First of all, I will help you make a travel guide to Curacao, which is a Dutch island in the Caribbean, located in South America, close to Venezuela, with hidden and paradisiacal beaches, a welcoming atmosphere, with extensive coral reefs and life navy. The capital is Willemstad, with colonial architecture, charming for its famous Queen Emma floating bridge.
A destination that is currently very popular among Brazilians, as it has “budget” flexibility, there is Curacao for all budgets and traveler profiles, it is not so simple to create a Curacão travel guide.
The beauty of the Caribbean is the marine life, as we can swim with fish without them being attracted with food, they are at home and we are the visitors, there is no greater beauty than the painting of the seabed.
However, unlike other places I had the opportunity to visit, Curacao is easily adaptable to different budgets and traveler profiles.
Currently, leaving Brazil it is possible to reach Curacao via the airlines Avianca, via Bogotá, Copa Airlines, via Panama and recently Azul recently started operating to Curacao from Belo Horizonte.
What you need to know before going to Curacao and make a travel guide without surprises
Immigration Form
Curacao does not require an entry visa, but it is necessary to fill out the Immigration Form on the website: dicardcuracao.com, The ideal is to fill it out using your cell phone, as you need to send your passport photo. It is recommended to fill it out at least 24 hours before the trip, there are airlines in Brazil making this type of requirement, however, in the immigration queue in Curacao, I noticed that some people filled it out right away;
International yellow fever vaccine certificate
First of all, it is recommended to take the international yellow fever vaccination certificate, which must prove that you took the vaccine more than 10 days ago. Some people report that it was not required, but we showed it at Curacao immigration. Also bring proof of accommodation;
Curiosities
The local currency is the Dutch Antillean Florin, but the US dollar is normally accepted, and we often receive change in Florin;
First of all, the official language of Curacao is Papiamento. Other languages also used are Dutch and English.
How to get around
Traveling around Curacao should be by car, so renting a car will be a sure thing on the trip, I didn’t see public transport in Curacao, it seems that they are little used and taxis are not only scarce, they are expensive and not worth it; Car rental varies from US$55.00 per day for a compact car to US$90.00 for a minivan, with good searches it is possible to make it even cheaper; We rented the Jeep Patriot and it was a great choice, firstly because we had 3 large suitcases and also being close to the beaches, despite it not flooding, I felt safer with a taller car.
More important tips for your itinerary
Security: we didn’t see anything very suspicious there, but the guy when he gave us the car recommended that we not leave our belongings in the car to avoid theft;
The internet chip is also an essential item, I bought my virtual chip, I did the configuration 24 hours before arriving in Curacao and everything went well, it’s great for using Google maps, as in the rental company’s GPS, some destinations may not appear. Therefore, by purchasing the eSIM you will not need to change the chip, it is virtual and very simple to install, it is really not possible to travel without a connection. Click here to quote the cell phone chip I used.
Health: Some people report seeing mosquitoes, we bring repellents, but we don’t use them. It is recommended that travel insurance be taken out, as insurance is designed for unforeseen events. If you are Brazilian, get your quote, it’s simple and quick, you immediately know the price and decide whether to hire or not, without bureaucracy, in my case I got the quote here: Travel insurance
Making a perfect travel guide: How to choose your accommodation in Curacao?
While making your Curacao travel guide, choosing the perfect hotel can prove to be a daunting task, with so many options and considerations to make. While researching, I realized that the decision about the ideal region to stay – Center or close to the beaches – can vary according to the traveler’s profile and budget.
So that’s where the briefing comes in, an essential step in organizing your trip to Curacao. By profiling the family or group, it is possible to define each person’s goals and expectations.
If your intention is to explore the beaches and enjoy the local beauty, staying in a hotel close to them may be the best choice, especially for a first visit.
On the other hand, if saving on food and having the freedom to cook are priorities, opting for a hotel with a kitchen could be an excellent idea, considering that many establishments do not offer breakfast.
Furthermore, comfort and preference for a luxurious hotel must be taken into account, as well as the desired diet.
Faced with so many possibilities, many travelers end up choosing two different hotels to meet the different demands of their trip. In my case, as a couple with a six-year-old child, I looked for a suitable structure on some nights and a good beach on the rest, as well as a room with a kitchen for greater freedom.
