One Week in Curacao Itinerary: How To Spend Amazing 7 Days

Are you looking for an amazing one-week Curacao itinerary? Then I got you covered!

Curacao is a beautiful tropical paradise in the Caribbean Sea, right off the coast of Venezuela. In the last two years, I have spent over 3 months on the island – and have seen everything there is to see in Curacao.

The good news is – many amazing things should be on your Curacao itinerary! The bad news is, it can be hard to choose which spots to visit if you only have limited time on the island.

I have tested and tried everything Curacao has to offer, so I can tell you all about what to do in Curacao for a week.

To make the planning a bit easier for you, I have created the ultimate one-week in Curacao itinerary for your next vacation!

Let’s get to it!

One Week in Curacao Itinerary – Overview!

• Day 1: Relaxing at Playa Porto Mari and Daaibooibay – Dinner at Karakter
• Day 2: Mambo Beach Boulevard – Willemstad – Dinner at Mosa-Cana
• Day 3: Christoffel National Park – Playa Lagun – Dinner at Bahia Lagun
• Day 4: Shete Boka National Park – Playa Gipy – Landhuis Chobolobo – Dinner at Fort Nassau
• Day 5: Day Trip to Klein Curacao – Dinner at Mood Beach
• Day 6: Beach hopping: Grote Knip, Kleine Knip – Santa Martha Lookout Point- Dinner at Bij Blauw
• Day 7: Snorkeling at Tugboat Beach, Cas Abao beach – Dinner at Kooral Rooftop

Day 1: Porto Mari and Daaibooibay

Beach Hopping: Playa Porto Mari

Playa Porto Mari is the perfect beach to visit on your first day in Curacao.

The area is known for being “the beach, where nature comes first”. Two cute pigs, called Willy and Woody, live close to the beach.

The main reason why this is a great beach to start your vacation is that it is completely serviced. They have a great restaurant for lunch on the beach, called Willywood.

There are comfy beach chairs to rent and you can even book a massage by the beach. After a long travel to the island, this is an ideal first day on your Curacao itinerary.

Insider Tip: You can participate in a driftwood-painting workshop on the beach. This is a great way to make your own souvenir. Just head to Gilmar’s hut, and a nice local will show you how to paint.

Daaibooibay

On your way back from Playa Porto Mari, make sure to check out Daaibooibay.

Daaibooibay is the bay next door and only a five-minute drive away. Daaibooibay is nestled in between two huge cliffs, which not only make for a stunning view but also great snorkeling spots.

The water is (like anywhere in Curacao really) crystal clear and light blue.

You can see a lot of fish even without a snorkel. Daaibooi has beach chairs to rent as well as a small restaurant. Parking is free.

Insider Tip: For the adventurous people among you, make sure to hike up a small trail on the left side of the bay. You will have an amazing view of the bay and the ocean.

Dinner at Karakter Curacao

Your first dinner on the island should be incredibly special, to celebrate your upcoming trip. I suggest checking out Karakter Curacao.

Karakter is located at the Koraal Estate. The service and the food are amazing and the sunset view is incredible.

Make sure to reserve a table, they are incredibly busy. Book your table around 06:00 pm, then you can see the entire sunset while you eat.

Good to Know: You need to bring your driver’s license or ID! We were stopped at the main entrance gate, where our IDs were checked.

Day 2: Mambo Beach Blvd – Willemstad

Mambo Beach Boulevard

I suggest starting the second day of the Curacao itinerary on Mambo Beach. Mambo Beach is one of the most lively beaches in Curacao.

It offers stunning crystal-clear waters, cute little shops, nice restaurants, and plenty of fancy beach clubs. The beach is very nice and clean and the water is very easy to enter and nice for swimming.

Mambo Beach is our beach of choice if we want to spend a relaxed day, being pampered and comfy.

If you are still looking for a nice swimsuit or new sunglasses for your vacation, you can buy them in one of the many boutiques on Mambo Beach.

A similar beach to Mambo Beach Boulevard is Jan Thiel Beach. There are many beach clubs and some nice restaurants. However, I find it very Dutch and prefer Mambo beach.

Justin’s Favorite: My favorite beach club is Cabana Beach. You can rent super comfy beds with umbrellas and be served delicious snacks and cocktails right to your bed.

Willemstad

The colorful capital city of Willemstad is only a short five-minute drive away from Mambo Beach.

You will start your evening in Willemstad in Punda. Punda is one of the most famous neighborhoods on the island, mainly because it is home to the famous Handelskade!

The Handelskade is a collection of cute, colorful houses near the water. If you cross the famous Queen Emma bridge, you can reach the other side of Willemstad, called Otrabanda.

