- Willemstad's candy-coloured waterfront is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best base for food and culture
- The west end has the prettiest coves and turtles to snorkel with
- Fly via Amsterdam with KLM or TUI; there are no direct UK flights
- Complete the online Dushi immigration card before you travel
- Airports
- Curaçao International, Hato (CUR)
- Flight time
- about 13-15h from London, usually with one stop in Amsterdam
- Best time to go
- Year-round; April-August and October-November for the best value
- Currency
- Caribbean guilder (XCG); US dollars widely accepted
Curaçao is the largest of the ABC islands and the one with the most personality. Its capital, Willemstad, looks like a Dutch harbour town repainted in Caribbean colours, and the rest of the island is a mix of dry cactus country, salt flats where flamingos feed and small sandy coves backed by limestone cliffs. The water is clear and calm along the south-west coast, making it excellent for snorkelling and diving straight off the beach.
From the UK it is a long-haul trip usually routed through Amsterdam. Curaçao is four hours behind the UK in winter and five in summer. Plugs are mostly the US two-pin type (around 110–127V), cars drive on the right, and costs are lower than on neighbouring Aruba though still not cheap. It pairs well with Bonaire, a short flight away, and is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Entry requirements
British passport holders can usually visit Curaçao visa-free for up to 90 days. All visitors must complete the online Dushi digital immigration card before departure. Your passport should be valid for your whole stay, and you may be asked to show a return or onward ticket and details of your accommodation. Travelling via the US requires an ESTA. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in Curaçao
Willemstad
The UNESCO-listed capital is split by St Anna Bay into Punda and Otrobanda, linked by the floating Queen Emma pontoon bridge. Walk the Handelskade waterfront, the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel synagogue (one of the oldest in the Americas) and the street-art district of Scharloo. Pietermaai, just east of Punda, has boutique hotels and the best evening bars.
Westpunt and the west coast
The far west has the island's most beautiful small beaches: Grote Knip (Kenepa Grandi), Playa Lagun, where turtles are often seen, Playa Piskado and Cas Abao. It is quieter than the south-east, with dive lodges and a slower pace.
Christoffel and Shete Boka national parks
Christoffel National Park is crowned by the island's highest hill, Christoffelberg, best climbed early in the morning before the heat. Next door, Shete Boka protects a rugged north coast where waves crash into limestone inlets and turtles nest.
Jan Thiel and the south-east
East of Willemstad, Jan Thiel and Mambo Beach are lively, developed beach clubs with sunloungers, restaurants and resort hotels. Day boats run from here to uninhabited Klein Curaçao, with its lighthouse and white sand.
Best time to visit Curaçao
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Winter (December-April) | Peak season, around 28-30 °C, dry and breezy; highest prices |
| Spring and summer (May-August) | Hot and sunny, good value, strong trade winds |
| Autumn (September-November) | Calmest seas for diving; a few short showers, especially October-November |
Curaçao is south of the main hurricane belt, so it is a good choice for a Caribbean break between August and November.
Getting to Curaçao from the UK
There are no direct flights from the UK. KLM flies daily from Amsterdam to Curaçao in around 10 hours, and TUI also operates from Amsterdam. Connect from most UK airports via Schiphol. Routes via Miami or other US hubs are possible but mean clearing US immigration. Expect around 13–15 hours in total.
Getting around
A hire car is the easiest way to explore, as public buses are infrequent and mainly serve locals; roads are generally good and distances short, with Westpunt about 45 minutes from Willemstad. Taxis are not metered, so agree the fare first. Within Willemstad you can walk between Punda, Otrobanda and Pietermaai.
Money and costs
The Caribbean guilder replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder in 2025, but US dollars and cards are widely accepted. Budget around £150–230 per person per day for a mid-range trip including accommodation. Beach entry at some private beaches and beach clubs costs a few dollars, and a meal in a local snack or truki pan (food truck) is far cheaper than a resort restaurant.
Frequently asked questions
Is Curaçao better than Aruba?
It depends what you want. Aruba has longer beaches and bigger resorts; Curaçao has more character, a historic capital and better snorkelling coves, usually at lower prices.
Can you snorkel from the beach in Curaçao?
Yes, very well. Playa Lagun, Grote Knip, Playa Piskado and Tugboat Beach all have good snorkelling a few metres from the shore.
Is Curaçao affected by hurricanes?
It lies south of the main hurricane belt and direct hits are rare, though storms further north can occasionally bring rain and rough seas.
Do they speak English in Curaçao?
Yes. Papiamentu and Dutch are the main languages, but English and Spanish are widely spoken, especially in tourism.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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