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.
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
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.
Pack your bags... ✈️🧳My hiking and road trip gear shop just got a refresh, and this is everything that actually earns a spot in my bag. The dry bag pulls double duty for beach days and trail days, the Osprey backpack is the one I grab for anything motorcycle or day-hike related, and the GoPro comes with me literally everywhere at this point.
Nothing on this list is filler it’s all stuff I’ve used, packed, and repacked more times than I can count. Full shop linked in my bio if you want to build out your own kit before your next trip.
Filing this one under “go now before it gets cold.” Bonneville Hot Springs is one of those trips where fall access is honestly the sweet spot the campground road is open, the hike in is short, and you skip the snow-and-gate situation we dealt with when we went in March.
September and early fall mean clearer trails, easier parking, and pools that are just as good without the extra mile of hiking to earn them. Fewer than 10 people out there when we visited, a rustic changing booth, zero amenities, and pools that range from “relax” to “actually scalding” until you move some rocks around and mix in river water. Small waterfalls feeding in, mountains in every direction, not polished, and that’s exactly the point.
Full breakdown on parking, what to pack, and timing it right is linked in my bio.
Summer’s not even over and I already have the itch. Fall hiking season is calling and I am answering.
Save this if you feel the itch too.🍁
Columbus hotel roundup because “just find something downtown” isn’t a strategy✈️
I stayed across the price spectrum on this one so I could actually compare notes. Hotel LeVeque is the splurge Art Deco lobby, marble bathrooms, and a restaurant (The Keep) worth visiting even if you don’t book a room. If you want to walk everywhere, Le Méridien puts you right in the Short North with murals and shops outside your door. And if budget’s the priority, Aloft gets you clean and modern near Ohio State without the markup.
Want a full escape from the city instead? Hocking Hills lodges and Gervasi Vineyard are both an easy drive out and worth the detour.
Not every hotel on this list is for every trip... that’s kind of the point. Full breakdown by neighborhood and budget, link in bio 🍂
Thousands of motorcycles, decades of history, and one very hot infield. 🏍️
I went into Mid-Ohio Vintage Motorcycle Days expecting a bike show. What I got was closer to a small town that pops up once a year camps stretched across the hills, swap meet tables piled with parts I couldn’t name, and bikes older than some of the people admiring them parked next to restorations that looked showroom-fresh.
Fair warning: this is not a quick stop. Give yourself the whole day, wear real shoes, and don’t skip the racing watching pre-war machines and modern superbikes share the same track is worth the sunburn.
Ohio keeps surprising me. Full recap on the blog link in bio. 🔗
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