Each road trip has its own theme. Are you an art lover, do you prefer the beach or are you more interested in culture and history? With the following three road trips you can literally and figuratively go either way!
art and city fun
Otrobanda
Kura Hulanda Village
Kura Hulanda Museum
Scharloo
Maison Sling
Having Lunch
Historical buildings and adventurous snorkeling
Fort Beekenberg
Directors Bay
Quarantine Building
Tugboat
Trip to Westpunt
Blue Bay
Spotting flamingos
Karakter
Daaibooi
Playa Porto Mari
Cas Abou / Bon Bini Beach
Playa Lagun
Grote Knip
Playa Forti
Roadtrip 1: Art and city fun
First of all, we’d like to take you on a Curaçao art trip! This trip won’t require you to sit in the car for very long because we only have two main stops: Otrobanda and Scharloo! In these neighborhoods you’ll find lots of cool things to see and do in Curaçao.
First stop: Otrobanda, Bario Hotel
First, we will explore the multicultural neighborhood of Otrobanda. Otrobanda is bursting with art, colonial architecture and great restaurants and stores. It’s best to park your car (close) to the Bario Hotel on Rouvilleweg and then walk towards the center (Kura Hulanda).
Otrobanda used to be a neighborhood you would rather not visit. Mainly poor people lived here and crime was rife. Luckily, this has changed and the neighborhood has flourished. Today, Otrobanda is a neighborhood where people of different classes live together peacefully. This is very unique in Curaçao. Otrobanda now stands for joy, art, culture and color. In almost every street you will come across a beautiful work of art or an immense mural
One of the most extraordinary works of art and things to see in Curaçao is the copper artwork “Emancipate Yourself from Mental Slavery,” (which can be found through Google Maps). The artist who created this artwork, Giovanni Abath, is trying to convey an important message:
Limitations we face are mostly psychological and determined by our way of thinking. Our minds are often indoctrinated or enslaved for years. If you do not realize that you can be free, you are letting important opportunities pass you by. NONE BUT OURSELVES CAN FREE OUR MINDS.
Kura Hulanda Village
The best part of Otrobanda is definitely Kura Hulanda. This cozy center is characterized by a romantic city square, cobblestone streets, exotic plants and colorful buildings housing stores and restaurants. It’s the perfect place for shopping and fine dining! We highly recommend taking a seat at Florès. This is one of the best places for breakfast at Curaçao. But be sure to visit Kura Hulanda Village also in the evening. Then this place really comes to life.
Kura Hulanda Museum
If you still have some time left, we recommend visiting the Kura Hulanda Museum. This is an impactful and comprehensive museum that takes you into the history of slavery.
Second stop: Scharloo
In a tranquilo (or relaxed) way, we stroll back to the car to drive to our next stop: Scharloo. The best place to park your car is in front of Maison Sling, on the Bitterstraat. If you like art and architecture, Scharloo is definitely worth a visit. The neighborhood has many different types of buildings such as old Italian-style mansions and neoclassical-style buildings. The latter can be recognized by their many facade details and bright pastel colors. If you walk around Scharloo you will also find many colorful murals, each with their own style and message.
Maison Sling
Our favorite building in Scharloo is without a doubt Maison Sling. From the outside alone, this building is a true work of art. But then you haven’t seen the inside yet! Maison Sling houses the workshop and art studio of the extraordinary artist Francis Sling. So definitely take a look inside!
You will receive a warm welcome and are free to look around. For a small fee (10 dollars for tourists and 10 guilders for locals) you are allowed to photograph everything and pick out a beautiful bracelet containing real pieces of paint.
Should you be inspired to make an artwork yourself, you can sign up for a workshop by Francis! For NAF 185 you get a fully arranged workshop including wine and materials. Definitely recommended for artsy people wondering what to do in Curaçao.
The next workshop is all about Rare Para, meaning weird bird. According to Sling, we are all authentic birds who can take our own place in the master artwork of the world. We should shine our true colors and create our own happiness. So choose your colors and let your inner weird bird come out.
Have lunch BEYGLZ or De Broeders
Got a little hungry after all that walking and art exploring? A few meters away from Maison Sling you will find two nice lunch places, BEYGLZ and De Broeders. What we especially like about BEYGLZ: the dishes are not only super tasty, but also organic! De Broeders has a cozy terrace and serves mainly delicious street style food!
Roadtrip 2: Historical buildings and adventurous snorkeling
The second roadtrip in Curaçao that we have put together can easily be done in one day, or even in a few hours. All stops are very close to each other and we recommend including them all in your route! We would love to tell you more about the top things to do on this route in Curaçao:
Fort Beekenberg
Our first stop is a historical gem, Fort Beekenberg. This fort on Caracas Bay was built in 1703 to guard the passage to the area called “Spaanse Water”. Thanks to the fort, enemies had no chance to reach Willemstad. The fort was attacked multiple times by pirates, but without success.
