Curacao (Willemstad)
Trip Summary
One of the southernmost islands of the Caribbean, this one stands out as one of the most unique of the ABC islands. Beautiful beaches, the floating Queen Emma Bridge, the colorful architecture–this vacation spot is a lovely mix of Dutch and Caribbean culture.
My husband and I visited over the summer while traveling aboard Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas via their Southern Caribbean route. We only had a day in port, so we decided to tour the city first then head out to one of the public beaches.
The ship’s dock was a walkable distance from the town of Willemstad, so we took our time touring the cobblestoned walkways, fruit stands, and brightly-colored storefronts.
The island has several forts–the Rif Fort being very close, so we walked around it for a bit as well, admiring the stonework, cannons, and empty walkways.
Even in the early morning hours, the sun was blistering hot, so after seeing Willemstad, we took a taxi to Cabana/Contiki Beach. I list both names, because the internet lists the place as Cabana Beach, but at the entrance, there are signs for Contiki Beach, so I am assuming it was renamed at one point.
We chose this beach because it would be free to use and had a good mix of calm waters/cabanas/and snorkeling. The water is calm because the beach is essentially a cove–rock breakers built all around it to block waves from coming in, so you can easily wade and swim without worrying about the waves or an undertow. We actually saw a lot of families at this beach, and I imagine the calm waters were a draw for those with kids.
However, if you are like my husband and prefer a bit more adventure, you can swim out to the rock breakers, climb over them, and snorkel on the other side. The water is a lot more tumultuous in this area, so I would recommend wearing water shoes, being a strong swimmer and/or wearing a lifejacket if you decide to snorkel out there.
The snorkeling is absolutely unmatched, though, with the rocks just teeming with sea life as you could see schools of colorful fish along with a ton of various sea creatures. The underwater plant life is also abundant as you could see coral and sea urchins everywhere you turned. Definitely bring an underwater camera as you will want to take pictures of everything!
We spent just about the entire day out in the water and would have spent more time out there if we weren’t short on time in getting back to the ship. Knowing that traffic could get congested on the Queen Juliana Bridge heading back, we hailed another taxi and made our way back.
It was a lovely day that was very relaxing (and cheap as we opted for free activities!), but if you have a chance to visit Curacao, I highly recommend the beaches. Cabana Beach was free and offered beautiful sand, a quiet atmosphere, and fantastic snorkeling. A high score!
Cabana Beach: A
Of course, there are many beaches on Curacao, and if I have the chance to go back, I will certainly explore more of them. Mambo Beach, Cas Abou Beach, or even Klein Curacao (an island off the coast) are some of the more popular spots. Some of the best beaches are reviewed here as well and this site lists the beaches where you can also enjoy water sports and even go kitesurfing. I know scuba diving is also quite popular here (and I believe it with the amazing snorkeling we did!), so if you dive, check that out as well.
However, there is more to do and see on the island than beaches. This forum here lists a lot of different options, so if you need help in figuring out what to do during your stay, that is a great place to start. All in all, Curacao is a lovely island and worth the visit!
Favorite Experiences
The quality of the snorkeling was such a nice surprise. We had gone to the beach for a relaxing day and didn’t even think to swim past the rock breakers. I was on the beach when my husband had gone out to snorkel and came back breathless, saying that he had gone past the rock breakers and to come check it out. We then swam out together to explore and snorkel for the rest of the day, so it was a fun bonus to the day.
What I Wish I Knew
I knew that Curacao was closer to the equator than the other islands we had visited in the Caribbean, but holy goodness, I had no idea how hot it could get–so bring lots of sunscreen, water, and plan to spend the day in the water! We did all of our exploring of Willemstad in the early hours of the day, but even then, the heat was so overpowering. By the time we made it to our taxi to the beach, we were just melting, so just know the weather gets extremely hot. I can’t imagine that non-water activities would be a whole lot of fun in the summer, so just plan accordingly!
Also, if you go to a beach, know that the island is Dutch and upholds typical European beach culture, so some of the beachgoers will be topless/unclothed. The beaches aren’t labeled one way or another, so just know that you may see more than you expected!
When you travel back to town from the beaches, know that traffic can get a bit congested, especially on the Juliana Bridge, so just give yourself a bit more time than you need.
However, our stay was very pleasant, and I would definitely visit again if given the opportunity! It’s a beautiful spot and so different than the rest of the Caribbean, so definitely try it out!
I also post reels and TikToks regularly of all the places I’ve reviewed on here, so if you want to see some videos of what to expect, check out my social media here:
TikTok: @touristyteacher
Instagram: @touristyteacher
Facebook: @touristyteacher
Happy travels!
