The Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao is one of the more fascinating yet undiscovered islands in the region — from its captivating historic capital to its off-the-beaten-path beaches.
To show you a bit more about why we love it here, we collected a series of moments — a way to look at Curaçao through the things and places that make trips memorable.
Here are 15 photos that will make you fall in love with Curaçao.
The calm of Boka Sami
It’s one of those out of the way fishing towns you often only reach by accident. But when you find Boka Sami, you’re captivated by the utter calm — and the spectacular sparkle of the sea here.
Swimming at Kokomo
Yes, there’s a place called Kokomo. It’s in Curaçao. This beach and lounge on the middle of the country’s western coast has golden sand, great swimming and remarkable sunsets.
Evening in Willemstad
It’s thrilling to explore this beautiful capital city by day, but by night it takes on a whole new personality, with its energetic waterside restaurants, buzzing bars and, of course, the Queen Emma floating bridge, made even more beautiful right now for the Christmas season.
Wagyu tartare at the Baoase.
Culinary bliss
It isn’t just the island’s greatest hotel — the Baoase Luxury Resort is also home to the island’s premier restaurant, the Baoase Culinary Beach Restaurant, led by budding culinary superstar René Klop.
Feeling hip at Papagayo
It began as a resort, and now it’s one of the hippest beach spots in Curaçao: the Papagayo Beach Club. It’s energetic, it’s sleek and it’s effortlessly cool. And it’s about as great a place to spend the day as there is on the island, either poolside or in the sea.
Inside the Rif Fort
A great example of historic revitalization, this has taken a 19th century fort and turned it into a wonderfully walkable retail and culinary destination, with a host of eateries and bars. It’s part of the wider Renaissance mall, one of the region’s top shopping destinations.
Cafe culture
Ever-cosmopolitan Curaçao is filled with great cafes, meaning you can always find a top-level espresso or coffee like here at Greka’s Coffee House.
The joy of Mambo
There isn’t a beach destination like this anywhere in the Caribbean — one part Nikki Beach-style lounges, one part mall, one part food court. However you look at it, Mambo Beach is impressive — and the beach itself is pretty special, too.
Afternoon at Jan Thiel
One of the things that makes Curaçao’s beach product unique is that there are so many great beaches with facilities, restaurants and beach bars. It makes it so much easier to spend the day there. One of the best? The ever-popular Jan Thiel Beach, above.
Finding Zen at Baoase
The aforementioned Baoase isn’t just a world-class restaurant, though, it’s as wonderful a place to stay as you’ll find anywhere, the sort of Bali-style hotel where you lounge in your own private hot tub pondering the hues of the sunset.
A Dutch treat
If you’ve been to The Netherlands, you know how much the Dutch love their fries, and Curaçao is no different. For our favorite fry stop on the island, check out Dutch Treat in Otrabanda (we recommend them with the garlic mayo).
The perfect smoke
One of the things that sets Curaçao apart is its abundant sophistication — it’s the sort of place where you’ll find an upscale cigar bar like Kandela, one of our favorite cigar lounges in the Caribbean.
The colors of the capital
Willemstad’s combination of rich architectural heritage and striking color make for a truly charming city, an eminently walkable place filled with shops, restaurants and tucked-away cafes.
Sitting seaside
There are so many places to have a cold Amstel Bright or a bite to eat right on the water, thanks to a culture that emphasizes it. The Scuba Lodge on the outskirts of town is one perfect seaside spot.
Natural perfection
Because much of the island’s tourist activity is largely centered in Willemstad and its surroundings, the island is filled with tucked-away beaches, cliffs and spots to enjoy Curaçao’s sparkling natural beauty.