Back in December, I went on my first holiday since the pandemic. I spent two relaxing weeks on a small island named Curacao. I had known about the blue Curacao liquor but had little to no knowledge about the island. With a population of just over 150,000 and constant 20+ degree weather, my housemate invited me to spend the Christmas holidays with her and her family. Great weather, plenty of stunning beaches and tasty Caribbean food – here are 6 things to do in Curacao!
1. Visit Mambo Beach
This white sandy beach is one of the most popular tourist spots in Curacao, where you will find an array of cuisines, shops and water sports activities to participate in. (I even spotted a piercing shop!) Entry is free, but if you fancy having a sunbathe, it costs $4-5 for a lounger. Whilst Mambo Beach is the more ‘commercial’ beach on the island, it is still worth the visit! It had the idyllic Caribbean island feel, with palm trees dotted along the shore. It is the perfect place to relax, with an ice-cold drink and soak in the rays!
2. Walk along Queen Emma Bridge
My favourite spot on the island was the view of Queen Emma Bridge. The floating bridge connects the two neighbourhoods in Willemstad, Punda and Otrabanda.
The bridge opens many times during the day to allow boats to pass through. Built in 1888, the lighting arches were installed in 1955, providing a stunning view in the evening. I took so many pictures on the bridge AND from both sides. The colourful buildings make a gorgeous, picturesque backdrop, one that is an iconic symbol for Curacao. You will find several attraction shops on the island selling souvenirs with this image.
3. Check out Street Art in Punda
Street art is a common thing in Curacao, particularly in Punda. I had a solo trip around and stumbled across houses that had the most eye-catching paintings on their walls. As most of the homes in this area were quite colourful, it made a beautiful backdrop for the artwork. Book yourself onto a free walking tour, which will take you around Punda and past some of the fantastic street art!
4. Enjoy the views at Playa Kenepa / Grote Knip
The beaches in Curacao are all stunning, but Playa Kenepa (or Grote Knip) made me gasp. The turquoise blue water was not like anything I had seen so far on holiday. We stood at a great viewpoint that overlooked the beach and beautiful ocean. We visited on Christmas Eve and it was surprisingly packed. Like Mambo, you have to pay for the sun loungers ($5) and there are stalls selling ice cream, coconut water, and cocktail/mocktail slushies! It is a little further from the city centre (a 50-minute drive) and smaller than most beaches – but worth a visit! On your way there, you can check out Playa Piskado, another spot famous for sea turtles! Though we didn’t swim with them, we saw plenty as we walked along the pier.
5. Indulge in local food
Many restaurants in Curacao will serve the national dishes and it may be best to try to find a local restaurant so you can have an authentic experience. We went to a restaurant called Landhuis Dokterstuin, not too far from Playa Kenepa beach. We drank Awa Di Lamunchi (similar to Lemonade!) and ordered some traditional Curacao food. There was plantain, funchi, Karni stobá (stewed beef) and Galina Pia stobá (stewed chicken legs), which all reminded me of West African food. Portion sizes were also generous so maybe bring a takeaway container!
6. Take a mesmerising trip to Klein Curacao
Klein Curacao was my favourite part of the holiday. We booked through Mermaid Boat Trips, for an inclusive all-day tour of the uninhabited island, Klein Curacao. Just 2 hours from Curacao, the day included relaxing on the white sand beach, snorkelling and searching for sea turtles in the crystal blue water AND a buffet breakfast/lunch. The company we chose also had its own designated area with sun loungers, changing rooms and showers. I was relieved as it meant I could change into different outfits/swimsuits! You can also take a walk around Klein, and check out the abandoned lighthouse and ships that wrecked onto the beach. After admiring this stunning island, taking several photos and sunbathing with newly made friends, we headed back to Curacao.
Curacao is the perfect destination for some Winter Sun! Great for relaxing, exploring and eating good food – so essentially all types of holiday goers! 😀
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