Curaçao is a beautiful Caribbean island located next to Aruba and Bonaire, also known as the “ABC” Islands. It tends to be overlooked, as many travelers visit Aruba instead, but there are many things this island can offer that Aruba can’t.
ELx co-founder, Emily, traveled to Curaçao and shares why this unique island needs to be on your Caribbean bucket list!
A Mix of Cultures
As a Dutch country, in the middle of the Caribbean, just off the coast of Venezuela, you can imagine the mix of cultures you’ll find on this small island (a mix of 55 nationalities to be exact!). Dutch, Caribbean, and Spanish influences can be found in the architecture, art, cuisine, language, and people. You can see this mashup of cultures highlighted in downtown Williamstad, where you will see all of the colorful buildings (just like in Amsterdam), experience many types of cuisine, and find vendors selling many different types of clothing, art, and handmade goods.
*Pictured above: Street art found all around downtown Williamstad
Enjoy Fun + Unique Experiences
Although the island is small, it is packed with many unique sights, fun activities, and outdoor explorations for all ages. Here are the things I experienced during my trip, that I highly recommend all travelers do:
Snorkel or Scuba Dive
Walk around downtown Williamstad and admire the colorful buildings and unique floating bridge (Williamstad is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Explore the Hato Caves
Visit the Aloe Vera Farm and learn all about the plants and the process of making their products
Hike (or drive) Christoffel National Park
Swim with sea turtles right off the fish pier
Drive around the island and explore all the beautiful beaches (more than 39 beaches line the coast!)
Visit the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery to learn how this famous blue liquor is made (and taste test, of course!)
Try different types of cuisine at the Old Market Stalls
*Pictured above: Smoothie while beach hopping, Aloe Vera Farm, and Hato Caves
Clear Water + Diving Opportunities
Curaçao has some of the clearest water in the Caribbean and is one of the top diving destinations in the world, with more than 70 dive sites! Most people flock to Aruba for the beaches and diving, but it has more wind, which makes the water choppy and harder to see while underwater. Curaçao has the best, clear conditions for diving and amazing coral reefs. I stayed at a resort that was located right on a coral reef, and we snorkeled every day with some of the most unique fish and marine life I’ve ever seen (it beats the times I snorkeled in Mexico and Jamaica)!
*Pictured above: Snorkeling, watching the sunset, rainbow sighting!
Diverse Landscape
Driving around the island, you will see many types of landscapes and terrain you wouldn’t normally find together. The weather is hot and humid, which allows rain and moisture to nourish the land. But with the extreme heat and sun, it provides a desert-type climate (you can’t hike in the national parks after 2:00pm due to the sun!).
The island has a desert-like backdrop with a sandy landscape, cactuses, lizards, and other desert plants. But it is all found alongside grass, vegetation, trees, and white sandy beaches. It is unlike any other climate and landscape I’ve experienced before.
*Pictured above: The unique landscape at Christoffel National Park and Santa Martha Bay
Ready to explore Curaçao for yourself? Schedule your FREE Travel Consultation today and the ELx Travel team will plan your visit!