If you’re planning a trip to Curaçao, this list of the best things to do in Curaçao will help you figure out what’s worth your time and what you can skip. The island is more spread out than people expect, so what you choose to do (and how you group things together) matters. This is based on what I did, what stood out, and what I’d make sure to include if I went back.
If you’re still figuring out your overall plan, check out my guide on how to structure your trip in my full Curaçao Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors—it’ll help everything on this list make more sense.
If you’re flying in, I usually start with Skyscanner to compare options, then rent a car through DiscoverCars—you’ll need it here.
If you’re short on time, this is what I would prioritize:
That alone gives you a really well-rounded experience of the island.
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
This is one of the best things to do in Curaçao.
The west side has the most beautiful beaches, and they’re all close enough to group together into one day.
If I had to pick a few:
You can easily turn this into a full day without feeling rushed.
If you want a more detailed route, timing, and what to expect at each stop, check out my full Best Beaches in Curaçao (with Map + Tips)—it makes planning this day a lot easier.
This is one of the most unique experiences on the island.
You will see sea turtles—but go early.
It gets crowded quickly, and there are usually a lot of people in the water. If you go first thing, it’s a much better experience (less chaotic, more turtles).
If you don’t want to figure it out on your own, you can book a guided option through GetYourGuide—they handle timing and gear, which helps if you’re not bringing your own.
I always bring my own snorkel mask and a quick-dry towel—those ended up being used almost every day.
This is the best snorkeling spot on the island.
There’s a shipwreck just offshore, and it’s easy to access without needing a boat. You’re basically right on top of it within a few minutes.
There’s a lot to see here—fish, eel, squid, the structure, and enough going on that you’re not just floating around hoping something swims by.
If you only snorkel in one place, this is the one to do.
For a full breakdown of what you’ll see (and exactly how to get to it), see my guide on Best Snorkeling in Curaçao: Top Spots You Can’t Miss.
Walking across the floating Queen Emma Bridge during the day, then coming back at night when everything is lit up—completely different experience.
During the day:
At night, it changes.
One of my favorite moments of the trip was walking around Willemstad at night under the bridge. It felt romantic, and there was a lot going on—locals out, live music, people just hanging out.
Punda and Pietermaai have:
It’s a completely different experience than during the day and worth doing both.
The food in Curaçao surprised me, in a good way!
If you’re planning dinners, these are worth prioritizing:
Make reservations ahead of time—some of these fill up.
If you want exactly what to order at each place, see my full Best Restaurants in Curaçao (Where to Eat + What to Order).
This is one of the easiest viewpoints to get to and one of the best on the island.
It’s a quick stop, but the view is worth it—especially if you’re already driving around the west side.
I’d time this for sunset if you can. We thought we’d be in and out, and ended up hanging there longer than planned.
Standing at the edge at Playa Forti and watching people jump is enough to either convince you to go for it or confirm you’re staying firmly on land. The jump is about 30–40 feet into clear water, and there’s usually a small crowd watching, so it turns into a bit of a scene. You can take your time deciding, watch a few people go first, or just hang back and enjoy it from the edge. There’s also a restaurant right there overlooking the water, which makes it an easy place to stop for lunch (and recover from questionable decisions).
This is one of the more rugged parts of the island.
You’ll see:
It’s a different experience from the beaches and worth adding if you want some variety.
If you prefer structured stops, you can book a guided visit through Viator so you don’t miss the main viewpoints.
This is the most effort-heavy thing on this list.
You’ll want to go early—it gets hot quickly.
The view at the top is one of the best on the island, but you’ll earn it (this is not a casual stroll).
Good shoes and water matter here more than anywhere else on this list.
This is a quick stop and easy to add to your day.
The flamingos are cool to see, but if you’re short on time, I wouldn’t prioritize this over beaches, snorkeling, or Willemstad.
It’s more of a “nice if you’re already passing by” stop.
If you want to mix exploring with relaxing, staying at a resort works well.
Or just browse Booking.com to find hotels near where you’ll be spending most of your time—that made our days a lot easier.
Mambo Beach.
It’s one of the most popular beaches—but it felt more mainstream and crowded than anywhere else we went.
If you’re looking for something more scenic or less commercial, I’d skip it.
Curaçao is an island where you can do a lot—but you don’t need to do everything to feel like you've seen Curacao.
If you focus on:
You’ll have a good trip without overpacking your days.
If you want to see how to organize all of this into a realistic schedule, learn more in my post about Curaçao 7 Day Itinerary: How to Spend One Week in Curaçao.
I walked down what looked like a regular hillside entrance and came out into a room that could almost fit a football stadium. 🪨 Tuckaleechee Caverns is the highest-rated cavern in the Eastern US and until you’re standing inside it, that’s just a fact. When you’re actually there, it feels earned.
Stalagmites 24 feet tall. A 210-foot underground waterfall. Formations that took 20 to 30 million years to build. A family that still runs the whole thing.
Bring a jacket. Wear good shoes. Don’t Google how it was discovered before you go hearing it on the tour is so much better.
#townsend #visittennessee #travel #travelling #travelvlog
If you’ve only ever seen the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge side of the Smokies, Townsend is going to feel like a completely different state. 🌲 No neon signs. No traffic. No crowds fighting for the same overlook.
🥾 Middle Prong Trail | River views, small waterfalls & fresh air the whole way. Hike as little or as much as you want.
⛰️ Tuckaleechee Caverns | Start underground with massive cave rooms, waterfalls & guided tours. Go early, beat the rush.
🍕 Peaceful Side Social | Made-from-scratch food, craft beer & mountain views. Fair warning: you’ll stay longer than planned.
🚗 Scenic Drive to Tremont | Slow down. Stop. Take it in. The drive itself is part of the experience.
Summer swap? Ditch the hike for River Rat Tubing — same vibe, more splash.
Townsend calls itself the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. After one full day there, I completely understood why. Entire itinerary linked in bio.
@peacefulsidesocial is what happens when someone builds exactly the restaurant a mountain town deserves. Made-from-scratch food. Craft beer brewed on site. A kids’ play area outside, & mountain views from the patio. ⛰️
It’s casual in the best way, the kind of place where you sit down for lunch and suddenly it’s two hours later and you don’t care.
@cityoftownsend | 📍Townsend, TN
I walked through the gates and immediately understood why people fly back to Curaçao just for this place. 🌴
23 rooms. Private beach. A Balinese-inspired resort built stone by stone by the owners themselves. Buddha statues next to conch shells. Candles lit everywhere at night. Beachfront dining that eats like fine dining but feels like you’re just having dinner on the sand.
It’s currently the #1 resort in the Caribbean and after spending time there, I get it completely.
Full review linked in bio
#travelling #curaçao #visitcuraçao #luxuryresort #travelvlog
I walked down to the beach and immediately noticed how calm the water was. 🐚
It sits in a small cove, so there’s really no waves pushing in. You just walk right in without thinking about it. I grabbed my snorkel (they actually rent them for free at the resort, which I didn’t expect) and went out near the pier and stayed way longer than I planned, because the water was that clear.
Honest caveat: if you need a lot of energy and activity at a beach, this probably isn’t it. It’s quiet, it’s calm, and you’re mostly just... sitting there. Which for me was exactly the point.☀️
Full Baoase review linked in bio. 🔗
#curaçao #travel #luxuryresort #privatebeach #visitcuraçao
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
