I went to Curacao primarily to snorkel – and man, that was great – but the island has several other places to be explored as well. Even though I missed out on a lot, I got to see a lot, as well. Here’s a bit of what Curacao has to offer on land.

See Wild Flamingos

The flamingos that are native to neighboring Bonaire come over to vacation on Curacao. It’s really cool to see the flamingos in the wild. For one, they’re free; and secondly, they don’t have their wings clipped so you get to see them fly. It’s not as common to see them during the hotter months so I was lucky to see them a few times in May.

There are a few reservoirs to see them. Jan Kok is often listed as the most popular place to see them but we didn’t see any there. However, St Michael’s Bay always had several flamingos. Often they’ll be off in the distance, but there was one time they were pretty close to the road so I got to see them pretty well. It’s a cool experience.

Learn About Tula

Curacao has a rich history, but it is also quite dark. It was a port for slave traders and slavery was legal up until 1863. You’ll notice pretty early on that the name Tula is quite popular around the island and his name is important. Tula was an enslaved man who started a revolt in August 1795. That year, Curacao was had transferred ownership to the French, who abolished slavery in French territories such as Haiti. By legal rights (if not by human rights), slavery was illegal there and Tula used this information against the country’s officials, who were Dutch.

You’ll notice there’s a huge gap between 1795 and 1863. The revolt failed and Tula was executed. But his name lives on as the man who first pushed to abolish slavery on the island. The revolt is commemorated each year on August 17.

We stopped outside the Tula Museum on several tours but didn’t get a chance to go inside, which I thought was a bummer. Obviously it’s not an “exciting” thing to do but it’s an opportunity to learn about one of Curacao’s most important times in history. There’s not that much available online about Tula so the museum would’ve been a great opportunity to learn about him.

There’s a movie based on the revolt that’s available for free on YouTube.

You’ll notice in the photo above there’s a statue of a hand victoriously holding a chain. There are a few dozens of these statues around the island commemorating events that happened during this revolt.

Explore the Hato Plains

The Hato Plains is an unpaved, deserted area next to the coast and near the airport (formerly called Hato Airport). I wasn’t too drawn to the plains at first but decided on an off-roading tour anyway. It was fun! I loved going through the planes because there’s lots of animals (both wildlife and free-roaming goats), plus lots of beautiful birds and the picturesque cacti that make up the island’s landscape.

Unless you don’t mind walking several miles, the only way to access the plains is by jeep or ATV. It’s a pretty crazy ride so I was glad to be in a tour with someone else driving. You can stop and see the Bullseye, which is a spot that Allied forces used as target practice for bombs during World War II. There are also lots of small caves along the plains that you can go into and explore (not to be confused with Hato Caves which is next to the airport). We stopped at a small fertility cave and it really felt like explporing the nooks and crannies of the island.

Swim to the Blue Room

Blue Room Cave is a mostly underwater cave that naturally glows a vivid blue color! It has to do with the way the light hits the sand and reflects into the cave. It’s a really cool spectacle to look at, and one of the most unique places in Curacao (and also the world).

This is not a beach and needs to be accessed by boat. Not just any boat – you need to be completely submerged in the water to access the cave, so you can’t bring noodles, life vests, or be in a kayak, etc. I would 100% recommend going with a group tour because you’ll have a guide not only to show you to the Blue Room, but for safety.

We were lucky enough that we had a foot of space between the water and the top of the cave entrance but this rarely happens. Usually the entrance is underwater so you need to swim down a bit to get there. I read another blog that said you can hike and then jump into the water, but that’s a huge jump. I’d only recommend that for people who know what they’re doing and have already inspected the area.

Learn Curacao’s History at the Savonet Museum

Though I didn’t get to stop at the Tula Museum, I did stop at the Savonet Museum. It’s dedicated to different parts of Curacao’s history. The museum is inside the building that used to be the Savonet Plantation, so there’s information on slavery and how the enslaved people lived and were treated, plus how the other half lived. There’s also quite a bit dedicated to the island’s natural history.

It’s a small museum and there’s not so much information inside but it is a good opportunity to stop and see what a plantation house would’ve looked like, and maybe imagine what the island looked like a few hundred years ago when it was mostly plantations.

See the Natural Wonder of Hato Caves

Next to the airport are Hato Caves. There are lots of caves among the Hato Plains but these are very large cave tunnels that you can take a tour inside of (access is by guided tour only). It took millions of years for these chambers to form and initially they would’ve been underwater. Today the caves are home to lots of bats that hang from the ceiling.

