Around the World in Reality: Curaçao

When choosing a Christmas destination, I wanted something low-key. With our big trip to Australia and New Zealand just a month earlier, we were looking to keep this one simple. After a wonderful visit to Aruba in February, I stumbled upon a great flight deal that brought us to the beautiful Dutch island of Curaçao.

Day 1 – Tuesday, December 24

HIGHLIGHTS: Mar & Tierra 91

After an easy flight, we arrived in Curaçao and used the Click App, the island’s rideshare platform, to request a ride. Pro tip: Carry smaller bills if you plan to use this app, as some drivers’ credit card scanners may not work, and large bills can be hard to break. Sticking to $20s and smaller is a safe bet.

Our hotel, Elements Hotel and Shops, was in a fantastic, walkable location. Our room featured an amazing balcony with a lovely view.

For dinner, we headed downstairs to what we thought was Sweet Sin, only to find that the restaurant had recently changed management and was now Mar & Tierra 91. Despite my reservation not being on file, they were able to accommodate us. I tried a local delicacy, caracol (conch), while Donnell opted for the sea bass. Both dishes were wonderful, and we ended the meal on a sweet note with a shared brownie.

Day 2 – Wednesday, December 25

HIGHLIGHTS: Van Gogh Coffee, Plein Café, Café Copacabana and ZoH Restaurant

I woke up eager for breakfast on Christmas morning and found Van Gogh Coffee open. I ordered a salmon and eggs croissant along with an oat cookie frappe. Everything was tasty!

This trip was all about relaxation, so we took it slow until lunch at Plein Café. Donnell chose the veggie burger, while I tried the tuna burger. Both were fantastic, and we shared a side of fries. I was pleased to find mayo as a condiment, though it didn’t quite match the rich flavor of the Dutch mayo we enjoyed in Amsterdam. I also tried the Gin-gertastic cocktail, which was refreshingly crisp with a bit of a kick.

In the afternoon, Donnell took a nap while I ventured out to explore the city. Although only a few places were open, I stumbled upon Café Copacabana, a charming open-air spot that serves coffee in the morning and cocktails in the afternoon. I decided to take a break and try a drink from their specials menu. The Blue Banana Daiquiri I chose was absolutely perfect.

For dinner, we dressed up and headed downstairs to ZoH Restaurant for their three-course holiday menu. We kicked things off with cocktails, the Dove and the ZoH Mule, both of which were excellent. For our first course, we enjoyed the tuna stack and salmon tartare, both incredibly fresh and flavorful. The second course featured fresh halibut, which we appreciated. For dessert, we had the chocolate olive oil cake and pumpkin crepes. While we tried both, I preferred the pumpkin crepes, while Donnell favored the cake.

After dinner, we took a walk around the city to admire the beautiful Christmas lights and decorations. The streets were lively, with many people out and about, adding to the festive atmosphere. It was wonderful to see the Christmas celebration continue into the night.

Day 3 – Thursday, December 26

HIGHLIGHTS: La Bohème, Marichi Beach and Cascada

I started my day exploring. I wanted to see the Christmas decor before the cruise ships docked. It was lovely and peaceful.

I had breakfast at La Bohème, a charming outdoor café perfect for people watching. I started with a Cococcino, a coconut flavored iced coffee that was incredible. For my meal, I chose the avocado smash, which was delicious with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. After lingering over breakfast, I grabbed a hibiscus tea to go, but it didn’t last long because it was that good.

Later, we discovered Marichi Beach, a small, hidden gem in the heart of the city. Willemstad isn’t known for its beaches (the best ones are in other parts of Curaçao), so it was a pleasant surprise to find this spot. We spent some time relaxing on the pier, taking in the views.

We then continued exploring the city. I always enjoy the beautiful art and statues in every place we visit, and this time it was especially nice to slow down and truly appreciate them.

Lunch brought us back to Van Gogh Coffee, where I enjoyed tuna steak with chimichurri, and Donnell had a tuna wrap with sweet potato fries. Everything was delicious! I also discovered they offered kombucha, which was very good. By the end of the week, I was determined to try all their flavors.

After lunch, we returned to the beach. The water was perfect, and there were no more than ten people swimming or sunbathing. It was a very peaceful and enjoyable experience.

After swimming, we stopped by La Bohème for snacks. Donnell had a tuna arepa, and I indulged in tequeños. Both were delicious.

Dinner was a special experience at Cascada during Punda Vibes. We initially had reservations upstairs to watch the fireworks but soon realized our room’s balcony offered the best view and privacy. Arriving early, we settled in the bar area and enjoyed halloumi, bang bang shrimp tacos, and tuna on a rice cake. Everything was absolutely delicious!

We ended the evening with a spectacular 10-minute fireworks show downtown. I loved every second of it.

