Curaçao like you've never seen it before

What I thought about Curaçao before I had ever been there? To be honest, mainly about beaches and associated beach parties. Now, I must admit — to be fair — I hadn't read up much beforehand and thought mainly: I'll let myself be surprised. And I am certainly surprised. Because of course, you have beaches and beach parties, but this island has so much more to offer than just that. And those beaches, they are truly beautiful. Below, I will list the most beautiful and my personal favorites, but first, I want to give you some other tips so you can see all those beautiful spots when you go to Curaçao.

I really recommend going on a quad tour. Now, I'm not the best driver, but driving a quad is actually quite doable, and you see so much more than when you just drive around the island in a car. I went with Eric's ATV Adventures and did the East Tour of three hours. They have several options, up to six hours long: then you go all the way to Westpunt. I've been there by car (more on that later) and it's definitely worth it.

But that east was also really beautiful. Not a part you read much about or where you might quickly go, but off-roading on the quad... You really see very beautiful pieces of nature. Everywhere you look, it's full of cacti, you pass by beautiful little bays, and you drive along the cliffs. You definitely shouldn't take a dive there, because those waves really crash hard against the rocks. It's really cool to see and it gives a beautiful view.

After that, you go to the last stop (those three hours really fly by): a cave that requires a small climb up. Again, a very beautiful view over the east of Curaçao. Extra fun: the guide knows a lot about the island, nature, and culture. You really learn something about Curaçao itself, which I always find a big plus when I go to a new destination.

Because of course, lying on the beach and sipping drinks and dancing at beach parties is a lot of fun, but when you're in a place like Curaçao, you also want to see and know more about and do things on the island, right? For example, snorkeling, which is really fun to do at the Tugboat. This is a sunken boat where a huge number of fish swim and where snorkeling is very beautiful.

I first did a short hike/walk with a guide through a former fort. He had so much to tell about the history of the island and the culture, which was really very interesting. By the way, I did this with Myronchi Tours, which was incredibly fun, especially because the guide goes snorkeling with you and takes a lot of photos of you and the fish underwater.

What you really don't want to miss in Curaçao? Stand-up paddleboarding over the Spanish Waters with SUPCuracao through the mangroves (they also do SUP yoga there, which I actually wanted to do as well, but unfortunately, time flew by in Curaçao). That's an added bonus of the heat on the island: it's simply almost unbearable to bake on your sunbed during the day. All the more reason to get out and explore.

If you really want to set aside an afternoon, definitely include Christoffelpark. You can drive through it by car, and it's really beautiful there. The view, the nature, and you see a lot of animals walking around (I had a run-in with a peacock at the entrance). You can also climb the Tafelberg, but you really have to get up early. It's definitely a recommendation for early birds and lovers of more active activities.

And if you really want to delve a bit more into the culture of Curaçao? Then go to the Cathedral of Doornen, by the Dutch artist Herman van Bergen. It's very interesting to go through this park with a guide, as you learn a lot about life in Curaçao. And (not entirely unimportant) then have lunch at the little place right next to it: Nr. 10. So delicious there.

Okay, and then of course last but very not least... As promised: the most beautiful beaches of Curaçao. Because of course, you want to spend the necessary hours there.

The most beautiful beaches of Curaçao:
– Cas Abou
– Porto Marie (go as early as possible to spot the pigs and to secure a sunbed)
– Playa Lagun
– Grote Knip
– Klein Curaçao
– Playa Piskado (not necessarily a beautiful beach, but definitely the place to swim with turtles)