The small Caribbean island of Curaçao is just 172 square miles (444 km²) and it is near Aruba and Venezuela. The best way to see the whole island of Curaçao is to rent a car. Depending on how long you would like to spend at each attraction or beach we suggest renting a car for one to three days. Curacao has an amazing weather all year round which allows visitors to enjoy its beautiful turquoise waters, beautiful beaches and its rich history.

What to do in Curaçao Travel Video:

Most importantly, never leave anything in the car, the island has many break-ins especially if anything is visible. The roads on the island are in relatively good condition, just watch out for the occasional pot holes. Signs to attractions and beaches are normally present, but not always.

➳ Note: This travel guide does not include the capital city of Willemstad, which is covered under a separate walking guide.

The best things to visit in Curaçao Driving Map:

Off The Beaten Path Things To Do In Curaçao:

Explore the Christoffel National Park

The Christoffel National Park is the largest on the island and rich in flora, fauna, culture and history. It is home to the highest peak, Christoffel Mountain and one of the earliest plantation houses on the island, turned into a museum.

Explore Boka Tabla At Shete Boka

Shete Boka National Park is famous for its rugged limestone bluffs, which creates huge waves that shoot high into the air. From the main entrance there are three different areas to explore. While the whole park is walkable, the strong sun and limited shade might have you wanting to take advantage of the driving roads.

1. Boka Tabla: In front of the main parking lot is Boka Tabla and a small cave.
2. Boka Pistol: To the right is a 30 minute walk to Boka Pistol, passing by Boka Kalki. There is also a full loop which takes two hours to complete.
3. Boka Wandomi: To the left is a 30 minute walk to Boka Wandomi and a natural bridge formation.

Hours: 09:00am – 5:00pm everyday

Entrance Fee: 4.64 ANG ($2.50 USD) per person

Make sure to visit the Watamula Hole

Also known as the “Breath of the Island,” the Watamula Hole is an interesting place to explore in the Northwestern tip of the island. The splashing waves and sounds of the water hole will leave you mesmerized.

Swim at the Grote Knip (Kenepa Grandi Beach)

Our favorite beach has to be Grote Knip, with its bright white sand and crystal blue waters. Get your bathing suit on and get ready to chill. There is also some areas to go snorkeling along the rocks on either side of the beach.

Go Cliff Jumping at Klein Knip 

The Klein Knip beach is one of the smaller and calmer beaches we visited on the island. With an older crowd, it provides a more relaxing atmosphere to sit back and relax. It is amazing to go snorkeling and to cliff jump. When going cliff jumping just be careful of the big rocks in the water. Do not climb back up the cliff but instead swim to the shore and take the stairs.

➳ Tip: Because there is a quiter beach there is only a bar open during the weekend. Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks. 

Sunbath at Playa Lagun

Playa Lagun is one of the most recommended beaches by locals on the island. The small and relaxing beach is not overflowing with tourists giving it a nice atmosphere. Also, at the entrance is the most delicious fruit smoothies to cool off in the sun!

Take a stroll along Playa PortoMari

If you are looking for a more comfortable beach, with more beach chairs to rent and nicer facilities look no further than Playa PortoMari. If you just want to relax on the beach or enjoy a meal at the restaurant, entrance is free. However, if you wish to go swimming it costs $3 per person.

Enjoy the white sands and turquoise water of Cas Abao Beach

If you want a beach with a bar, restaurant, lockers, massage facility and dive shop, Playa Cas Abao is for you. It has crystal clear waters and a raft moored off the beach. It is a great spot if you want to go snorkeling. However the better facilities come with a cost. From Monday to Saturday it is 10 ANG ($6) per car up to 4 people; Sunday and Holidays it is 12.50 ANG ($7) and any additional person needs to pay an extra fee of 2.50 ANG ($1.40).

Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Access: Car Only, parking lot on site.

Go Flamingo Watching at the Flamingo Sanctuary

Driving back towards Willemstad make sure not to miss the Flamingos sanctuary. It only has a small sign along a pull off, so keep your eyes open for the entrance. Walk out to a small lookout platform in the water for a closer view of the Flamingos. If you have a telephoto lens, now is your time to use it!

Visit the Hato Caves

Just South of the airport is Hato Caves a 240 meter long cave, formed in coral limestone by karst processes. The above ground caves are accessible by a 45 minute guided tour. 

Entrance Fee: $8 for adults and $6 for children.

Learn about aloe at the CurALoe Plantation

The CurAloe Plantation has 10 acres with more than 100,000 aloe plants, a factory, and a shop. You are able to visit the aloe fields, watch an informative video about the ale production process and visit their shop

Hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm every day.

Entrance Fee: It is free to the public.

Visit The Curaçao Ostrich Farm

If you are in Curacao you must take a safari tour of the Curaçao Ostrich Farm. The farm opened in 1995 with the idea of exporting ostrich eggs and meat to South America. It was actually later when they started offering tours and dining experiences. At the tour you will learn about the African Ostrich and the Emu. You will also have the opportunity to feed and ride an ostrich, how cool is that? 

Get the best panoramic picture of Curacao at the Fort Beekenburg

Curacao is also know for its underwater world. Diving in Curacao is a must if you are a nature lover. In this article you will find the best dive sites in Curacao. 

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