CURAÇAO NATURE, CULTURE AND ADVENTURE IN 3 DAYS

Only have a few days on Curaçao and want to get a sense of what the island has to offer? This three-day itinerary brings together culture, nature, and exploration, offering a well-rounded introduction to different sides of the island without feeling rushed.

Day 1

A walk through Willemstad, preferably with a local guide, should not be missed during your visit to Curaçao. It is not for nothing that our capital is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The variety of the 4 unique neighborhoods will surprise you and the colorful colonial buildings with their special history, combined with the cozy local shops and creative murals form the perfect backdrop for your holiday photos.

In Otrabanda there is a lot of street art and art to admire in the small streets. And in the authentic Kurá Hulanda Village you will find the historical museum and plenty of nice boutiques and atmospheric restaurants from local entrepreneurs. Even cozier in the evening when the lights go on around the square of this unique mini village.

In Punda, the 'Old Market', also known as Plasa Bieu, is the perfect place to enjoy real Curaçao delicacies during an authentic and casual lunch, side by side with locals.

Enjoy this original neighborhood from which Willemstad originated. You can enjoy shopping in the colorful local shops, admire historic architecture and special murals, visit a museum and art galleries and enjoy a drink on one of the many terraces spread throughout Punda.

If you still have time left, a Caribbean cooking workshop with Helmi Smeulders, also known as 'the Caribbean Chef', is a must: https://helmismeulders.com/caribbean-cooking-class/.

In her cooking studio, just outside Willemstad, she teaches both locals and tourists to prepare all the secrets of Caribbean cuisine and local dishes with exotic ingredients and passion for Curaçao cuisine.

If you prefer to stay in Willemstad, there are several restaurants on the beach, which also serve as beach clubs. Such as the recently opened The Lemon Beach, The Lemon Tree and Mondi Beach Club. Perfect for a stylish lunch and relaxation on the coast during the day and in the evening for cocktails and a delicious dinner with a sea view.

Day 2

To experience the real Curaçao, the part of the island where most locals still live and nature prevails, also known as Bandabou, a day trip to Westpunt is recommended!

This can be done with a tour, such as banda abou tours, but you can also rent a car yourself, as the roads are well maintained and you can drive around almost the entire island in 1 day.

In this western part of Curaçao you will find authentic villages such as Barber and Soto, surrounded by a rugged and hilly landscape, which will certainly amaze you in the rainy season with its bright green vegetaion and exuberant nature.

There are also popular beaches here, as well as lesser-known and quiet bays to discover along the northwest coast, extensive plantations with historic mansions and the rugged coral coast of Shete Boka in the northeast.

These 7 inlets, carved by the raging sea, show a completely different side of Curaçao and can be explored on foot via hiking trails, with or without a guide. These paths lead past interesting places such as caves, jagged cliffs and small beaches.

Also not to be missed is the largest nature reserve on the island, and even on the ABC islands: the Christoffel Park. Like Shete Boka a protected nature reserve and worth exploring.

The National Park is no less than 23 km2 in size, has a lot of unique flora and fauna and forms the highest point of Curaçao with the Sint-Christoffel Mountain of 372 meters.

Accessible from 6:00 in the morning for a little fairy and can be explored on foot or on horseback via 8 different paths. There are also 2 roads that lead through the park and are easily accessible by bicycle or car. A tour through the park becomes even more interesting with a CARMABI guide, bookable at the entrance of the park, who can tell you everything about the native animals and plants of this area.

If you come early you can even climb the Christoffel Mountain for a magical view from the highest point of the island at sunrise!

Day 3

If you are in the mood for even more thrills, there are several adventurous tours to book, where you can, for example, abseil from the 55-meter-high Juliana Bridge in Willemstad, from the middle at a height of 45 meters. Adrenaline rush guaranteed: https://www.curacao.com/nl/activity/vertical-fun?cat=landactiviteiten.

Or go rock climbing and hiking in the most beautiful nature spots on the island with https://www.curacao.com/nl/activity/rock-climbing-curacao-rcc?cat=landactiviteiten. And if you want to explore even more beaches and nature of the authentic northwest, a buggy or ATV tour on a Can-am bike also offers an adventurous option via: https://premiumparadise.tours/.

This half-day can be booked both privately and as a group of up to 10 people with a local guide. During the tour you can explore Westpunt with 2 people on 1 bike, with speeds of up to 120 km/h.

For example, you will stop at some of the most beautiful beaches along the west coast, such as the bright blue bay Grote Knip and Playa Grandi to spot turtles. If you're lucky, you'll see flamingos at Jan Kok's salt pans and be treated to a fresh coconut at one of the many local eateries in Bandabou.