A different vibe on the other side of the island
After a few days of quiet coves and iguana sightings in Westpunt, I pointed my little Kia east toward Willemstad.
The drive itself felt like changing gears: more cars, more houses painted in those famous island pastels.
I’d booked a two-bedroom apartment inside a gated complex just seven minutes from downtown. It looked great on paper.
Reality check?
The location was fantastic! It was easy to access a few beaches and not easy enough to get to downtown. But the digs left a little to be desired. The sliders to the patio jammed until the property manager gave me a tutorial, the door code quit mid-stay, and—surprise—there was a tiny dead gecko in the curtains. Not a disaster, just a reminder that travel rarely unfolds like a brochure.
This place, unlike my place in Westpunt, didn’t have US power receptacles so I had to make an expedition to find an adapter. First stop – the grocery store where I spoke to 3 people – mostly in spanish- but couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for so I was directed to the hardware store. After a brief exchange with an asian woman behind the cash register, she directed me to the adapters. I bought two and luckily one worked.
Finding my footing
Once settled, I headed for the city center.
Pro tip: park at the Renaissance Old Fort garage. It’s free and puts you right inside the historic fort with shops and restaurants, a short stroll from the floating Queen Emma Bridge and picturesque row of painted homes.
Willemstad is a feast for the eyes—bright yellow churches, waterfront buildings in coral and mint, and little lanes that seem made for slow wandering. I let the day unfold with no real plan beyond “walk until something smells good.”
Blue Curaçao: more than a pretty bottle
Of course, I had to see where the island’s most famous liqueur is born.
I booked the 4 p.m. tour at the Blue Curaçao Distillery (about $20 US) and braced for the heat—no AC, plenty of Caribbean sun.
The story is worth the sweat.
It begins with the Laraha fruit, a stubborn descendant of an orange brought from Europe that never adapted. Its green skin hides pulp so bitter it can “burn your tongue,” but the peel is magic. Workers dry the peels, steep them with spices, then add water and sugar.
That’s it: no giant factory, just eight people producing about 2,000 bottles a month.
The bright blues and greens? Purely for show—the flavor stays the same whether the liqueur is clear, orange, or electric turquoise.
And, fun fact: the whole operation is kosher certified each year. Initially the plantation was owned by a Dutch family but then it sold to the Portuguese refugees who took over.
After a lively, well-paced tour, everyone gets a drink in the shady garden and, of course, the exit is through the gift shop. I recommend picking up a sampler of flavors—rum raisin and tamarind were standouts.
Meals between the colors
Evenings in Willemstad were a mixed bag, but a few meals stood out:
- Que Tapa Tapas on the Beach – Good flavors, toes in the sand, service a bit hit-or-miss. Best part was that it was walkable from my place.
- Cielo – Yummy Gelato
- Food court surprise – On the way to the airport I grabbed a build-your-own seafood and veggie plate at the mall food court. Unfancy but genuinely tasty (and air-conditioned!).
Not every night was a culinary win, and that was fine. Sometimes the pleasure was just sitting outside, letting the evening settle around me.
Mini Tip Box: Quick City Wins
- Park free at Renaissance Old Fort and enjoy the short walk across the Queen Emma Bridge.
- Visit the Blue Curaçao Distillery late afternoon for smaller crowds (but dress light—no AC).
- Neighborhood to linger in: Pietermaai, with its pastel houses and little cafés.
Heading home
On my last day, I squeezed in a final swim at Playa Kokomo, rinsed off in the infinity pool, and aimed the Kia toward the airport. I was nervous about the sputtering and lack of acceleration but we made it! A quick lunch in the cool of the mall, an easy rental car drop-off, and I was on my way. I know, I know- the mall. Locals flock there for the AC. And, I found a buffet charged by weight that was full of meat, seafood, and veggies.
As the plane lifted, the colors of Willemstad—sunset yellows, sea-glass blues, soft pinks—blurred beneath me like a watercolor.
I’d come to Curaçao almost on a whim, guided by a single comment from a traveler I met briefly last year.
Leaving, I felt the quiet certainty that the island had given me exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for: a week of new colors, good food, and long, unrushed days.
A book that brought Curaçao’s history alive
During quiet afternoons, I read The House of Six Doors, a novel that follows a mother and her daughters as they leave Curaçao for the United States in search of a better life.
Through flashbacks and family memories, the book paints scenes of old Curaçao—its layered cultures, migrations, and bittersweet ties to home.
It lent depth to the colorful streets around me, a reminder that every pastel wall and spice-scented courtyard carries stories of change and resilience.
Mini Tip Box: Quick City Wins
- Park free at Renaissance Old Fort and enjoy the short walk across the Queen Emma Bridge.
- Visit the Blue Curaçao Distillery late afternoon for smaller crowds (but dress light—no AC).
- Neighborhood to linger in: Pietermaai, with its pastel houses and little cafés.
- Pair your evenings with a good island novel like The House of Six Doors to connect with Curaçao’s past.
Post 5 – Beach guide:
Quick Guide to Curaçao’s Westpunt Beaches
All distances are approximate from the Westpunt area. A rental car makes hopping between them easy.
| Beach | Vibe & Highlights | Insider Tips |
| Playa Forti | A dramatic cliff-edge cove where locals leap into clear blue water. Small sandy entry for swimming. | Arrive early for shade. There’s a casual cliff-top restaurant—perfect for a cold drink while you watch the jumpers. |
| Playa Jeremi | Quiet, rugged, and often nearly empty. Great for a quick swim and photos of the rock formations. | No facilities—bring water and your own umbrella if you’re planning to linger. |
| Playa Lagun | A narrow cove ringed by cliffs and fishing boats. Known for calm water and excellent snorkeling (turtles are common). | Go mid-morning when the sun lights up the reef. A small snack bar sells cold drinks. |
| Playa Piskadó / Klein Knip (Playa Kenepa Chiki) | Beloved for turtle sightings and calm snorkeling. Fishermen clean their catch right on the pier, drawing turtles close. | Bring a mask if you have one; early morning offers the best chance to swim alongside turtles. |
| Playa Kenepa Grandi (Big Knip) | Wide, postcard-perfect white sand and turquoise water. | Gets popular on weekends—arrive before 10 a.m. if you want a shaded palapa. |
| Playa Kokomo | Chill beach club vibe with a long pier and shallow sandy entry. Good mix of locals and visitors. | Grab a drink at the laid-back bar and stay for sunset; live music some evenings. |
| Playa Kalki (“Alice in Wonderland”) | A diver’s favorite with an easily accessible reef just offshore. | If you’re not diving, bring snorkel gear and enjoy from the surface. |
Mini Tip Box: Westpunt Beach Essentials
- Cash for loungers & palapas – most charge a small fee for shade.
- Water shoes – some coves have rocky entries.
- Snorkel gear – rentals are limited, and you’ll want your own if turtles show up.
- Cooler & snacks – once you’re settled under a palapa, you won’t want to leave.