The Handelskade is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a great spot for a photo.

Make sure to visit the 19th-century castle Rif Fort when you cross over to Otrabanda. There is also some nice street art to be seen in Otrabanda, although the best pieces are definitely in Punda.

A couple of footsteps away from the Punda district is the  Instagram-famous Pietermaai district. This is commonly referred to as the SoHo of Curacao. It has great restaurants, fancy ocean clubs, and amazing nightlife.

Also, visit Plasa Bieu, the old market for some street food.

During the evenings, the Pietermaai district is the place to be. For that reason, I suggest having dinner at Mosa Cana restaurant in the Pietermaai district before checking out one of the many hip bars in the area.

Dinner at Mosa Cana in Willemstad

Mosa Cana is a tapas-style restaurant in Willemstad.

It is great for a romantic dinner in an upbeat atmosphere. According to the concept, you will be sharing all the dishes with your partner or your friends.

The restaurant is only open from Tuesday to Saturday in the evenings, so keep that in mind for your planning. For reservations head over here.

My Tip: They suggested roughly three small dishes per person, but we thought that was a bit much. We usually go with two main dishes, one side and a shared dessert.

Day 3: Christoffelberg – Playa Lagun – Dinner at Bahia Lagun

Hiking the Christoffelberg

The Christoffelberg is with a height of 372 meters (1,220 ft) the highest point in Curacao. It lies in the middle of a preserved wildlife area.

You can explore the many trails in the wildlife park by car or foot, however, the peak can only be reached by foot. The driving trails are great for the non-sporty people who still want to explore the park.

The hike can be quite intense, especially the last part is a climb up some stones. The winds on top are quite strong and the sun is super intense. Make sure to be prepared!

For more info about the National Park head over here.

My tip: If you want to climb the mountain to the top (for experienced hikers only) I suggest getting there as early as possible in the day since it can get quite hot in the afternoon. The park opens at 06:00 in the morning, which is when you should get started. It takes about two hours to reach the top, but it is very much worth it. By the time we ended our descent (around 11:00 am), the sun was already really strong.

Good to Know: Entrance tickets to the nature park also include free admission to the Savonet Museum.

Playa Lagun

This amazing bay is famous all over the island. It is one of the few places where you can casually spot sea turtles. 

Playa Lagun is a small, non-touristic beach far out in the west of the island. Also, it is very famous among snorkelers and divers because the marine life there is simply stunning.

You can rent some beach chairs and enjoy the sun after a tough hike. The beach is only a short drive away from the Christoffelberg.

If you want to go for a dive or snorkel, there is a small dive shop right on the beach where you can borrow equipment from.

Good to Know: Playa Lagun is also a great place to stay if you are looking for remote and tranquil accommodation. We stayed in the Lagun Ocean Resort many times, and the sunset view was amazing.

Dinner at Bahia Lagun

Bahia Lagun is a small restaurant located right above the beach.

The restaurant has an amazing view of the sunset and the food is not only great but also relatively cheap in comparison to the rest of the island.

This is a great place for a romantic sunset dinner, the view over the bay is super special and you will not find that anywhere else on the island.

Reservations are not necessary, you can walk right in.

Justin’s Tip: Try the Spare Ribs, they are next level!

Day 4: Shete Boka National Park – Playa Gipy – Landhuis Chobolobo

Shete Boka National Park

Shete Boka is a big national park that covers almost 10 kilometers worth of cliffs on the north coast of the island.

This part is quite different from the rest of the island. By now you are probably used to the calm waters on the southern coast. On day 4 of your Curacao itinerary, however, we will explore the rugged north a bit more.

The park has 10 pocket bays from where you can watch stunning waves crashing into the coastline. There is a walking trail that lets you explore the stunning coastline.

The trail leads you to stunning underwater caves (Boka Tabla) as well as a natural bridge (Boka Wandomi) and some more amazing viewpoints. This is a great place for photos, so make sure to not forget your camera!

My Tip: Make sure to bring good shoes, since you will be walking quite a lot. You should also bring enough water since you will be quite exposed to the elements here. Also, you might get wet at Boka Pistol, so hide your phones.

Playa Gipy

This little hidden gem of a beach is something that needs to be in everyone’s one-week in Curacao itinerary.

Playa Gipy is a small, deserted bay, nestled in between some impressive cliffs. This is easily the most secluded and exclusive spot on the entire island – and it can be quite hard to reach if you don’t know what you are looking for.

Many people don’t even know Playa Gipy exists, so you will have quite the story to tell once you reach it.

