Itineraries for Your Trip to Curacao
3 Days in Curacao for Foodies
When I arrived in Curacao, it felt like a dream. Wandering the capital city of Willemstad, with its Dutch colonial buildings and cobbled streets, I was transported back in time. While the unmistakable dry heat and the tall palm trees were clues that I had made it to the Caribbean. The cuisine of Curacao is as vibrant as its candy-colored buildings, with flavors from Indonesia, the Netherlands, and other Caribbean islands meeting to form something unique and wonderful.
Savor paper cones of hot fries and mayo sold by food carts along the waterfront, sample vibrant blue Curacao liqueur, and wander the heavenly smelling Old Market with its counters serving fresh snapper and conch (and some surprises such as curried sea snake.)
Curacao is hot and dry, but the wind can take you by surprise.
If you only have time for one thing, head to Willemstad’s Old Market for a variety of Curacao’s classics.
Curacao is nearly synonymous with its titular liquor—blue as the surrounding sea. The production of the orange-flavored drink dates back to at least the 17th century. Discover it for yourself with a tasting and distillery tour conducted in a 19th-century mansion. It’s a 10-minute drive from Willemstad or catch the Schottegat or 1B bus line from the Old Market and ask for Landhuis Chobolobo.
For dinner, head to Fort Nassau restaurant with its panoramic views of the island and menu highlighting fresh seafood. The 18th-century fort is perched on a hill, ideal for watching a sunset over the harbor.
It’s time to dive into the classics as you explore central Willemstad—the old city is divided into the quarters of Punda, Otrobanda, Scharloo, and Pietermaai Smal. In Punda, you’ll find the Willemstad Old Market, a covered market filled with food vendors hawking plates of classic Curacao dishes. It’s the perfect place to fuel up before more exploration. Take the 5-minute walk to Drijvende markt, a colorful fruit and vegetable market where you can stock up on unfamiliar treasures and sip fresh fruit juice.
What better way to remember your time in Curacao than by taking something home with you? A cooking class focused on traditional recipes gives you the chance to learn the history of the island’s unique cuisine and get comfortable using typical ingredients in recipes you can recreate at home.
For dinner, wander through the 19th-century Rif Fort, which has been converted into a pedestrian-friendly waterfront destination for shopping and dining. It’s the perfect place to sip tropical cocktails while dreaming about the island's rich past.