We advise you to park the car along the public road. You can then walk up the stone stairs to the fort. You will encounter remnants of a guardhouse and water reservoir. Also you will find the fort itself, which is equipped with cannons. Via a staircase you can climb all the way up the tower! Here you have an impressive view of the red and white oil terminal and the sea.
Directors Bay
We continue our trip to Directors Bay. This public picturesque pebble beach is a hidden gem where mostly locals go. It has a very pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. Also it’s one of the best free snorkeling beaches on Curaçao. Finally, it’s a great place for scuba diving, barbecuing and watching the sunset.
Quarantainegebouw
We move on to the Quarantine House, better known as “Quarantainegebouw”. This fascinating building has a special history. In the 19th century, Curaçao was an important stopping place for trade ships sailing between Europe and America. These ships often carried infectious diseases.
In 1883, the Quarantine House was built, which consisted of dormitories, a hospital and a crematorium. Sailors entering Curaçao were required to stay here for a certain period of time, to prevent any diseases and plagues from abroad from spreading into the population.
Meanwhile, the building is abandoned, dilapidated and covered in graffiti, but this also comes with a certain charm! It is definitely worth a quick stop! The former structures and halls are still intact and the history is still tangible. In addition, the building is situated on a hill that offers a beautiful view. Park your car along the road and walk the last bit up.
Tugboat
Our last stop of this special driving route is Tugboat Beach. This is really one of the best diving and snorkeling beaches of Curaçao. Here you will encounter numerous tropical fish including parrot fish, trumpet fish and moray eels. After swimming about 20 meters, the bottom of the sea suddenly turns into a steep precipice. Continuing swimming can be a bit scary, but it does provide a special sensation. You suddenly feel at one with the sea.
But that’s not all. If you swim about 50 meters to the left from the shore, you will also come across an old shipwreck! This ship sank in the 1980s after it caught fire while towing another ship. It has therefore been lying at the bottom of the sea for more than 40 years. It is now covered with beautiful coral and sponges. Fish love to swim around it. And with a little luck, you might even spot a seahorse or turtle here.
Although you visit Tugboat Beach mainly for the unique underwater world, the beach itself is also one of a kind! It may be a bit primitive, but there is a very lively vibe and everywhere you look you see cheerful, brightly colored art. Should this put you in artistic moods, then allow the artist in you to come out while designing your own souvenir! For a small fee, you can create a personalized painting on driftwood. How fun!
Roadtrip 3: Trip to Westpunt, Curaçao
The last roadtrip through Curaçao is our favorite. It really is something you should not miss as this route takes you to the most beautiful and best beaches of Curaçao. We recommend taking one or two whole days for this trip. If you have sufficient time, you can combine the beaches with some of the other attractions in the west of Curaçao. What about spotting flamingos, discovering the natural park Shete Boka, climbing Mount Christoffel or visiting the special plantation Hòfi Mango?
But first we will lead you along the best beaches, obviously in the geographically most logical order. You don’t necessarily have to visit them all. Consider in advance which beaches appeal to you most and where you would like to end up on a beach bed. We assume that you will start your trip in Willemstad and from there move more and more to the northwest.
Blue Bay
The first beach that deserves a visit is Blue Bay. This is for us the best beach in Curaçao island. It’s great for snorkeling and has all the luxuries you could wish for: comfortable beach beds, Wi-Fi and good dining facilities. You could start your day here with a delicious breakfast.
Entrance fee:
NAF 20 p.p. including beach bed
Flamingo spotting
As you drive along the Road to St Willibrordus, you will pass a bird viewing point. At this lookout point in Jan Kok you have a good chance of spotting flamingos! So stop here, as it is very special to see these joyful pink creatures in the wild.
Karakter
The next stop on our driving route in Curaçao is Karakter Beach, a beautiful little beach located on the resort of Coral Estate! In order to get a day bed you have to arrive a bit early. But that is more than worth it. At Karakter Beach, you immediately get the ultimate vacation feeling. And as soon as the sun comes out, the water takes on an enchanting, turquoise-colored sparkle. It’s also one of the best snorkeling beaches in Curaçao.
Entrance fee:
Free entrance and bed when you spend a certain amount on food and/or drinks. Trust us – the food here is delicious, so you will easily spend this amount.
Daaibooi
We continue our trip and head toward Daaibooi. This pearly white beach with waving palm trees and thatched palapas (umbrellas) has a very relaxed, friendly atmosphere. What to do on this beach in Curaçao? It’s the perfect place to come together with friends and family to sunbathe, swim and barbecue. Don’t expect luxury facilities or restaurants. You can get tasty snacks and fries, though.
