The long exhale
By the time I steered the little Kia into Westpunt, the western tip of Curaçao felt like it had been waiting for me all along. The road narrowed, traffic thinned to nothing, and the air smelled faintly of salt and hibiscus. A couple of electric-blue iguanas skittered across the path as I maneuvered my little carry-on toward a low-slung bungalow hidden behind flowering shrubs.
It was the kind of arrival that makes you forget how early your morning started.
A bungalow made for slow mornings
The place wasn’t grand, but it was perfect.
A simple living room and kitchen, two bedrooms cooled by little mini-split units, and—best of all—a private plunge pool right on the deck. Dushi, as they say here. Sweet.
The first evening I cooked with the doors flung open, heat humming like a drum. No screens meant a few uninvited insects joined the party. I didn’t mind for long. A quick step from stove to pool and I was under a sky that turned velvet as the trade winds stirred the palms.
It turns out that when the air is soft and the stars bright, a pool the size of a postage stamp feels like an ocean.
Little lessons in island living
A few things I learned quickly:
- Mosquito coils are gold. Pick them up at the supermarket before you head west.
- Ask for a fan. Even with the AC in the bedrooms, a soft breeze makes the evenings dreamy.
- Mind the meter. Electricity is expensive and usually charged separately for overages beyond the specified amount. I used AC at night and sometimes for a mid-day Zoom call—worth the extra few dollars for cool, comfortable sleep.
These small adjustments felt less like inconveniences and more like part of the island rhythm—an invitation to slow down and notice.
Beach-day heartbeat
Westpunt’s beaches aren’t grand swaths of sand; they’re secret coves framed by cliffs.
Most mornings I slipped out early, coffee in hand, to find a quiet spot before the sun got serious. Two hours of floating in turquoise water, then a lazy drive back for lunch or a book in the shade.
Having a car was essential; the best beaches are scattered like jewels, each with its own mood. Some ask a small fee for a palapa or lounger, but most of the time I swam too much to care.
Mini Tip Box: Westpunt Made Simple
- Shop for groceries before leaving Willemstad—options are non-existant once you’re out here. The closest small little stores are in Barber – a good 10-15Km away.
- Rental car = freedom. You’ll want wheels to reach the coves and sunset spots.
- Go early for beach shade or pack a lightweight umbrella. Be prepared to pay for chairs and umbrellas.
Evenings of quiet magic
As the light softened, the island seemed to exhale with me.
I’d slip into the pool, book balanced on the deck rail, and listen to the iguanas settle into their night colors. Somewhere beyond the palms the sea kept its steady hush. The wind was generally delicious as it blew across the deck.
There were no crowds, no schedules—just the slow bloom of time well spent alone.
It felt less like a vacation and more like a gentle chapter in a longer story.
Next, I’ll share the tastiest chapter of all: Curaçao on a plate—where oregano punch meets “mountain chicken,” and every meal comes with a side of island charm.