Curaçao: Your Next Caribbean Obsession
When you think of the perfect Caribbean island escape, let me introduce you to Curaçao! This colorful island is part of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) and sits outside the main hurricane belt, making it a fantastic destination to visit year-round.
Now let’s get into culture because Curaçao knows how to bring the energy! We landed on a Thursday, and one of the first things we were told was that Thursday nights were reserved for Punda vibes! Naturally, we had to find out what that was all about, and it did not disappoint! As we made our way into downtown Willemstad, the city was buzzing with energy! Restaurants were teaming with people, music filled the streets, and performers were outside singing and dancing. Everyone was soaking up the atmosphere, and everywhere we turned there was something happening! The colorful streets were already a sight to see, but experiencing the night come alive was special. The music, the people, the energy-a vibe!!! What a perfect way to kick off our Curaçao adventure! And this is a reoccurring activity on Thursdays so it’s definitely something you have to catch when visiting.
There’s something to be said about the vibrant art scene in Curaçao. There were so many murals in and around the city; even the homes were colorful. On top of that, each pocket of the city had different installations; one section had these mosaic stairs, another had beautiful murals, and other sections had statues. It was really breathtaking and to be honest a highlight. We had the opportunity to sit down and talk to one of the artists, Merly Trappenberg, and hear her story about what inspires her beautiful paintings. Honestly, we could have spent more time admiring the art, but given we had other activities mapped out, we just knew we would have to come back to Curaçao for a part two trip.
Another great reason to visit is the FOOD. Our tour guide Tirzah is a foodie at heart and knew all the best places to take us. On our first night, she brought us to Mona Casa in Willemstad. The ambiance was beautiful!! We had outdoor seating and were surrounded by colorful art. The food we had there was epic! We ate slow-cooked ribs, oysters, octopus tacos, ceviche, and enjoyed some amazing cocktails. The next day we went to La Reina for lunch, which was a beach cafe and a home goods store. We window shopped while we waited for our food and ate red snapper. The fish was fresh and seasoned to perfection! For dinner that evening, we went to Caleo Crudos where we feasted on oysters, wood-fire-cooked duck, scallops, and steak.
Our bellies were so full but satisfied. The next day, our last stop on our culinary adventure was at Blue Terrace Grill. What made this restaurant so unique was that it was perched on a Cliffside by the ocean…with glass floors that let you see the blue ocean water rise to the shore. There we ate fried snapper while enjoying the calming view of the ocean. Everything that we ate was a 10/10!
Beyond the vibrant culture, incredible food, and colorful streets, Curaçao’s natural beauty is something else! The island is home to some breathtaking beaches and dramatic coastlines, and we had the opportunity to experience both. Our visit to Shete Boka National Park showed us a completely different side of the island. Think rugged cliffs, powerful waves crashing against the rocky coastline, and incredible ocean views. It was such a beautiful contrast to the calm, turquoise waters you typically associate with the Caribbean. Then there was Kenepa Grandi, also known as Grote Knip, and WOW! Talk about a picture-perfect Caribbean beach! With its crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sand, and surrounding cliffs, it was absolutely stunning. The kind of place that makes you want to put your phone down, soak in the scenery, and never leave! Between the dramatic landscapes of Shete Boka and the postcard-worthy beauty of Kenepa Grandi, Curaçao reminded us that there’s so much more to this island than meets the eye!
Lastly, let’s talk accommodations. We stayed at the Royal Sandals Resort, and it matched the island vibes. This massive all-inclusive resort had a 2-tiered infinity pool, food trucks, multiple restaurants to choose from and a beautiful suite which we called home for 4 days. Our suite came with a butler who was at our beck and call and made sure our experience was memorable. They even surprised us on our last night with a romantic in-room setup because we mentioned that our anniversary was in two weeks. The suite was very spacious; it had a full bar, an outdoor deck that leads to one of the pools, his-and-hers sinks, and an in-floor tub in the middle of the bathroom. And if you didn’t want to use that tub, there was an outdoor tub. We loved every minute of our stay and also dined at the resort, at the food trucks, and at the two restaurants, Vincent’s and Butcher’s Steakhouse.
Four days in Curaçao simply weren’t enough! Between the colorful streets of Willemstad, the incredible food scene, vibrant culture, and beautiful beaches, this island gave us everything we could have wanted in a Caribbean escape and then some. What made Curaçao special wasn’t just its natural beauty, but the energy, people, and experiences that brought the island to life. A special shoutout goes to our tour guide Tirzah (who you can reach at https://lokalish.com/), curated an incredible itinerary! We arrived excited to explore somewhere new and left already planning our return. If Curaçao isn’t on your Caribbean travel bucket list yet, this is your sign to add it!
