Top picks

The short list

Our pick means we've been there ourselves. Places marked still need an address or open-status check, so confirm before you go. No placement here is paid.

Top picks: beaches

1. Grote Knip ⭐ Our pick (Lagun & Knip). Our pick for the classic west-coast postcard bay, with white sand and very clear water. on the map
2. Playa Lagun ⭐ Our pick (Lagun & Knip). A small cove between cliffs, calm water and turtles close to shore. on the map
3. Cas Abao ⭐ Our pick (Sint Willibrordus (Daaibooi/Cas Abao/Porto Marie)). The easiest full-service beach day: loungers, showers, food and reef along the rocks. on the map
4. Playa Porto Marie ⭐ Our pick (Sint Willibrordus (Daaibooi/Cas Abao/Porto Marie)). A long beach with a double reef just offshore. on the map
5. Kleine Knip ⭐ Our pick (Lagun & Knip). Grote Knip's smaller, quieter neighbor. on the map
6. Daaibooi Baai ⭐ Our pick (Sint Willibrordus (Daaibooi/Cas Abao/Porto Marie)). a favorite cove with occasional turtles. on the map
7. Klein Curacao Beach ⭐ Our pick (Klein Curaçao). The day-trip island beach with an old lighthouse and empty sand. on the map
8. Jan Thiel Beach ⭐ Our pick (Jan Thiel). Beach clubs and calm water near Willemstad. on the map

Top picks: snorkel spots

1. Tugboat Beach (Caracasbaai) (Caracasbaai & Spanish Water). A coral-covered tugboat wreck in 4-5 m that you can reach from shore. on the map
2. Playa Piskadò dive spot ⭐ Our pick (Westpunt). The island's turtle beach, by a working fishing pier. on the map
3. Playa Lagun ⭐ Our pick (Lagun & Knip). Turtles and reef fish in a sheltered cove. on the map
4. Cas Abao ⭐ Our pick (Sint Willibrordus (Daaibooi/Cas Abao/Porto Marie)). Easy entry, with reef along both sides. on the map
5. Playa Porto Marie ⭐ Our pick (Sint Willibrordus (Daaibooi/Cas Abao/Porto Marie)). A double reef with dense fish life. on the map
6. Playa Kalki ⭐ Our pick (Westpunt). A sloping double reef at Westpunt. on the map
7. Blue Room Cave ⭐ Our pick (Westpunt & Banda Abou). A sea cave lit blue from below. Reach it by boat or a swim. on the map

Top picks: dive sites

1. Watamula Hole ⭐ Our pick (Westpunt). A coral-rich drift dive at the island's northwest tip, by boat only. on the map
2. Mushroom Forest (Lagun & Knip). Giant mushroom-shaped coral heads. on the map
3. Superior Producer (Otrobanda). A wreck at about 30 m, for advanced divers. on the map
4. Tugboat Beach (Caracasbaai) (Caracasbaai & Spanish Water). A shallow wreck that also works as a beginner dive. on the map
5. Blue Room Cave ⭐ Our pick (Westpunt & Banda Abou). A shallow, naturally lit cave dive or snorkel. on the map

Top picks: fine dining

1. The Lemon Tree (Pietermaai & Scharloo). An adults-only tasting menu built on island ingredients. on the map
2. Fort Nassau Restaurant ⭐ Our pick (Punda). Dinner in a hilltop fort with a 360-degree harbor view. on the map
3. Baoase Culinary Beach Restaurant (Mambo Beach / Bapor Kibra). Beachfront fine dining at a luxury resort. on the map
4. Kome ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Scharloo). A modern Pietermaai kitchen. on the map
5. Bodega Siete Gotas ⭐ Our pick (Otrobanda). Local food with a twist; reviewers single out the lobster. on the map
6. Ocean House 19 - Seafood Bistro & Bar ⭐ Our pick (Otrobanda). A seafood bistro with outdoor seating. on the map
7. The Wine Cellar (Punda). A small fine-dining room in Punda. on the map
8. Brass Boer (Mambo Beach / Bapor Kibra). Dutch-Caribbean dining in Tripadvisor's top 10. on the map

Top picks: casual and local eats

1. Jaanchie's ⭐ Our pick (Westpunt). A Westpunt institution for local plates. on the map
2. Rozendaels ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Scharloo). Caribbean cooking in a garden setting. on the map
3. Ceviche 91 Curaçao. Peruvian-Caribbean ceviche. on the map
4. Kaya 91 Restobar. A Latin-Caribbean restobar. on the map
5. Volcano Street Food ⭐ Our pick (Willemstad (outer) & center). A quick, cheap bite. on the map
6. The Captain Bar (Punda). Budget Dutch-Caribbean bar food. on the map
7. Sol Food (Westpunt). Pizza with more than 1,000 Tripadvisor reviews. on the map

