Photo courtesy of Rachel Vigoda
Curacao is somewhat of a hidden island gem
Nearby Aruba gets most of the attention among travelers coming from the United States. But with its small beaches tucked into hidden coves, colorful Dutch colonial architecture, affordable hotels and non-touristy vibe, Curacao is an under-the-radar Caribbean island that should be on your list of sun-soaked destinations.
Many of the resorts on the southeastern side of the island front beaches overly packed with loungers. Instead, split your time between exploring the UNESCO World Heritage city of Willemstad and the rugged western side of the island for the best vacation experience.
Photo courtesy of Rachel Vigoda
Sunny skies year-round
Set outside the hurricane belt, Curacao doesn’t have a bad season. The weather fluctuates slightly, with the fall and early winter seeing more rain than the rest of the year, but the occasional showers pass through quickly to cool you off just enough before the sun pops out to heat things up again.
Photo courtesy of Justin Blasi
Beach-hoppers’ paradise
If you’re looking for a long stretch of beach lined with resorts, you’re on the wrong island. Curacao’s coast is dotted with small coves, where you can sit back on a curve of sand surrounded by cacti-covered hills while gazing out onto the endless turquoise water ahead.
Beach-hopping between coves, never knowing quite what the next one will look like, is a perfect way to spend a day. Start at the popular Playa Kenepa, where a $15 ticket gets you two beach chairs and an umbrella at two neighboring beaches.
Photo courtesy of Justin Blasi
Swim with sea turtles
And don’t skip Playa Piskado (also called Playa Grandi), where the sea turtles aren’t fazed by visitors: they’ll swim right up.
Photo courtesy of Rachel Vigoda
Lounge alongside beach-loving pigs
Spot pigs napping on the soft white sand at Playa Porto Mari. It’s also worth stopping here to stroll out to the end of the long dock for serene views of the beach and bright turquoise water, even though the serenity doesn’t always carry over to the narrow beach itself, which can get too crowded.
Photo courtesy of Justin Blasi
Lunch at a local legend
Break up a day of beach-hopping with a lunch stop at Jaanchie’s. The airy, laid-back restaurant is known for serving iguana to curious tourists, and owner Jan “Jaanchi” Cristiaan, who stops at every table to go over the day’s menu, will be sure to point out that iguana is an aphrodisiac.
But if you’re in the mood for fish, chicken or meat, or a vegetarian plate with polenta, plantains and rice and beans, those are all options too.
Photo courtesy of Justin Blasi
Remote seaside hotels
The pool overlooking the ocean, umbrella-shaded terrace and spacious, bi-level rooms with private balconies feel like enough, but at Lagun Blou Resort, there’s a secret showstopper. Follow the path past the pool to a secluded ledge that’s perfect for jumping straight into the ocean (there’s also a ladder).
Bring your snorkel and mask; there are plenty of fish to see right here. The peaceful hotel, where well-equipped apartment-style accommodations go for around $150 a night, is set on a cliff over the water, with a small beach a few minutes’ walk away.
Photo courtesy of Baoase Luxury Resort
Five-star stays
Low-key Curacao is more about comfort than luxury, but there are high-end options. With only 23 rooms and villas built around a man-made lagoon, Baoase Luxury Resort feels like an exclusive hideaway. The pampering Balinese-style hotel includes multiple pools, a private beach and a restaurant.
Photo courtesy of Justin Blasi
Curacao’s place in history
You can feel the history as you walk on the sand floor at Mikvé Israel-Emanuel, the oldest synagogue in the Americas. And it’s still in active use today.
A timeline exhibit next to the temple lays out the history of the world, the island and the Jewish people side by side – it’s fascinating to see local events explained in the context of what was happening throughout the world at the same time.
Photo courtesy of Justin Blasi
Not-to-miss exhibits
Across the bay in Otrobanda, the Kura Hulanda museum offers another look at how the past shapes the present. It’s known as a slavery museum but it’s much more, starting with ancient African and Middle Eastern artifacts and moving through the transatlantic slave trade (which used Curacao as a base) to the myriad ways African cultures have influenced life on the island.
Photo courtesy of Rachel Vigoda
Architectural photo ops
If you’ve seen only one image of Curacao, it was likely the picturesque row of candy-colored Dutch colonial buildings that line the harbor in Willemstad. Those bright colors continue through the historic city, making for plenty of photo ops as you wander around Punda or check out the revitalized Pietermaai District.
Photo courtesy of Kome
A night on the town
After a day exploring Willemstad, stocking up on souvenirs and taking in the cultural sights, it’s time for dinner and a cocktail or two. You’ll have your choice of trendy restaurants serving international cuisines in Curacao, such as Kome, a sleek spot in the Pietermaai neighborhood led by an American chef, or Cana Bar & Kitchen, a hip gastropub with a seafood-focused Latin-Caribbean menu.