If you have the time, there’s also a trail to walk where you can see petroglyphs. Curacao has lots of history, and it’s fascinating to see this rarer glimpse at a time long gone by.

Find Your Favorite Beach to Snorkel or Swim

The reason I went to Curacao is because I heard it has some of the best snorkelling in the Caribbean. It did not disappoint! With dozens of beaches and crystal clear waters, there’s a lot of places to relax on the beach, take a swim, snorkel, or all of the above. Since I had a week in Curacao, I found it fun to beach hop and check out the different vibes across the island.

You can find my review of different beaches in Curacao here.

Taste Lots of Rum

Lots of people who’ve heard of Curacao have only heard it through its namesake liqueur, Blue Curacao. So of course it’s something you can find a lot of on the island.

You can go to Landhuis Chobolobo (what a fun name is that?), which is a bit outside Willemstad city center, to visit their factory. This is where the original Blue Curacao liqueur is brewed plus some rums. Tours are available but the store and tastings are free. There is also a small cafe where you can get a coffee or alcoholic drink.

For more rum, you can also go to Annabay Rum Locker. Annabay is a rum brand and I was shocked to hear they’re sold only in Curacao (so their products would make great souvenirs). They have a tour of their rum locker but it’s currently only once a day. However they do have free tastings. This is in the heart of Willemstad.

Curacaoans also like to drink Rum Berde, which is a green rum. So there’s lots of tastings to be had.

I went on the Free Walking Tour and it included a stop at a liquor store where we got free tastings of whatever we wanted.

Paint Your Own Souvenir at Tugboat Beach

I like a beach with a good vibe, which is why Tugboat Beach is one of my favorites. One of the things they have there is a Paint Your Own Souvenir where you can buy a piece of driftwood and then paint it. I thought it was such a nice way to spend the afternoon, plus I got to paint some unique gifts while supporting local business.

They also have a similar experience at Playa Porto Marie but it was closed when I visited.

See Curacao’s Rugged Wilderness at Shete Boka National Park

Curacao has two sides: the south, which is usually calm and perfect for swimming, and the north, which is wild from the Caribbean winds. It’s best not to swim here but you can see the country’s rugged coastline at Shete Boka National Park. It’s also where sea turtles come to nest. There are both hiking trails and driving paths to explore depending on how you want to get around.

Explore the Colorful Streets of Willemstad

Whatever you do, don’t forget to explore the beautiful colorful streets of Willemstad. It’s such a lovely small city to stroll around and admire and it’s, dare I say, dushi. (You’ll know when you know!)

Things I Didn’t Get to Do

There were still a few things around the island that I didn’t get to do that maybe I can do next time.

Climb Christoffel Mountain

Curacao is hot so climbing up Christoffel Mountain (which is a hill) early in the morning did not seem appealing to me. But a lot of people list it as one of the best things to do in Curacao. I was happy exploring the Hato plains and caves but if you’re looking for a trek, consider the highest peak in Curacao.

Paint Your Own Chichi

You’ll notice “Chichis” around the island. These are figural representations of the eldest sister and they come in different colors and designs. You have the option to paint your own Chichi at a workshop in Santa Catharina. It’s a unique souvenir from Curacao and you can add your own personal touches to it.

Visit an Aloe Farm & Make Your Own Aloe

Aloe Vera might be your best friend in Curacao, and at Curaloe, they grow their own aloe and make their own products with it. You can too! They have workshops on making aloe vera. I would’ve loved to, I just didn’t have the time.

They also sell Curaloe products in a lot of stores that make good souvenirs.

Kunuku House

I saw some plantation houses in Curacao but didn’t get to visit the Kunuku House, a house museum of how Afro-Curacaoan people lived after slavery and into the 20th century.

Hofi Mango

Hofi Mango is a nature park but it caters more to tourists. The highlight of the park is the zipline, so if you’re an adrenaline junkie, it’s something to keep on your list of things to do in Curacao.

Visit a Local Art Gallery

One of Curacao’s most prominent artists is named Giovanni Abath, and he has a gallery at Landhuis Morgenster called the 7.1 Experience and Atelier. If you’re able to make it there, he does artwork with recycled steel.

There’s definitely more to see and do on the beautiful island of Curacao but this is my personal list. I came to Curacao for the beaches and while that’s definitely a huge draw, there’s a lot more the country offers beyond beach and a lot of history and culture to be learned. I hope this list helps you choose what to do in “Dushi Korsou”!

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