Are you looking for the top things to do in Curacao, besides a couple of tourist traps? Then you are in the right spot.
I have stayed for over half a year in Curacao and know how hard it is to find good quality things to do. Most tourist spots are overrun, and you overpay so much for going.
The best-hidden gems of Curacao are hard to find, and it took me all this time to fully explore the island. I have sought out tips from locals, digital nomads, and other travelers. And we have simply explored the island with our rental car and without a plan.
The result is this extensive list of the best things to do in Curacao, which will help you have an amazing time on the island.
Find the best hidden gems and most stunning spots in Curacao in this post!
Let’s get to it!
1. Swim With The Pigs At Playa Porto Mari
The two pigs, Willy & Woody are the pride of the fantastic Playa Porto Mari. The beach is one of the most impressive spots in Curacao and definitely worth visiting.
You can swim with the pigs, have a massage on the beach, or try a delicious burger at the BBQ restaurant.
And of course, you need to snorkel at the impressive double reef at Playa Porto Mari. The turquoise waters and the stunning coral reef also attract many scuba divers.
2. Snorkel To a Sunken Shipwreck at Tugboat Beach
The sunken shipwreck at Tugboat Beach is one of the best snorkel beaches on the island.
Tugboat Beach is located in Caracasbaai, and an amazing place to be. It is one of many shipwrecks around the main island.
The sunken shipwreck is located about 15 feet (3 meters) underwater, so you can see it nicely with a snorkel.
You can reach it in a 10-minute swim from shore. I recommend this for experienced snorkelers only.
3. Swim With Sea-turtles on Klein Curacao
Klein Curacao is an uninhabited island off the coast of Curacao. A day trip to Klein Curacao is one of the best things to do on the island.
Klein Curacao offers a stunning, white sandy beach. And you’ll have the chance to snorkel with sea turtles.
The clear blue water on Klein Curaçao’s beach is unmatched, there is no better way to experience true Caribbean island vibes than on this short trip.
My favorite boat trip to Klein Curacao is with the Topcat Boat from Breeze Adventures
4. Dine With a View Of The Handelskade in Willemstad
The Handelskade in Willemstad is one of the most famous spots in Curacao. Right in front of it, you’ll usually find a bunch of tourists flocking to take pictures.
Make dinner reservations at the restaurant Gouverneur de Rouville (make sure to select the terrace) for dinner with a view of Willemstad.
Book your table around sunset time for the most magical experience with great food and fun cocktails.
From here, you can also see the famous Queen Emma Bridge and Downtown Willemstad in the evening light.
5. Discover The Hidden Beach Playa Gipy
Playa Gipy, or Playa Guepi, is a secret beach on the northern side of the island.
It is far off the beaten track, but it is definitely worth visiting. It is basically a small inlet that leads right out to the open sea, so be careful when swimming here.
Head towards the Watamula Hole and follow the signs pointing to Playa Gipy.
After a small walk, you’ll have this hidden bay all for yourself. Swim, snorkel, and have a beach day without other people there.
6. Learn How To Make Cocktails at Landhuis Chobolobo
Landhuis Chobolobo is one of the most fun places on the island.
Participating in a cocktail workshop is one of the best things to do in Curacao.
Landhuis Chobolobo is the home to the famous Blue Curacao Liquor.
You can either tour the facility and the museum or partake in the workshop. I loved both, make sure to plan enough time for your visit.
7. Visit Historic Fort Beekenburg
Fort Beekenburg in Curaçao is a really old fort made to stop pirates long ago. It is a great place to visit when touring the area around the Caracasbaai.
It’s located right by the sea and has big walls and cannons. You can go there now to see the old fort and enjoy a nice view of the Caribbean Sea.
It is right next to Tugboat Beach, so you can combine your visit.
8. Relax at Cabana Beach Club At Mambo Beach
Cabana Beach Club is my favorite beach club on Mambo Beach Boulevard.
It offers super comfy beach beds with big palapas to hide from the sun.
You can enjoy ambient music, sip a coconut, and order some fun cocktails – right on the beach. It is definitely my favorite beach club in Curacao.
Mambo Beach has super calm waters and pretty palm trees, which makes it also family-friendly.
9. Go Cliff Jumping At Playa Forti
Playa Forti is one of the best places for cliff jumping in Curacao! Take the 40-foot (12 m) plunge into the deep blue Caribbean Ocean.
The beach is super quiet and nice to hang out on for a bit!
The restaurant here is also called Playa Forti, and they offer amazing local cuisine. Make sure to try the seafood stew, it is my favorite.
