Top 10 Things to Do in Curacao with Children

The Dutch overseas island of Curacao is one of the most unique destinations in the entire Caribbean. Chock-full of cultural sites, beautiful beaches, and incredible marine locations, the island has a lot to offer both you and your children. If you’re looking for the ultimate child-friendly vacation to this Caribbean destination, we’ve got you covered!

In this guide, we’ll go over what to do in Curacao with children. Keep reading to find out how you can make your next Caribbean vacation the best one yet. 

How to Get to Curacao

Let’s start with the basics. Namely, how do you get to Curacao? Perhaps the easiest way is to fly in from Newark, Miami, Amsterdam, or Caracas to the Curacao International Airport. If you’re not in the mood for trips to the Curacao airport, you can also arrive at one of the curacao cruise port locations by taking a cruise from Aruba to Curacao.

What to Know about Curacao

There are some things you’ll want to keep in mind when visiting Curacao, pronounced “cure-ah-souw.” Understanding how to pronounce Curacao is just the first part of it. You’ll also want to remember that the Curacao currency (Netherlands Antillean guilder, or ANG) is worth about 56 cents for every one US dollar.

Keeping this exchange rate in mind will help you make wiser purchases on the island. Time in Curacao works on Atlantic Standard Time, meaning there are no clock changes throughout the year.  ANf of you are wondering: Is Curacao safe to visit? Yes! Curacao is safe and we rank it on our top 25 safest Caribbean countries to visit anytime. 

What to do in Curacao with Children:

Now let’s take a look at some of the fun things you can do in Curacao with children:

1) Feed the Ostriches

It may not be the first thing you think of when you think of the Caribbean, but that’s exactly why this unique location is well worth inclusion on your Curacao bucket list. The Curacao Ostrich Farm is among the largest of its

kind outside of Africa and allows you and your loved ones to pet, feed, and, yes, even ride ostriches. How cool is that? If you’re looking for something different to do with your children in Curacao, you’ll want to consider this destination first. 

2) Take a Trip to Shete Boka National Park

A trip to Shete Boka National Park offers you the chance to experience the island’s natural beauty in all its splendor. Home to two hiking trails (Boka Pistol and Boka Wandomi), the park winds through sea-side rocks and caverns to give you a majestic look at where sea and land meet. You and your family will love sitting on these rock formations in the gorgeous Curacao weather, watching the surf and the incredible sea turtles that choose to nest in the park. If you’re looking for an experience you won’t soon forget, make a trip to Shete Boka National Park. 

3) Go to the Beach

It comes as no surprise that Curacao is home to some fantastic beaches. Locations such as Mambo Beach Curacao offer incredible snorkeling opportunities, where you can truly view the incredible marine life around the island.

You’ll also be able to take advantage of several on-shore shops and restaurants that give you the perfect opportunity to buy souvenirs and have fun with your family. Take advantage of the fantastic Curacao beaches to soak up the weather and make a splash in the waves. 

4) Visit Ancient Caves

What’s cooler than seeing geological and human history firsthand? You and your family can do just that with a trip to the Hato Caves. This cave system is believed to be around 200,000 years old and is full of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Even more interesting, the caves are home to some of the oldest cave paintings in the region, which are believed to be around 1,500 years old. Visiting these caves will give you an inside look to just how the earliest settlers lived on the island. 

Tours of the caves are guided so that you never have to worry about your safety or getting lost. Knowing this, be sure to make this trip a part of your Curacao vacation!

5) Ride a (Choo-Choo) Train

The choo-choo train in question is actually a 75-minute trolley tour throughout the historic capital city of Willemstad. By going on this rid, you and your children will be able to view many of the historical locations in the

city, such as Fort Amsterdam, the Floating Market, the famous Bolo di Bruit, Pietermaai Cathedral, and the Waterfort Arches fortress, among other sites. The train itself is a mix of pink, green, and yellow and is the perfect ride for young kids. 

6) Walk the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge

The Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge in Willemstad is a popular place for couples and families. Take a stroll across the scenic and historic location as you walk into the capital. The bridge boasts an incredible atmosphere and is a great place to take selfies and family pictures!

7) Go to the Curacao Seaquarium

The Curacao Seaquarium is a must-see for anyone interested in marine life. The stunning site is home to over 400 marine species, making it the largest aquarium anywhere in the Caribbean. As if this weren’t enough, the Seaquarium truly has everything. Kids can pet marine invertebrates through a safe touch tank and even feed the sharks through feeding holes that are designed to keep them safe.

Adding to this, there are incredible dolphin shows, as well as other opportunities to see animals such as sea turtles, sea lions, and sharks up close and in person. Want to swim with the stingrays in a coral reef? You can do that here as well. With so much to do, you’ll definitely want to add this to your Curacao bucket list!

8) Visit the Flamingo Sanctuary Sint Willibrordus

This flamingo sanctuary is the perfect place to visit some of the island’s best wildlife. Get up close and personal and view these fantastic birds in their natural habitat. The sanctuary also works to preserve the species and educate tourists about their lifestyles and habits, making it a great location for families. For this reason, be sure to visit during your next Curacao vacation!

9) Experience Punda

The Punda, located in Willemstad, is known as the hotspot of tourism in Curacao. There you’ll find a majority of the shopping centers and restaurants acclaimed by both island natives and tourists alike.

Set against a beautiful backdrop of colorful historic buildings, the location is a must-see for travelers with children. 

10) Otrobanda

This acclaimed area of Curacao may be more residential, but that doesn’t mean it’s not full of shops and restaurants that you don’t want to miss out on. Otrabanda is a mix of beautiful home sand shops and is highlighted by an incredible ocean view that completes the picture. Without a doubt, it’s worth a nice afternoon stroll after a day on one of the unbeatable Curacao beaches!

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