Justin’s Tip: wear good shoes, I got thorns in my toe that penetrated my sandal on the way there. You may also want to bring refreshments, as there are no shops there.

Landhuis Chobolobo

The Landhuis Chobolobo is a beautiful 19th-century mansion, located close to Willemstad.

Not only is it an interesting historical building to visit, but it is also the production place of the famous Blue Curacao liquor. You can tour the factory and check out the museum.

The company offers tours around the production with a small tasting and a free cocktail in a cocktail bar in the garden. You can also participate in a cocktail workshop and buy their products for a reduced price.

This is a great place to stock up on some souvenirs. They also sell Glacial rub there, a great remedy for lots of health conditions that the locals here use.

My Take on it: The tour guides are super friendly and quite knowledgeable. We thought it was a very fascinating tour and we loved the colorful decor of the mansion. Landhuis Chobolobo is one of the must-see things on the island of Curacao and should be on your Curacao itinerary. If you prefer an activity without alcohol, check out the Curacao Aloe Factory instead.

Dinner at Fort Nassau

After all these great activities you deserve a real treat for dinner. Fort Nassau is one of my favorite restaurants in Curacao and must be on every itinerary.

The historical fort is located right outside Willemstad and is a pretty unique restaurant, with a 360-degree view of the island. You can see the beautiful capital city of Willemstad from above as the sun sets over the sea.

The restaurant offers fine dining in a chic, renovated historical fort. The food is an absolute treat – we chose the Chef’s menu and have definitely not been disappointed. It is expensive but worth it.

Insider Tip: If you make your reservations early, you can snatch one of the 4 tables that are out on a private terrace, from where you can see the sunset even better. You can enjoy your food in private out on the terrace.

Day 5: Klein Curacao

A Day Trip to Klein Curaçao

Klein Curacao is a small, uninhabited island roughly an hour sailing off the coast of Curacao.

The small island offers some of the most amazing white sandy beaches in the Caribbean and is an absolute MUST on every one week in Curacao itinerary.

Make sure to visit the abandoned lighthouse on Klein Curacao. It does not only make for an amazing photo spot but is also of historical importance.

Because the island is uninhabited, the beauty of its nature is still (mostly) untouched. Klein Curacao makes for an unbelievable day trip, especially for snorkelers.

With some luck you will see sea turtles and be able to swim with them. Not only do sea turtles make the island worth visiting, but the entire marine life there is incredibly special.

Justin’s tip: if a day trip to Klein Curaçao is not possible, visit the Hato Caves and the Blue Room Cave instead!

Sadly, you can only reach the island with a guided tour.

I have made a detailed comparison of all-day trips to Klein Curacao in a designated post. Of course, it is also possible to book a private tour.

Dinner at Mood Beach

You will return around 16:00 from the boat trip, which gives you some time to freshen up before a nice dinner at Mood Beach on Mambo Beach.

Mood Beach is a restaurant located on Curacao’s famous Mambo Beach Boulevard. This restaurant is decorated in boho-chic and is located right on the beach.

You basically have two dining options to choose from when you make your reservation: either dine in the hut-like restaurant itself or sit down by the beach. There is also a cute little bar in the middle for a nice drink while you wait for your table.

Mood Beach is known for fine dining in a very chic environment. The food is exquisite, but also quite pricey. 

My Take on It: The location is super lovely and is definitely worth paying a bit more for. This is definitely a great spot for a beach dinner. If you go around 18:00, you might even catch a glimpse of the sunset.

If you are the partying type, then Mambo Beach is the place to be. Stay a bit longer and check out some of the best beach parties on the island, at the Wet n Wild Beach club or at Madero Beach, sometimes even at Cabana Beach.

Day 6: Beach Hopping and Santa Martha Viewpoint

Kleine Knip Beach

You will start off your beach hopping trip at Kleine Knip Beach. Kleine Knip (Playa Kenepa Chiki, for the locals) is one of my favorite non-touristy beaches in Curacao.

This beach is located far west on the island between Westpunt and Playa Lagun. Entrance to the beach is free.

Tanning beds can be rented there, and they actually always come with an umbrella (which is not usual at Curacao’s beaches). Since the beach offers no other amenities, I suggest only spending an hour or two there before moving on to the next beach.

The water and the beach have amazing quality, and the beach is great for snorkeling. Many locals are there, so it can be a bit loud.

If you buy a ticket for a sunbed, you can also use it on our next beach on the agenda, the Grote Knip. The beaches are located super close to each other and operated by the same people, so it makes sense to combine your visit there.

Grote Knip (or Kenepa Grande)

Grote Knip Beach is, just like its little brother Kleine Knip, located in the western part of the island is very popular among locals and vacationers.

