Curaçao isn’t as popular as the Bahamas, US Virgin Islands or Aruba for a honeymoon destination. However, turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, a beautiful capital city full of history, and unique culture make it a place you should definitely check out when planning your romantic trip. In this article, we’ll give you a full Curacao honeymoon review.
Honeymooning in Curaçao
Located less than 45 miles north off the coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea, Curaçao is one of those places that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Even though it receives more than 1 million tourists every year (400,000 of which stay over and more than 700,000 cruise arrivals), as part of the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), it’s usually under the shadow of its two more famous neighbors.
Is Curacao romantic? Absolutely! This charming country has amazing beaches, beautiful weather, lovely weather, stunning blue water, a variety of diving spots, a rich history and culture, excellent food, and beautiful colonial architecture.
One of the things that makes Curaçao so attractive is that it’s not the typical Caribbean island. It’s an autonomous nation that belongs to the Netherlands but has been influenced by several European countries. Its official languages are a reflection of this mix of cultures: most Curaçaons speak Dutch, Papiamentu, and English, while Spanish is also widely spoken. People here are friendly and welcoming, there is less of a tourist crowd, and it’s a safe island to visit.
Curaçao Honeymoon Things To Do
Even though it’s a very small island, there’s a lot to do and see in Curaçao. From stunning white sand beaches to great diving and snorkeling spots, to a beautiful capital city with a UNESCO World Heritage historic center with a rich history, to national parks, this country offers a wide variety of options that will keep you busy for several days.
If you’re looking to relax and enjoy amazing beaches, crystal clear waters and rich sea life, Playa Knip, Playa Jeremi, Porto Marie, and Playa Lagun are your best picks.
For a romantic evening, enjoy a sunset cruise. Leaving the beautiful Seru Boca Marina in Santa Barbara Plantation with Maxie Sailing where you will enjoy a welcome drink, tapas, and a private sunset cruise.
Book here using code ‘Curacao-Honeymoon-always’.
Curaçao also has activities for those looking for a more adventurous honeymoon. Shete Boka National Park and Christoffel National Park are the top places for hiking and nature lovers. Shete Boka is also a popular turtle nesting hotspot. Klein Curaçao is a small island 15 miles off the southeast point of Curacao and it’s a fantastic option for a day trip.
If you’re looking for something more cultural, you’ll have plenty to see in Willemstad. Curaçao’s capital has a unique colonial Dutch architecture and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage. The city has two main areas, Otrobanda and Punda, which are united by the famous Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. Additionally, it’s home to one of the oldest surviving synagogues in the Americas.
If you happen to be in Curaçao in February, don’t miss out on Carnival, the biggest traditional event of the country.
Some other activities include the Watamula Hole on the northern tip of the island, the Hato Cave, and the Ostrich Farm.
Curaçao Honeymoon Resorts & Hotels
Curaçao has a wide variety of resorts and hotels for every type of traveler to make the most of your honeymoon. Some of the best Curacao honeymoon resorts are:
Sandals Royal Curacao
Sandals Royal Curacao is a luxurious adults-only all-inclusive resort and the newest Sandals property. The resort is set on the southernmost tip of Curacao, on 44 acres nestled into the exclusive 3,000-acre private preserve of Santa Barbara estate.
This setting gives guests incredible opportunities to explore the natural wonders surrounding Sandals Curacao, including the mountainous range behind the resort. Guests will also enjoy the white-sand beach, which stretches for 1500 feet along a calm, protected lagoon.
Sandals Royal Curacao has some incredible romantic accommodations to choose from, including two new luxury suite options that both offer butler service, private pools, and their own MiniCooper convertible for touring around the island!
The resort offers 11 restaurants, 13 bars, a vast array of complimentary water and land activities, nightly entertainment, golf, a fitness center, a full spa, and Sandals’ first-ever Dos Awa infinity pool, a bi-level pool with upper and lower decks and fantastic views of both the sea and the mountains. A Curacao honeymoon package here starts at $341 per person per night and includes extras like a bottle of chilled sparkling wine, a special turndown service with flower petals on your bed the first evening of your honeymoon, and fresh flowers and a decadent breakfast in bed one morning of your choice.
