beach resorts such as Avila Beach Hotel and the Curacao Marriott, there are numerous inviting boutique properties in Willemstad: sharp contemporary hotels like BOHO Bohemian and Terra Boutique Hotel, and Dutch colonial gems such as the Kas di Laman and Landhuis Bona Vista. For dinner, check out the amazing sunset perspectives from Fort Nassau, high-end Caribbean cuisine at Rozendaels, or stunning ocean perspectives at Restaurant Nultwintig.
    • Willemstad and Bapor Kibrá are excellent places for nightlife.

The capital Willemstad is best suited for one seeking enjoyable evenings in Curacao – in much of the rest of the island, nightlife is reserved for hotel bars and restaurants. In the center are bars such as Noir Cocktail Bar Noir Cocktail Bar and Netto Bar Netto Bar, open since 1954 and renowned for their “famous” green rum. Over in trendy Pietermaai, highlights involve the excellent Ochenta Cocktail Bar Ochenta Cocktail Bar, Mosa/Caña Bar & Kitchen Mosa/Caña Bar & Kitchen, and the beachside Schooner Bar at the Avila Beach Hotel Schooner Bar. Just a little further along the coast, the entertainment and resort hub of Bapor Kibrá is another great spot for a night (or day) out, with a series of beach clubs and bars lining Mambo Beach and open till the early hours; Wet & Wild Beach Club Wet & Wild Beach Club; local favorite Chill Beach Bar & Grill Chill Beach Bar & Grill; Bonita Beach Club Bonita Beach Club; and Hemingway Hemingway.
• The drinking age in Curacao is 18 years.
• Auberge Des Arts – Hotel phone: +1 613 562 0909

    • Willemstad offers the best shopping experiences.

The capital offers many good options when looking to purchase gifts and items unique to Curaçao. Stylish stores lining Heerenstraat and Breedestraat in the historic Punda district provide various choices. In addition to popular tourist shops like Jo Ann’s Souvenirs, this location allows obtaining common electronics, watches, cosmetics, and designer clothing and perfumes, all sold without additional fees. Across on the other side at Otrabanda via the Queen Emma Bridge passage, the Rif Fort shopping complex contains flagship stores of Hilfiger and Mango to Swarovski and Montblanc. The famed “chichi” figurines commonly seen in gift stores are crafted at Serena’s Art Factory near the edge of town – going directly offers guided experiences and the most affordable options. Bottles of aloe vera, once significantly exported from Curaçao, can also be found everywhere but acquired at the source at the Aloe Vera Farm down the road from Serena’s. The famous Curaçao Blue liqueur is another popular gift (it’s flavored with dried peel from the bitter oranges grown here, the blue coloring is added afterward); this can be directly obtained from the distillery at Landhuis Chobolobo, a couple of miles or so from Punda.

  • Safety in Curacao
    Generally, Curacao is fairly safe for visitors, though usual precautions should be taken at night. Petty theft and street crimes do occur, though rarely in tourist areas; never leave anything valuable in your car or on the beach unattended.

The 6 Best Places in Curacao for Tourists

1. Willemstad

The capital of Curacao is the only major residential area and commercial center on the island. As it is the cultural, culinary and shopping destination of the island it`s likely you`ll want to invest at least some time here, and much of the island`s lodging lies in or around the center. The downtown area is divided into two by Sint Annabaai (St Anna Bay), a shipping lane crossed by the mobile Queen Emma Bridge. On the calmer eastern side lies the historic center, known as Punda (Point), its mainly pedestrian roads and lanes lined with Caribbean and charming Dutch colonial architectural style, cafés, and shops. Notable sights include the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, founded way back in 1732 with its sandy floors (still in use today) and associated Jewish Cultural Historical Museum; the Marché Bieu or Old Market food market, loaded with local snack stalls; the circular Ronde market (main market) and nearby Drijvende market (floating market) along the Waaigat canal (on Sha Caprileskade), lined with souvenir stalls and Venezuelan fishing boats selling all types of South American produce and fish; the Fortchurch Museum, built in 1769 as part of Fort Amsterdam; and the Curacao Maritime Museum on Sint Annabaai itself.

