We ended up at DaaiBooi Beach Curaçao while exploring the west side, and it’s known for being a more local beach compared to some of the bigger spots on the island. It’s set in a smaller cove, which makes it feel a little more tucked away, but still easy to get to with a paved road the whole way. We found a spot pretty quickly and got settled without any issue.
If you’re mapping out your beach days, this is the kind of stop that fits into a bigger plan like my West Side Beach Hopping in Curaçao: Porto Mari & Grote Knip Guide.
Driving over here, the road stays paved the whole time, even though there were some very large potholes so beware. It’s on the west side of the island, and getting here is straightforward if you have a car.
We had already been driving around most of the day, and this was an easy add-on stop without needing to plan around it.
If you’re planning to explore like this, renting a car here makes it easier to move between beaches without thinking too hard about timing.
Walking down toward the beach, it felt more local right away. There were a mix of people hanging out, some grabbing drinks, and others already in the water.
It’s not as built up or busy as some of the more popular beaches, which made it feel a little more relaxed from the start.
The cove is small, with a mix of sand and a rocky shoreline that’s noticeable as soon as you get closer to the water.
There’s not a ton of space between setups, so if you’re arriving earlier in the day, expect it to feel tighter once it fills in.
We grabbed chairs for a few dollars each, and even later in the day, shade was still limited unless you rent an umbrella, which was around $15 when we were there. The setup is simple, but it works good (which, honestly, is all I want at a beach—I’m just trying to sit down and start my snack and relax immediately).
The first few steps into the water are rocky enough that you’re paying attention to every step.
This is where having water shoes makes a big difference…I was very glad I had them so my feet didn't get annihilated.
Once you’re past that entry, the water clears up and feels good, so it’s just getting in that takes a minute.
We brought our snorkel gear in with us and stayed out for a bit, and there’s enough to see to make it worth getting in. The water is clear, and fish are easy to spot once you’re out there.
It’s not the strongest snorkeling we had on the island, but it was still a good, easy spot to swim around for a while.
If snorkeling is a priority, you’ll want to read Best Snorkeling in Curaçao: Top Spots You Can’t Miss to compare this with other beaches.
There were still a few water activities going on when we got there, but it started calming down as the afternoon went on.
It felt more active at first, then shifted into a quieter setup closer to sunset once people started leaving.
Parking is easy and paved, and getting in and out is simple (just don't lose your car in a pothole ha).
There’s a small snack bar with drinks, slushies, and basic food, plus bathrooms and WiFi (the password is long but posted). This food will not be life changing but if you are in a pinch is convenient.
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We got there late afternoon and stayed through sunset, and that timing ended up working in our favor.
As people started leaving, the beach opened up more, and it finally felt like there was space to relax without feeling packed in.
This works well if you want a more local-feeling beach that’s easy to add into your route without committing your whole day.
It’s less ideal if you’re looking for soft sand, easy water entry, or a quiet setup where you can fully check out for hours.
It’s a more local beach, easy to get to, and simple to settle into without much planning.
It’s not the most standout beach on the island, but it works well as part of a beach hopping day. If you’re trying to decide where to prioritize my blog, Best Beaches in Curaçao (with Map + Tips) breaks them all down to help you decide which one is for you.
If you’re figuring out where to stay, browsing hotels here can get you a great deal and keeps you within reach of both restaurants and the west side beaches.
We made it count while we were there though—rocky entry and all (I guess you could say we rocked it… okay I’m done).
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Dubai is all skyline until you drive an hour into the dunes and it goes completely silent. Bab Al Shams was that shift for us: slower, quieter, more intentional than anything we did in the city.
If you want nightlife or walkable everything, this isn’t your stop. But if you want a night that feels like a reset, it delivers, polished service, food I’m still thinking about, and a setting that never tries too hard.
Full review (and whether it’s worth adding to your Dubai itinerary) is linked in bio. 🏜️
I flew @emirates economy to Dubai fully expecting to just survive the flight. We booked seats by the exit row — @bradplummer1 got the legroom (he’s 6’7”), I got a normal seat right next to him, and it saved us money over booking two extra-legroom seats. Smart trick if you’re traveling with someone who needs the extra space and you don’t.
The food alone earned this post. Warm chicken, a Waldorf salad that actually tasted fresh, real butter on the roll, and a breakfast spread that put most airport brunches to shame. Add in the twinkling-star cabin lighting once dinner wrapped, and it felt less like a flight and more like the trip had already started.
Not everything was perfect — the wifi didn’t work for me at all, so if you’re planning to get work done in the air, download what you need beforehand. But that was the only miss in an otherwise excellent long haul.
If you’ve got Emirates lounge access in Dubai, use it. Showers, buffets, quiet corners to nap it makes the layover feel like a reset instead of a slog.
Full review seats, food, lounge, and the wifi situation is on the blog. Link in bio. ✈️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
