Curaçao With a Kid: From Crystal-Clear Water to Colorful Cobblestones

My son and I escaped New York over the Christmas holiday break and landed in Curaçao—one of the most welcoming and bright island destinations I’ve experienced.

I wanted a place where we could go from the beach to cafés and cobblestone streets whenever we were ready for a change of scenery—where exploring still felt easy, even after long stretches of sun and sand. Curaçao delivered all of that—and more.

For this trip, Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort was the perfect home base. From the hotel’s impressive man-made infinity lagoon (I still don’t fully understand how they pulled this off), we could walk around Willemstad at our own pace. Built into the island’s rock cliffs and located beside the repurposed Rif Fort (1828), the heated saltwater lagoon was truly the highlight of the property. It was also ideal for families: predictable, lots of sand for kids to play in, and even its own little ecosystem—rock wall snails, tiny shore crabs, and marine plant life tucked into the edges. The resort’s service was excellent, the food options were flexible, and we loved having endless restaurants just steps away in the city.

Van Gogh Specialty Coffee & City Roastery

What makes Curaçao so special is the way it blends European culture with Caribbean energy in a way that feels completely its own. The island community is tremendously diverse and welcoming; with locals representing over 50 nationalities and eight main religious denominations, it’s clear that people from all over the world have made Curaçao home. It’s the kind of place where schoolchildren are taught four languages—Papiamentu, Dutch, English, and Spanish—which says so much about the island’s layered identity and global mindset. Visiting the oldest Jewish synagogue in the Americas, with its sanctuary floor covered in sand, was especially profound.

Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue

Willemstad is pure color—every building painted in a shade that somehow makes the one next to it pop even more, with murals at almost every turn. I loved (and totally dragged my son along for) the street art tour through the city, which included a stop at the artists’ cooperative in Otrobanda. The food scene was unlike anything I’ve experienced in the Caribbean: not only fresh, high-quality, and diverse, but also incredibly easy with a child. And as a parent, I loved that Curaçao is genuinely kid-friendly—kids aren’t treated like an afterthought here, and my son had endless options too, from fresh smoothies to stroopwafels. Nut allergies? Vegan? Curaçao is ready for you.

Street art in Kaya Kaya, Otrobanda (Willemstad)

We booked a full-day excursion to the west side of the island and I’m so glad we did: It was full of beach hopping, swimming with turtles, visiting the flamingo sanctuary, getting up close to the famous blowhole in Shete Boka National Park, and Curaçao’s cacti-meets-sea landscape. Seeing Grote Knip in person was the postcard moment we were hoping for, and snorkeling with sea turtles at the fisherman’s beach—Playa Grandi (Playa Piskadó)—with fishermen right behind us cleaning their fish, was one of those hyper-local experiences that you just don’t get at a resort. The excursion was also a great value, since there’s no Uber-like service on the island and taxi prices are high—especially if you’re trying to get all the way to the other side of Curaçao. Next time, I’ll book a three-day rental car—so many tucked-away beaches and authentic island spots to hit.

Grote Knip Beach

Playa Grandi (Playa Piskadó)

Crossing into Punda on the floating, pedestrian-only Queen Emma Bridge (“Swinging Old Lady,” built in 1888) was another highlight, and wandering past the floating market in Punda (known locally as the Barquita)—where sellers arrive by boat from nearby Venezuela with fresh fruits and vegetables—gave me a new appreciation for Curaçao’s ties to the region. Curaçao felt incredibly family-friendly and safe. As a parent, that mattered—I never hesitated to leave the resort, and I felt completely comfortable letting my son experience the island right alongside me.

Ginger, a Carib-Asian-Indian restaurant

Wilhelminaplein (Wilhelmina Square), Punda — UNESCO-listed Willemstad

Best times to visit

• December to April (high season): Best weather, sunny days, perfect for beach lovers

• May to September (shoulder season): Slightly warmer, fewer crowds; brief showers possible

• October to December (rainy season): Occasional showers, lush landscapes, less predictable weather

• Carnival (February–March): A colorful celebration with parades, music, and dancing

Other tips

Curaçao is part of the ABC Islands—Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao—which sit outside the main hurricane belt and generally have a lower hurricane risk than many other Caribbean destinations.

Visiting during the holidays is especially festive and great for families—marching bands in the streets, bright lights everywhere, and even swings set up in the center of town alongside whimsical, kid-friendly climbing installations.

Renting a car for a few days makes it easy to explore the stunning beaches and varied landscapes along the island’s west side.

Kid-friendly restaurant recommendations

• Isabelle Off The Beach: West coast favorite near Mishe Mishe with laid-back island vibes and some of the most authentic food on the island (car needed)

• Ginger (Pietermaai): Carib-Asian/Indian-inspired dining in a cozy courtyard, set on a lively street lined with cafés, bars, and live music.

• Grand Café 'Gouverneur De Rouville': International, family-friendly dining in a beautifully restored 18th-century building with stunning views of the bay and the Queen Emma Bridge.

• BRGR Haus (Kura Hulanda Village): Local favorite for burgers in a charming, walkable Otrobanda village. ​​Follow it up with a sweet treat—ice cream or gourmet chocolate—and linger over a cappuccino at one of the village cafés.

• La Bohème Curaçao: Easygoing bistro in the heart of Punda, a favorite for lunch and brunch, serving Mediterranean-inspired comfort food with Old Town charm.

• The Green House: Casual waterfront, all-day dining by the bridge with a big menu (Japanese, Mexican, Middle Eastern, and seafood).

• Pasawá Box Eatery: Food truck courtyard with multiple vendors (tacos, BBQ, fish and chips, and local Curaçao street food) and easy seating, with a lively open-air street-food market vibe and cocktails (taxi needed).

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Curaçao page.