Livingstone Jan Thiel Beach Resort
Located only 10 minutes from the center of Willemstad and near Jan Thiel Beach & Plaza, this 4-star hotel offers apartments and villas with sea views. It features a large outdoor pool, a restaurant, a bar, and an activity desk to book tours and activities.
A night in Livingstone Jan Thiel Beach Resort starts at $120.
Oasis Coral Estate Beach, Dive & Wellness Resort
Located 30 minutes from Willemstad, 12 miles from Christoffel National Park, and steps away from the sea, this 4-star resort features a private beach area, a big garden, a restaurant, a bar, along with a spa and wellness center.
Each unit comes with a patio, TV, kitchenette, and sea views. Rooms start at $200, and you can get a bungalow for $240. Oasis Coral Estate Beach, Dive & Wellness Resort offers discounts for booking in advance so being organized can help you save some money.
Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort
Located on what used to be a plantation, this 4-star resort offers spacious suites, a beautiful 18-hole golf course and a private beach.
Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort has two pool areas, 3 restaurants, a beach bar, and 1, 2, and 3-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, air-conditioning, TV, and ocean views. There’s also a tour desk that organizes activities.
A night is this resort will set you back at least $170.
Kontiki Beach Resort
This resort is located on Seaquarium Beach, 20 minutes from the airport and steps away from the beach. It features two beach clubs, a tropical garden, and five saltwater pools. All rooms come with a TV, air conditioning, a fridge, and a private veranda.
Kontiki Beach Resort also offers diving trips, car rentals, massages, and a complete wellness area. If you want to spend your holidays at this resort, expect to pay around $250 per night.
Where is Curaçao Located?
Curaçao is the least known of the cluster of islands that form the ABC Islands. It’s located nearly 50 miles north off the coast of Venezuela, 70 miles east of Aruba, and 40 miles west of Bonaire in the south of the Caribbean Sea.
Fortunately, these three islands are outside the so-called Caribbean hurricane zone and heavy tropical storms are rare.
How to get to Curaçao
Citizens from the European Union, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and most western countries can enter Curaçao visa-free for 30 to 60 days.
Most tourists will arrive landing at the Hato International Airport next to the capital city Willemstad, or on a cruise. American Airlines, Iberia, Finnair, and other airlines offer direct flights from Miami for $350. Most of the flights from New York will set you back around $350 and have one stop but it’s also possible to get a return ticket with JetBlue for the same price.
Getting to Curaçao from Europe is a bit more expensive. KLM offers direct flights from Amsterdam for $600, while if you fly from London, Paris or another major European capital you can expect to pay between $750 and $850 for a return ticket.
Another option to visit Curaçao is to come on one of the cruises that sail around the Caribbean.
When to Visit Curaçao For Your Honeymoon
Located in the Caribbean Sea between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, Curaçao has a fantastic location. With temperatures that range from 75ºF to 90ºF, it enjoys warm weather year-round so it can be visited any time. However, to make the most of your Curacao honeymoon you should consider crowds, rain, and prices.
Most tourists arrive in Curaçao between the second half of December and April, when hotel rates and airfare are at their highest. From October to December, it’s considered the rainy season and even though the weather isn’t terrible, it’s the wettest period of the year and the one with the highest number of mosquitoes.
That’s why if you want to enjoy good weather, cheaper prices, and fewer crowds, the best time to visit Curaçao for your honeymoon is between May and September.
All in all, Curaçao is a great destination for your honeymoon. If you have at least 8 days, an excellent option would be to combine it with Aruba, a more typical yet amazing island. You could spend 4-5 days in Curaçao and then another 4-5 days in Aruba enjoying the amazing beaches, visiting the Arikok National Park, and taking a 4×4, dune buggy, or quad biking tour.
If you decide to do a combined trip, keep in mind that even though they’re only 70 miles apart, there is no ferry between islands yet (there was a project to run it but it was delayed) so you’ll have to fly. The good news is that flights are very frequent and relatively cheap, usually costing between $100 and $150. However, it’s important to note that you have to pay between $20 and $35 in taxes at Curaçao and Aruba airport when leaving so add them to your budget when planning your honeymoon.