10. Take a Picture With The Curacao Rock
The Curacao Rock is an awesome photo spot in the Western part of the island. It is a great place to visit on your vacation.
You can find the Curacao rock right next to the Watamula hole, on your way to Playa Gipy. You can also see some awesome waves in the area.
11. Hike Mount Christoffel
The Christoffel National Park in Curacao is a paradise for hikers and adventurers, offering some amazing things to do.
First of all, make sure to hike the Christoffel Berg, the highest point on the island. You’ll have some amazing views for sure.
If you are in a lazier mood, you can also explore one of the driving trails in the park. I loved them as much as the hike.
The ticket to Christoffel Park also includes admission to the Savonet Museum. What an interesting place.
12. Explore the Kura Hulanda Museum And Learn About History
The Kura Hulanda Museum in Curaçao shares the story of slavery’s impact and the journey to freedom in the Caribbean.
It displays artifacts and historical information, offering interesting insights into African heritage and culture. Visiting there brought me more understanding of their difficult past as well as compassion and awareness.
If you visit one museum in Curacao, it should be the Kura Hulanda Museum.
13. Eat With Iguanas at Playa Lagun
Playa Lagun is one of my favorite beaches in Curacao, for a couple of reasons. First, the scenery and the water quality are amazing for swimming and snorkeling.
But also one of my favorite restaurants in Curacao is located in Playa Lagun: Bahia Lagun! The restaurant is nestled on the cliff on the left side of the beach. It offers amazing views and great food.
And my favorite part: they have a couple of iguanas living in the restaurant, walking in and out as you eat. Super cute!
14. Breakfast By The Beach At BijBlauw
One of the best breakfast spots in Curacao is BijBlauw. Stopping by there for any meal needs to be on your list of things to do in Curacao.
The restaurant is located right by the sea, and you’ll have a lovely view while eating. I suggest the “Banana Oh Nana” – yummy pancakes with banoffy cream, and bacon.
15. Stroll Through Pietermaai District and See Colorful Houses
The Pietermaai district is one of my favorite places in Willemstad. It is in the eastern part of town, and totally special.
Most people call it the SoHo of Willemstad because there are lots of trendy bars and hip restaurants.
Make sure to hop by there, take some pictures with the famous dive resort Scuba Lodge, and relax in one of the beach clubs.
16. Shop For Some Souvenirs in Rif Fort
Rif Fort Village is one of the best shopping centers in Curacao. If you are looking for cool things to do in Curacao, look no further.
The shopping center is located in an old, historical fort. You can see the ocean from the walls, have some delicious food, or simply buy some nice souvenirs.
You can’t buy groceries there, if you need some food, hop by Sambil Mall – an equally fun place.
17. See The Waves At Shete Boka National Park
The Shete Boka National Park is located in the Northern part of the island. You can’t really swim there, since it is mostly cliffs and super high waves.
The Shete Boka Park will lead you on a trail alongside those cliffs. You’ll see cool natural bridges, stunning blowholes, and impressive waves.
18. Party The Night Away At Jan Thiel Beach
Jan Thiel Beach is famous for its beach clubs and bars. This is the place to be for nightlife lovers in Curacao.
My tip: spend the day at Zest Beach Club to get in the party mood before heading over to Zanzibar for a night of dancing and celebrating.
19. Have a Massage On Curacao’s Most Beautiful Beach
Cas Abao Beach has been voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world in the past. And it is totally awesome.
One of the best things about Cas Abao is not only the crystal clear water but also the small spa on the beach. You can even book couples’ massages there.
20. Tour The CurAloe Factory
CurAloe is a company that produces cosmetics and other products from the famous Aloe Vera plant. They have a great program to include locals in the production.
You can tour the factory (where they do every single step by hand), learn about the aloe vera plant, and buy some cool products in the shop.
They make for great souvenirs from local production.
21. Run Over The Floating Queen-Emma-Bridge
The floating pontoon bridge named after Queen Emma is one of the most famous features in Willemstad. It connects the two famous districts, Punda and Otrobanda, with each other.
Be careful, the bridge opens for ship traffic, and you’ll suddenly be floating around the Sint Anna Bay. But don’t worry, they offer ferry services between the two districts if the bridge is open.
22. Watch Fishermen Do Their Work
Playa Grandi is a famous spot for fishermen to clean and sell their fresh fish. You are probably wondering by now, why this would be a cool thing to do in Curacao.
Turns out, they throw the scraps into the ocean, which attracts sea turtles.
You can watch them eat from only meters away. Some people jump into the water, but I find that yucky.