On the west side of the waterway lies Otrobanda (“Other Side”), the place where cruise ships dock, and the Renaissance Wind Creek Resort (renowned for its man-constructed beach and Rif Fort shopping complex). On this side you’ll be able to capture the best photos of the Handelskade, the row of lovely constructions on the Punda waterfront. Also on this side is the Kurá Hulanda Museum, a portion of maintained lanes and historical colonial homes, with exhibits chronicling the slave trade; and the Curacao Museum, which covers the story of the island.

Four Seasons • Pier One Sydney Harbour • InterContinental • Sir Stamford Circular Quay

• Central Willemstad is best explored on foot, but you’ll need a vehicle to see the outer attractions.

Locating lodging near the core attractions, cuisine, and nightlife while also proximate to the premier shorelines is proposed – hotels along the coast like the Avila Beach Hotel offer convenient access to both beach and downtown environs by foot.

    • The Best Hotels in Willemstad
      McGee’s InnHotel contact number: +1 613 237 6089

De Witte Lelie – Hotel contact number: +32 3226 1966
Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg • Hotel contact number: +1 (718) 782-6699
Sablon – Hotel phone number: +32 4681 04917
The first accommodation listed is Scuba Lodge & Suites, which can be reached at telephone number +599 9465 2575

2. Bapor Kibrá

Some 3 miles (5km) down the southeast shore from Willemstad exists Bapor Kibrá, a little district of seaside retreats and family-friendly attractions. It lacks the personality of the capital, but the hotels here offer ease and luxury, access to peaceful (man-made) Mambo Beach (lined with beach clubs, dining establishments and bars), the Mambo Beach Boulevard shopping center,and the wildly favorite Curacao Sea Aquarium, celebrated for its Animal Encounters Lagoon, where you can feed lemon and nurse sharks, stingrays and other predatory fish. Nearby, the Dolphin Academy Curacao provides the opportunity to meet, swim, or dive with dolphins. You can also take a mini-submarine trip with Substation, go diving, or visit one of the hotel spas.

3. Jan Thiel

The district of Jan Thiel lies another mile or so east along the coast from Bapor Kibrá, a similar development of condominiums and resorts arranged around popular Jan Thiel Beach. It’s slightly more upscale than Bapor Kibrá, and a bit quieter, with a selection of stylish restaurants along the waterfront, plenty of opportunities for watersports and diving on offer, and an assortment of popular hotels. For divers there’s Beacon Point, known for its 100-foot (30m) vertical wall and one of the most extensive pillar coral formations in the Caribbean.

Jan Thiel also serves as a departure point for numerous boat excursions and cruises, like the Mermaid Boat Trip to the pristine coral island of Klein Curacao 15 miles (24km) offshore. Nearby is Fort Beekenburg, an 18th century ruined Dutch fortification.

    • The Best Hotels in Jan Thiel
      Adonai – Hotel contact number: +599 9522 8997
      Chogogo • Hotel contact number: +599 9747 2844
      The Morena can be reached at +599 9747 3737 Papagayo Beach Resort – Guests can call +599 9747 4333 to reach this resort The hyperlinked text ” Sandals Royal Curacao” leads to the Sandals Royal Curacao hotel webpage. The phone number provided is +1 888 726 3257 Renaissance Wind Creek – Hotel phone number: +599 9435 5000
    • Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
      Spanish Water Apartments – Hotel phone number: +599 9561 5656

Hibiscus Beach House • Hotel contact number: +599 9682 5948
The second lodging described is Home Sweet Home and may be contacted at +31 6 4253 6297 Curacao Marriott – Hotel contact number: +599 9736 8800

  • Best Hostel
    At Bed & Bike Jan Thiel, guests can call the hotel at +599 9843 8383 for reservations or inquiries

4. Sint Michiel

The old fishing hamlet of Sint Michiel is located approximately 6 miles (10km) northwest of Willemstad, with hotels and resorts providing a mellow alternative to Jan Thiel and Bapor Kibrá while also enabling easier access to Westpunt. Blue Bay Beach constitutes the principal cove containing sand here, with the Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort as the primary attraction. Boka Sint Michiel, by the old village itself, features rockier beaches best suited for snorkeling. Additional attractions include the Blue Bay Sculpture Garden (found on resort grounds), the Battle Station Blaauw WWII Museum, which highlights the lesser publicized role of the Caribbean in World War II, and the ruins of Fort Sint Michiel, an 18th-century Dutch battery. Just north, St. Michiel Bay constitutes one of the best locations to spot Curacao’s famous flamingos.