My strategy was to opt for the Lions Dive hotel, which offered a free airport transfer and allowed me to save money on car rental during the first two days, as we also booked a transfer to Klein. This approach took into account the specific needs of my travel profile, ensuring an unforgettable experience in Curacao.
About Lions Dive hotel
The Lions Dive Hotel , It was a great choice, as in addition to being a Caribbean-style hotel, the decor is also very characteristic. It is just a few minutes’ walk from Mambo Beach, a popular place that has restaurants with a variety of cuisine, as well as ice cream and clothing and souvenir shops.
The hotel has at least six restaurants and also great swimming pools. The beach is good too.
Furthermore, next to the hotel there is also the Sea Aquarium, a great stop for those traveling with children, who can feed the flamingos or interact with the dolphins.
Currently there are several options for water activities at the hotel as well.
I confess that this hotel would be on my travel itinerary again.
About Bayside Boutique Hotel
On the third day, we changed our strategy, changed hotels, stayed at the Hotel Boutique Bayside, located within the Blue Bay condominium, with free access to the beach, has an average price for the month of September of US$ 220.00 for 2 adults, in the Suite with balcony that has a kitchen, if you choose a standard room you can pay on average US$150.00 for two adults, considering the quality of the hotel and the beach that guests have free access to, is great value for money.
The Bayside has a kitchen, I confess that this hotel surprised me positively in all aspects.
Likewise, the service was incredible, the kitchen was super equipped, which gave us the freedom to eat something at the hotel if we didn’t feel like going out at night, but not all rooms have this option, be careful when booking, the suite that has a kitchen is the “King-size Suite with Balcony”
The continental breakfast was very well served, check availability, if not available, you can save money if you opt for the suite that has a kitchen.
There is a supermarket very close to the condominium and that makes it a lot easier.
What surprised me most was the beach, it was one of the best I’ve seen, not because of the color of the sea (although it’s beautiful too), but it’s a beach with marine life, there aren’t many rocks and it also has a stretch of sand, with facilities and bathrooms. clean and organized.
The restaurant available inside the hotel was not very cheap and also had a wide range of options, we had lunch there once, the food was of good quality, but unfortunately not many options, perhaps in the restaurants available on the beach, which are very beautiful by the way, there are better options.
At the beach restaurant, the order was made using QRcode.
Central hotels
More expensive (for those who don’t give up comfort)
More economical (for those who don’t want to invest a lot in hosting)
Boutique Hotels
All Inclusive Hotels in Curacao
Hotels close to the Center (10 min)
Hotels in the South of the Island (15 to 20 minutes from the center)
Hotels to the north (30 min to 1 hour from the center)
In the list above I selected good hotels, the prices mentioned refer to one night for two adults for the month of September. My favorite hotel is Bayside Boutique Hotel.
If I were to choose a comfortable hotel, I didn’t care about the beach with marine life, I wanted to spend a little more and my option was downtown to go out at night, then I would stay at Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao.
If the option was a Caribbean style hotel, with several restaurants, with Mambo Beach next door, several swimming pools, but an average beach and well located, my option would be the Lions Dive Beach Resort.
For luxury travelers without children, the option is Sandals Royal Curacao All Inclusive Couples Only.
If you didn’t find any hotel in the list I selected, search here:
Where to eat in Curacao
Curacao surprised me positively in terms of food, I found the food to be good and tasty and in terms of value, it largely depends on the location chosen.
A positive point about my stay at Lions Dive Beach Resort it was its privileged location, the number of restaurants in the hotel and also the proximity to Mambo Beach.
The Mambo Beach It’s a kind of open-air shopping mall full of restaurants, so we had lunch and dinner there a few times. The downside is that Mambo Beach closes early, at 10pm.
At Mambo Beach we know the restaurant Bocas Argentinian Steaks beyond the restaurant Pizza Mare, We ordered a cold cuts board, pizza and wine, I thought the price was good, but the pizza doesn’t even compare to the Brazilian one.
We did a day use at Hotel Ávila and we also had lunch there, the food was very good and there we spent US$71.00 per meal with juice for two adults and one child.
On the day we went to visit the northern beaches, our stop was at restaurant Playa Forti, the food was excellent.
For those who like to visit the supermarkets in the region, especially if you book a hotel that has a studio-style room, it is worth visiting. The supermarkets in Curacao have a lot of Dutch products, the prices are not cheap. The supermarket we frequented most was Centrum.
