The Right Destination

Family time in Curaçao: a piece of Caribbean paradise

With beautiful beaches, this former Dutch colony in the Caribbean guarantees a cultural experience for the whole family, along with many dive sites

By Paulo Mancha D’Amaro

It is a fact that the islands of the Caribbean have a common denominator: pristine sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. However, there are areas that go far beyond that. Little Curaçao, for example. It is a travel destination that overflows with history, culture and even its own language, Papiamento. It is a place where adults and children can have fun while learning.

This island is the size of Florianópolis and forms part of the so-called “Caribbean ABC.” These are Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, which are the three nations that were colonized by the Netherlands. Curacao is the largest. With a population of 160,000 people, it is a refuge filed with isolated beaches and a unique urban center, which is full of charm and also listed by UNESCO – something rare when dealing with beach destinations.

It is called Willemstad and enchants with its typical Dutch architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries, and its narrow, high and colorful houses, in the best style of postcards from Amsterdam.

If Willemstad is home to good shops, cafes and restaurants, there is also no shortage of museums that reveal its trajectory through time. There is the Maritime Museum, which recounts the history of the Great Navigations and the Dutch maritime saga – the same one that took a small portion of the Brazilian Northeast. There are dozens of models of ships of all types and eras – which especially fascinate children.

However, what about the beaches? After all, the Caribbean is famous for them. There are 38 beaches spread over more than 60 km of coastline, which allows the traveling family to relax a little after absorbing so much knowledge.

The best way to explore the island is to rent a car and discover a different paradise every day. Some to rest, others to party in the beach clubs, with all the infrastructure and several restaurant options. There are others that are wild and isolated, which, with children, will require more careful planning and the need to take all the necessary items to spend the day.

On the side facing the vastness of the Atlantic, there are deserted beaches with rough seas, such as the inhospitable but stunning Playa Kanoa. This wild side also boasts one of the most beautiful natural attractions of the island: Shete Boka National Park – a set of seven rocks (or seven mouths, in the Papiamento language) through which the turbulent waters of the ocean break spectacularly. The guided tours here become an interesting source of geographic and environmental knowledge for adults and children alike.

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The side that looks towards America, in turn, is where the people are and where you can bathe in calm, small waves, under a sun that hardly ever disappears – there are an average of 25 days a month without a single cloud in the sky. This part of the island has 28 hotels and a few dozen Airbnbs and other options – most of them being perfect for family trips.

As an example, take the Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino, which opened in 2019, and was the company’s first five-star development on the Caribbean island. Its motto is “Unlimited Luxury” with everything actually included and a generous leisure infrastructure. It has the “Explorer’s Club” that organizes fun activities for children from three to twelve years old. Dozens of monitors teach them how to perform tasks ranging from sandcastle building contests to theater, scientific experiments and the exploration of nature through games and fun activities. Because it is close to one of the best dive sites in the world, water activities are highlighted, including snorkeling, kayaking and a National Geographic dive center certified by PADI, which has complete facilities and its very own dock.

Most of the resorts have their own beach, which is most convenient for those traveling with children. The more adventurous, however, also find their place in resorts such as the Forti and Lagun beaches, which are further away from the center, with their stone walls framing the backdrop of the region’s fishermen and their colorful boats.

There is also Kenepa Grandi, which is full of corals and ideal for snorkeling. Pescadô is small and specific for those who want to see turtles and stingrays up close. There are so many that they seem to be being paid in order to amuse the bathers – especially the children, who rarely have this experience of such close contact with marine life.

Memories of this type are also guaranteed in Porto Marie, which is a beach that, in addition to being beautiful, is home to a family of friendly little pigs. These are beach pigs, who love to let themselves be photographed and who enthrall the young ones.

However, of all the beaches, one is extra special. Klein Curaçao challenges the visitors. It’s on a deserted island, with the look of a Hollywood movie. You get there by private boat and, as you arrive, you are faced with an absolutely virgin resort, with a white and blue contrast that amazes the most impassive of travelers (usually the teenagers).

It’s an all-day tour. Pleasant, relaxing and edifying for the older children. Seeing nature up close in such an untouched way is a memory that will last forever and will you’re your children the desire to fight for a more sustainable world in the future.