Solo Travel Guide to Curaçao: 18 Amazing Things to do + Insider tips

Traveling solo to Curaçao? Get ready for bright-colored streets, crystal-clear water, and amazing boat trips.

This Caribbean gem is safe, and packed with amazing activities, great food options and amazing hotels.

Whether you’re into snorkeling, street art, or simply sipping cocktails with a sea view, this solo travel guide to Curaçao has you covered—with 18 amazing things to do and insider tips to make it all smooth sailing. ✈️☀️

Is Curacao safe for solo (female) travelers?

I have experienced Curacao as a pretty safe place. However, there are still a lot of spots that solo travelers might want to avoid.

The tourist areas in Curacao are safe, and you can enjoy yourself without too much worry.

The rural areas of Curacao are safe during the day. At night, I would not recommend exploring by yourself outside of the tourist areas.

The crime rate in Curacao is not as high as in other Caribbean islands, but there is some drug-related crime on the island.

For solo female travelers, I recommend booking guided tours when exploring off the beaten paths.

Where to Stay in Curacao for Solo Travelers

The Willemstad area is ideal for solo travelers to stay in Curacao. The hip district of Pietermaai—also called the SoHo of Willemstad—is full of young and fun people.

If you are looking to make friends, this is the best area to stay in. I can recommend the Scuba Lodge Curacao, the Pietermaai Boutique Hotel or the Saint Tropez Ocean Club.

There are no real beaches in Willemstad, so if you crave some beach time, I suggest booking the Renaissance Wind Creek Resort in the Otrobanda District of Willemstad – they have an artificial beach.

Night owls and party lovers will also love the Jan Thiel area of Curacao. You can find cheaper hostels, hip resorts, and stunning Airbnbs in this area. That is where most of the nightlife happens on the island.

I would not recommend renting a house in the West of the island if you are all alone, it can be a bit scary and crime is more common there.

Things to Do in Curacao By Yourself

There are so many cool things you can do in Curacao alone. I have traveled to Curacao many times alone, and Willemstad is the perfect place to explore alone.

But there are also lots of cool guided tours and excursions you can join if you want to find friends on the island.

Let’s check out my favorite things to do for Solo Travelers in Curacao.

1. Explore Willemstad by yourself or with a guided walking tour

As I mentioned before, Willemstad is one of my favorite places to explore by myself. The city is super safe and full of street art, colorful houses, museums, and shops. Start exploring in the Pietermaai District for the cutest houses. Make your way through Punda to see the Handelskade over the famous floating Queen Emma Bridge. End your day of exploration in Otrobanda. There is some more interesting street art to see – and you’ll have an amazing view over the Sint Anna Bay. Check out De Gouverneur de Rouville Restaurant for dinner with a view.

2. Go Snorkeling or Diving

Watersports are super popular in Curacao, and especially exploring the marine life is something every solo traveler should try out. You can either visit famous snorkel spots like Tugboat Beach with your rental car or book a guided tour. This way, you’ll get to meet new people and don’t have to worry about transportation.

3. Take a distillery tour with a cocktail workshop

Learn how the famous Blue Curacao liqueur is made at the Curacao Liqueur Distillery. This is truly one of my favorite things to do in Curacao, because it is so unique to the island.  The distillery is located in the Landhuis Chobolobo, and is a super sweet place. The employees are very friendly and the tours are so much fun. You can even participate in a cocktail workshop in a small group.

4. Relax at Mambo Beach

Mambo Beach is super popular and is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and people watching. If you want to treat yourself a little, hang out at Cabana Beach Club. You can rent a super cosy bed there for the day and spoil yourself with cocktails and delicious meals right there on the beach. They have nice ambient music all day, and some concerts in the evening. It is one of my favorite places on Mambo Beach.

5. Join a guided hike in the Christoffel Park

Challenge yourself with a hike up Mount Christoffel early in the morning for a sunrise view. The hike takes about two hours and is pretty intense. Make sure to go with a tour or another solo traveler, as it is not suggested to hike there alone.

6. Stroll through the Floating Market and eat street food at Plaza Bieu

Check out the colorful boats and get some fresh fruits and veggies in the middle of Willemstad. The floating market is a favorite place for locals to buy their groceries. And it looks super cute. Afterward, head over to Plaza Bieu (the old market) for traditional cuisine and street food.

7.Visit the Kura Hulanda Museum and Village

Learn about the island’s history and culture in this beautifully curated museum. Curacao has a dark past, especially regarding to slavery. This museum is dedicated to remembering the burdens of African Americans throughout the years. The Kura Hulanda Village, which is next to the museum, has cute shops, restaurants, and a bar, so you can easily spend half a day there.

