This Is the Best Caribbean City-Meets-Beach Trip—and It’s Not Punta Cana

I expected Willemstad to be pretty. That part is pretty easy to assume from the photos: the bright Dutch facades along Handelskade, the harbor, the floating Queen Emma Bridge, the mint-aqua hue of the sparkling Caribbean water. What I did not expect was how much there was to do besides taking in the beautiful views.

Curaçao’s capital is not the kind of place you see only want to once from a cruise pier or pass through on the way to a resort. It’s a city worth staying in, with neighborhoods that feel distinct from one another: Punda for cafés, shops and those famous candy-colored waterfront buildings; Otrobanda for murals, museums and streets with a true local and cultural identity; Pietermaai for boutique hotels, cocktail bars and restaurants touching almost every type of cuisine available.

“While the beaches are definitely a major draw for travelers, there is so much more to Willemstad, which simply offers something for everyone—whether it’s adventure, history or culture that you’re after,” says Jeffrey Speelman, general manager of Sandals Royal Curaçao. “Guests come back to the resort fascinated with the colorful Dutch architecture along the Handelskade waterfront, they enjoy crossing the floating Queen Emma Bridge over St. Anna Bay, and stopping at one of the many cafes for a Caribbean bite. It feels vibrant and layered in a way that surprises people.”

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Why Now

Curaçao is heading into 2026 with many new hotel openings. The Pyrmont Curaçao, anAutograph Collection all-inclusive resort, is expected to add a new adults-only Marriott option, while TUI BLUE Curaçao is scheduled to bring 300 rooms with a focus on diving and sustainable tourism. Existing hotels are expanding too, including Avila Beach Hotel, Scuba Lodge and Kontiki Beach Resort.

“There’s always something happening—from new restaurants and cocktail spots to local art, live music and cultural events that bring the streets to life,” Speelman says. “As someone in hospitality, you can really feel the momentum around the island right now. This summer adds another exciting layer, with Curaçao stepping onto the global stage as the smallest country competing in the FIFA World Cup.”

Getting there is also easier than ever. American Airlines launched Saturday seasonal nonstop service from Chicago O’Hare to Curaçao in December 2025, giving Midwest travelers a more direct way in during winter. Cruise traffic continues to bring visitors into Willemstad, and new city experiences, including Punda Vibes tours, Pink Trolley Tours and refreshed spaces at Kura Hulanda Museum, give travelers more ways to see the capital with an actual local vibe.

“Willemstad feels like one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets that people are finally starting to discover,” Speelman says. “The city has this incredible mix of culture, creativity, food, nightlife, and waterfront energy that keeps evolving while still feeling authentic and relaxed.”

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Where to Stay

If it’s your first time in Willemstad, Pietermaai is probably the easiest neighborhood to navigate. It is close to the water, walkable to restaurants and bars, and has more personality than a standard hotel district. Art Hotel Curaçao is a newer boutique option there, with 30 rooms, two penthouses, private balconies and some ocean-view rooms. Nearby, BijBlauw and Pietermaai Boutique Hotel are smaller, more atmospheric stays set inside the kind of restored buildings that make this part of the city so appealing.

Avila Beach Hotel is the better fit if you want to split time between the city and the sand, since it has two private beaches, waterfront rooms and apartment-style accommodations. In Punda, Elements Hotel & Shops works well for travelers who want to be closer to Handelskade, the Queen Emma Bridge and the cruise-port side of the city, with 43 rooms and suites, a rooftop pool and a rooftop restaurant with city and sea views. Families or groups who want more space can look at Beach House Pietermaai, a two-bedroom oceanfront Airbnb in the historic Pietermaai District with a full kitchen, private pool deck and easy walking access to restaurants, shops and Punda.

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If all-inclusive stays are more your thing, Sandals Royal Curaçao sits outside the city on Spanish Water Bay, with restaurants, bars, pools, watersports and local dining experiences that encourage guests to explore beyond the resort. Plus, it’s all included, so you can soak up the sun without ever leaving property.

“Willemstad’s resorts stand out because the experience feels connected to the island, not separate from it. At Sandals Royal Curaçao, guests get that mix of luxury and laid-back Caribbean energy the moment they arrive. You’re surrounded by the calm waters of Spanish Water Bay, with incredible views, great food, cocktails, music and this relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in right away,” says Speelman.

Where to Play & Eat

Start in Punda, the colorful east side of Sint Anna Bay, where Handelskade faces the harbor and the Queen Emma Bridge connects the district to Otrobanda. Spend the morning walking the waterfront, browsing local boutiques and stopping for photos before crossing the floating bridge into Otrobanda for murals, galleries, cafés and the Kura Hulanda Museum. Hamilton Experiences runs the Willemstad Colourful City Walking Tour, which includes Otrobanda murals, UNESCO streets, local stories and hidden gems.

To get a taste of the local culinary scene, stop at Marshe Bieu, also known as the Old Market. Here, order kabritu stoba, a rich local goat stew, or try fried fish with funchi, plantains and pika, the island’s hot sauce. Keshi yená, a baked Dutch cheese stuffed with spiced meat, olives and vegetables, is another Curaçao classic worth seeking out. For something quick, look for pastechi, a flaky pastry filled with cheese, beef or fish. Later, head to the waterfront for grilled snapper, lobster or lionfish ceviche, or to Pietermaai for rooftop cocktails, late dinners and a more city-like night out.

“Willemstad has flavor everywhere you turn. You’ll taste Dutch, Caribbean, Latin and Afro-Caribbean influences all in one meal—whether it’s fresh grilled seafood by the water, a plate of kabritu at Marshe Bieu or late-night bites from a local food truck,” says Natasha Bell, local and bartender at Sandals Royal Curaçao.

Shopping adds another way in to understanding the DNA of the city, especially in Punda, where locally owned boutiques and artisan shops sell handmade jewelry, Caribbean-inspired fashion, local art, spices, sauces and Curaçao liqueur. Families will find the city easy to explore too, with walkable neighborhoods, nearby beaches, casual restaurants and plenty to do between meals.

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