Curaçao is a tropical paradise in the Caribbean with azure seas, white sandy beaches and a rich culture. It is a wonderful vacation destination where you can laze on the beach, snorkel in crystal-clear waters and soak up the vibrant atmosphere in Willemstad. In this comprehensive travel guide, we share everything you need to know for an unforgettable vacation to Curaçao. From the best places to stay to tips on the most beautiful sights and, of course, our personal favorite hotspots. These are our tips for a vacation to Curaçao!
Why vacation to Curaçao?
Curaçao, one of the most famous ABC islands, guarantees sun, sea and a relaxed vibe. The island is known for its colorful architecture and beautiful underwater world. Curaçao is loved by sun lovers, water sports enthusiasts and culture sniffers. All year round you can enjoy a tropical climate here.
What makes Curaçao extra special is that it feels so comfortably familiar. The locals speak good Dutch, and even the Albert Heijn supermarket can be found on the island. In this way you still feel at home in this faraway paradise. Moreover, everywhere you go you are warmly welcomed by the friendly locals.
How do you travel to Curaçao?
Curaçao is about 8,000 kilometers from the Netherlands and, despite its distance, is a very popular vacation destination. There is only one way to get to Curaçao, and that is by plane. From the Netherlands you can fly directly to Curaçao with KLM, TUI and Corendon. Travel time is about 9 hours.
Airfare is often more expensive during school vacations. Outside the high season, you can fly from as little as €800 return, while tickets during peak periods often cost around €1,000 (including checked baggage). Want to save money? Then book early and travel outside the vacations.
Where will you stay in Curaçao?
The island of Curaçao is not very large, but the range of accommodations is enormous. The question "where to stay on Curaçao" is therefore a good one. With these tips we will help you make a good choice!
Curaçao is divided into two regions: Bandariba and Bandabou. Bandariba is the tourist heart of Curaçao, in this region you will find Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel Beach, among others. Two popular places to stay.
Bandabou covers the western part of the island. You will find rugged landscapes and green nature and the famous attractions Hofi Mango, Shete Boka and Christoffel Park.
Curious about our favorite spots in Curaçao? We share in the article Where to stay in Curaçao? the nicest places to stay on the island and some nice apartments and resorts.
Do you already know where you want to stay on the island, but not yet specifically which hotel? Then also be inspired by the following articles:
What to do in Curaçao?
Curaçao is so much more than just beaches. Of course, you will find beautiful beaches where you can experience the ultimate vacation feeling, but Curaçao also has beautiful natural parks, rugged coastlines, and an interesting local culture to discover and experience.
These are the 5 most fun activities for Curacao:
Explore the colorful streets of Willemstad (Otrobanda, Punda and Pietermaai)
Explore rugged Bandabou on an adventurous off-road baby carriage tour
Go supping on the Spanish Water
And this is just the beginning! Want to discover all the highlights, such as the most beautiful beaches and the nicest snorkeling spots? Then check out our article What to do in Curaçao? For all our tips!
How do you arrange transportation in Curaçao?
During a vacation on Curaçao you will naturally want to discover all the beautiful places of the island. And because public transportation on Curaçao is not very reliable, it is advisable to rent a car or book organized tours. You can also sometimes consider booking a cab, but since these are quite scarce, they are also on the pricey side.
Therefore, a rental car is ideal to have on Curaçao. Driving around the island by yourself is very relaxing and we certainly experienced it as safe. And because the traffic rules are almost the same as in the Netherlands, you don't have to worry about this in advance.
We always book our rental car through SunnyCars Because of the all-inclusive prices and service.
Please note that refueling on Curaçao is slightly different. You pay before refueling. You park your car at the pump, tell the cashier the amount you want to fill up, and then you can fill up.
There is one main road, the Caracas Bay Road, between Willemstad and Jan Thiel. This road is used by almost everyone and is therefore also prone to traffic jams. It is therefore best to avoid the Caracasbaaiweg during rush hours.
Renting a car on Curaçao
You can rent a car on Curaçao from as little as €40 per day. And if you book through SunnyCars, this often includes insurance. Of course, prices depend on the period in which you travel to the Caribbean country and whether you book your rental car in time. We always book through SunnyCars because the conditions are clear and in general you can make changes until the last minute!
The best time to travel to Curacao
The advantage of vacationing in Curaçao is that it is sunny and warm all year round. Want to avoid extreme heat? Then July through September are less ideal. October and November are characterized as the wettest months, but personally we have had very nice vacation days in October.
October and November are the wettest months, although you can still find beautiful days. The most popular period is from December to February: pleasant temperatures, lots of sunshine and fun parties around the holidays.
Culinary Curaçao: our favorite hotspots on the island
Curaçao's local cuisine is also called Creole cuisine and is actually a fairly simple cuisine with several foreign influences. Products commonly used in dishes are rice, chicken, goat, iguana, fresh fish and exotic fruits.
There are an awful lot of great restaurants on Curaçao, from small local hotspots to fine dining restaurants. So it's fun to get out there and see Curaçao from a culinary standpoint. But where to start? We have already visited many different places, and have collected our favorites for you by region. These are them:
Vacationing to Curacao: the best deals and great offers
Want to go on vacation to Curacao? Then you are undoubtedly looking for the best deal, often this is a package deal including flight and accommodation. And sometimes even with a rental car. Ideal! A package holiday offers convenience and security, and you can often also easily and quickly book through TUI and Corendon.
But if we may give you a tip, check out the just a bit more exclusive offerings from By June. These are smaller-scale accommodations, but you will experience the benefits of a package tour.
Carefree vacation to Curacao
Are you looking for a villa for the family? Or do you want just that one gem off the beaten path? Then a custom trip might be a suitable option for you. With a tailor-made trip, you have the opportunity to put together your vacation entirely as you wish. With a customized trip you get personal tips and stay in unique accommodations that suit your needs.
We are happy to help you find the best flights, hotels and activities. Let us arrange your dream vacation with the best insider tips and no hassle. Request a free travel proposal and discover the best of Curacao!
Carefree vacation to Curacao
Would you like a hand in picking the nicest accommodation and place to stay in Curaçao? As a personal travel consultant, we'd love to do that! We will help you on your way in a 1-on-1 video interview, but we can also organize the entire vacation according to your wishes. Travel carefree and request a customized travel proposal for your vacation to Curacao.
