A Curacao honeymoon involves a romantic Caribbean paradise with a European flavor. Two getaways in one. The beaches offer incredible watersports and are a favorite scuba divers’ destination, while Willemstad is second to none for shopping, fine dining, and vibrant nightlife. The city is famed for its buildings, all colored in different pastel colors.
Best Hotels and Resorts for a Curacao Honeymoon
Sandals Curacao
Sandals Curacao has the ocean at its doorsteps and the Tafelberg Mountains in the distance. All suites and rooms have an ocean, pool, or garden view. Some have 24-hour butler service, a private pool, and a balcony for some special honeymoon pampering. The lovely bungalows offer additional privacy. Eight all-inclusive gourmet restaurants and three all-day food trucks are included in the price, as is the unlimited liquor in the over-the-water bars. Evenings bring various live entertainment and beach parties.
Sandals Curacao is one of the best all-inclusive resorts for honeymooners worldwide. The honeymoon package includes accommodations so incredible they named them Love Nest Butler Suite®. These over-the-water villas have a glass floor for viewing the water below, a soaking tub, a private infinity pool, and every comfort a dedicated butler can provide.
Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort
Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort is located at the edge of a private beach by the ocean with vibrant views of Willemstad. The rooms and suites have a garden or ocean view, as do the bars and restaurants.
Guests can enjoy couples’ massages at the resort’s spa, work out at the gym, or swim in the infinity pool. There are plenty of activities to keep couples busy as the resort arranges scuba diving tours, walking tours of historic Willemstad, boat and fishing trips, hikes, horse rides on the beach, and visits to the Curacao Sea Aquarium. Two 18-hole golf courses are nearby.
Avila Beach Hotel
Avila Beach Hotel is conveniently located near all points of interest in Willemstad. Most rooms and suites have an ocean view, and handicapped rooms are available.
Guests can take advantage of three different meal plans: the breakfast-only package, the breakfast and lunch package, and the full board plan, which includes three meals a day. Of course, a private three-course dinner on the beach is always an option.
The Forever Lovers Honeymoon Package is designed to start your life together with champagne, dinner on the beach, roses, chocolate, and a couples’ massage on the beach. Who could ask for more?
Lions Dive Beach Resort
Suites and apartments at the Lions Dive are situated amid beautiful gardens by the resort’s private beaches. These beaches offer a natural coral reef for exciting snorkeling and diving and schools of fish. The rooms and suites have either an ocean or a pool view.
Both experienced and beginning divers can visit the resort’s diving school, improve their diving experience, and join guides on snorkel excursions by the coral reefs. Couples will love the relaxing massages on the beach and sunrise yoga.
Away from the beach, the resort hosts hikes that explore the beauty of its surroundings. For couples serious about fitness, the resort has a Beach Boot Camp several times a week for the ultimate workout. Jumping into the ocean for a dip after a rigorous exercise feels sublime.
Scuba Lodge
Scuba Lodge in located in the middle of Willemstad surrounded by tropical gardens and the city’s arts district. Several beaches are within walking distance, as is the floating Punda Floating Market, which consists of Venezuelans selling their wares from their boats. Visitors will never know what treasures they may find here. The lodge also has a pool.
Among the Scuba Lodge suites, the Zeelandia Suite, with its balcony and views of the water, is the lodge’s most romantic accommodation and perfect for honeymooners. The in-house restaurant, De Heeren @ sea, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
About Curacao
A hidden gem in the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles, Curacao is one of the three ABC islands north of Venezuela – Aruba, Bonaire, with Curacao being the “C” in the alphabetical triangle. With over 150,000 residents, it is the largest of the ABC islands. It is famed for its fabulous beaches, making the island perfect for a seaside honeymoon.
On the west side, 38 kilometers from Willemstad, Playa Lagun is a cove with the island’s best snorkeling. Even more fun, this is where to swim with the turtles, and the cove is filled with huge schools of sardines for some Instagram underwater pictures.
Another picturesque westside island is Porto Maire, another superior snorkeling and diving spot. The beach spreads out beautifully, and lounge chairs are available to relax and take in the view. Or to interact with Woody and Willy, two pigs who showed up here years ago and made themselves at home. There is a restaurant and bar offering sustenance.
Curacao isn’t as well-known as its neighbors, which means the white beaches, turquoise waters, and cultural landmarks are less crowded. Still, one million visitors in the know visit each year.
