Best Area to Stay in Curacao: Ultimate Neighborhood & Hotel Guide

Are you looking for the best areas to stay in Curacao? Then you are not alone!

Curacao is a tropical Caribbean paradise. The island is fairly big, so it can be hard to choose where to stay in Curacao for your vacation.

Over the last two years, I have stayed in Curacao for many months in many different places and hotels. And let me tell you one thing: there is no ideal area to stay in Curacao.

While some places might be amazing for honeymooners, others are great for adventurers. Some areas are ideal for nightlife, others for budget travelers.

In this post, I want to share my wisdom with you and give you insight into all the best areas to stay in Curacao for every taste and budget.

Let’s dive in!

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Curacao Neighborhood Guide: Where to Stay in Curacao

Where to Stay in Curacao Map & My Take On It

Curacao is a beautiful Caribbean paradise, with many nice spots and corners. As I have mentioned before, I have stayed in Curacao for many months over the last few years. We have tried lots of different hotels, resorts, and areas to stay in.

Willemstad is the cultural center of the island. You can find fancy restaurants, shops & boutiques, bars, and clubs in the capital city of Willemstad. It is a great and fun place to stay for younger people who crave some hustle and bustle.

Willemstad itself does not have a beach, but there are a few hotels with artificial beaches, such as the Renaissance Windcreek Hotel. We loved that hotel and can totally recommend staying in Willemstad.

If you want to be close to Willemstad, you should stay in Mambo Beach. We stayed there for our first time on the island, and nothing but fond memories. We loved the Sunscape Resort the most. It has a huge, private beach and it is within walking distance of the Sea Aquarium and the Mambo Beach Boulevard.

Mambo Beach is great for families with kids as well. But an even better place with the little ones is Jan Thiel Beach. It is said to be the safest spot on the island. There are many Dutch people, that’s why it wouldn’t be my first choice without kiddo’s.

If you love adventure or just want to be secluded, stay out west. The views from the cliffs in Playa Lagun are amazing, and they have so many cool houses to rent there. I loved our stay there, although getting groceries and stuff is a bit of a drive. It is sadly also a bit less safe, but our house was well protected in the resort.

Lastly, if you are on a honeymoon you should splurge and pick the Sandals Resort in Santa Barbara Beach. It is the most romantic resort on the island in my opinion.

For more details about each area and bonus content, keep on reading.

Best Places to Stay in Curacao for Couples & Honeymooners

Santa Barbara Beach

The best spot to stay in Curacao for honeymooners is Santa Barbara Beach.

Santa Barbara Beach is a stunning stretch of white sand off the beaten tracks. It’s known for its beautiful turquoise waters and palm-tree-lined shores.

The beach also has a coral reef offshore that’s full of colorful marine life. You can go snorkeling, kayaking, and on boat rides from Santa Barbara Beach. There is even a big golf resort on the Santa Barbara Plantation right next door.

Santa Barbara is the perfect area to stay in Curacao for couples because it is so far off the hustle and bustle of the island. Some day tours to Klein Curacao also pick up people there.

At the same time, I felt like the drive to the area was super long from Willemstad and the airport. If you wanna go to the city a couple of times, this might not be your best choice. Luckily, lots of tours start there or offer pickup, so it is not a big issue in my opinion.

You have absolute peace and serenity there – the perfect place to relax and enjoy the honeymoon.

Where to Stay in Curacao for Divers & Adventurers

Playa Lagun

If you are on the island for some adventure, you should stay far out west. On the impressive rugged cliffs on the western side of the island, you can find some pretty neat spots to stay.

Whether you want to hike the Christoffel Berg, check out the Watamula Hole, snorkel with turtles, or see Shete Boka National Park – there is an adventure for everyone in the West. The Christoffel National Park is only a short drive away.

My favorite place to stay out West is Playa Lagun. The beach is famous for its sea turtles and is extremely calm and quiet. It is the perfect starting point for adventure excursions and beach hopping.

As mentioned before, this area is a bit less touristic and safe than around Willemstad. Wandering outside the dive resorts at night is not really recommended. I never felt unsafe per se, but the feeling was a bit different than in the touristic areas.