Day 4 – Friday, December 27

HIGHLIGHTS: Kura Hulada Village, The Pink Taverna, Landhuis Chobolobo and Cielo Pizza

My morning routine became a walk around the city at dusk. This morning, I was lucky enough to catch the Christmas lights still glowing.

I then went for coffee and banana bread at Van Gogh Coffee. I also tried a new kombucha flavor, basil. It wasn’t as good as the house blend, but it was still enjoyable.

We visited the Kura Hulanda Museum, which explores the history of slavery and Curaçao. While some exhibits were very informative, I felt the museum could benefit from a refresh.

The Hulanda Village, where the museum is located, has many unique shops. We wandered around and visited several stores, though unfortunately, not all of them were open.

For lunch, we went to The Pink Taverna, a Greek restaurant near our mixology class. I had the absolutely delicious falafel sliders, while Donnell tried the avocado wrap, which was simple but satisfying.

We then walked across the street to Landhuis Chobolobo. We started with a welcome cocktail and met some lovely people, including an artist working on a stunning watercolor. The tour of the facility offered fascinating insights into how Curaçao liqueur is made. No spoilers for those planning a visit, but there is a surprising detail you will discover.

After the tour, we joined a fun mixology class and each made two cocktails. My drinks turned out decent, though I probably should have chosen different combinations. Donnell really enjoyed his creations.

That evening, we had pizza and gelato at Cielo Pizza, keeping with our Friday tradition (one my husband doesn’t like to stray from).

Day 5 – Saturday, December 28

HIGHLIGHTS: Snorkling at Turtle Bay Tour, 5 O’Clock Somewhere and the City

We started early with a snorkeling tour, quickly making friends with a couple from California and a woman from Switzerland. Our first stop was Turtle Bay, where snorkeling with sea turtles was an unforgettable experience.

Next, we visited Playa Kenepa Grandi for a refreshing swim. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous, the weather was perfect, and the water was crystal clear. It was truly an excellent beach to pass the time.

On the way back, we saw flamingos in their natural habitat (though they were a bit far away) and a monument commemorating a battle won by freedom fighters.

Back in town, we spotted a mural of Andruw Jones, the famous Atlanta Braves player, on a ball field. I love traveling and discovering connections to past experiences. For me, I grew up watching the Braves and have fond memories of Andruw Jones. Also, we previously lived in Atlanta, and Donnell worked for the Braves. It was a really cool connection.

For a late lunch, we ate at 5 O’Clock Somewhere. It seemed to be a popular spot for cruise ship guests, but luckily there wasn’t a crowd, and we were seated right away. We both enjoyed delicious fish burgers and fries. Most of all, we loved the beautiful view.

We wrapped up the day with dinner at The City, a waterfront spot with beautiful views of the bridge. We started with calamari, followed by swordfish for me and salmon for Donnell. Watching the bridge open for the first time during our stay was a lovely bonus.

Day 6 – Sunday, December 29

HIGHLIGHTS: UTV West Island Tour

Our last full day began with an adventurous UTV tour. We explored the west island and rode past giant windmills and unique terrain.

We then made our way to a hidden cave in the area. We were able to see a few bats become active as well.

Our next stop was Boka Patrick, a natural blowhole nestled amongst the beautiful background of the ocean.

Our last stop was a dip at yet another beautiful beach. A word of caution: watch for jellyfish eggs! A young boy was stung, and it seemed painful. It’s worth bringing aloe or a remedy just in case.

For lunch, we tried James, a restaurant we had noticed earlier. It was a newer spot that seemed quite popular. We ordered the tuna tacos and the salmon bowl, and both dishes were excellent.

Dinner at Iguana Grill wasn’t as smooth as the rest of the day. Donnell ordered a fish burger but was initially served a regular hamburger. Fortunately, they quickly corrected the mistake, and the fish burger turned out to be delicious.

To cap the night, we enjoyed another incredible 10-minute fireworks show. It felt like a special send-off just for us.

Day 7 – Monday, December 30

On our last morning, I grabbed breakfast to go from Van Gogh Coffee, a waffle for Donnell and a yogurt bowl for me.

For lunch, we ate at La Cubanito. Donnell enjoyed his shrimp meal, but my fish was slightly undercooked and a bit too salty. Thankfully, the sweet plantains were a saving grace.

We decided to take public transit to the airport, which cost less than $5 and worked perfectly. After navigating the airport, we relaxed in the VIP lounge before it was time to head back to the States.

Final Thoughts

We thoroughly enjoyed the chance to relax on this vacation. Willemstad is a lovely city that we would gladly visit again. We both realized that while we appreciate taking things slow, we also enjoy staying active. On a future trip, we would definitely plan to explore more.