5 days in Curaçao

Day by day

1. Day 1: Handelskade and Queen Emma Bridge

   Handelskade, Queen Emma Bridge and Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, then Rif Fort in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Handelskade

      For the classic photo, cross the Queen Emma Bridge to the Otrobanda side and shoot back across the water in the late-afternoon light. (30–60 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Queen Emma Bridge

      Stay on the bridge when the warning signal sounds and ride along as it swings open — it is allowed and a memorable short ride. (20 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Keshi yená

      Local restaurants and the cook-stalls of Plasa Bieuw in Punda.

   4. Afternoon

      Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue

      Visit outside service times and allow time for the small museum in the courtyard, which explains the sand floor. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Rif Fort

      Climb onto the ramparts at sunset for views of Handelskade, then eat at one of the restaurants inside the fort.

2. Day 2: Playa Kenepa and Christoffel National Park

   Playa Kenepa, Christoffel National Park and Shete Boka National Park, then Pietermaai in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Playa Kenepa

      Arrive early on weekends, when the beach fills with local families, and bring snorkel gear for the rocks on either side. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Christoffel National Park

      Start the Christoffelberg climb as early as the park allows; access to the summit trail is usually cut off later in the morning because of heat. (Half a day, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Stoba

      Plasa Bieuw in Punda and local 'krioyo' restaurants around the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Shete Boka National Park

      Visit on a windy day for the biggest waves, and stay behind barriers; swimming is not possible on this coast. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Pietermaai

      Cocktail bars, sea terraces and late-night lounges in restored mansions, the busiest area most evenings.

3. Day 3: Fort Amsterdam and Scharloo

   Fort Amsterdam, Scharloo and Hato Caves, then Mambo Beach Boulevard in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fort Amsterdam

      Walk through the gate to the inner courtyard and look for the cannonball in the Fortkerk's façade. (30–45 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Scharloo

      Walk along Scharlooweg in the early morning when the light is soft and the street is quiet. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Funchi

      As a side at almost any local restaurant and Plasa Bieuw.

   4. Afternoon

      Hato Caves

      Ask your guide about the Caquetío rock drawings on the trail outside; many visitors miss them. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Mambo Beach Boulevard

      Beach clubs and bars with DJs and live music, especially on weekend nights.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Klein Curaçao

   About 1.5–2 hours by boat each way each way. Getting there: Day cruise from Spanish Water or Jan Thiel.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Klein Curaçao

      About 1.5–2 hours by boat each way (Day cruise from Spanish Water or Jan Thiel); about 25 km.

   2. Day

      Klein Curaçao

      An uninhabited, flat islet southeast of Curaçao with a long white beach, an old lighthouse and shipwreck remains. Best for families, beach and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Curaçao

      Dinner: try Pastechi.

5. Day 5: Playa Piskadó and Flamingos at the Jan Kok salt pans

   Playa Piskadó, Flamingos at the Jan Kok salt pans and Tugboat wreck at Caracas Bay, then Punda and Otrobanda waterfront in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Playa Piskadó

      Keep a respectful distance from the turtles and never feed or touch them; the fishermen's pier is a working area. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Flamingos at the Jan Kok salt pans

      Stop on the way to Westpunt in the morning, and bring binoculars or a zoom lens; never walk out into the pans. (20–30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pastechi

      Snèks (local snack bars), bakeries and roadside stands across the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Tugboat wreck at Caracas Bay

      Go on a calm morning and with a dive or snorkel guide if you are unsure of the entry; the wreck is a short swim along the shore. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Punda and Otrobanda waterfront

      Bars and restaurants along the bay with views of the illuminated Queen Emma Bridge.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Punda keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Otrobanda ($$) suits budget, culture and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 15–21 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.4 hours in December to 12.8 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Curaçao
• 2 days in Curaçao
• 3 days in Curaçao

Questions travellers ask