❓ Best time to visit?
We visited in the first two weeks of June and were really happy with our choice! May to November is shoulder/low season with lower prices and fewer crowds. Curaçao sits outside the hurricane belt, so it stays sunny even then. September is technically the warmest month.
December to April is peak season: driest weather, calmest seas, and the best diving visibility, plus Carnival season in Feb/March.
✈️ How to get there?
We flew with TUI from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Curaçao (Hato International, CUR) as it was a lot cheaper than the KLM flight. The flight was alright, with good in-flight entertainment, friendly staff and enough food and drinks (just the basics; for extra you’d have to pay).
The only negative for me was the comfort of the chairs (very narrow seats and VERY little legroom, even though we’d booked Economy Plus). There was also no option to change our seating at any point of the booking process, which meant we ended up with a middle + isle seat for both flights.
There are also direct flights from destinations such as Miami/Charlotte (USA), Toronto/Montreal (Canada), Bogotá/Medellín (Colombia). Small inter-island carriers (Divi Divi Air, EZ Air, Winair) link Curaçao with Aruba, Bonaire, and Sint Maarten.
Click here to find cheap airfare. Make sure to always reserve airport extras such as parking, transfers, lounge access, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: Every traveller needs to fill in a FREE Digital Immigration Card (via the official Curaçao entry portal) within 7 days of departure.
➡️ How to get around?
Renting a car (we went with Sunny Cars) is by far the best way to explore. Public transport is limited, and there’s no Uber on the island. Some hotels offer airport pickups.
⏰ How many days to visit Curaçao?
We were 11 days on the island, and there was plenty to see and do to fill this time. We took it slow and also allocated a day or two by the pool.
Aim for a couple beach days; a visit (or two) to Willemstad (Otrobanda, Punda and Pietermaai districts); perhaps a snorkel/dive trip or a day trip to Klein Curaçao (which we skipped); and then 1-3 days exploring the National Parks.
✅ Must-Do in Willemstad
- Walk around the UNESCO World Heritage old city centre and spot incredible architecture (find a guided city walking tour here)
- Visit the Maritime Museum
- Stroll through the Kura Hulanda Village and visit the Kura Hulanda Museum
- Take the brand-new Interactive Experience in the city
- Spot amazing street art in all the little alleyways.
- Dine with a view at Fort Nassau
- Take a guided cultural tour of the city and discover local Liqors, Aloe Vera & Artisan Workshops
- Cross the Queen Emma pontoon bridge from Punda to Otrobanda
- Take a food tour (here’s an authentic food tour, and here a foodie walking tour)
- Discover the relaxed atmosphere and great restaurants in the Pietermaai district
- Looking to get creative? How about this Sunset Paint Experience?
✅ Must-Do in the rest of Curaçao
- Spot Flamingos at Seru Largu National Park
- Spend the evening at Jan Thiel Beach
- Enjoy the viewpoint over the white beach of Grote Knip
- Swim with turtles at Playa Piskado
- Walk the cliffs at Shete Boka National Park
- Visit the Hato Caves, see Flamingos and chill at Kokomo Beach on this guided half-day tour
- Climb Mount Christoffel (372m)
- Eat fresh seafood at De Visserij Piscadera
- Visit an Aloe Farm, go on an Ostrich Safari and do some tastings at the Chobolobo Distillery with this guided half-day tour
- Take a boat trip to Klein Curaçao (such as a catamaran day trip or yacht day trip)
- Swim to a shipwreck at Tugboat Beach
⬆️ Recommended Curaçao Hotels, Lodges & Resports
Click here for an overview of all accommodation options in Curaçao.
❤️ Best Small Group Tours
Joining a group tour takes away the planning stress, saves money, and makes exploring easier. With expert local guides managing logistics and safety, you can focus on the experience and meet friends! We have personally tried and recommend group tours by G Adventures.
⚠️ Best Insurance
Make sure to always have travel insurance to avoid nasty surprises while on the road. World Nomads provides 24/7 emergency assistance, medical coverage, trip cancellation, baggage/gear cover & more for all types of travel styles.
⚠️ Best eSIM
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
⁉️ Best Curaçao Guidebook
Have a look at the Lonely Planet Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao guidebook and their Caribbean Islands guidebook, this Birds of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao guidebook, and this guidebook about snorkelling/diving by Reef Smart Guides.