It is far bigger than Kleine Knip Beach. From the cliffs on the side, you have an amazing view over the bay from the top.

Make sure to also bring your own food and drinks to Grote Knip beach, because there is no restaurant on the beach.

The entrance is free and you can rent beach chairs on the beach. If you already rented something at Kleine Knip Beach, make sure to bring your tickets so you can also use them there.

Justin’s Tip: If you are in the area and crave a nice lunch with a view, head over to Playa Forti restaurant (for amazing seafood) or to Bahia Lagun. Playa Forti has an amazing once-in-a-lifetime view over the ocean, you should definitely check it out! From there you can see the beach Playa Piskado as well!

Santa Martha Lookout Point

Before dinner, head to the Santa Martha Lookout Point. Overlooking Santa Martha Bay we found an amazing little spot that offers a stunning view of the bay during sunset.

For directions click here. This spot is nicely on the way back from the beaches far out West, so you don’t have to do a detour.

Tip: Make sure to get there early for a nice spot to watch the stunning spectacle. I thought the view was worth it putting up with many tourists in a small spot, but my husband thought it was a bit overrated.

Dinner at BijBlauw in Willemstad

Bij Blauw is a fabulous restaurant in Willemstad’s famous Pietermaai district. It is located right on the ocean and offers great views.

This is an amazing spot for dinner, and the quality of the restaurant is outstanding.

The dinner setting is more in a fine dining manner, than the other meals there. It is also a bit more expensive, but totally worth it.

This is definitely a great restaurant in Curacao that should be on your Curacao itinerary. Make sure to check out the vibrant bars and streets of the Pietermaai district after your dinner, for some great vibes and a whole lot of fun.

Insider Tip: If you prefer a view of the Handelskade, go to Gouverneur de Rouville instead.

Day 7: Tugboat Beach – Cas Abao Beach

Tugboat Beach

Tugboat Beach is one of the must-visit places for snorkelers and divers and is a great choice for your last day in the one week in Curacao itinerary.

The beach is pretty special, mainly because it is named after a 30-year-old shipwreck that lies there in the ocean.

The shipwreck is a bit of a swim from the shore, but it is very doable, even if you are not an experienced swimmer. You can easily explore the shipwreck with a snorkel!

The beach itself is a little bit rocky. Make sure to bring water shoes if you are sensitive. On your way back from Tugboat Beach you can find Fort Beekenburg, an old castle that you might want to check out.

My take on it: In my opinion, it is not necessary to rent diving gear. The wreck is surrounded by beautiful corals and marine life, which makes it extra stunning to see. However, it is also a great scuba diving site if you are interested in exploring the shipwreck further.

Cas Abao Beach

Your last day on the island should definitely be spend relaxing. And what better place to spend it on than Cas Abao Beach. This beautiful beach is truly a gem and is located on the southwest coast of the island.

Cas Abao Beach has been voted one of the 21 best beaches in the world by National Geographic many times in a row.

And for good reason. The water is crystal clear, there is endless white sand and you can see so many beautiful fish during the snorkels.

The beach is fully serviced, so you can go there without worrying about packing stuff. There is a small restaurant, however it is self-serviced.

You have access to showers, a dive shop, and a massage parlor. You can also rent beach chairs and make use of the lockers if you plan on bringing valuables.

Bring some sunscreen and enjoy a perfect day of relaxation. Make sure to have plenty of time here!

Last Dinner at Koraal Rooftop

Koraal Rooftop Restaurant is right above the Karakter Beach Restaurant and will offer you an even better view of the ocean for the sunset.

The food and the atmosphere are pretty casual. There are many fabulous seafood dishes to try. I loved the flatbread pizza with barracuda!

Make sure to also check out their cocktail menu, to have a final Blue Curacao before you fly back home.

You can have a great view over the ocean for sunset if you reserve your table early. Also, make sure to bring an ID card, because they do check at the entrance to the resort for safety reasons.

What a great place to end an amazing one-week in Curacao itinerary.

Conclusion: One Week in Curacao Itinerary

This one-week Curacao itinerary covers everything you need to see on the island.

Every major beach and hidden gem bay is included in this ultimate Curacao itinerary. I have tested and tried all these spots personally, and with only limited time on the island, these are the ones I would check out.

Of course, you might need some additional inspiration. Find the best restaurants and most sought-after excursions here in this post!

If you are not sure yet if Curaçao is the perfect spot for your vacation, make sure to also research Bonaire and Aruba.

Coming to Curacao on a cruise ship? Find my One Day in Curacao Itinerary!

FAQ: Curacao 7-Day Itinerary