Information and Culture about Curacao
Curaçao has three very distinct cultural influences. As a member of the Dutch kingdom, it has had Dutch traditions and political ideology since the 17th century, when Spain surrendered the island to the Dutch, who turned it into a colony, complete with slave trade. After slavery was abolished in 1863, Curacao turned to oil as an industry, a move which has kept it from adopting tourism as its major income – and has kept the country more genuine than other Caribbean islands.
African music and dance are still a large of Curacao’s culture, especially the tambu, which was the slaves’ protest against oppression. The dance requires gyration and can get quite suggestive, but there is no physical touching. Today, it serves as entertainment and as a reminder of Curacao’s history.
Its proximity to Venezuela has influenced Curacao’s food. Despite the prevalence of Dutch dishes (visitors should not miss the Dutch pancakes), almost every menu carries Venezuelan rice and beans. The local saying, “belly full, happy heart,” is an indication of Curacao’s appreciation for good food. In addition to rice and beans, soups such as fish or beef creole, okra soup, red bean soup, or any dish made with freshly caught seafood, are tremendously popular.
Curacoa has several languages. The most used is Papiamentu, which is a mixture of Dutch. Many residents also speak pure Spanish, English, and proper Dutch. With the influence of American television, the younger generation is slowly discarding the traditional Papiamentu and turning to the English language as their primary source of communication.
Top Things to Do in Curacao
Dolphin Academy
The Dolphin Academy in Willemstad educates the public about dolphins, and it also provides the opportunity to swim with them. Visitors are taught how to communicate and signal the dolphins, and once the visitors are in the water, it is up to the dolphins to approach and choose a swimming partner.
Curacao Liqueur Distillery
Curacao Liqueur Distillery in Willemstad’s Landhuis Chobolobo produces the Blue Curacao Liqueur that is famous throughout the world. The distillery is inside a lovely 19th-century mansion and a favorite tourist attraction. A tour provides details about this famed drink, and the Chobolobo’s Cocktail Workshop teaches people to make their own cocktails while they nibble on treats and ice cream.
Jan Thiel
Jan Thiel south of Willemstad is a private beach with a lot of action, cabanas, and comfortable loungers. The many shops and restaurants make it a wonderful place to spend the day, while the Diamond Beach Casino guarantees a fun time at night. The diving center at the beach provides lessons. On Saturday evenings, the Zanzibar Bar turns into a party zone with live music.
Watamula Hole
Watamula Hole is an unexpected Curacao landmark. It is a blowhole on the west side of the island in the Village of Westpunt Sabana.
Here, nature is having its own bit of fun. As waves crash into the rock, a fierce blow is created, and it is quite a sight. It can get slippery by the edge, so caution is advised, as are comfortable sneakers for climbing to the top.
Average Cost of a One-Week Trip to Curacao
A week’s honeymoon in Curacao won’t be the cheapest getaway – but every cent will be worth it. The average daily expense would be approximately $291.50, which includes an average hotel for $199.00, food ($35.40), and entertainment for $103.25.
A budget vacation to Curacao for a week will cost approximately $3.161.30, while a luxury vacation to Curacao can add up to $7,653,00.
Best Time to Visit Curacao
The weather in Curacao paradise is great all year round, whether it is for watersports or hiking. There is always something fun and romantic to do without having to worry about the elements, and there is no official “best time” to visit. Many, however, lean toward a trip around Lent. That is the time for Curacao’s famed carnival – the largest such celebration in the Caribbean. There is color, dancing, music, and parades everywhere. Think of a tropical Mardi Gras.
The festivities stretch out for a month, highlighted by two grand parades led by costumed dancers.
Weather in Curacao
The best thing about honeymooning in Curacao is that the weather is superior all year round without much fluctuation. The cost of the trip, however, can greatly depend on the timing. School vacations and holidays are popular travel times and will hike up the travel and accommodation prices.
There can be a minimum rainfall of around three inches between October and December, but the weather usually clears up quite quickly. June is the island’s windiest month, but it usually happens in the form of a welcome breeze.
Visitors should pack at least one good lightweight outfit for the evening; otherwise, shorts, T-shirts, and plenty of bathing suits should comprise most of your Curacao wardrobe.
Getting to Curacao
There are flights from the US to Curacao out of JFK, Boston, Newark, Houston, and Philadelphia. Travel time can last from seven and a half hours to nine and a half hours, with most low-cost flights beginning in the high 200 dollars range.
Five airlines service travel between the US and Curacao, and these are JetBlue, American Airlines, Air Canada, United Airlines, and AirDivi.
The sole international airport in Curacao is Willemstad’s Hato International Airport.
