Curaçao Things to Do

Architecture! Our capital of Willemstad is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as of 1997. I assure you: it's worth it!
You can either visit some wonderful buildings downtown or our beautiful countryhouses in the countryside; several of them house musea, restaurants or shops, so you can combine architecture with history. This townhouse is an art gallery.

...visit Baya Beach Club at Caracasbay Island.

Surprise! Combine history with sun, sea, sand and partying! Baya Beach Club is ideal for a day at, in, on or around the water with he family. During the day you can swim, bake in the sun, ride the boat, waterbike, canoe, hike, ride horseback, have a nice lunch and some tropical drinks. A beautiful site to see the sun set. At night you can mingle with the locals and dance till morning. Also to visit on the Baya Beach grounds: Fortress Beekenburg (17th century, dutch)

If you're staying at the Marriott, you won't find a better beach as it is not only a good one but you have your deck chairs, your palapa and the Seabreeze beach restaurant. The beach is long, with a man made reef that provides the best snorkeling we had in Curacao. Yes, it is somehow rocky as all the beaches in the island, but the coral reef means plenty of attractive sea life.

Cas Abou is a small and very quiet beach, 20 minutes north of Willemstad and close to Porto Marie beach, which can be visited in the same day. It was very quiet in May... too much for my taste. There is a very basic snack-bar which I just recommend for refreshment or beers, but not good for food. The restaurant at Porto Marie is much mcuh better so plan your lunch there. Snorkel is good but not excellent.

It was fun when we were in the middle of the bridge and the alarm started warning the it was opening. In fact it turns counterclockwise pivoting on the Otrobanda side and separating from the Punda side. Interesting bridge, illuminated by color neon lights during the night. By the way, if you stay at the Marriott or Hilton, it is easier to park or take a cab to Otrobanda and cross the bridge by foot to Punda.

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Porto Marie is worth a visit as it is one of the nicest and best equipped beaches in Curacao. As others, it is small and nested between the surroundings rocky hills. It has a very nice restaurant where I suggest for lunch after or before visiting the neighboring Cas Abou beach. Porto Marie and Cas Abou are close together so they both make a good day at the beach. Snorkeling is good but not excellent. There is an entrance fee (like $3 per person)

Willemstad looks perfect and beautiful on postcards but reality is somehow different. The city is attractive (wouldn't say charming) but it's somehow dirty and smelly. I still enjoyed visiting it a few times for a walk, photos, shopping and dining. The Punda side is nicer than Otrobanda. I recommend to walk or drive the along the coastal road on the Punda side to see the small homes where locals live.

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After visiting Siete Bocas in the morning, lunch at Playa Kalki, I suggest ending your day trip at this famous and picturesque beach. Avoid the place during weekends as it is crowded with locals. Watch the young guys diving into the water from the rocks. The neighboring Small Knip is less attractive and you may skip it.