If your family is looking for a tropical vacation that blends the best of the beach with cool Caribbean culture, look no further than Curacao.
The island is home to dozens of stunning beaches with calm azure water fringed by soft white sand and towering coconut palms. Curacao sits below the hurricane belt, so it’s unlikely that stormy weather will spoil your vacation plans.
Willemstad, the cosmopolitan capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, charms with its candy colored buildings and vibrant street art.
Curacao is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and a melting pot of languages and cultures. Locals speak Papiamentu, a lyrical language blending Dutch, Spanish, French, Portuguese and English, reflecting the many influences that have contributed to the country’s multicultural identity. Nearly everyone on the island speaks English, so communication is easy.
If all that’s not enough to sway you to book this beachy vacation, here’s a look at some of the best family-friendly activities this island paradise has to offer.
Feed Ostriches at the Ostrich Farm
One of the largest breeding farms outside of Africa, the one-hour tour is a window into the life of an ostrich. Visitors have the opportunity to interact, feed and even ride the ostriches. After, grab a bite at Zambezi Restaurant and let the kids romp in the playground.
Get Hands-On at Children’s Museum Curacao
This brand new museum is a multi-sensory wonderland where children are encouraged to explore in a hands-on manner through open-ended play. Eleven interactive exhibit zones are designed to spark young visitor’s curiosity and creativity.
Relax at Playa Porto Mari
This secluded beach on Curacao’s western coast is prized for its pristine white sand and shallow turquoise water. Beachgoers may also enjoy the three nature trails. Make sure to catch a selfie with resident beach pigs Willy and Woody.
Make Your Own Dolls
Chichi dolls are one of Curacao’s most recognizable crafts. In Papiamentu, Chichi means beloved big sister.
Families may paint their own colorful Chichi dolls at Serena’s Art Factory for a memorable take home souvenir. The craft shop holds paint-it-yourself workshops several times each week.
Have an Underwater Adventure at Curacao Sea Aquarium
Families can view an impressive variety of colorful fish and other deep-sea creatures at the Curacao Sea Aquarium. There are touch tanks brimming with sea stars and a submarine ride that takes you underwater to observe sharks, stingrays and turtles. Dolphin and sea lion shows add to the fun.
Explore Jewish Culture
There’s a small but prominent Jewish community on the island. A visit to Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue and Museum gives insight into the island’s Jewish history. It is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. It features an unusual Dutch-Portuguese Jewish tradition of sand covering the floor, a reminder of the Jews wandering through the desert in biblical times.
Enjoy Street Art In Willemstad
In Willemstad, the Scharloo district is loaded with visual panache, making it the perfect place for an afternoon stroll with the locals. The vibrant alleys are filled with street art, bold murals, boutiques and cafes.
Swim at Playa Knip
Playa Knip consistently ranks as one of the Caribbean’s best beaches. It is actually two protected beaches, Grote Knip (Big Knip) and Klein Knip (Little Knip). Whichever one you choose, the gentle waters present perfect swimming conditions for even novice swimmers. The water is sparkling clear and an impossible shade of blue that seems lifted from a box of Crayola crayons.
Purchase a Love Potion
Curacao has a rich tradition of herbal medicine and Dinah Veeris is the island’s venerable authority on the subject. Visitors may tour Dinah’s Den Paradera garden, which means “the place where you feel at home” in Papiamentu. She treats symptoms from insomnia to anxiety and will happily mix up herbal remedies or a love potion.
Sample Local Cuisine
Like its people, Curacao’s cuisine is a delectable blend of cultures. You’ll find traditional Dutch products such as Gouda cheese side-by-side with luscious tropical fruits.
Pastechi are a type of turnover. The flaky pastry dough is stuffed with a variety of fillings, such as gooey Gouda cheese or minced meat. They are portable, filling and sold at many beach snack bars and food trucks.
Adventurous eaters should head to Williwood, a casual and popular eatery that features burgers made with locally raised goat meat.
Visit an Aloe Plantation
If you thought the entire Caribbean was lush and green, Curacao’s desert flora may surprise you. The arid landscape is excellent for growing aloe vera, a plant prized for its healing properties. Visit the working Aloe Vera Planation and gain a deeper understanding of how this plant grows and is harvested. The gift shop sells an assortment of very pure lotions, soaps and gels made with aloe.
By Allison Tibaldi