Top picks: breakfast

1. La Bohème ⭐ Our pick (Punda). Pancakes, eggs and avocado toast. on the map
2. Number Ten ⭐ Our pick (Willemstad central (Saliña/Schottegat)). A brunch spot. on the map
3. Van Gogh Specialty Coffee & City Roastery ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Punda). Specialty coffee from a city roastery. on the map
4. La Vie en Rose Curacao ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Punda). A French-style patisserie. on the map
5. La Reina beach, food, coffee and lifestyle ⭐ Our pick. Beach, food and coffee in one stop. on the map

Top picks: beach bars

1. Kokomo Beach (Sint Michiel & Blue Bay). A beach club with snorkeling off the sand. on the map
2. Zanzibar Beach & Restaurant ⭐ Our pick (Jan Thiel). Jan Thiel's beach bar, with a DJ and a live band on Saturdays. on the map
3. Mambo Beach Boulevard ⭐ Our pick (Mambo Beach / Bapor Kibra). A strip of beach clubs, bars and shops. on the map
4. Karakter ⭐ Our pick (Sint Willibrordus (Daaibooi/Cas Abao/Porto Marie)). A beach club and lounge restaurant. on the map
5. Marichi Pier ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Punda). A beach pavilion at Punda's city beach. on the map

Top picks: nightlife

1. Pretu Cafe Speakeasy ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Punda). A hidden cocktail bar. on the map
2. Mr Porter ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Scharloo). A Pietermaai corner bar with live music on weekends. on the map
3. RumBar Curacao ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Punda). Rum and cocktails. on the map
4. Cascada Rooftop Bar + Kitchen ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Punda). Rooftop drinks and dinner. on the map
5. Koraal rooftop terrace ⭐ Our pick (Sint Willibrordus (Daaibooi/Cas Abao/Porto Marie)). A rooftop terrace. on the map
6. Tap Maar In ⭐ Our pick (Willemstad central (Saliña/Schottegat)). A bar. on the map

Top picks: live music

1. Mundo Bizarro ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Scharloo). Salsa nights on Thursdays and Saturdays. on the map
2. Mr Porter ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Scharloo). Singer-songwriters on Wednesdays and funk bands on Saturdays. on the map
3. Zanzibar Beach & Restaurant ⭐ Our pick (Jan Thiel). A live band from 18:00 on Saturdays. on the map

Top picks: sunset spots

1. Fort Nassau Restaurant ⭐ Our pick (Punda). Watch the sun go down over the harbor from the hilltop. on the map
2. Blue View Sunset Terrace ⭐ Our pick (Westpunt). A terrace named for the sunset. on the map
3. Cascada Rooftop Bar + Kitchen ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Punda). Rooftop views over the city. on the map
4. Watamula Hole ⭐ Our pick (Westpunt). Wild north-west cliffs and the blowhole at dusk. on the map
5. Playa Forti ⭐ Our pick (Westpunt). A cliff-top restaurant above the bay. on the map

Top picks: photo spots

1. Queen Emma Bridge ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Punda). The floating bridge with the Handelskade behind it. on the map
2. Street Art Skalo ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Punda). Murals in the Scharloo/Skalo district. on the map
3. Shete Boka National Park ⭐ Our pick (North-west coast (Shete Boka/Christoffel)). Surf crashing into the north-coast inlets. on the map
4. Watamula Hole ⭐ Our pick (Westpunt). A blowhole on the north-west tip. on the map
5. Hato Caves ⭐ Our pick (Hato & airport). Limestone caves with formations. on the map

Top picks: family activities

1. Hato Caves ⭐ Our pick (Hato & airport). Guided caves close to the airport. on the map
2. Sambil Curaçao (Willemstad central (Saliña/Schottegat)). Cinema, bowling, a trampoline park, an arcade and go-karts under one roof. on the map
3. Arcane VR Curaçao (Jan Thiel). Free-roam VR for groups of up to 16 (indoor). on the map
4. Tiki Boats Rental Curaçao (Jan Thiel). Drive your own BBQ boat on calm water, no licence needed. on the map
5. Dolphin Suites (Mambo Beach / Bapor Kibra). Mineral pools with a kids' pool on a day pass. on the map
6. Christoffel National Park ⭐ Our pick (North-west coast (Shete Boka/Christoffel)). Hikes and wildlife in the island's biggest park. on the map
7. Tugboat Beach (Caracasbaai) (Caracasbaai & Spanish Water). An easy first snorkel for older kids. on the map

