The beaches of Curacao in the Caribbean have an almost indescribable blue hue, complemented by a very colorful European architecture. Located in the southern Caribbean, Curacao is a year-round place to visit. Keep reading to find tips on how to get the best from your trip to Curacao.
On the island, the sea color is stunning and the bays form huge pools. In order to be able to visit the best beaches on the island, you will definitely need a car. But there are different types of beaches in Curacao and you need to understand how they work. On the north, there are public and private beaches. Here you will find the best beaches on the island, which are next to mega resorts. Some of them are private, but no hotel stands in the sand. The plan is almost always the same; you pay a small fee to enter the beach, by car or per person, and then, if you want a beach mat and / or parasol, you pay another fee.
Most beaches have some sort of structure, such as bars and toilets. Therefore, it is very easy for tourists to spend the day without worrying about anything. However, it is worth noting that beaches are very crowded, especially on weekends. A useful tip would be to avoid Curacao’s public beaches on Saturdays and Sundays, as they get massively crowded. Some of the best beaches in the northern part of the island are: Canepa Grandi, Kalki, Laguna, Porto Marie and Kas Abao. The first three mentioned are public, while the remaining two are private. In particular, Laguna is a great one for snorkeling.
On the south, there are many beach clubs. These beaches have a very basic infrastructure, and they are not very good, especially since most of them are artificial. The natural beaches of the North surpass the beauty of the artificial beaches of the South Beach Club, but of course the beach clubs have their advantages, especially for those whose accommodation is nearby. Also, they may be comfortable for families. Among the best beach clubs, we can find Jan Theil, Lions Dive Resort and Mambo Beach. It should be mentioned that there is no nice beach in Willemstad, the capital of the island.
If you are wondering when to visit the island, you should know that there is a warm weather all year round, as it is very close to the Equator. It mostly rains between October and December, but it shouldn´t be a big issue for not travelling at those months. In fact, the island location in the Caribbean is privileged, because even during the hurricane period, from July to November, it is not affected, as well as most of the islands in the southern Caribbean.
When exploring the island, you will find that the vegetation is quite dry, which makes sense because of the intense heat, constant winds and low rainfall. Therefore, don’t expect to find that green fauna and flora, whole trees and coconut trees. But don´t get demotivated because of this. The island is so beautiful, especially the its sea color. In the most touristy beach areas, where there are hotels-resorts and beach clubs, you will find that nature has changed a bit to represent the “tropical” climate that tourists are accustomed to.
Another important reason why you should consider visiting the island is its architecture. As soon as you research about the island, you will see photos of its colonial and colorful architecture. Willemstad is beautiful. The city center with UNESCO protected architecture has four districts Punda (it reflects 17th century colonial architecture), Ostrobanda (emphasizes 18th century influence), and Pietermaritzburg and Charleroi (more modern than the 19th century). Pietermaritzburg and Charleroi have a mix of restored houses and other detachments, while Punda and Ostrobanda are already almost 100% made for tourist and photography. Pietermaritzburg is one of the most bohemian neighborhoods in Willemstad
The rest of the island has nothing to do with the capital. When you go to other beaches and regions of the island, you will see colorful houses, but modern ones. The attraction in the rest of the island are definitely different from the architecture.
Last but not least, the island is one of the best places in the world for diving, both for amateur and professional divers. It is the world’s third best place to dive, according to Scuba Diving Magazine. The west coast of the island is generally in high demand, as some places have visibility of more than 30 meters. There are also some sunken freighters, such as the Superior Producer, which sank in 1977.
