Koko's

This spot could be the perfect secret location on a treasure map! Located at the quiet end of Jan Thiel Beach, you’ll find a beach bar with a menu inspired by street food.

Zanzibar Beach & restaurant

At Jan Thiel Beach, you’ll find the charming Zanzibar. As the name suggests, the bar and restaurant radiate warmth and coziness from East Africa. Enjoy coffee, smoothies, beer, soft drinks, or cocktails throughout the day. In the evening, dine with your feet in the sand and an extensive menu to choose from.

Zest Mediterranen

Here, the menu features beautiful dishes with a Caribbean touch, using high-quality products from their own local farm. From breakfast to dinner, the chef prepares the menu with love and care. Be surprised at this unique location on Jan Thiel Beach.

Moijtos & Bites

This fun and lively sports bar on Jan Thiel Beach is a great spot to watch football matches or Formula 1. The bar offers excellent cocktails and, of course, tasty bites — plenty of choices.

Hemingway

Part of the popular LionsDive Hotel at Jan Thiel Beach, non-hotel guests are also welcome to enjoy a beach chair or the delicious food. Right on the beach, enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner with your feet in the sand and a relaxed ambiance overlooking the azure sea.

MosaCaña Bar & Kitchen

This place offers a variety of Caribbean, South American, and Mediterranean dishes, specializing in flavors from the Mediterranean and the Middle East. With great service, a nice atmosphere, and a beautiful interior, it’s a perfect spot to stay after dinner for fantastic cocktails.

Taqueria Maya

Taqueria Maya is the place to be in Curaçao for your favorite traditional Mexican food. If you're looking for the best taco's, don't miss this place.!

Mundo Bizarro

Located on Nieuwstraat in Pietermaai, this bar offers a great atmosphere, good drinks, and a surprising menu with original dishes. Live music is often featured, and the dance floor comes alive.

Plasa Bieu

This covered market has six local restaurants serving Antillean cuisine. The concept is simple but brilliant: dishes are prepared in open kitchens on one side, with long tables on the other side where you can enjoy the food. Open only for lunch, so it can get busy.

Maira's Kitchen

Located in a charming building in Otrobanda and run by a friendly local, the menu features Caribbean dishes with a Mediterranean twist. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxed, with a front and side terrace adorned with murals and greenery. A typical spot where you feel at home, whether for breakfast, coffee, lunch, or dinner.

Restaurant en café De Gouverneur

In Otrobanda, overlooking the Queen Emma Bridge, this restaurant specializes in both local and international dishes, always adding a Caribbean twist. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (weekends require reservations). While there, enjoy a glass of wine with your meal.

Caleo Crudos y Parilla

In bustling Otrobanda, this new restaurant is perfect for family or friends, offering shared dining. As the name suggests, the menu focuses on fish and meat, with a wide selection of drinks and excellent cocktails.

Flores

This new restaurant in the popular Otrobanda district lets you enjoy the authentic Curaçao vibe in the city center’s calm. Focused on sharing dishes, it’s perfect for an evening with friends or family. The menu emphasizes healthy, honest food prepared with sustainable ingredients.

Brgr. Haus

On the square of Kura Hulanda, this delicious burger house is located in a beautiful colonial building. Sit outside under the umbrellas on picnic benches while choosing from the burger menu. Also great for craft beer or wine.

Number Ten

Looking for a charming little square to enjoy breakfast or lunch? Number Ten is a must-try. The menu features various dishes, generally healthy, with daily specials and accommodations for special requests. Enjoy dining in a tropical garden! Located on Santa Rosaweg.

Villa Vis Jan Thiel

They serve THE fish of the island for lunch and dinner. The concept is simple: come in, choose how much of which fish you want, and they’ll cook it fresh for you. Hot from the pan, ready to enjoy. No reservations; it fills up quickly, so plan ahead.

Karakter Beach lounge

Karakter is a beach club in Coral Estate. Entry is free, but ID is required. While there’s no direct beach access, much of the area is covered with sand and beach chairs, shaded by palapas and palm trees. The restaurant is not cheap but excellent, with plenty of choice — perfect for a day out.

Sol food

Planning a weekend trip to Westpunt? Don’t miss this tiny but super-friendly spot with about 10 tables and a charming owner. Open Friday through Sunday, reservations are recommended. The terrace has a fantastic view, simple but delicious food, and amazing brownies for dessert.

Climb the Christoffel Mountain

You can’t leave the island without climbing THE Christoffel Mountain. The peak is 375 meters high, and the climb takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. As the highest point on the island, the summit offers a stunning 360-degree view of all of Curaçao. Be sure to start early in the morning to avoid extreme heat and enjoy the sunrise as you ascend

UTU Expedition Tour

Explore the lesser-known side of Curaçao during an off-road adventure. An experienced guide leads you across the island, from rugged plains with mud pools, pikas, and rocks to the beautiful Daai Booi Beach.

Tip: wear clothes that can get dirty, bring cash for a snack at Daai Booi, and ensure the driver has their license (must be 21+ to drive). One of the most fun day trips on the island!

Shete Boka National Park

Another national park on Curaçao is Shete Boka, located along the road to Westpunt, just past Christoffel Park. “Shete Boka” means “seven inlets or bays.” You can explore the park on foot (note: little to no shade) or drive to the three most popular spots. Boka Pistol is one, where a narrow rock formation shoots water meters into the air — a spectacular natural show and a refreshing splash if you get too close. The other two spots are Boka Tabla, a climbable cave, and Boka Wandome, a rock bridge over the rugged northern sea.

