Curaçao Wasn’t on My Radar: The Best Things to Do, See & Experience
Curaçao wasn’t exactly at the top of my travel list.
In fact, until the island started getting attention for its historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, I hadn’t given it much thought. When Curaçao became the smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the tournament, it caught my attention.
I’d been to Aruba before, so I was familiar with the ABC Islands, but Curaçao was still a mystery to me.
And if you know anything about me, you know I love discovering somewhere new.
So, with a pretty quick turnaround and absolutely no expectations, I decided to see what Curaçao was all about.
In August 2026, I headed to the island for a five-day exploratory trip with Kendrick, our creative director, and two returning Black & Traveled travelers.
Five days, some incredible food, beautiful beaches, a little adventure, and one unforgettable Friday-night boat party later, I had a completely different appreciation for this Caribbean island.
And here’s what I discovered: Curaçao has a whole lot more to offer than beautiful beaches.
Visiting Curaçao: An Island With a Personality All Its Own
I’ve visited several Caribbean destinations over the years, and I think sometimes we have a tendency to group them all together.
Beautiful beaches. Warm weather. Turquoise water. A few cocktails.
And don’t get me wrong, I love all of those things.
But what stood out to me about Curaçao was its personality.
There’s a real sense of pride on the island. You see it in the colorful architecture, the murals throughout Willemstad, and the way people share stories about their home.
There’s also a beautiful mixture of cultures that makes the island feel different from other Caribbean destinations I’ve experienced.
And the people? So warm and welcoming.
That’s always one of the first things I notice when visiting somewhere new. How do people make you feel? Are they welcoming? Do they seem happy to share their home with visitors?
For me, that matters just as much as the hotel or the activities.
Curaçao delivered.
The island felt vibrant, culturally rich, and full of character. And the more we explored, the more I realized there was a story behind so much of what we were seeing.
That’s my kind of destination.
Things to Do in Willemstad, Curaçao: Murals, History & E-Bike Adventures
If you’re researching things to do in Curaçao, exploring Willemstad should absolutely be on your list.
And while the colorful buildings are beautiful to photograph, I would encourage you to do more than just walk around taking pictures.
Take a guided tour and learn the stories behind what you’re seeing.
One of my favorite experiences of the entire trip was our electric bike tour through Willemstad.
Our guide, Pablito, was fantastic.
He knew so much about the island’s history, the neighborhoods, and the meaning behind the murals we passed along the way.
And what made the experience even better? We got to listen to music while riding around on our bikes.
Now that’s my kind of sightseeing!
We were learning, exploring, laughing, and enjoying the atmosphere all at once.
The murals were particularly memorable for me. They weren’t just beautiful artwork. They offered insight into the people, their heritage, and the stories that have shaped the island.
I love destinations that aren’t afraid to tell their full story, even when parts of that history are complicated.
For me, understanding the people who live somewhere is one of the most meaningful parts of traveling.
And this tour gave us exactly that.
We also explored more of the island by tuk-tuk, which was another fun way to see different areas and get a feel for Curaçao beyond our hotel.
If I were recommending just one cultural experience to someone visiting Curaçao for the first time, a guided tour of Willemstad would be near the top of my list.
Caption: E-bike tour through Willemstad — murals, history, and colorful architecture.
Exploring Curaçao’s Beaches, Klein Curaçao & Boat Excursions
Of course, you can’t talk about visiting Curaçao without talking about the water.
Because the water is BEAUTIFUL.
Seriously.
The kind of blue that makes you want to stop whatever you’re doing and get in.
We explored several beach areas during our trip, and each experience offered something a little different.
Klein Curaçao: Is the Boat Trip Worth It?
One of our biggest adventures was visiting Klein Curaçao, a small island off Curaçao’s coast known for its beautiful beaches and clear water.
Now, here’s something I want you to know before booking an excursion.
The boat ride out there is long.
It’s not one of those quick little rides where you hop on a boat and arrive a few minutes later.
But once you get there? That beautiful water and beach make the journey worthwhile.
And this is exactly why I love doing exploratory trips.
Experiencing the excursion firsthand helped me realize that, when I bring Black & Traveled travelers back, I’d prefer to arrange a more private experience.
Not because the destination wasn’t wonderful, but because I want travelers to have more opportunity to relax, enjoy the surroundings, and experience the day at a comfortable pace.
Sometimes the difference between a good trip and a great one comes down to those details.
Caption: Klein Curaçao — white sand and clear water, worth the long boat ride.
Kokomo Beach Curaçao: Beautiful Water & an Unexpected Highlight
Another stop I really enjoyed was Kokomo Beach.
The beach itself was beautiful, but one of the funniest little highlights was feeding the iguanas.
Now, I’ve seen iguanas before in Aruba, so this wasn’t exactly something I was counting down the days to experience.
But it ended up being so much fun!
Sometimes it’s the little unexpected moments that make a trip memorable.
And this was definitely one of them.
Caption: Kokomo Beach — beautiful water, and feeding the iguanas.
A Friday-Night Curaçao Boat Party I Would Absolutely Do Again
Now, let’s talk about one of my favorite experiences.
Our Friday-night booze cruise.
When I tell you this was a GOOD time!
The music was fantastic. The energy was great. Everyone was dancing, enjoying themselves, and having a wonderful time.
There were light bites on board, and the whole evening had such a fun atmosphere.
This was easily one of my favorite experiences of the trip.
