Curaçao is a beautiful island in the Caribbean that is a constituent country of the Kingdom of Netherlands. It’s well known for the pastel colonial architecture and street art in its capital of Willemstad, the lively and colorful coral reefs surrounding it, and, of course, the beautiful beaches that you will find tucked away in its many coves. It’s an affordable island to visit, and if you book your trip through an online travel agent you are sure to find a fantastic deal.
Here are some of the most popular beaches on Curaçao.
Kleine Knip
Located about 45 minutes outside of Willemstad, this is a very popular beach for snorkeling with its abundant coral and marine life. You may even see a wild pig or two wandering the area! You will need a rental car to get here, or it will definitely be a stop on any tour of the west side beaches. Despite its location outside of the capitol, Kleine Knip is quite popular (especially on weekends) so it’s best to arrive early if possible. There are no facilities at this beach, however there are some enterprising locals who sell snacks and drinks, or rent out beach chairs and umbrellas.
Playa PortoMari
This beach is very popular for diving, there is a dive center on site where you can rent gear. The snorkeling is good here too, but you will need to bring your own equipment and water shoes are definitely recommended. There is also a bar and restaurant where you can get refreshments. You might see some of the local wild pigs, and you’ll definitely see iguanas and lots of birds.It’s important to know ahead of time that this is a private beach so there is a fee for entering this beach of $6USD per person.
Cas Abao Beach
Cas Abao is another private beach, however it has very reasonable prices. The entrance fee is $6USD which is comparable to other private beaches on Curaçao, however the price for chair rental is just $3USD per day. There are palapas set up all over the beach that you can set up your chair under, but you may want to arrive early to get a good spot. Also take note that while you can pay the entrance fee with a credit card, you will need cash for everything else. Showers and restrooms are available at this beach, and water shoes are recommended. Take note of what days cruise ships are coming in, as a large section of the beach gets roped off for cruise passengers on a day excursion.
Playa Lagun
Playa Lagun is a public beach so there is no fee to enter, but the trade off is you don’t get restrooms, showers, or change rooms although there are two restaurants if you need to purchase some food or drinks. The main attraction at Playa Lagun is snorkeling, you’ll find a very healthy reef here along with abundant marine life including sea turtles. There are beach chairs available to rent but no umbrellas so you may not want to plan to stay long if you are fair skinned.
Mambo Beach
This is a very popular beach with tourists visiting from cruise ships, and you’ll find that there are reserved sections for various cruise ships. There is an entry fee of $3.50, but there are also many shops, restaurants, and amenities at this beach. It’s also easy to get to and from by taxi, with a taxi stand right at the beach entrance. You can typically find some other visitors to share the cost of the cab back into town with. This beach also has a breakwater, so the surf is calmer than some of the other beaches on the island.