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There’s nothing like a getaway down South to replenish your vitamin D and energy. Since I’m not a big fan of all-inclusive resorts, I looked for a destination that offers freedom and a variety of activities. Enter Curaçao, a hidden gem in the Caribbean tucked between Aruba and Bonaire. Its arid climate, unique cactus-filled landscapes, and rare rainfall make it a truly one-of-a-kind escape.
Curaçao is part of the Netherlands Antilles and is therefore an independent state of the Netherlands. Strolling through the Punda district in downtown Willemstad, you can also see the English influence throughout the area.
The vibrant architecture and colourful buildings invite you to wander among the historic houses and waterfront terraces. Don’t miss the Handelskade waterfront, with its iconic 18th-century façades overlooking the harbour. Here you’ll find many restaurants, art galleries and boutiques.
The Punda and Otrobanda districts are linked by a bridge, the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. It often opens to let boats through.
The cave is over 200,000 years old. Hato Caves is located in the northern part of the island of Curaçao. We visited this site at the start of our trip, with no great expectations. In the end, we were pleasantly surprise!
There’s more to the site than just the cave. You can see a small cactus garden and take a 20-minute walk on the Indian Trail. Curaçao is a very dry island and it is more common to come across a cactus than a palm tree! Here are some pictures of this garden.
Long before the arrival of Europeans, Hato Caves served as a hiding place for enslaved people. There’s a lot of history within this cave!
Contrary to what you might think, you won’t go down underground to get there but climb several steps to get in.
The guided tour is interesting and dynamic. You’ll learn more about how the cave was formed and spot some of its residents, tiny bats!
Fancy a day in the sun, on an uninhabited island of almost white sand? Klein Curaçao is the place for you! Here, you can swim with turtles, relax on the beach, or explore the lighthouse and abandoned boats nearby.
Klein Curaçao is a small island of 28 sq. km located in the Lesser Antilles. The water is incredibly clear and the sand is fine, almost pure white.
The departure starts around 8:00 am and the catamaran trip lasts about 1h30. Be careful, it’s not all smooth sailing! If youget seasick like me, I advise you to sit at the back of the boat. Be sure to pack your electronics well, and hold onto your cellphone. We were at the front and got drenched by a wave. Rest assured, the return trip is much calmer!
Along with basking in the sun, you can walk to the other side of the island, where there’s a lighthouse and an abandoned shipwreck. It’s very hot, so don’t forget to bring water.
The northern part of the island is known for its crashing waves, so we wanted to explore this side, which feels so different from the south. So we opened Google Maps and we set course for Playa Kanoa, not knowing what to expect. We arrived in a volcanic field with windmills in the background. Now I understand why this spot is a favourite for kiteboarding and surfing!
We also met a fellow Quebecer, who was also enjoying an impromptu adventure! We spent a few days together following this meeting. It just goes to show that unexpected moments often lead to the best experiences!
We spent the afternoon away from the crowds on this small beach you see in the photo.
Travelling without hiking is almost impossible for me. Mount Christoffel was one of the reasons we chose this island. This place truly captured my heart!
Please note that you’re not allowed to start the hike after 10 a.m. due to the heat, and the trail costs USD 15 per adult and USD 2 per child.
The trail is strewn with large rocks. You have to watch where you step and be skilful in places, but it’s doable. The view from the very top is well worth the effort.
You’ll see plenty of cacti and a variety of desert plants along the trail. Bring at least 1 liter of water per person.
RECOMMENDED BY THE EDITORIAL TEAM
TheAllTrails app is an indispensable tool for any hiker. It shows all the trails on Curaçao, and allows you to get directions, preview the route and customize the layout.
Snorkelling in Curaçao is one of the most memorable marine experiences in the Caribbean. With its crystal-clear waters and exceptional biodiversity, the island lets you explore colourful coral reefs, swim up close with sea turtles, and discover a variety of pristine beaches. Choose this GetYourGuide excursion; I highly recommend it!
The distillery lets you discover the colourful history of Curaçao liqueur, where the iconic Blue Curaçao comes to life in the heart of a historic plantation. You can take an immersive tour to learn more about the secrets behind crafting this citrus-flavoured liqueur that is synonymous with the island.
Just a few minutes from Willemstad, the Flamingo Sanctuary in Sint Willibrordus offers a breathtaking natural spectacle: dozens of pink flamingos roam freely in a peaceful lagoon. A true haven for wildlife and photography enthusiasts!
Looking for a thrill? Opt for an off-road buggy tour with a local expert who will take you through wild coastal landscapes, discover secret beaches and reach a spectacular natural bridge shaped by the sea.
The beaches of Curaçao are simply beautiful! You’ll be spoiled for choice during your stay. Of course, some beaches are busier than others, but you’re sure to find your favourite among all these options. Here are some of the ones we spent time lounging on!
The first one was my least favourite. This lively beach features music and restaurants, making it my pick for a happy hour spot if you’re looking to party and meet new people. The beach isn’t very large, so with all the paid chairs and loungers, you’ll find yourself quite close to others.
Two names for this beach that we loved! The beach itself isn’t very large, but it’s not crowded, and this is where you can see and swim with turtles right near the pier!
Every day, fishermen come to sell their catch of the day. They throw the leftover fish into the sea for the turtles to eat. Bring your mask and snorkel!
I found the place really quiet and peaceful. The colours in the afternoon are stunning, with charming rental cottages perched on the cliffside and fishing boats dotting the water.
Playa Forti is a very small beach on the side of a cliff, not very busy. People mainly go there to have lunch at the restaurant perched on the cliff. In fact, you can even jump into the water right from the restaurant! Not for me, but it definitely appeals to thrill-seekers! The view of the coast is beautiful, especially when enjoyed with a good Curaçao liqueur!
