With its blend of multicultural sophistication, diverse cuisine, fascinating culture and vast natural beauty, Curacao is a destination unlike any other in the Caribbean. It’s well-positioned to satisfy a variety of traveler types — and several new developments are likely to attract even more visitors.
I flew down recently to get caught up on what’s new, as well as to sample what makes the island so special. I had visited Curacao before, but this was the first time I was able to explore in depth. (My trip was timed to coincide with Curacao Pride, the destination’s annual LGBTQ+ celebration, which exemplifies the destination’s welcoming attitude.)
My home base was Curacao Marriott Beach Resort, a gorgeous property with a stylish open-air lobby, excellent cuisine and a peaceful beach with shallow, tranquil waters ideal for swimming and wading. It’s one of many noteworthy hotels on the island; among the newest is Art Hotel Curacao, which debuted this year. Still in the works is The Pyrmont, a 300-room, adults-only all-inclusive that’s currently under construction.
My husband, Angel, and I could have happily spent our entire first day at the Marriott, but there was lots more to explore.
Our guide for this visit was Tirzah Statia, a knowledgeable tour guide and tourism “ambassador” who — like nearly everyone in Curacao — is multilingual and passionate about her beautiful island. We learned a lot from her over the course of several days — including handy vocabulary in Papiamentu, the local language.
Touring the Capital
Willemstad, the capital city, is a colorful small metropolis with a historic area that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During a previous visit, I had joined interesting walking and e-bike tours, so this time, we hopped onboard an imported, three-wheeled tuk tuk operated by tour company CurTukTuk.
Willemstad is Curacao’s capital city.
Credit: 2025 Curacao Tourist BoardOur driver and guide, Nigel, zipped us around to some of the city’s most interesting and important sites, including the much-photographed Handelskade waterfront, where colorful buildings are reflected in the water near the Queen Emma pontoon bridge, and numerous murals and public art sites. Among the most moving stops was at Desenkadena (Unchained), a monument that commemorates the 1795 slave rebellion and pays tribute to its leader, Tula.
Nature and Heritage on the West Side
The area around the capital city of Willemstad is lovely, but to truly appreciate the island’s history and natural beauty, a trip to the West Side is a must. With guide Statia at the wheel, we headed first to Kas di Pal’i Maishi, a fascinating cultural site centered around a traditional, thatch-roofed adobe house that’s more than a century old. Exhibits there showcase the heritage and traditions of enslaved people and freed people of color. The wonderfully knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide truly brought the visit to life, as she demonstrated cooking techniques and sang traditional work songs once used to ease the burden of chores.
A few minutes away by car, we explored Shete Boka National Park, where the rugged terrain and coves serve as nesting grounds for sea turtles, and the ocean shoots dramatically into the air through a coral formation, much like a geyser.
The next stop was also on the coast, but with a decidedly different ambience. Playa Beach Club, located at Punta Kalki, is a gorgeous, open-air venue with a restaurant, multiple swimming pools and an idyllic beach. We savored a tasty lunch before relaxing in a private cabana perched on the cliff overlooking the sand and the turquoise water.
To experience even more of the island’s multiple beach and coastal areas, Angel spent a glorious day onboard a catamaran operated by Irie Tours; the excursion included lots of time for swimming, snorkeling and socializing in naturally beautiful settings.
Exploring Culture and History
Curacao is also a rewarding place for cultural exploration. As Angel enjoyed his Irie Tours experience, I headed to Museum Kura Hulanda, which has thought-provoking exhibits that document the history of the African diaspora and Curacao’s role in the slave trade.
Ricky Martin at the North Sea Jazz Festival.
Credit: 2025 Curacao Tourist BoardAnother must-visit site is Jewish Museum Curaçao, which recently reopened with a three-story expansion and a new exhibit about Anne Frank. Right next door is Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue which dates to 1732 and is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas. A few blocks away, Curacao Maritime Museum traces the island’s seafaring history.
Travelers can also tap into Curacao’s cultural side during a variety of annual events — including carnival, a pre-Lenten festival that takes place Feb. 8-18, 2026, and Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival, a multiday musical event that draws big-name international performers in August.
Fine Dining Around Curacao
Curacao’s diverse, sophisticated and stylish dining scene is quite impressive, as well. According to the Curacao Tourist Board, there are more than 200 restaurants, and we did our best to visit several.
On the first evening, we headed to Kura Hulanda Village, an atmospheric cluster of cobblestone pedestrian lanes and lovely small buildings that house trendy shops and restaurants. Our dinner at Caleo Crudos y Parrilla provided a sumptuously curated introduction to fine dining on the island, and I was impressed with the grilled octopus and scallops paired with just-baked bread.
Another personal favorite was Saint Tropez Ocean Club, an upscale boutique hotel where the open-air restaurant sits adjacent to a chic seaside pool area; our lunch included tasty Dutch bitterballen and Caribbean cheese balls.
For drinks, one of our favorite places was Netto Bar, the island’s oldest watering hole and the place for sampling legendary green rum.
For our farewell dinner, we gathered at another much-celebrated venue: Mosa/Cana Bar & Kitchen, an artsy and hip restaurant where we joined a group of tourism officials and other locals for a lively and mouthwatering dinner with shared dishes.
This trip provided my most in-depth taste of Curacao, and I’m still hungry for more.
