If you’re going to Curaçao, I’m just going to say it upfront—rent a car. You can get around without one, but it makes everything harder and you’ll miss a lot. Renting a car in Curaçao ended up being one of the best decisions I made on this trip.
I picked up the car and used it every single day—driving to beaches, going to dinner, and getting between different areas that are nowhere near each other. Curaçao is spread out, so nothing is really walkable in a practical way unless you stay in one small area the whole time.
I kept thinking about how limited the trip would’ve been without it, especially when I was bouncing between different beaches in the same day. If you’re planning to stay at a resort the entire time, you can skip it, but if you actually want to explore, renting a car in Curaçao makes a huge difference.
If you’re planning your days around different parts of the island, check out my Curaçao 7 Day Itinerary: How to Spend One Week in Curaçao so you can see how everything connects.
I got in the car the first time thinking it might feel a little chaotic, and it really didn’t. The roads were in good shape, and nothing felt confusing once I started driving.
They drive on the right side, just like the U.S., so that part clicked right away. I kept running into roundabouts, but after a few, I stopped hesitating and just went with it.
I ended up driving all over the island and didn’t feel stressed or overwhelmed at all.
I checked this before the trip and it was simple. I used my regular U.S. driver’s license and that was it—no extra steps, no extra documents.
I booked my car ahead of time here, and I’d do that again. It gave me more options and better pricing compared to waiting until I landed.
You can rent at the airport when you arrive, book ahead online, or go through your hotel. If you’re coming in on a cruise, there are rental options right at the Mega Cruise Terminal, so you can grab a car for the day without going far.
I’ve been to Curaçao a few times now, and on one trip when I stayed at a resort, I looked into other options so I didn’t have to drive. I ended up booking a customizable day tour here, and they handled all the driving while we still made it to multiple spots. It was nice not having to think about directions or logistics for the day.
It worked really well for a day, but after doing that, I was glad I had a car for my other trips because I didn’t want to be on a set schedule the whole time.
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I rented a standard car and never felt like I needed anything more. Most of the main roads are paved and easy to drive, so nothing required anything special.
If I had planned to go deeper into more remote areas, I might’ve considered something with more clearance, but for a typical trip, a regular car works just fine.
I pulled into beach parking lots and restaurant spots all week and never had trouble finding somewhere to park. Most places either had designated areas or space nearby that worked.
I did have to circle a bit in Willemstad before finding a spot, but it didn’t turn into a whole situation—it just took a minute.
I stopped for gas a couple of times, and everything was straightforward. Stations were easy to find, and most of them took credit cards.
I kept a little cash on me just in case, which ended up being helpful.
I drove around the island the entire trip and never felt uncomfortable. I still paid attention like I would anywhere, but nothing stood out as an issue.
I kept using the car to move between beaches, try different restaurants, and see more of the island, and that’s when it really clicked. Without it, I would’ve been stuck choosing one area and staying there the whole time.
With it, I got to actually experience different parts of Curaçao, not just the area around where I stayed.
If you’re figuring out where to stay based on how much you want to drive, check out Where to Stay in Curaçao (Best Areas + Hotels) so you can plan it better.
Renting a car in Curaçao gave me the flexibility to beach hop, try more restaurants, and actually see the island instead of staying in one spot.
If you want that kind of trip, I wouldn’t skip it.
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.