Entrance fee:
Free entrance. If you want a bed, you pay 10 guilders (half of which is a deposit).
Playa Porto Mari
The next stop is Playa Porto Mari. This place definitely belongs to our top 3 best beaches in Curaçao, for snorkeling but also for chilling in the sun! The extensive, white sandy beach forms a beautiful union with the radiant, clear blue water. Make sure to order a nice drink at the bar, as you can easily spend hours here. Occasionally you will be joined by an iguana or a wild pig.
At Porto Mari there are also lots of things to do! Does your Curaçao bucket list include diving and snorkeling? That is definitely possible here! Rent a snorkel set or book a diving lesson and discover the wonderful world under water. Or stay on dry land and enjoy a sumptuous lunch at the indoor restaurant.
Entrance fee:
To enter the beach you pay 5 guilders entrance fee. You also pay a small amount for a beach bed.
Cas Abou / Bon Bini Beach
If you are a great lover of nature and tranquility, then you should also visit Cas Abou! This beautiful beach is located in a bay and is gracefully surrounded by rocks and palm trees. The entire view looks like a fine painting. However, there are no luxury beach beds, amenities or eateries at Cas Abou. There is, however, a small beach café where you can get a tasty snack or drink.
Entrance fee:
You pay NAF 10 per car and NAF 5 for a bed.
Playa Lagun
When you arrive at Playa Lagun, you immediately feel that this is a beach with a lot of soul and character. The brightly colored fishing boats that contrast beautifully with the clear, turquoise water immediately create a picturesque sight. The beach is very popular among fishermen, divers and snorkelers! This is because the underwater world is inhabited by numerous fish and turtles.
Entrance fee:
You don’t have to pay an entrance fee at this beach. However, you can rent a sun bed and umbrella.
Grote Knip
Then we move on to Kenepa Beach, or Grote Knip. Once you arrive at the parking lot and look down from the stone platform, you immediately get the WOW factor. Your eyes will light up at the sight of the extensive sandy beach surrounded by green forests and the sparkling blue sea.
Before you take the stairs down with your swimming gear, we recommend getting a delicious, iced coffee or smoothie! You get those at the adjacent stand. Here, you can also go for a typical Curaçao pastechi or fresh banana bread.
Entrance fee:
Entrance to Grote Knip is free! You pay 5 to 6 guilders for a beach bed (and 7.50 guilders for an umbrella).
Playa Forti
If you are feeling adventurous, make sure to include Playa Forti in your Curaçao day trip. At Playa Forti you can jump from a 10-meter-high cliff, which will give you a tremendous adrenaline kick! From the cliff you also have a magnificent view.
Entrance fee:
Free entrance. Sun beds and umbrellas can be rented for a small price.
What else to do in Westpunt, Curaçao?
Of course, there is much more to do in Westpunt than just beach hopping. Our tips for this part in Curaçao:
visit Hòfi mango
If you are interested in the nature and the past of Curaçao, we definitely recommend you to book a guided tour on the special plantation Hòfi Mango. This way you can learn some interesting facts about Curaçao.
Go to Shete Boka
Shete Boka is a national park where you can drive by car to different natural spectacles. In one place, for example, you can admire how the water violently splashes up to ten meters into the air after it bounces against the rocks.
Climb the Christoffelberg
Want to see the most beautiful view on Curaçao? Then put on your hiking boots and climb the 400-meter-high Mount Christoffel, also known as “Christoffelberg”. Go early in the morning and bring plenty of water, because it’s going to be a hell of a walk. The last bit is a bit of a climb, but this is well worth the view.
Curaçao roadtrip tips
If you are planning to do some active things, be sure to start your trip early in the morning. That’s when the temperature is most pleasant. From 1 p.m. on, the sun feels extra hot and you would rather lie on a beach bed.
Given the hot temperatures, it’s nice to have a drink with you in the car.
Fuel up in advance, especially if you are going on a tour around Westpoint Curaçao. In that area there are in fac few gas stations.
With the app MAPS.ME you can easily navigate anywhere, whether you have internet or not.
and / or bring a charging cable
Make sure you always have swimwear, a snorkel set and water shoes with you, because you never know when you might want to take a nice, refreshing dip in the water!
Since theft is not uncommon in Curaçao, we advise you to always take valuables with you or at least not put them in plain sight.
A nice car with air conditioning and Apple Carplay should not be missing when you drive around Curaçao. Rent a cool SUV or a trendy Fiat that will make your trip even more exciting!
We wish you many safe miles and a great roadtrip! If you plan to have breakfast somewhere along the way, also read our blog about the best breakfast places in Curaçao!
