Curacao is honestly one of our favorite islands in the Caribbean! This stunning island boasts some of the bluest waters, prettiest beaches, and coolest snorkeling spots we’ve ever seen—and trust us, we’ve seen a lot! We spent 6 months in the Caribbean as digital nomads and Curacao was by far our favorite vibe.
In this Curacao travel guide, we’re going to clue you into 25 incredible things to do in Curacao. So, whether you’re in the mood to lounge at full-service beaches, dive into nature, or uncover the island’s rich culture, this list has something unforgettable in store for you.
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How to Get Around Curacao
In order to see, all the attractions on this list. We recommend renting a car. The roads in Curacao are good, so renting a small economy car is fine. Plus, Google Maps is quite accurate in Curacao, so you can trust the directions and easily navigate anywhere. You will love the flexibility and freedom that you get when you rent a car in Curaçao.
Discover Cars has many affordable options starting at about $33 USD per day. Check below to see if there is a car available during your dates.
The Top 25 Things to Do in Curacao
1. Flamingo Spotting at Sint Michiel the Flamingo Habitant
First things first—flamingos! Head to Sint Michiel to see these fabulous pink birds in their natural habitat. While we were there, we saw hundreds of birds in packs. Although they were a bit far from the road, it was so exciting to see so many flamingos at once!
Fun fact: a group of flamingos is called a flamboyance (how fitting is that?).
2. Kokomo Beach
Just a 3-minute drive away from the flamingos is Kokomo Beach. We had to see if this beach lives up to its famous song—and wow, does it ever! With crystal-clear water, great amenities (think: beach bar, snorkel gear rentals, scuba diving, and $6 chair rentals), Kokomo Beach is perfect for a relaxing day! The snorkeling here is decent, but the vibe? Top-notch.
It is free to enter Kokomo beach, but you do have to pay $6 USD for beach chair rental.
3. Salina Jan Kok
Salina Jan Kok is another great place to see flamingos, as this location has a viewing platform that provides even better views of these beautiful birds.
4. Porto Marie Beach
Looking for dreamy blue water and snorkeling? Porto Mari has you covered. Bonus points: it’s super well-equipped with bathrooms, showers, and a beachfront restaurant. Plus, wild pigs sometimes make an appearance—because why not?
This is a private beach, so there is a small entrance fee of $3 USD, and they require chair rental for $3.50 USD as well.
5. Cas Abao Beach
Cas Abao’s turquoise waters and unique rock formations make it one of the island’s most beautiful beaches. It’s a bit of a bumpy ride to get there, but oh-so-worth it. Just a heads-up: the food selection is limited, so plan to grab lunch elsewhere.
Prices to enter this beach are $6 per car for parking, and of course, you can rent a chair for a small fee.
6. Santa Martha Bay Viewpoint
For postcard-worthy photos, make a quick stop at this viewpoint. It’s a 10-minute pit stop that treats you to sweeping views of Curaçao’s rolling hills and sparkling bays.
7. Playa Lagun
We visited Playa Lagun twice—once when the sea was wild (yikes!) and once when it was perfectly calm. The second visit was magical, with loads of fish and colorful coral. Trust us, patience pays off here. This beach also has decent snorkeling and a couple of beach bars to try out.
8. Playa Jeremi
Playa Jeremi wasn’t originally on our to-do list, but we kept passing by it and decided to give it a try. Boy oh boy, are we glad we did! Playa Jeremi is so beautiful and totally free (apart from optional chair rentals).
The only con is that Playa Jeremi has no amenities, no bathrooms, and no restaurants. However, if you want beautiful nature with not too many crowds, try Playa Jeremi. The beach here is rocky but this water is so gorgeous. And the left rock wall has a decent amount of fish.
Although Playa Jeremi is good for swimming, I do not recommend it if you have small children because the water gets deep really fast here.
9. Klein Knip (Kenepa Chiki)
If you have time for only one beach, make it Klein Knip. Klein Knip was our favorite beach on the island because of the superior snorkeling here, made spectacular by the shallow, crystal-clear water. We even spotted a sneaky little octopus!
