Curaçao is only about 60 km (37 miles) long, but on an island this size, where you stay really shapes your trip. Do you want to walk out to dinner in the evening, have the beach at the bottom of the garden, dive every morning or hide away in nature?
Here are the best areas to stay in Curaçao, with their pros and cons.
Best for: travelers who want to live at the city’s pace, go out in the evening and explore on foot.
The UNESCO-listed historic center is packed with charming boutique hotels, apartments and guesthouses. Pietermaai is the liveliest area at night, with restaurants and bars set in former merchants’ mansions.
👍 Restaurants, nightlife and heritage, all within walking distance
👎 No real beach nearby, tricky parking, noisier
Best for: families, couples and anyone who wants beaches and water sports close by.
About fifteen minutes east of Willemstad, this area is home to plenty of resorts and apartments, the well-equipped Jan Thiel beach, restaurants and supermarkets. Right next door, the vast Spanish Water lagoon is the starting point for many boat trips – including those to Klein Curaçao – and for our sunset cruise.
👍 Convenient, lively without being noisy, close to boats and beaches
👎 More “residential” and touristy, far from the wild beaches of the west
Best for: travelers looking for a large hotel or resort, halfway between town and beach.
West of Willemstad, this area has several beach hotels and gated resorts, just a few minutes’ drive from the center.
👍 Comfort, a hotel beach, a great location
👎 Resort vibe, less authentic
Best for: nature lovers, snorkelers and anyone who craves peace and quiet.
In the northwest, the Bandabou region is the wildest part of the island: cacti, cliffs and the most beautiful coves (Grote Knip, Kleine Knip, Playa Lagun, Playa Piskado). Accommodation is scarcer: bungalows, small hotels and villas.
👍 Dream beaches and sea turtles on your doorstep, sunsets, tranquility
👎 About 45 minutes to an hour from Willemstad, few restaurants, a car is a must
For a first trip of a week or more, why not split your stay: a few nights around Jan Thiel / Spanish Water or in Willemstad, then a few nights out west near Westpunt, so you can enjoy the wild beaches without driving back and forth every day?
Either way, a rental car is still the easiest way to explore the island. And if you don’t have one, private tours are a great alternative.
👉 Also worth reading: entry requirements and practical info and the most beautiful beaches in Curaçao.