Although popular and busy, I preferred this beach to Mambo Beach. The atmosphere is great, and you’re sure to catch a glimpse of its two special inhabitants… two pigs! I don’t promote this beach for its pigs. In fact, you may not even see them.
They have acres of land to walk on. The owner is really sensitive to their welfare and has always had pigs on his land. His grandparents already had a small pig farm.
The pigs really do come to cool off in the water whenever they want. Sometimes they stay only 5 minutes and then return to the forest. So I think it’s far from being the same conditions as in the Bahamas…. They are not forced to be present on the beach. I’m not sure about the exact conditions of the pigs in the Bahamas, but I can confirm that in Curaçao they are not mistreated… and many tourists are often disappointed because they didn’t get a chance to see them during their stay.
I would like to say that I would never participate in an activity that would endanger the health of an animal, and I always advise the people who accompany me not to touch the pigs if they see them.
Grote Knip beach is magnificent, especially at the end of the day when you can admire the sunset! It’s a great place for a swim or a picnic.
Curaçao offers a wide selection of small hotels, from independent establishments to seasonal rentals and all-inclusives.
Use Marriott Bonvoy points to treat yourself to free nights in Curacao! For around 40,000 to 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, you can choose from 3 different hotels in Willemstad:
Read our hotel reviews on the two most luxurious:
For the first 3 nights of this trip, we decided to rent a private room in a youth hostel renowned for its charm and good service. Located in the Pitermaai area, the price was right for this area and fit my budget. We were also a 15-minute walk from Punda, so we didn’t have to take our car to visit the area or eat out.
Our experience in this youth hostel was everything I expected it to be, that is, I expected to be disturbed by noise in this type of place. It doesn’t last all night, but if you want to go to bed early, you might be disappointed! We had a very clean room with a private bathroom.
My boyfriend has a lot of dietary restrictions, so I’m always on the lookout for self-catering accommodation. We thought we would have an easy time finding grocery stores with rotisserie chickens and prepared foods, but… no. Many are convenience store-style places. The restaurants were more or less affordable for our budget, so we were a bit discouraged at the start of our trip!
On the other hand, we found what we were looking for when we moved to a different area of the island, I’ll tell you about that later.
The place is very clean and the staff very nice. By staying at the Bed & Bike you benefit from:
For the second part of our stay, we chose an Airbnb in the Julianadorp neighbourhood. Since beachfront accommodations with a kitchen were out of our budget, this little guesthouse was the perfect solution.
In fact, just two minutes from our accommodation, we found exactly the type of supermarket we were looking for: Centrum Supermarket Piscadera. You will find everything you need there. Meat and fish… kept in proper refrigerated conditions!
Between October and April, Air Canada flies non-stop from Montreal to Curacao on Mondays and Fridays. Alternatively, you can make a stopover in Toronto or Bogotá with Air Canada and Avianca.
It’s especially valuable to use your Aeroplan points for Curaçao, as they can help you save significantly on your travel costs.
For our flight, we booked in September for the month of February. We bought our flight for 20,000 Aeroplan points + $92 taxes and fees for a one-way trip: I didn’t have enough points for a round trip. So we booked a direct flight home with Air Canada for $360 for a total of $452 per person.
A friend joined our trip a little last minute and paid $870 to be on the same flights as us.
According to Aeroplan’s reward chart, you can get there for as little as 12,500 to 17,500 Aeroplan points. However, if you’re travelling during peak times, be sure to book early, as the points required can be higher.
Here, you can fly to Curacao and back in the middle of February for around 45,000 points and $190 tax.
To get around the island, I really believe that using a car will give you the freedom you want. It is not difficult to drive on the island, it is like here.
I booked a small car through Expedia for a total of $287.75 for 7 days. I paid for the rental with my Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card and was able to cover the entire cost using my Scene+ points. This card is a great option for travel abroad since it has no foreign currency conversion fees.
In Curaçao, you have the choice of paying in guilders or US dollars.
If you’re not planning to rent a car or if you enjoy guided tours, I recommend booking with Gone Caribe. Jessica lives in Curaçao with her boyfriend and has started a private tour company.
They offer set tours, but you can also create your own custom itinerary. Supporting local businesses while travelling and having the option of a French-speaking guide is, in my opinion, a wonderful way to explore the island!
After this week in Curaçao, I’m leaving totally refreshed, my head full of memories and my spirits lifted by this bath of sunshine and discoveries. This island seduced me with its freedom, its authentic atmosphere and the diversity of its landscapes, far from the beaten path of all-inclusive resorts. Between moments of relaxation on wild beaches, unexpected encounters and unique experiences such as turtle diving, I found everything I was looking for for a successful winter break. One thing’s for sure: Curacao has made me want to come back again and again.
Curaçao is an island located in the Caribbean, just off the coast of Venezuela. It’s part of the Leeward Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea and is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Curaçao had a population of 159,000 in 2019, covering an area of 444 km2.
There are countless things to do in Curaçao. Stroll through the colourful neighbourhoods of Willemstad, visit the Hato Caves, spot flamingos in Sint Willibrordus, or discover stunning beaches like Grote Knip and Playa PortoMari.
Curaçao is generally a safe island for travellers. As everywhere else, you just need to use common sense, especially in certain neighbourhoods at night, and keep an eye on your belongings on the beach or in town.
The island is full of family-friendly activities: swimming and snorkelling with turtles, exploring peaceful beaches, visiting Christoffel National Park, or enjoying a fun adventure in downtown Willemstad. There’s something to delight both kids and adults!
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