We also chose to visit the restaurant Koraal Rooftop Terrace which is inside the Hotel Coral State It is very popular with those who want to see the sunset, as it has a privileged view. I made the reservation and they chose a very good table for us, I also liked the service, the price is a little steep, but I thought it was worth the experience.
I can say that the cost of food in Curacao, if your hotel includes breakfast, will be US$50.00 per day and per person.
Tours in Curacao
Furthermore, Curacao has several tours, especially diving as the marine life is rich there.
We can’t talk about tours without talking about Klein Curacao, as it’s not worth going to Curacao without seeing the best wonder we can find there. I suggest the boat Miss Ann which is the fastest and most stable, because it is very easy to get sick on the route with the rocking, so it is better to avoid it, and also, this is one of the boats with the most structure on the island.
Marine life is one of Curacao’s biggest attractions and seeing sea turtles is a highlight on this tour, Click here to learn more.
The underwater walk It is an unforgettable experience and worth doing, as you can see the marine life in Curacao up close.
For those who love adventures with Jet Sky, this tour cannot be missed, find out more information here.
Um City tour To get to know the culture in Curacao, it is a great tour option.
However, it is worth exploring the tours in the region.
6-day itinerary in Curacao
Day 1
Arrival day, rest from the flight by taking advantage of the hotel that day. I stayed in two hotels and the first hotel I chose had a lot of facilities and we enjoyed it a lot, especially since it was close to Mambo Beach.
Day 2
Discover Klein Curacao, it’s a full day trip and it will be great to see that paradise that proves that Curacao is a paradisiacal destination.
Day 3
Get to know the city center to discover the culture of Curacao, take the opportunity to buy the Blue Curacao drink.
Make one guided tour.
Discover the duty-free shop in the center where the prices are better than the duty-free shop at the airport.
Go to Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao and buy souvenirs, eat ice cream, and also take a walk there.
Opportunity to choose a place to have fun at night in the center.
Day 4
Day to discover the best beaches in the north of Curacao, I confess that there are many to visit on the same day, but I will make a selection of the best with more structure to stay.
Remembering that I have a specific article here on the blog about Curacao beaches.
Leave early to arrive at the beaches by 9am at the latest, start in Kenepa Grande, it has blue sea like you’ve never seen.
Small Kenepa is also a good place to stay, but it is smaller and has little or no structure, when I went there was nothing open.
If you want to see the turtles up close, stop by Piskadó beach, it’s not a good place to stay, I’ll tell you more in my beach specific article, but you will be able to see the turtles.
Have lunch at the restaurant on Playa Forti, which I already mentioned here. Those who like adrenaline can try jumping off the cliff, but there are several warnings about the danger.
In the afternoon, if you like a good scuba dive, go to Playa Kalki for spectacular marine life and the option to hire scuba diving. This beach has facilities, but you need to pay.
Day 05
The north side of Curacao deserves more time, so it’s time to visit beautiful beaches like Porto Mari and Cas Abao. Choose one of them in the morning and another in the afternoon, you won’t regret it. Both have structure and are beautiful.
On the way back, enjoy the sunset at the Koraal Rooftop Terrace.
Day 06
Here I will give some options.
The first, spend the day at Blue Bay beach, especially if you are staying at Bayside Boutique Hotel.
The beach is great, take your snorkel and stay until sunset.
The good thing about staying in Blue Bay is that the beach is great and it’s not that far.
There is restaurant service on the sun loungers and there are other restaurants there too. There are clean bathrooms and a playground for children.
The second option would be to take a walk in the morning to see the sea turtles and blue room and in the afternoon have lunch at Ávila Hotel and enjoy day use.
If you don’t want the turtles, then you can do the underwater walk.
Considerations about the itinerary
This itinerary is for those who don’t want a lot of rush, but if you want to visit more beaches in the north, you can include another day in your itinerary or visit them quickly on the fourth day of the itinerary.
The Curacao itinerary depends a lot on the traveler’s profile, I went with my family, but even so, with a small child, I managed to enjoy it a lot.
Conclusion
Finally, Curacao is a destination for all budgets that you need to know, I highly recommend it, I hope I helped you create a travel guide with these tips.
So, if you liked this post, check out my post on the best beaches in Curacao by clicking here.
So, don’t forget to take your internet chip and get a travel insurance quote.
If this is the first post you’ve seen, then find out who I am by clicking here,. See also my post that helps you when packing your bags, Click here.