Playa Lagun is also an amazing place to stay for Scuba Diving and one of the best snorkel beaches on the island. Here are also some of the best dive resorts in Curacao.

Best Area to Stay in Curacao for Families

Jan Thiel Beach

Jan Thiel Beach is located on the southern coast of Curacao and is known for its fully serviced beach area with lots of entertainment for young and old. This is the best place to stay in Curacao for families.

It’s a great spot to play in the sand with your kids, grab a bite to eat, and go for a snorkel in the Caribbean Sea.

Jan Thiel Beach is super safe, so you won’t have to worry about the little ones. There are plenty of child-friendly hotels as well in this area.

The beach itself is lined with bars and restaurants, as well as beach chairs and umbrellas available for rent. There are also several water sports activities available such as jet skiing, kayaking, sailing, and snorkeling.

There is nothing you can’t do at Jan Thiel Beach.

Best Area to Stay in Curacao for First Timers & All-Inclusive Lovers

Mambo Beach

Mambo Beach is a stunning beach with a bustling boulevard and it’s a great place for all-inclusive lovers and people who are on the island for the first time.

The beach has an array of white sand and crystal-clear blue waters that sparkle in the sun, perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

There are plenty of restaurants and bars on the beach, so you can enjoy some yummy snacks while soaking up the rays.

In addition, there is an exciting nightlife with clubs offering live music, DJ sets, dance floors, and karaoke nights which can be enjoyed until late into the night.

The sea aquarium is also located on Mambo Beach, which is a great spot for an excursion.

Lastly, Mambo Beach is right outside Willemstad, so you can easily reach the capital city for a day away from there as well.

Where to Stay in Curacao on a Budget

There is no perfect area to stay in Curacao for Budget Travelers. You can find great, budget-friendly hotels everywhere on the island.

Many hotels that are not directly located on the beach are much cheaper than the beach-side resorts.

Make sure to book your hotel close to any attractions or beaches you may want to visit, then you can save some money on not getting a rental car.

A good budget-friendly time to go to Curacao is in December. You can save a bit of money for sure.

Here are some of the best budget-friendly accommodations in Curacao:

☀️ Scuba Lodge

☀️ Bed & Bike Jan Thiel

☀️ Marazul Dive Resort

Best Area to Stay in Curacao for City Lovers & Night Owls: Willemstad

Willemstad, the capital city of Curacao, is a great place to stay for city lovers and those who want to check out the nightlife of the island.

It has a vibrant culture and history, with interesting architecture, bustling streets, diverse eateries, and plenty of attractions. You can check out the famous Queen Emma Bridge and the Handelskade.

The city also has a wide variety of hotels to choose from that offer great value for money. Staying in Willemstad is usually a great idea.

The city is safe and you can walk everywhere. Many of the island’s best restaurants are in Willemstad, so you will never run out of fabulous places to eat.

Keep in mind that most of the city is located by the water, but there is no direct beach access. If you are looking for a beach vacation, you have to look outside the city center for your hotel.

Hotel Tip: Renaissance Resort by Marriott.

Best Area to Stay in Curacao for Luxury Travelers: Piscadera

Piscadera is one of the best areas to stay in Curacao for luxury travelers. It is located on the western side of Willemstad, with beautiful white sandy beaches and stunning views of the Caribbean Sea.

The area has become a popular destination for high-end tourists, with luxurious resorts such as The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott, offering top-class facilities and amenities.

For those looking to explore, there are plenty of activities to choose from in this area, including, sailing, water sports, and diving. Piscadera is located right outside of Willemstad, so in a few minutes of driving you can reach all the hot spots of the island.

With its idyllic location and abundance of luxuries to enjoy, it’s no surprise that Piscadera is one of the most sought-after destinations when it comes to luxury travel in Curacao.

Tip: Many private Curacao Tours offer pick-up service in this area.

Hotel Tip: Curacao Marriott Beach Resort

Hotel Tip: Baoase Luxury Resort

Best Area to Stay in Curacao for Digital Nomads

Digital Nomads will enjoy staying closer to Willemstad, since there are many co-working spaces and shared office amenities available.

Another big perk of staying in the area of Willemstad is, that you can meet like-minded people. There is also an abundance of cute cafes from where you can work at.