Discover Curaçao’s underwater world

The island is just as beautiful beneath the surface. You MUST experience snorkeling or an introductory dive at least once! In the azure waters, you’ll spot a variety of sea creatures, coral, and sponges — from tiny fish to large ones you might prefer to avoid. Curaçao has many great spots for this.

Surfing / Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) in Curaçao

If you love water sports and movement, consider trying surfing. At Caracas Bay, near the end of the palapas on the left, there’s a great surf school. You can try a SUP tour (fun for the whole family), windsurfing lessons, or even foil surfing! The easiest way is to WhatsApp (Foil Surf Curaçao) at +599 95228317.

Chichi Dolls Art Factory – have you spotted one yet?

If art and culture excite you, visit the Art Factory, where artist Serena Israël makes Chichi Dolls. “Chichi” in Papiamentu means “big sister,” symbolizing family unity in a loving, caring way. Chichi remains a role model in the Caribbean community. You can buy pre-painted dolls or book a workshop to create your own.

Address: Juan Luis 87a (near the ostrich farm in eastern Curaçao)

Aloe Vera Farm

On the same street as Chichi Dolls Art Factory is the Aloe Vera Farm Curaçao. Aloe vera is commonly used in skincare products. The gel inside the leaves is believed to have cleansing, pain-relieving, anti-itch, and nourishing properties. You can also try aloe vera drinks on the 10-hectare farm. Daily tours (Mon–Fri) are available at a small fee — a beautiful experience!

Spotting Flamingos

Curaçao’s tropical climate attracts many bird species, such as hummingbirds, canaries, and sugarbirds. The most striking are the flamingos, naturally white, but they turn pink from algae and shrimp they eat. Flamingos travel between the ABC islands, so they aren’t always present. Your best chances to see large groups are at Sint Willibrordus, Sint Michiel Bay, and the Jan Thiel Salt Pans, preferably in the morning.

Sambil Shopping Mall

A modern shopping center with a variety of stores, eateries, a cinema, a supermarket, and a bowling alley. ATV tours can also start here.

Other fun shopping spots:
- Zuikertuintje
- Renaissance & Riffort
- Mambo Beach Boulevard

Visit the impressive Kura Hulanda Museum

Interested in the full history of slavery? Visit Kura Hulanda Museum, just around the corner from the Queen Emma Bridge. The museum tells the full story and has an impressive collection of African art — both educational and moving.

Explore the colorful neighborhoods of Otrobanda and Scharloo

Located near central Willemstad, these neighborhoods were once unsafe but have transformed beautifully. They feature vibrant colors and lots of street art. Explore “Colorful Stairs Otrobanda” and “Street Art Skalo.” For a deeper experience, book a tour with Dushi Walk or Dundu Tours (including traditional food tasting), starting at 35 ANG per person.

Walk across the Queen Emma Bridge

The Handelskade and Queen Emma Bridge are perhaps the most iconic sights in Willemstad. The floating bridge, officially called Koningin Emmabrug, can swing open to allow ships to pass — earning it the nickname “the swinging old lady.” If you’re lucky, you can be on the bridge as a cruise ship passes, with just enough time to cross or stay on it. The ferry across the bridge is free!

Stroll along the Handelskade

From the bridge, you can view the Handelskade at Sint Annabaai. The historic warehouse buildings are typical Dutch style, painted in cheerful colors. Historically, this area was central to the slave trade, with European ships unloading goods and enslaved people here. A sobering contrast to the beautiful facades.

E-scooter tour

Prefer wheels over walking? Explore Willemstad on an electric scooter. The city is vibrant, colorful, and multicultural. E-scooters are quiet and easy to ride. Tours are offered by Dundu Tours and Step by Step Curaçao.

Tugboat beach

One of the most visited snorkeling and diving spots in Curaçao. From the moment you enter the water, you’ll see beautiful fish and possibly an octopus. About 50 meters from shore lies a wreck that has been on the seabed for over 30 years, now covered in coral and home to many fish. Nearby, there’s a small restaurant for drinks and snacks.

Playa Grandi/Piskado

Not the most picturesque beach, but very popular due to the sea turtles. Local fishing boats leave leftover fish here, attracting turtles. It’s a perfect spot to observe them — swim among four turtles if you’re lucky!

Request: do not touch or chase the turtles; it stresses them and can make them sick.

Playa lagun

One of the most beautiful and smallest beaches on the island. Playa Lagun is about 30 meters wide. Don’t forget snorkeling gear, especially near the rocks on the left. You may even spot a turtle. For food, climb the stairs to Bahia Beach Bar at the right of the bay.

Grote Knip

If it’s your first time on Curaçao, this beach might be the image you picture. It’s the most photographed beach on the island, with white sand, turquoise water, and green hills. On the left, a viewpoint overlooks Grote Knip, with a cliff-jumping rock below.

Santa Martha Bay Lookout

Visiting western Curaçao and heading back east around sunset? Stop at Santa Martha Bay lookout for a perfect sunset view. Bring some snacks! For dinner afterward, Landhuis Klein Santa Martha is recommended.

Take a Day Trip to Klein Curaçao

Klein Curaçao is an uninhabited island located about an hour southeast by boat. The island is rocky (once a coral reef) and mostly barren, but it boasts a stunning white-sand beach and crystal-clear water. During the boat trip, relax in the sun, and once you arrive, take a refreshing dip in the sea. Explore the abandoned pink lighthouse — you can climb inside and up, but be mindful of gaps in the floors! Nearby, you'll also find several large and small shipwrecks.