23. Explore Less Famous Beaches
Curacao has lots of famous beaches, most of which are a bit touristy.
All the way to the west, you can find some beaches that are mostly visited by locals.
If you like a change of scenery or to meet some sweet locals, check out Grote Knip, Playa Kalki, and Kleine Knip Beach. You can find them near Westpunt.
24. See The Watamula Hole
The Watamula Hole is a super cool blowhole in the western part of the island. If you are in the area, drive by and see the mighty waves crashing from above.
It only takes 5 minutes to see, so you probably wanna combine your visit with some other attractions in the area, like Playa Gipy or the Curacao Rock.
25. Sushi Night at Koraal Rooftop
One of my favorite restaurants in Curacao is the Koraal Rooftop. If you like sushi, you need to put Saturdays at Koraal Rooftop on your list of things to do in Curacao.
They have a special sushi menu with super extraordinary dishes: my favorite one is the spicy tuna roll for sure. And the view over the ocean is insane.
If you prefer BBQ, make sure to hop by on Sunday for Green Egg Night.
26. Sample Annabay Rum
Curacao does not export a lot of products, but they do know how to make alcohol. In addition to the famous Blue Curacao Liquor, they make the famous Annabay Rum.
It is aged for 5 years, which makes it extra special. You can try it at many participating restaurants or supermarkets.
27. Driftwood Art At Tugboat or Porto Mari
Both Tugboat Bech and Playa Porto Mari have cool art stations. Friendly locals will help you paint your own driftwood sign or decorate some seashells.
This is not only fun for kids, but we made a lovely souvenir for my parents at Gilmar’s Place in Playa Porto Mari.
28. Sample Fancy Rainbow Bowls at Bliss the Berry
Bliss the Berry is a fabulous restaurant on Mambo Beach Boulevard. They have some awesome dishes for breakfast and lunch.
Everything on the menu is super Instagram-worthy, but you absolutely need to try the colorful breakfast bowls.
Kinda pricey, but worth it.
29. Shop in the Kura Hulanda Village
The Kura Hulanda Village is located in Otrobanda, right behind the Kura Hulanda Museum.
They have cute little stores that sell anything from swimwear to handmade art and crafts. This place is also super Instagrammable, so even if you are just in for some window shopping, it is an awesome place to visit.
30. Discover The Street Art of Willemstad
Willemstad is full of street art. One of the coolest things to do in Curacao is hunt down all the fabulous paintings and take some great pictures.
Punda has some awesome walls, but the best street art can be found in the Otrobanda district. Both places are not too big, so you can just walk around and explore without a guide.
31. Eat Authentic Caribbean Food
Most restaurants in Curacao serve fusion cuisine, combining Caribbean flavors with Dutch and Spanish favorites.
You can still find some super authentic food in Curacao, just stop by the Plasa Bieu for some street food. To be honest, I prefer the iguanas outside my soup, but you can still try some.
For some authentic seafood dishes, check out Playa Forti Restaurant.
32. See The Fountain Show At Acoya
Acoya Villas & Spa is a hotel close to Mambo Beach. They have a pretty good restaurant and offer a fun fountain show every night after dinner.
Great for a date night in Curacao.
33. Learn How To Scuba Dive
Curacao is not only famous for snorkeling but also for scuba diving. There are many awesome dive spots and dive resorts on the island.
If snorkeling is a bit too boring for you, get scuba-certified and explore the underwater world of Curacao.
34. Discover Pirate Bay
Pirate Bay or Piscaderabaai is a smaller beach right outside of Willemstad. The famous seafood restaurant, De Visserij, can be found there.
We prefer the other cute restaurants there, where you can eat with your toes in the sand and a cocktail in your hand.
A great spot to spend an evening or afternoon in Curacao.
35. Hike The Cliffs At Daaibooibay
Daaibooibay is one of my favorite beaches in Curacao. It is an amazing spot for snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming.
But what I love most is the small hiking trail on the left side of the cliffs. Walk all the way up there (10 minutes) and enjoy an amazing view from the top of the cliffs.
This is a super secret spot, so most people don’t know about it.
36. Sunset at Santa Martha Viewpoint
Santa Martha Viewpoint for sunset is one of the most romantic things to do in Curacao. You’ll have a beautiful view over Santa Martha Bay – and the sunset is so pretty there.
Make sure to get there early, the small viewpoint can get a bit crowded.
37. Snorkel At The Blue Room Cave
The Blue Room Cave is a famous snorkel spot in Curacao. Because of the reflection of the sunlight, the water has an insane color there.