I have worked in Curacao as a digital nomad and totally loved it. I stayed at the Acoya Curacao Resort, it is a great, budget-friendly spot for digital nomads who want a tad of luxury.

Hotel Tip: Acoya Curacao Resort Villas & Spa

What Area in Curacao is Safe?

In Curacao, areas like Willemstad’s tourist districts (Punda and Otrobanda), Jan Thiel, and the resorts around Mambo Beach are considered very safe. These places are often well-patrolled and full of travelers.

If you are mainly looking for safety when booking your Curacao hotel, you might want to stick to these places.

I have never felt unsafe in any of these areas in Curacao. Of course, I would not walk around alone outside at all on the island, so keep that in mind.

Do you need travel insurance in Curacao? Yes, travel insurance in Curacao is highly recommended. Unsafe roads, water sports accidents, and food poisoning are only a few examples of when travel insurance could come in handy. EKTA offers worldwide travel insurance with 24/7 service and no hidden fees or restrictions.

Which Areas in Curacao Are Not Safe?

While Curacao is generally safe for tourists, some areas can be a bit sketchy, especially at night.

Places like some parts of Otrobanda away from the tourist zones, and neighborhoods like Seru Fortuna and Marchena, are less safe. Koredor, Scharloo, Fleur de Marie, Seru di Kandela, and Seru Loraweg I would personally avoid.

Grote Berg and Koraal Specht also have a reputation for being unsafe. Even during the day, I did not feel completely good being by myself in these areas.

Most of these areas do not have any hotels in the first place. But I would be cautious about renting cheap Airbnb and houses online. Stick to known hotel brands, well-rated places, and popular areas and you will be fine.

About certain areas, I am a bit on the fence safety-wise. Playa Lagun and Sabana Westpunt are beautiful and great places to stay, but you need to be extra careful. As a female, I would not want to be there by myself.

What Side of Curacao Has the Best Beaches?

The best beaches in Curacao are usually found on the southwestern side of the island.

Places like Kenepa Grandi, Cas Abao, and Porto Marie offer amazing blue waters and white sand.

You can also find great beaches a little more to the east, like Mambo Beach, Santa Barbara Beach, and Tugboat Beach.

In the northern part of the island, there are no beaches at all. It mainly consists of rugged cliffs.

The eastern part of Curacao is owned by one single person, so there is nothing there for tourists.

Is Curacao Cheap or Expensive?

Hotel-wise, Curacao is pretty expensive I would say. Of course, you can also find good budget deals and avoid travel in high season.

To give you a bit of an estimate about what you can expect when planning your stay, here are some average hotel prices in Curacao.

In Curacao, hotel prices can vary a lot, but this is typically what you can get:

• Budget hotels: Around $50-$100 per night. Think basic amenities but clean and comfy.
• Mid-range: You’re looking at about $100-$200 per night. These often have pools, maybe a restaurant.
• Luxury: Easily $300 and up. Think all-inclusive, with ocean views, and top-notch service.
• Extreme Luxury: Some hotels easily cost more than $400 per night in Curacao. In that case, you can have a private villa on the beach or an over-water villa.

Is it Safe to AirBnB in Curacao?

Yes, generally I would say it is safe to AirBnB in Curacao. I have done it before, and we were not disappointed. We booked a house in Playa Lagun and it was dreamy.

However, I would remind you to be cautious when booking budget accommodation online in Curacao. You might end up in a really bad neighborhood.

There are a couple of gated communities where AirBnB properties are popular, like Coral Estate, Jan Thiel, Playa Lagun, Sabana Westpunt, or Blue Bay. Stick to these areas to avoid nasty surprises.

Conclusion: Best Areas to Stay in Curacao

These are the best areas to stay in Curacao, depending on your preferences and your budget. With this useful guide, you absolutely can’t go wrong when picking your hotel for the ultimate Curacao beach vacation.

Most hotels in Curacao are absolutely divine, and I hope this makes the choice a bit easier for you.

For more inspiration on things to do in Willemstad head over to this blog post.

If you need a personalized itinerary for your vacation in Curacao, check out my shop for the Ultimate Curacao Travel Guide Book.

Read about the cheapest time to go to Curacao to plan the perfect vacation.

FAQ: Where to Stay in Curacao