8. Book a sunset sail

Join a catamaran tour for stunning views and a relaxing evening cruise. Mostly, they take off in the Spanish Waters, an area filled with luxury villas and estates. You can drink unlimited cocktails, eat some snacks, and just lie on deck as the sun sets.

9. Explore the Hato Caves

Tour these dramatic limestone caves with their beautiful formations of stalactites and stalagmites.  The tour guides there are really nice and have a lot to tell about the caves. Maybe you’ll even see some bats.

10. Visit Shete Boka National Park

Watch powerful waves crash into the rugged coastline as you hike up and down the coastline. This park is one of the coolest spots on the island, and I keep going back there because it is so impressive. You can go down some cool caves and see the waves come in. There are also nesting places of sea turtles, so you might even spot one.

11. Take a day trip to Klein Curacao

If you only have time and money for one excursion in Curacao, it needs to be this one. Klein Curacao is a magical, uninhabited island just off the coast of Curacao. You can enjoy the amazing beach, snorkel with sea turtles, and visit the abandoned lighthouse. Booking a day trip to Klein Curacao can be a bit difficult with so many providers out there. I suggest going either with Miss Ann Boat Tours or Breeze Adventures, since they offer BBQ, drink,s and sunshades on the island.

12. Visit the stunning beaches in the Western part of the island

The western part of Curacao has some of the best beaches on the island. They are more natural and beautiful than the tourist beaches near Willemstad. Rent a car or go on a day trip and explore Cas Abao Beach, Playa Porto Mari, Daaibooibay, Playa Lagun, and the Knip. One of my favorite things to do is beach hopping in the west of the island.

13. Check out CurAloe Factory

The CurAloe Factory is a cool place you should check out in Curacao. They harvest and grow the famous Aloe Vera plants there. You can watch them as they process the plants into beauty and skincare products. They even make healthy drinks and potions. The tours are super nice and it is a great way to learn about some of the export products of Curacao.

14. Paint a masterpiece at Playa Porto Mari

If you have a creative streak, make sure to visit Gilmar’s Hut at Playa Porto Mari. He is giving driftwood-painting lessons on the beach there, which makes for a super cute souvenir. You can learn some cool techniques and chat about the island with him. If you are lucky, you’ll see the two cute pigs, Willy & Woody, walk by as well.

15. Treat yourself to a delicious dinner with a view

Take yourself on a date in one of the most amazing restaurants in Curacao with a view of the sunset. I suggest either Fort Nassau, Koraal Rooftop or Karakter Beach for a great dinner and a stunning atmosphere. Yes, the food is a bit pricey, but the view is worth it.

16. Bird Watching at Salt Pans

Grab your binoculars and head to the salt pans to spot flamingos and other migratory birds. In case you did not know it, Curacao is also home to cute flamingos, just like its sister island Aruba. But don’t get your hopes up too much, you can only see them from a distance. If you want to see some birds up close, why not visit the Curacao Ostrich Farm instead?

17. Visit the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue

Explore one of the oldest synagogues in the Western Hemisphere, dating back to 1732. You can either take a guided tour or check it out by yourself. Either way, it is an interesting place to visit.

18. Get sporty in Curacao

if you love sports, you’ll find a lot of opportunities in Curacao. Check out kitesurfing lessons at Sint Jooris Baai, clear bottom kayaks at Blue Bay Beach or some golf at the famous Old Quarry Golf Course. For bonus points, hop on a quad bike and tour the Western part of the island.

19. Visit the Secret Beach

the last one of my suggestions for things to do in Curacao as a solo traveleris ideal for adventurers. Far out in the Northwest of Curacao, there is one secret hidden beach. Not a lot of people know about Playa Gipy, so you’ll likely be there alone. You have to hike a bit along the cliffs and climb down some steps to reach it, but it is paradise on earth, trust me.

Conclusion: Solo Travel Guide to Curacao

Wrapping up your solo adventure in Curacao will leave you with unforgettable memories and some good tips on how to stay safe in the Caribbean.

 Whether you will explore the colorful streets of Willemstad, snorkel at Tugboat Beach, or hike Christoffel Park, each moment will be priceless.

Stay in Willemstad or join tours to make some fast friends on the island – or simply enjoy the solitude and relax by yourself.

 Explore the island’s most stunning beaches and dive deep into the culture of Willemstad!

Lastly, keep in mind not to explore outside of the tourist areas at night by yourself because Curacao still has some problems with drug and criminal activity.

With all of these tips in mind, you will surely have a great time in Curacao as a solo traveler.