Top picks: hotels – luxury

1. Baoase Luxury Resort ⭐ Our pick (Mambo Beach / Bapor Kibra). A small luxury resort with a private beach. on the map
2. Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort & Casino ⭐ Our pick (Otrobanda). A 5-star resort next to the Rif Fort and the cruise pier. on the map
3. Avila Beach Hotel ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Scharloo). A historic beachfront hotel with the Cloud Nine spa. on the map

Top picks: hotels – mid-range & boutique

1. BijBlauw ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Scharloo). A boutique hotel on the water in Pietermaai. on the map
2. Scuba Lodge ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Scharloo). A boutique dive hotel in Pietermaai. on the map
3. Landhuis Klein Santa Martha (Santa Cruz & Soto). Stay in a plantation house in the west. on the map

Top picks: shops

1. Freeport Jewelers (Renaissance Mall) (Otrobanda). Shops beside the cruise pier in Otrobanda. on the map
2. Mambo Beach Boulevard ⭐ Our pick (Mambo Beach / Bapor Kibra). Beachfront shopping and dining. on the map
3. Sambil Curaçao (Willemstad central (Saliña/Schottegat)). The biggest mall on the island. on the map
4. Maison Zuly ⭐ Our pick (Mambo Beach / Bapor Kibra). A women's boutique carrying sizes for every body. on the map
5. Changes ⭐ Our pick (Willemstad (outer) & center). A clothing store. on the map

Top picks: luxury shopping

1. Freeport Jewelers (Breedestraat 42) (Punda). An authorized Bvlgari retailer with Swiss watches, duty-free. on the map
2. Freeport Jewelers (Renaissance Mall) (Otrobanda). Luxury watches a few steps from the cruise pier. on the map
3. Penha Punda (Punda). Duty-free fragrance and cosmetics in the historic Penha building. on the map
4. Maison Zuly ⭐ Our pick (Mambo Beach / Bapor Kibra). Gala and cocktail wear bought in New York, LA and Miami. on the map
5. ArtCave Francis Sling ⭐ Our pick (Pietermaai & Punda). An artist's studio and gallery. on the map

Top picks: boats and water fun

1. Tiki Boats Rental Curaçao (Jan Thiel). Self-drive tiki BBQ boats on the Spanish Water from $269 for 4 hours, fuel included. on the map
2. Mermaid Boat Trips ⭐ Our pick (Jan Thiel). Day trips to Klein Curaçao. on the map
3. Blue Finn Charters Curaçao ⭐ Our pick. Private boat charters. on the map

Top picks: day trips

1. Klein Curacao Beach ⭐ Our pick (Klein Curaçao). A full day on the uninhabited island. on the map
2. Christoffel National Park ⭐ Our pick (North-west coast (Shete Boka/Christoffel)). Climb the island's highest peak in the morning. on the map
3. Shete Boka National Park ⭐ Our pick (North-west coast (Shete Boka/Christoffel)). A north-coast national park with blowholes. on the map
4. Watamula Hole ⭐ Our pick (Westpunt). Combine with the Westpunt beaches. on the map
5. Hato Caves ⭐ Our pick (Hato & airport). A half day close to town. on the map

Top picks: wellness

1. Club Forma ⭐ Our pick (Willemstad central (Saliña/Schottegat)). Reformer and mat Pilates, yoga and private sessions in a boutique studio. on the map
2. Movements Yoga & Pilates (Pietermaai & Scharloo). Yoga and Pilates in Pietermaai, walk-ins welcome if there is room. on the map
3. CrossFit RPM (Reps per Minute) (Willemstad central (Saliña/Schottegat)). Visitors can drop in for XCG 25. on the map
4. Dolphin Suites (Mambo Beach / Bapor Kibra). Magnesium and salt mineral pools. on the map
5. ACOYA Spa & Wellness (Piscadera). A spa day package with sauna and pools. on the map

Top picks: spas

1. Cloud Nine Spa (Avila Beach Hotel) (Pietermaai & Scharloo). A resort spa; book a treatment and the beach and pool are yours for the day. on the map
2. Natural Blends Esthetics Spa (Rif Fort) (Otrobanda). Couples packages with jacuzzi and champagne. on the map
3. ACOYA Spa & Wellness (Piscadera). The XCG 165 Paradise Escape package. on the map
4. Dolphin Suites (Mambo Beach / Bapor Kibra). A 60-minute-plus treatment comes with a free day pass. on the map
5. Kurpa Beach Massage (Mood Beach) (Mambo Beach / Bapor Kibra). Open-air massage with ocean views. on the map