However, Klein Knip has no fancy facilities besides a food truck or two and a porta-potty. As with most beaches in Curacao, there are beach chairs available to rent if you would like. This is a wonderful free beach option for the whole family.
10. Grote Knip (Kenepa Grandi)
Just a 3-minute drive from Klein Knip is Grote Knip which has sparkeling blue water like Klein Knip but is a bit bigger. Since it’s bigger, Grote Knip has more parking, a wider selection of food trucks, and well-structured bathrooms. For a free beach, Grote Knip has a lot to offer!
Grote Knip also has a nice viewpoint where you can see a beautiful view of the beach before you go down the stairs to the beach. Once again, the calm shallow water here makes for a nice snorkel experience. Although the snorkeling at Klein Knip is better, snorkeling at Grote Knip is still worth it.
11. Playa Forti Beach & Restaurant
Feeling brave? Playa Forti is famous for its cliff-jumping spot! From the Playa Forti Restaurant, you can take a heart-pounding 40-foot plunge! We watched several people safely make the jump, but we weren’t interested in jumping ourselves.
Luckily, the restaurant here has great views, delicious food, and is a great place to stop for lunch when you are on the west side of the island.
12. Playa Grandi (Playa Piskado)
Want a chance to swim with sea turtles? Then, check out Playa Grandi. This fisherman’s beach attracts sea turtles because the fisherman regularly clean their daily catch here and put their scraps in the water, which the sea turtles gleefully eat. Who doesn’t like a free meal after all!
This place attracts a lot of people so if you don’t like crowds, this may not be for you. Also, we heard about some questionable practices such as putting turtles on tourists for photos. We skipped this beach due to questionable handling of wildlife, but we can’t deny that this beach looks cool, and it would have been amazing to swim with turtles here.
13. Hato Caves
For a change of scenery, head underground to explore these fascinating caves. With stalactites, stalagmites, and ancient petroglyphs, it’s a cool glimpse into Curaçao’s natural and cultural history.
Your $10 USD entrance fee includes a guided tour of the caves and access to the Indian trail which has interesting plants and rock formations to explore.
14. Kunuku House Museum
This interactive museum brings Curaçao’s post-abolition history to life with songs, stories, and lively demonstrations. It was hands-down our favorite museum experience on the island. Guided tours of this homestead and museum start at $6 USD per person.
15. Landhuis Dokerterstuin Restuarant
For an affordable lunch in the area, check out Landhuis Dokerterstuin. This restaurant has delicious stews. We tried the beef stew and we were pleased with how tender the meat was and how tasty the sauce was.
In addition to being a restaurant, Landhuis Dokerterstuin is like a little mini museum, showcasing the architecture and artifacts from a colonial-style home in Curacao.
16. Shete Boka National Park
Nature lovers, don’t miss Shete Boka National Park! This park is packed with stunning coastal views, blowholes, a natural bridge, a cave, and short hiking trails that lead to some impressive views. Most hikes take just 10-15 minutes, are mostly flat, and are good for most fitness levels.
The most exciting attraction in the park is Boka Pistol, which is a blowhole that sprays water as the waves come in. This natural phenomenon alone is worth the $15 entry fee.
17. Watamula Hole
Enjoy the rugged coastline of Curacao at Watamula Hole! This hole was formed from eroded out of coral stone. It’s interesting to see the waves going in out of the hole.
About 100 meters away from the Watamula Hole is Boka Shampaña which is a natural blow hole and sprays a big stream of water with every big wave. It’s very interesting to see.
The road to get out to the Watamula Hole is a bit rough though so it’s okay to skip it if you are short on time and worried about the slightly off-road drive.
18. Chill at Mambo Beach
A popular beach on the east side of the island is Mambo Beach. This spot has dozens of restaurants and lounges that can give you either a chill vibe or a party vibe depending on your mood.