And it reminded me of something I really appreciated about Curaçao.
You can have a laid-back vacation and still have a little turn-up when you’re ready.
You don’t have to choose one or the other.
You can spend your day relaxing at the beach, learning about the island’s history, or exploring its neighborhoods, and then enjoy a lively night out.
That balance makes Curaçao such an appealing destination.
Where to Eat in Curaçao: Local Food, Restaurants & Food Trucks
Let’s talk about the food.
Because you know I wasn’t going to visit a new destination without exploring the food scene.
And Curaçao did not disappoint.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the variety of food available. We tried different restaurants and had the opportunity to enjoy more local dining experiences rather than staying exclusively around the hotel.
But one of my favorite food experiences was actually visiting a food truck one evening.
The food was amazing!
And it’s something I definitely want to explore more when I return.
There’s something about discovering local food spots that adds another layer to a trip. You’re not just eating somewhere because it’s convenient or because it’s on a list of popular restaurants.
You’re getting a little taste of how people actually enjoy their own city or island.
And that’s an experience I always appreciate.
On my next visit, I want to make more time for Curaçao’s local food trucks and neighborhood dining spots.
I have a feeling there are plenty more delicious discoveries waiting for me.
Where to Stay in Curaçao: Our Experience at Renaissance Wind Creek
One thing I always pay attention to when exploring a new destination is where we’re staying.
Not just whether the hotel is beautiful, but whether the location actually makes sense for the kind of experience I want travelers to have.
For this trip, we stayed at Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort in Willemstad.
And I think we got the hotel choice right the first time.
What I loved most was the central location.
Being somewhere that allows you to get out, walk around, and explore makes such a difference.
Especially for travelers who might be visiting solo or who don’t necessarily want to depend on organized transportation every time they leave the hotel.
I appreciated having the option to explore the surrounding area on foot, and the location helped me feel comfortable doing that.
The property also has a casino for travelers who enjoy that kind of entertainment.
But for me, the biggest selling point was the convenience.
I love a hotel that makes it easy to experience the destination rather than feeling completely removed from it.
And after staying here, I can confidently say it’s a property I’d consider using again for future Black & Traveled experiences.
Curaçao Travel Tips: What I Wish Every Visitor Knew
Now, I can’t talk about Curaçao without giving you a little practical advice.
First of all, that sun is NO JOKE.
I know it’s the Caribbean. I know we’re expecting warm weather.
But I’m telling you, the sun in Curaçao is intense.
Bring your sunscreen.
Bring a hat.
And go ahead and pack some aloe, too.
You’ll thank me later.
The water is so beautiful and inviting that it’s easy to spend more time outside than you realize. Make sure you’re protecting your skin, staying hydrated, and taking breaks from the sun.
I’d also recommend giving yourself enough time to experience more than the beach.
Yes, the beaches are wonderful.
But if you spend your entire visit at a resort, you’ll miss so much of what makes Curaçao interesting.
Explore Willemstad. Take a cultural tour. Try local restaurants and food trucks. Get out on the water.
And leave a little room for the unexpected.
Some of my favorite memories came from experiences I hadn’t necessarily been looking forward to in the first place.
Why Curaçao Changed the Way I Think About Caribbean Travel
This trip actually made me rethink something about the destinations I choose for Black & Traveled.
I’ve historically shied away from adding too many Caribbean islands to our group trip collection.
Not because I don’t enjoy the Caribbean. I absolutely do.
But because I’ve always wanted to introduce travelers to destinations and experiences they might not necessarily choose for themselves.
And I think sometimes it’s easy to assume that Caribbean travel is something people can plan and experience on their own.
But Curaçao reminded me that there’s another side to that conversation.
Not every Caribbean island offers the same experience.
And not every Caribbean vacation has to revolve around sitting at an all-inclusive resort.
There’s so much culture, history, adventure, and personality to discover throughout the region.
Curaçao made me think more seriously about introducing travelers to lesser-known Caribbean destinations, especially places where we can create experiences that go beyond the familiar.
For me, that’s what thoughtful travel planning is all about.
It’s not simply booking a hotel and arranging transportation.
It’s understanding what makes a destination special and finding ways for travelers to connect with it.
That’s why I loved our e-bike tour with Pablito.
It’s why I enjoyed exploring the murals and hearing the stories behind them.
It’s why I want to spend more time discovering local food spots.
And it’s why I decided that a more private Klein Curaçao excursion would be a better fit for the experience I want to create.
And Curaçao gave me a lot to think about.
Is Curaçao Worth Visiting? Here’s Who I’d Recommend It To
Absolutely.
If you’ve already visited some of the more familiar Caribbean islands and you’re looking for somewhere different, I think Curaçao deserves a spot on your travel list.
It’s a destination I’d recommend to couples, friend groups, solo travelers, and people celebrating milestone occasions.
You can enjoy beautiful beaches and relaxation, but you can also explore history, culture, food, music, and nightlife.
You can have a little adventure, a little luxury, and a whole lot of fun.
And you don’t have to choose between them.
Five days gave me a wonderful introduction to Curaçao, but it also left me curious about what else there is to discover.
I want to explore more neighborhoods, try more local food trucks, and continue learning about the people who make this island so special.
And yes, I would absolutely get back on that Friday-night boat cruise.
Curaçao wasn’t on my radar before.
But it’s definitely on my list of places to return to.
And sometimes, that’s the best kind of travel discovery.