– Aside from hotels and resorts, there are few dining establishments and no nightlife – offering a more serene experience but likely requiring vehicle access.

• Our favorite restaurant here is Bohémi Resort’s upscale Restaurant X, helmed by chef Gabriel Fleijsman.

  • The Best Hotels in Sint Michiel
    Another option is the Bayside, which has a phone number of +599 9844 5555 Here is a rephrased line while preserving the HTML element and link: ” The Blue Bay contact number is +599 9888 8800
    Sun Reef Village by the Sea • Hotel phone: +599 9888 3594
  • Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
    Abaai Resort • Hotel phone: +599 9697 8152
    The hyperlinked text ” B&B Villa Zomerland” leads to the B&B Villa Zomerland hotel webpage. The phone number provided is +599 9689 2155 Avila Beach HotelHotel contact number: +599 9788 1949

5. Westpunt

The lightly populated northwestern half of Curacao is known as Westpunt (or “Banda Abou”). You’ll need a vehicle to explore (or stay) here, but there’s a lot to see – you’ll only appreciate Curacao’s true natural beauty and culture by spending time here. Much of the appeal lies on the coast or underwater. Curaçao’s northwest offers some breathtaking reef and wreck dives, including the Watamula coral fields, “Elvin’s Plane Wreck” (the remains of a Fokker Fairchild 27 that was sunk here on purpose), the Mushroom Forest (where coral formations resemble giant mushrooms), wreck diving off Boca Santu Pretu (Black Sand Beach), and the Blue Room Cave, also ideal for snorkeling. There are also a number of gorgeous beaches and coves along the coast ideal for swimming and snorkeling including Cas Abao, Playa Forti, Playa Piskádo, Grote Knip and Kleine Knip. At Playa Kalki you’ll find Go West Diving, a lovely coral beach and the spectacular “Alice in Wonderland” dive site just offshore, as well as the underwater “chichi” sculpture by Serena’s Art Factory.

On land, historic attractions on Curacao include Landhuis Knip, once the wealthiest plantation and now a museum that provides enlightening insights; and the Kunuku House (also known as Museum Kas Di Pal’i Maishi), a traditional straw structure where ancestors of the island’s enslaved population highlight traditional culture. Natural attractions include Shete Boka National Park and adjacent Christoffel National Park, which conserve sections of rugged coastline as well as inland hills with trails that various birds and white-tailed deer often use. Climbing to the summit of Christoffelberg (1,230ft/375m) allows for spectacular views. Finally, you should be able to spot flamingos at Santa Martha Bay.

There is little surprise that most lodging in Westpunt caters to scuba divers – beyond the hotels, there are not many options for evening entertainment, though you`ll find some interesting places to dine; Shelterrock Paradise, the seafood at Restaurant Playa Forti and Cactus Café in Westpunt village are among the family-style dining at Restaurant Komedor Krioyo. Jaanchie’s Restaurant has been an establishment since the 1930s (think goat and beef stew or fresh grouper).

6. East End

The largely uninhabited far East End (“Banda Ariba”) of Curacao is another area popular with scuba divers, but there are also a few sights on land worth seeking out. Dinah Veeris created Dinah’s Botanic and Historic Garden Den Paradera in 1991 as a traditional local healer selling herbal and natural remedies. Visitors can stroll through the lush herb and plant gardens. Nearby is Serena’s Art Factory, where the island’s beloved chichi sculptures are developed, and Curacao Ostrich Farm, one of the biggest outside Africa. Santa Barbara Beach has a broad, flat area protected by a wooden path; it`s one of the finest beaches for children on the island. The remainder of the interior is wild and scrubby, most of which is inaccessible – the ideal way to experience it is on an excursion with ATV & Buggy Tours. Divers have numerous choices: the Eastpoint dive site (solely reachable by boat) features the purest reef on the island, with a natural bridge frequently visited by tarpon.

There are no hotels in the East End – explore the area by vehicle on day trips from other parts of the island.

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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