We choose to have lunch and chill at Chill Bar, however, I have to admit the food was nothing special. Chill Bar is probably just a good spot for drinks. Besides, Mambo Beach has many food options, so have fun exploring all the different bars and restaurants. And while there are several fish to see along the rocks at Mambo Beach, this beach really isn’t known for its snorkeling. It’s best for those who want to hang out, relax, and chill at different beach bars.
19. Fort Beekenburg
This abandoned fortress is good for a quick stop because it has some great views of the surrounding area. Enjoy the views of the sea and the surrounding hills.
20. Tugboat Beach
Another exciting thing to do in Curacao is to visit Tugboat Beach. Although the beach here is not very pretty, it has some of the best snorkeling on the island. Home to a sunken tugboat, this spot is a snorkeler’s paradise with tons of colorful coral and marine life. The tugboat is located about 100 meters from the shore and is a full 5-10 minute swim. It is definitely worth the effort for a chance to see thousands of fish around the sunken tugboat.
21. Jan Thiel Beach
Jan Thiel Beach is another private beach with a laid-back vibe during the day and a lively party vibe at night. This was one of our favorite Curacao beaches to sit and chill all day long. Especially because the food at the main beach bar Zanzibar was very tasty and the service was good as well. We can highly recommend it as a place to lounge all day and unwind. Although Jan Thiel is a private beach, the entry fee is only $3 USD.
22. Try Blue Curacao at the Curacao Liqueur Distillery
No trip to Curaçao is complete without tasting the island’s most famous export: Blue Curaçao liqueur! Head to the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery at Landhuis Chobolobo, where you can learn all about the history and production of this vibrant, citrusy spirit. Made from the dried peel of the island’s native Laraha orange, Blue Curaçao has become a global cocktail staple.
At the distillery, you can take a guided tour, watch the liqueur being crafted, and—of course—sample the iconic blue drink (along with other tasty flavors). It’s a fun, easy stop that offers a mix of culture, history, and a bit of boozy indulgence, making it a must-visit while you’re exploring Curacao.
23. Take a Boat Tour to Klein Curaçao
One of the most popular boat tours in Curacao is Klein Curacao. This tiny offshore island offers postcard-perfect beaches, snorkeling, and a chance to explore an abandoned lighthouse and shipwreck.
If you are looking for a beautiful day out, see if this Klein Curacao tour is available below!
24. Hike Christoffel National Park
If you are an avid hiker, then you will love climbing the highest mountain in Curacao, Christoffel. This hike is challenging, however, most reach the top in around 1-2 hours. Along the way, you can enjoy seeing local plants and wildlife and great views from the top.
It’s best to arrive early for this hike to avoid the heat of the day. Plus, the national park does not allow anyone to start hiking after 10 a.m., so you will have to arrive before 10 a.m. at the very latest. This hike requires proper hiking shoes, snacks, and at least 1-2 liters of water per person.
The national park entrance fee starts at $15 USD.
25. Explore Willemstad the Capital of Curaçao
One of the most exciting things to do in Curacao is to see Willemstad! Devote at least half a day to exploring the picturesque capital of Willemstad. From the colorful row houses on Handelskade to the swinging Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. This city is unforgettable and a must for any trip to Curacao.
Check out our full guide to 25 things to do in Willemsted here!
Our Top Curacao Picks If You’re Short on Time
Now, we were in Curacao for a month, so we were able to explore the island at leisure. However, if you are short on time, these spots get our highest recommendation!
✨ Best Snorkeling: Klein Knip & Tugboat Beach
🍹 Best Chill & Relax Beaches: Jan Thiel Beach, Porto Mari Beach & Kokomo Beach
🌊 Best Nature: Shete Boka National Park
Our Final Thoughts on Curacao
Curacao is a treasure trove of beauty and adventure, inviting you to immerse yourself in its vibrant landscapes and culture. So whether your stay is brief or extended, I hope this enchanting island brings you the same sense of peace and wonder that we felt while on its shores.
For more great Caribbean travel tips, check out…
- 25 Things to Do in Willemstad Curacao – The Island’s Capital
- Our Top Aruba Travel Tips
- Get Free Flights and Hotels with This Travel Credit Card
Even more great Curacao activities to explore!
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