Weekend: Dealing With O ne-Sided Friendships 🙄

For an Easy Beach Vacation Without the Crowds, Curaçao Is the Answer

theSkimm

If you’re looking to book an easy Caribbean getaway with white-sand beaches, dreamy sunsets, and turquoise water, you’ve probably got the usual suspects, like Aruba, on your radar. But what if we told you there’s a lesser-known destination that’s just as picturesque and isn’t overrun with tourists? Enter: Curaçao. The island — which was colonized by the Spanish, Dutch, and British, but is now an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands — is conveniently located outside the hurricane belt and is known for its candy-colored buildings, vibrant culture, and perfectly blue coves. Not to mention, its signature blue liqueur, which can and should be enjoyed in the form of a delicious cocktail on the beach.

🛏 If you’re the type that likes to have options — and, honestly, who doesn’t? — check out Avila Beach Hotel. Located 15 minutes by foot from downtown, the beachfront property feels like its own private oasis, with a charming Dutch colonial facade, a unique history (it was formerly a boarding school and private hospital), a luxurious spa, a lively alfresco restaurant, and not one, but two private beaches.

🌈 To get a feel for Curaçao’s rich mix of culture and history, stroll through Willemstad, its colorful capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Start in the buzzy Otrobanda district, where you’ll come across eye-catching murals and the Kurá Hulanda Museum, considered to be one of the most comprehensive exhibitions on the Caribbean slave trade. Then walk across the scenic Queen Emma Bridge to the historic Punda district, where in addition to tight alleyways packed with boutiques and galleries, you’ll find what’s believed to be the oldest continuously used synagogue in the Americas and Handelskade (the Instagram-famous strip of sherbet-colored homes).

🌊 Curaçao is home to more than 30 beaches, many with hidden caves and coves. So one of the best ways to explore the island is by beach hopping: Playa Forti is popular for cliff jumping; Grote Knip is known for its white sand and pristine water; and Playa Santa Cruz is a local fave close to the famous snorkeling spot, Blue Room Cave. If and when you need a break from the beach, visit Shete Boka National Park (expect stunning views from limestone bluffs, massive waves crashing into rocky inlets, and lots of iguanas) and nearby Christoffel National Park to hike to the island’s highest point.

🍴 Given Curaçao’s location, it’s no surprise seafood is everywhere (make sure to get the freshly caught, whole fried fish at Purunchi Koredor). But there’s also plenty of local specialities on menus across the island, including keshi yena (a cheese casserole stuffed with spiced meat) and karni stoba (a braised beef stew). Try these and other traditional dishes at Gouverneur de Rouville or Plasa Bieu, a no-frills, covered food court. And, of course, no trip to Curaçao is complete without sipping its famous blue liqueur, so stop by Mood Beach for a Blue Vintage cocktail with a sunset view.