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.
“Outside Terminal 3” is not a pickup location at PHX.
Before your driver pulls in, text them four things: your terminal, north or south side, door number, and inner or outer curb. Grab your bags first, then call them in. Drivers can wait free in the cell phone lot instead of circling. Getting through security is easy; getting picked up is the hard part.
Save this for your Phoenix trip ✈️
Come for the architecture, stay for the view.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross has been built into Sedona’s red rocks since 1956. The outside overlooks get busy, but inside is quiet, with huge windows framing the rocks. It’s free, takes 30-45 minutes, and has a paved, wheelchair-accessible ramp. Make sure to bring water in summer.
Save this for your trip planning!
Order it well done. Trust me.🍑🍕
Peach & Pancetta Pizza at Hideaway House in Sedona: roasted peaches, salty pancetta, ricotta, basil, extra-crispy crust. Split the house salad, grab a prickly pear lemonade, and get a patio table facing the red rocks. Skip the bread if you want room for another slice.
Save this for your Sedona trip✈️
Pack your bags, Denver is not just a mountain layover. RiNo alone can eat a full day between the murals, food, and bars. Skip the concert and hit Red Rocks midday instead, you’ll basically have it to yourself. Golden’s a 30-minute trip if you want a change of pace, and if food drives your travel like it does mine, Denver Central Market and BRUTØ deserve real time on the calendar. Give it three days minimum, four if you’re eating your way through it. Save this.
Stayed at The Maven in Denver’s Dairy Block and the location alone sold me, walking distance to Union Station and most of downtown, string lights right outside at night. The room was spacious and quiet, even had a swing in it. Real talk though, there’s a $28 daily resort fee and parking isn’t cheap, valet ran us $59 a day. Bed was a little firm, but that’s the only complaint I’ve got. Save this before you book.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