It is a bit hard to reach, but totally worth a visit. You can also see it on a guided tour, which is probably the easiest way to reach the cave safely.
38. Visit HATO Caves
Right next to HATO Airport, you can find a super cool system of caves, called the HATO Caves. You can take a walk down into the dark (with a guide) and learn about stalactites and stalagmites.
It is a great experience, and you can learn a lot. The guides are super knowledgeable and friendly. Maybe you’ll even see some bats.
39. Learn about the Jewish Heritage
The Jewish community on the island is one of the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. It is super interesting to check that out.
Pass by the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue or the Jewish Cultural Historical Museum in Willemstad. Both are super interesting, and you’ll surely learn a lot.
40. See The Flamingos Of Curacao
Unlike Aruba, flamingos are actually native to Curacao. You can see them lounging in the Jan Kok Salt Flats.
If you drive to Playa Porto Mari or Kokomo Beach, you can see them lounging in the water. The best time to go is in the morning.
This picture was actually taken in Aruba, since it is a lot harder to get a good one in Curacao.
41. Swing On The Kokomo Swings
Kokomo Beach is one of the most instagrammable spots in Curacao. They have a famous set of swings you need to check out.
Make sure to hold on tight, as it can be a bit slippery to get up there. The best time for pictures at Kokomo is definitely in the evening.
This is one of the most beautiful places in Curacao.
42. Meet The Dolphins At The Sea Aquarium
The Curacao Sea Aquarium is a place dedicated to education and conservation. You can visit the museum and even see a dolphin show.
A very special treat is the “meet-and-greet” with the dolphins. It is pricey, but we thought that it was totally worth the money.
43. Visit The Floating Market in Willemstad
Right next to the Plasa Bieu and the Round Market Hall, you can find the floating market.
Vendors from Curacao and Venezuela come there with their boats and sell fresh fish and fruit.
If you have the opportunity to cook your own meal, buy some fresh food here – it is great!
44. Dine With A View At Fort Nassau
Fort Nassau is another great renovated fort. It is located on a small hill, overlooking the entire island and the capital city of Willemstad.
Make sure to reserve your spot super early, then you get to sit on the private terrace with only 3 other tables. The sunset view from there is amazing.
45. Eat On The Beach At Karakter Beach
In case you haven’t noticed, I am a foodie. Just like Fort Nassau, Karakter Beach offers a great dining experience.
You can sit in the sand by the ocean and have a candlelight dinner. The food is totally amazing, and they have great cocktails. This is a great romantic thing to do in Curacao.
46. Take A Sunset Cruise
Curacao has pretty amazing sunsets. Booking a sunset cruise is one of the best things to do in Curacao.
We chose a fun catamaran for our trip, with an open bar, of course. We got some delicious snacks and blue cocktails and had a perfect evening.
47. Visit The Curacao Ostrich Farm
The Curacao Ostrich Farm is another one of my favorite things to do in Curacao. The animals are super cute, and you can learn so much.
They also have a restaurant there, so you can have a great meal as well. This is what to do in Curacao with a family.
The Ostrich Farm is right next to Serena’s Art Factory and the CurAloe Plantation, so you can combine a visit.
48. Happy Hour At Bonita’s
Bonita’s Beach Club on Mambo Beach Boulevard is famous for its happy hours. Every week on Friday and Sunday in the evening, you can have some beach party fun.
Have some food and head over to Wet and Wild or Madero afterward for some more party vibes. This is one of the coolest activities in Curacao at night.
49. Take a Boat Trip
Boat trips are one of the coolest things to do in Curacao. We did trips to Klein Curacao, through the Spanish Lagoon, and a sunset boat trip.
The waters are pretty rough, so you’ll have a fun ride for sure. Book a snorkel tour or a private boat trip for a great experience.
50. Kitesurfing at St. Joris Bay
I am not a sporty one myself, but all of our friends took kitesurfing lessons at the famous St. Joris Bay. Needless to say, they loved it.
If you are in need of a workout, hop by there for some lessons.
Conclusion: Things To Do in Curacao
This wraps up my 50 favorite things to do in Curacao. These are a happy mix of tourist favorites, local recommendations, and hidden gems.
We have visited all these spots ourselves and had a lovely time. Most of these places are near and dear to our hearts, as we have had some lovely memories there.
Make sure to check out these unusual things in Curacao, and you’ll have an awesome vacation. Read about the best time to go to Curacao to plan the perfect vacation.
About the Author
Justin is a military pilot and travel blogger.
Justin enjoys discovering the world together with his wife and venturing out with his drone to take magical shots.
