LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Curaçao has many attractions that you'll easily find online, but the ones listed below are our personal recommendations. My wife and I, as your hosts, suggest these because we've enjoyed them ourselves and often like to revisit them.
The island's biggest and most diverse park! Here, you'll discover breathtaking nature, the Christoffel Mountain, beautiful birds, the native white-tailed deer, and amazing hiking trails.
Location:
Plantation House Savonet, Weg naar Westpunt z/n
50 min (45.4 km) from TuKas 221
Museum Kurá Hulanda is an anthropological museum that highlights the main cultures of Curaçao. It presents a world-class history of the Origin of Man, the African slave trade, West African Empires, Mesopotamian artifacts, and Antillean art.
Location:
Klipstraat 9, Otrobanda inside the Kura Hulanda Villege
Tip: A guided tour is recommended
The vibrant city of Willemstad is the capital of Curaçao and a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is very walkable, especially in the morning and late afternoon when the building shadows cool down the sidewalks.
The city is made up of four districts.
1-Punda is the oldest district on the island, once protected by walls, and now filled with souvenir shops, brand stores, and restaurants.
Must-see spots in Punda include Fort Amsterdam, the Handelskade waterfront, Marshé Bieuw, and the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel synagogue.
2-Pietermaai
district was built after the walls were demolished, then abandoned for many years, but now it’s a restored area full of nightlife and vibrant colors.
Must-see spots in Pietermaai include the
Pietermaai Cathedral also known as the Cathedral of the Holy Rosary, the
Octagon Museum, and the colorful Nieuwestraat.
3-Otrobanda district, or "the other side," is now the most populated of the four, also full of color, especially in areas revitalized by the KayaKaya movement, where you can enjoy fascinating street art.
Must-see spots in Otrobanda include the lively Brionplein, the charming alleys around the island's oldest Roman Catholic church, and the vibrant street art at Ser’I Otrobanda.
4-Scharloo
district, was where mostly Jewish businessmen of the time built beautiful mansions along the main street. Today, most of these mansions are used as offices, with some still awaiting restoration. Behind these mansions is the 'Fleur de Marie' area, where workers built small wooden houses with galvanized roofs.
Must-see spots in Scharloo include the
Maritime Museum, the street art in the harbor area, the unique houses in Fleur de Marie, and the stunning mansions along Scharlooweg.
Jan Thiel Salt Pans
Here, you can stroll through the stunning salt flats, explore rocky trails, and take in the beautiful saltwater lakes. If you visit at the end of the day, you'll be treated to spectacular sunsets. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot some flamingos!
This area was once a plantation where salt and other natural products like cotton were harvested. The plantation, known as Damascus at the time, was purchased in 1737 by a merchant from its Dutch owner, Jan Thielen, who gave the area its name.
Just a 3-minute drive or a 20-minute walk from TuKas.221 via Kaya Damasco, you’ll find one of the entrances we often use for family nature walks with our dogs.
- Location: Kaya Damasco entrance in Jan Thiel
- Tips: Wear good hiking boots. The earlier you start your walk, the better your chances of seeing flamingos. Make sure to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated during the hike. Be mindful of the environment and take all your trash with you.
