Charming Curaçao

Ellen Warren 01 May 2017
Curaçao is a popular holiday destination among a lot of people. Since it is such a popular destination I decided to go travel there for my own holiday. I wanted a relaxing weeks holiday with nice beaches, good choice of restaurants but also with fun activities to do. Curaçao ticks all those boxes.

On arrival we picked up our rental car and tried to find our resort without navigation. Very old-fashioned with just a map trying to find the way, arriving in the famous Jan Thiel bay. The Papagayo beach resort is located here where we chose to stay. We stayed in a beautiful villa that is very spacious, with beautiful views of the sea. A bright spacious veranda ensures that you can sit outside and enjoy the sun, the view and the beautifully landscaped garden. Great to enjoy breakfast here or to end the day with a glass of wine in the evening.

In the Jan Thiel bay there are a number of beach clubs and restaurants, of which Zanzibar is the best known and most popular place for tourists. A large wooden bar often with live music and good food ensure the popularity of this. During the day we enjoy the sun at the beach club of our own Papagayo beach club that has a lovely swimming pool with a view, on the ocean.

After two days of relaxing it is time to be adventurous and we grab our snorkeling gear and drive to the other side of the island to Shete Boka National Park, meaning ‘seven bays’. The coastline is more than 10 km long and has several bays and inlets where various species of turtles lay their eggs.

One of the park's best-known attractions is Boka Tabla, a cave that is accessible from one side of the country, and on the other side of which the upstream sea flows in. In addition, you can hike the Christoffel Park with the highest mountain on the island, the Christoffel Mountain. You have to start before 11 o'clock in the morning, however, the earlier the better of course. After we have enjoyed Shete Boka we continue to “Westpunt” where we stop at the famous Jaanchies restaurant for a delicious traditional Antillean lunch. The interior is similar to that of an authentic farm. The cheerfully whistling tropical birds emphasize the natural ambiance.

The specialty of Jaanchies is iguana, but you can also eat chicken, beef or delicious fish. The owner calls himself the speaking menu, he tells every guest in a comical way what is on the menu. I definitely recommend this restaurant as the food is delicious and you experience the Antillean hospitality and local food. We drive back to the other side and stop at some beautiful bays and beaches for snorkeling.

Furthermore, during our holiday we visited Willemstad which is a wonderful city to visit with many restaurants. I absolutely recommend “Saint Tropez” and “Bij Blauw”, really delicious food at a beautiful spot by the sea.

In addition, we visited the Aloe Vera plantation and we went to take a look in the studio where the famous Chi Chi's are made. And a must for everyone who goes to Curaçao is "Karakter" for a day. Here you can enjoy the sun on the beach beds by the sea, palm trees around you, shade if you want and really great food. Snorkel and enjoy a day of sun, sea, a drink and delicious food in a nice and quiet place. Really do it! Oh and they even my favorite Dutch treat called “Bitterballen” definitely worth a try.

Curaçao is a wonderful island with a little something for everyone, whether you just want to laze in the sun, or be adventurous, explore nature, or eat to your hearts content, Curaçao is the place to to be. I now fully understand why so many people regularly go to Curaçao and I will certainly go back again.

Do you want to know more about Curaçao or do you have holiday plans? Please contact me and I will gladly help you further.