If seeing flamingos in Curaçao is on your list, this is one of the easiest places to do it—but it’s quick. I wouldn’t plan your whole day around it, but if you’re already heading west, it fits in really well. This ended up being more of a stop along the way than a main event.
I drove toward the west side beaches and turned off the main road near Sint Willibrordus to get to the Jan Kok Salt Flats. It’s not directly on the main road, but it’s a quick, easy turn and you’re there within a few minutes.
I rented a car and that made this really simple since I could just pull over whenever I saw something interesting along the drive.
There’s no entrance, no setup, and no signs telling you what to do—you just park on the side of the road and look out over the salt flats.
I pulled over, walked a few steps forward, and at first I wasn’t impressed. The salt flats themselves are pretty plain, and there’s no built-out viewpoint or anything that makes it feel like a “stop.”
Then I looked out and saw the flamingos, and that part immediately made it worth it (they really do just flamingle out there).
I spotted around 10-15 flamingos standing in the water, and they were closer than I expected—probably about 30 to 50 feet away. I just used my phone camera and zoomed in, and that was enough to see them clearly.
I didn’t walk anywhere or search for them—they were right there from the roadside, which made this one of the easiest stops I made the entire trip.
I stayed for about 30 minutes, took a few photos, and then got back in the car. This isn’t something you spend hours doing—it’s more of a quick stop to see something different before moving on to the next place.
I went midday and still saw a good number of flamingos, so you don’t have to plan your whole day around timing. That said, early morning or late afternoon would give you better lighting and a higher chance of seeing more activity.
I pulled off directly on the side of the road and that was it. No walking, no tickets, no entrance—just park and you’re there.
I stopped at the colorful church in Sint Willibrordus first, then came here at the salt flats, and planned to end the day at Santa Martha Bay for sunset. That route worked really well without adding extra driving.
If you’re planning your days, this fits perfectly into a beach route—especially if you’re already following something like my West Side Beach Hopping in Curaçao: Porto Mari & Grote Knip Guide.
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I wouldn’t go out of my way just for this, but since I was already nearby, I’m glad I pulled over. Seeing flamingos in Curaçao is cool, it just doesn’t replace beach time or snorkeling if you’re deciding between options.
If you’re building out your trip, I’d focus more on beaches and water time and treat this like a bonus stop along the drive.
I added this in because it was on the way, and that’s exactly how I’d do it again. It’s quick, it’s easy, and you get to see flamingos without doing anything complicated.
If you’re figuring out how to structure your days, I’d pair this with a full beach day or use it as a stop between locations—something like my Curaçao 5 Day Itinerary: What to Do in 5 Days or my Curaçao Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors will help map that out.
Flying out of Frankfurt at the crack of dawn? Stay at the airport, not in the city!
The Hilton Frankfurt Airport is connected to Terminal 1 and the long-distance train station, so the walk to your gate takes a few minutes and no taxi. The rooms are soundproofed so well you barely hear the planes, some have runway views, there’s a sauna, and the bread and butter at Rise are dangerously good. It costs more than hotels farther out. On a budget, the Hilton Garden Inn next door gets you the same walk for less.
Save this for your next Frankfurt layover ✈️
No landmarks, no crowds, no souvenir shops. Otterberg is the everyday side of Germany 🇩🇪
It’s a small town just outside Kaiserslautern. Lunch at Putai inside the historic Das Blaue Haus means crispy chicken in coconut curry and spring rolls with homemade sweet chili sauce, then a slow walk past the old church and quiet streets. The Palatinate Forest and Humberg Tower views are close by. If you want a packed itinerary this isn’t your town, but if you like good food and nowhere to be, you’ll love it.
Save this for your Germany road trip!
Every 6 minutes a new round unlocks, and you can eat your way around the world for two hours. 🌍🍽️
Masons in Kaiserslautern: Korean BBQ, Jamaican jerk chicken, raclette potatoes, crispy baked ricotta from Monaco, and the Belgian cookie cheesecake you’ll still be talking about the next day. €39-45 per person. Bring a group and pace yourself, because they charge for leftovers.
Save this for your next trip to Germany
Sedona got me again 🌵
This was my second trip, and somehow I liked it even more. Every visit adds another trail, viewpoint, or restaurant to the list, and the list keeps getting longer. This time I stayed near Airport Mesa, with sunsets right outside my door and none of the crowds.
My Substack has everything I’d tell a first-time visitor: the lodge I’ve now stayed at twice, the experiences I’d do first, and the restaurants I’d plan my days around.
Subscribe for free so you don’t miss the next one. Link in bio ✨
YES is always the answer... ✈️
I’m Wendy, and yes, I travel for a living (still pinching myself). After 15 years teaching middle school math, I traded the whiteboard for a passport and never looked back. Knoxville is home base, but Arizona sunsets are on another level, and if it’s been sitting on your list, this is your sign to finally say yes and book it. City guides, hotel reviews, and foodie spots are all on the blog. So glad you’re here 🌵☀️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
