Seven Day Curaçao Family Adventure

Relax on Jan Thiel Beach. The buzzy Dutch-heavy beach resort area is a great way to spend the day into the night. Pay a small fee to access the beach resort, which includes the infinity pool, loads of restaurants and beach chairs (which cost a small fee as well). Order food from the great Zanzibar restaurant direct from your chair, or sit at the sandy Zest Beach Bar. Grab a snorkel and see what lies under those crystal-clear waters!

Stay for a fun happy hour and down a few spritzes as the DJ spins. If feeling lucky, take your gamble to the slots and visit the casino!

Spend the morning painting your own Chichi doll! Visit the Chichi Garden, a truly special and unique place, and learn about the history and cultural impact of these dolls on the island. “Chichi” means “big sister” and represents the important role of the eldest sister. If visiting on a Tuesday, you can paint your own, which is really fun even for the most artistically challenged people—trust me!

Next, head on over to the Ostrich Farm. Grab a quick lunch at their restaurant/bar and let the kids play in the playground while they chase around peacocks. Then hop on the bus and visit the many ostriches, where you can even feed them!

Afterward, stop by the beautiful Aloe Farm, where if you want you can have a tour or just visit the shop and get some great products - perfect for a day spent in the sun!

Jump in the car and visit the dazzling beaches in the north of the island.

• Grote Knip—snorkeling, cliff jumping with snack bar.

• Playa Lagun—small cove with cliffs and a great restaurant, Bahia.

• Cas Abao Beach—white sand beach with snorkeling and kayak rentals. Small restaurant and bar.

• Playa Porto Marie—say hello to the local pigs on the this beach! It also has a great art workshop.

• End at Karakter Beach for a nice dinner and sunset.

You could spend your whole day wandering the colorful streets, admiring the architecture, murals, galleries, and great restaurants in the capital of Curacao. The cruise ships do dock here, but there is plenty to do not to get caught up in the crowds. Here are some key spots:

• The Rif Fort area is a small shopping mall within an old fort.

• Kura Hulunda Village has charming cobblestone streets, great outdoor dining, shops, galleries, and a museum.

• Mikve Israel Emanuel Synagogue: Oldest synagogue in the Western hemisphere. Great museum with special exhibits about WWII and Anne Frank.

End the day with a bite at one of the many foodie spots in Pietermaii district: Kome, Esty’s Brasserie, MosaCana Bar and Kitchen, or Cafe George.

Visit the Curacao Sea Aquarium, where you can even swim with dolphins and feed various animals! It’s small but full of knowledgable, friendly staff, and interactive experiences. Then head over to Mambo Beach, rent a chaise to relax and swim, shop the many stores, and eat at one of the beach cafes, often with live music!

Visit Tugboat Beach for snorkeling and some art. This is a great spot the whole family can enjoy. They have everything you need here to snorkel in one of the best areas of Curaçao, complete with a shipwreck! Even little ones can do it, but definitely bring a life vest or a noodle so they don’t tire out so easily. The waters are calm, but it is a lot of swimming! After snorkeling, there is a driftwood paint workshop to bring your own special souvenir home. Enjoy the dogs and cats on the premises as well!

For your last and final day, rent a tiki boat in the Spanish waters near Jan Thiel for a truly unique experience or book a catamaran cruise to soak up the last of the beautiful blue waters. If there is time, check out Landuis Chobobo, the distillery where the famous Blue Curaçao liqueur is made, which is located in a beautiful 19th century old mansion. Learn the history of the island, go on a tour, or just have one of their signature cocktails!