We left Willemstad early, like early for vacation ha, because the drive out to the west side takes a while and we knew we had several stops ahead of us.
I tried mapping out every beach on the west side at first, thinking we could just move quickly between them, but once you get there, that plan falls apart. You’re not going to want to leave after ten minutes anywhere with water like this.
If you’re planning your route, renting a car in Curaçao makes it easier, and I’d plan that ahead of time instead of figuring it out last minute. I also used this packable beach bag for all the beach hopping—it’s super light, dries quickly, and folds down to about the size of a chapstick.
If you want to see how I spaced this out across the week instead of cramming it into one day, check out my guide on Curaçao 7 Day Itinerary: How to Spend One Week in Curaçao.
I thought we’d hit a bunch of beaches in one day, but after the first couple stops, it was obvious that wasn’t realistic.
If you want to swim, snorkel, and sit for a bit, keep it to two or three beaches—anything more and you’re just collecting photos. If you do have FOMO like me then this is the route I’d do to hit all the beaches.
We pulled into Playa Piskado first thing in the morning, and you could already see people gathered along the edge looking into the water.
This isn’t the beach you go to for a full beach day—it’s not the prettiest setup—but the turtles are the entire reason you’re here. Going early made a difference because it filled in quickly, and once it does, it gets crowded around the water.
If you want something structured instead of figuring it out yourself, this guided sea turtle snorkeling tour is an easy way to plan this stop (and goes to some of the other beaches on this list).
From there, we kept driving and stopped at Playa Kalki, which felt noticeably quieter right away.
There’s less built up around it, fewer people, and it’s more about getting in the water than setting up for the day. We ended up staying longer than expected just because it was easy to get in, snorkel, and not feel rushed by crowds.
When we got to Playa Kenepa Grandi, this was the first beach that made me stop for a second before even walking down.
The water is that bright turquoise color you see in photos, except it actually looks like that in person. It’s popular, but it didn’t feel overwhelming when we went.
If you want more details on parking, layout, and what to expect, see my full guide on Grote Knip Curaçao Beach Guide (What to Know Before You Go).
A few minutes down the road is Playa Kenepa Chiki, and it looks almost identical, just smaller and quieter.
We didn’t stay as long here, but if Grote Knip feels busy when you arrive, this is an easy backup without giving up the same water color.
We made a quick stop at Playa Jeremi next, and this one felt more tucked away than the others.
There’s less going on around it, fewer people, and it was more local than anything else we went to.
At Playa Lagun, you’re walking down between cliffs to get to the water, which makes it feel completely different from the others.
It’s smaller, a little more enclosed, and good for snorkeling. We didn’t stay long here, but it stood out just because of how the beach is set up.
By the time we got to Cas Abao, we were ready to actually sit for a while instead of hopping back in the car again.
This is where I’d plan to spend a bigger chunk of your day if you want to relax. The water is still that same clear blue, but it felt more set up for staying.
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We ended the day at Playa Porto Mari, and this wasn’t the most relaxing beach since there were pigs everywhere (I knew there were pigs, I just didn’t realize I’d have to guard my snacks at the beach ha).
The water was calm and it was a great spot for snorkeling, so it ended up being a fun stop even if it wasn’t the quiet beach moment I thought it might be.
If you want a full breakdown of this beach, including snorkeling and layout, check out Playa Porto Mari Curaçao Beach Guide (Pigs, Snorkeling & Tips).
We broke up the day with lunch near Playa Forti. Sitting there with the view and watching people cliff jump nearby gave us a second to reset before heading back out and the food was really good too.
If you want something more local, Landhuis Dokterstuin has a completely different feel—open-air, still traditional, and the food was solid.
We did stop at Playa Daaibooi, and the water is beautiful with a good snorkeling spot, but it just didn’t compare to the other beaches we went to. The beach is rockier, and it felt more like a water sports rental spot than somewhere you’d want to hang out for a few hours.
A lunch stop I’d skip would be Marfa’s Good Hangout. The food was fresh, but it just wasn’t our favorite compared to other places we ate. If you’re nearby and it’s convenient, it’s not bad—it just didn’t stand out as much as other spots we tried.
After doing this, the pacing made a big difference.
If I had to narrow it down, I’d start at Playa Piskado early for the turtles, then pick either Cas Abao or Playa Kenepa Grandi and stay there longer.
That gives you something unique and one beach you can actually enjoy without watching the clock.
We stayed in Willemstad, and it made this whole plan easier (plus the food there…need I say more).
If you’re figuring that part out, browsing hotels here will get you a great deal and keeps you close to restaurants but still within reach of the west side beaches.
By the end of the day, it was clear the west side beach hopping in Curaçao has some of the best beaches on the island, but trying to check all of them off in one go is an olympic sport. I would pick a few and stay put longer to make the whole day feel better (and significantly less chaotic getting in and out of the car every hour).
If you’re mapping out your full trip, I break everything down day by day in Curaçao 5 Day Itinerary: What to Do in 5 Days.
“Outside Terminal 3” is not a pickup location at PHX.
Before your driver pulls in, text them four things: your terminal, north or south side, door number, and inner or outer curb. Grab your bags first, then call them in. Drivers can wait free in the cell phone lot instead of circling. Getting through security is easy; getting picked up is the hard part.
Save this for your Phoenix trip ✈️
Come for the architecture, stay for the view.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross has been built into Sedona’s red rocks since 1956. The outside overlooks get busy, but inside is quiet, with huge windows framing the rocks. It’s free, takes 30-45 minutes, and has a paved, wheelchair-accessible ramp. Make sure to bring water in summer.
Save this for your trip planning!
Order it well done. Trust me.🍑🍕
Peach & Pancetta Pizza at Hideaway House in Sedona: roasted peaches, salty pancetta, ricotta, basil, extra-crispy crust. Split the house salad, grab a prickly pear lemonade, and get a patio table facing the red rocks. Skip the bread if you want room for another slice.
Save this for your Sedona trip✈️
Pack your bags, Denver is not just a mountain layover. RiNo alone can eat a full day between the murals, food, and bars. Skip the concert and hit Red Rocks midday instead, you’ll basically have it to yourself. Golden’s a 30-minute trip if you want a change of pace, and if food drives your travel like it does mine, Denver Central Market and BRUTØ deserve real time on the calendar. Give it three days minimum, four if you’re eating your way through it. Save this.
Stayed at The Maven in Denver’s Dairy Block and the location alone sold me, walking distance to Union Station and most of downtown, string lights right outside at night. The room was spacious and quiet, even had a swing in it. Real talk though, there’s a $28 daily resort fee and parking isn’t cheap, valet ran us $59 a day. Bed was a little firm, but that’s the only complaint I’ve got. Save this before you book.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
