If you’re trying to find hidden gems in Curaçao, I went into it thinking I’d just hit the main beaches and call it a day, but that didn’t happen. I did a lot of research before the trip, found some local recommendations, and then kept asking people while I was there where they actually go. That’s how I ended up at smaller spots, random food stops, and places I didn’t plan that honestly made the trip better. These aren’t the big-name places, and that’s exactly why they stood out.
I booked my flight here and already knew I wanted flexibility once I landed, so I rented a car from the airport here. That ended up being the reason I even found most of these.
If you’re planning your trip, check out my Curaçao Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors so you have a full idea of how to map everything out.
I pulled into Director’s Bay, parked up top, and walked over to the edge before heading down. The view from above caught me off guard (and the iguana) right away, so I stood there for a second before even grabbing my stuff.
I took the stairs down, stepped onto the rocky beach, and was very glad I already had my water shoes on. Getting in was a little weird at first, but once I got past the rocks, the water cleared up fast and I started snorkeling immediately.
There were barely any people there, which made the whole thing feel completely different from Tugboat, and I kept thinking this was the better choice if you want space.
I drove toward Playa Lagun and almost missed the turn, then followed the road down into the cove. Once I parked, I could already see how calm the water was just from standing there.
I walked straight in with my snorkel gear and didn’t have to swim far to see anything, which made it feel very low effort in the best way. I looked up at the restaurants sitting above the beach and already knew I was getting food after (no debate there).
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
I pulled up to Playa Jeremi, grabbed my stuff, and walked down without seeing much around. No rentals, no setup, nothing extra—just the beach.
I put my towel down, got in the water, and didn’t do much else besides swim and sit by the beach. It felt more like I stumbled into it instead of planning it, which made it feel more personal than the bigger beaches.
I parked near Playa Kalki, walked over with my water shoes already on, and headed straight into the water. Getting in was rocky again, but once I stepped past that part, it opened up quickly.
I started snorkeling right away, and I saw plenty just staying close to shore. I noticed the dive shop and restaurant nearby, which made it easy to stay longer without needing to move anywhere. There were people at the beach here but it was minimal compared to some of the other beaches I've been to earlier that day.
I showed up to Hofi Cas Cora in the morning, grabbed a table, and immediately noticed it wasn’t the usual restaurant setup we’d been going to. It’s set on a farm, and it actually felt like it—quiet, open, and not filled with tourists. I ordered breakfast, and everything that came out was really fresh and so good. It felt like a reset from beach hopping and resort meals.
If you want more spots like this, check out my Best Breakfast in Curaçao.
I drove up to Fort Nassau later in the evening and timed it right as the sun started dropping. I grabbed a table overlooking Willemstad. Once the city lights came on, the whole view shifted again, and I stayed through dinner and enjoyed the city lights. Between the view, the food, and the setting, it turned into a full night.
If you want to stay nearby, I’d look at hotels in Willemstad here so you’re close to this area.
I had no idea that Punda on a Thursday night turned into all of that, so I just followed the music. Streets were blocked off, people were dancing, and everything stayed open later than usual.
I moved through different areas, grabbed food from a vendor, and kept walking to see what was next. It gets crowded, so going earlier helped, and having cash made things easier for smaller vendors.
I wore comfortable shoes, which I was very glad about after walking around all night.
I stopped at Playa Forti during a beach day on that side of the island and immediately saw people jumping off the cliff.
I grabbed a table at the restaurant, ordered lunch, and watched it all happen while I ate (dinner and a show… just with more adrenaline). It’s not hidden, but it’s fun to add in if you’re already nearby.
If you want to plan this day better, see my West Side Beach Hopping in Curaçao guide.
I kept finding smaller spots in Curaçao just by driving around and stopping when something looked interesting. Most of them weren’t even places I had planned ahead of time.
I didn’t go out of my way for any of it—I just followed what looked good and went. That’s what made the trip feel like I actually saw the island.
A hotel that’s also a free 24-hour contemporary art museum penguins included. We booked a Corner Suite at 21c and it was massive: separate bedroom, living room, dining area, 699 square feet to spread out in. The bathroom alone had a double vanity and custom Rookwood Pottery tile that made getting ready weirdly entertaining.
The location is downtown, two minutes from Fountain Square, walkable to Boca for dinner, and close enough to hop the free streetcar into Over-the-Rhine. If OTR is where most of your plans are, you might want to stay closer to that neighborhood instead downtown worked for us, but we spent more time in OTR than we expected to.
And yes, there’s a recycled-plastic penguin sculpture that will absolutely scare you the first time you open your door and forget it’s there. Link in bio for the full review rooms, parking, walkability, and everything else before you book 🎨
Three neighborhoods, one streetcar, and more Cincinnati specialties than I could finish in one afternoon.
We hit a goetta breakfast sandwich, chocolate chip ice cream from a shop that’s been at it since 1870, a Liège waffle that earned its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives spot, and Cincinnati chili the way it’s actually meant to be eaten... over a hot dog, buried in shredded cheddar.
$75 got us three and a half hours, a local guide, free streetcar rides, and a genuinely full stomach. Don’t eat breakfast before this one, the portions add up fast.
My third Secret Food Tour in my third city, and it’s still undefeated.
Link in bio for the full review cost, route, parking, and every stop we hit 🥟🌶️
13 creek crossings, a canyon that keeps closing in around you, and a hike I’d genuinely put back on my itinerary, West Fork Trail was the one.
We got to Call of the Canyon at 7:15am and the lot was barely a quarter full. By 12:30 it was 85% full, so if there’s one tip that matters most, it’s this: go early.
The maintained trail is 6.6 miles round trip, mostly flat, mostly shaded, but I kept my regular tennis shoes dry the whole way by hopping across the rocks at each crossing. It’s rated moderate, and honestly that’s about the distance, not the terrain.
Here’s what nobody tells you though ✨ the maintained trail isn’t the end. We changed into water shoes at the official endpoint and kept going another mile straight through the creek, canyon walls narrowing around us the whole time. That extra mile ended up being my favorite part of the entire hike.
5/5 for me. I’d bring the water shoes again in a heartbeat.
Link in bio for the full guide parking, timing, what to pack, and everything I wish I knew before I went 🥾
Two hours, zero regrets. The Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour is hands down one of the most fun things we did in Sedona.
Open-air Jeeps crawling over slickrock, backcountry views you can’t reach on your own, and the famous Road of No Return, steep, thrilling, and somehow completely safe the whole way down.
If you’re picking one paid activity in Sedona, make it this one.
You have to do @pinkjeeptours 🌵🚙 Link in bio for the full review.
Dinner beside Oak Creek at Cress, and yes, it’s a splurge, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.🤍
Candlelit tables under the trees, the creek running right beside us, a menu that mixes Arizona ingredients with French technique. We ordered a little of everything: the squash and beet salad, milk rolls with three different butters, sweet potato gnocchi that somehow felt light instead of heavy. Then two desserts because we couldn’t decide. The Vanilla Crème Caramel with Manchego cheese completely stole the show, salty and sweet in a way that sounds strange until you taste it.
Plan on $100–250 for two depending on what you order, and this isn’t the spot for a quick casual dinner, it’s slow, intentional, and worth every minute. Book ahead and ask for a creekside table if you can.
If you’re looking for one unforgettable meal in Sedona, this is it. Link in bio for the full review 🍽️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
