Curaçao's Shades of Blue - A Wonderful Week for Families

When we began talking about a Caribbean holiday, we didn't have a specific destination in mind. Since it would be a completely new region for our family, I did extensive research. I wanted somewhere safe and child-friendly, with good medical care (no extra vaccinations needed), reliable roads for renting a car, and, most importantly, great weather in October, when we planned to travel. We knew we wanted an island, and with only one week available, a direct flight was essential. Most recommendations pointed towards the ABC islands - Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Quite randomly, we chose Curaçao and booked a direct flight with KLM from Amsterdam.

Geographically, Curaçao (a constituent country within the Kingdom of Netherlands) lies outside the main Caribbean hurricane belt. Coincidentally, during the week of our stay, Hurricane Melisa hit Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti, while the ABC islands, located farther south off the coast of Venezuela, were spared. 

Upon arrival, we picked up our rental car, activated our e-SIM, and headed to LionsDive Beach Resort, located on a quiet stretch of beach near lively Mambo Beach and just minutes from the capital, Willemstad. After a daytime flight and adjusting to the 5-hour time difference from Brussels, we spent the rest of the day relaxing by the sea. Coming from rainy Belgium, the warm and calm Caribbean Sea felt like paradise.

Willemstad - Colourful and Full of Life

We visited Willemstad several times during the week - once for breakfast, once in the evening, and once during Halloween festivities (local businesses organise trick-or-treat for families). My first impression was that it looked like Amsterdam - only more colourful, brighter, and set along the sea instead of canals. Spend some time at Queen Emma Bridge and wait for it to open for passing ships. The floating bridge swings aside for larger vessels, which is fascinating for kids to watch. One of our favourite restaurants was Rozendaels, serving authentic local cuisine. Interestingly, many dishes have similarities to Javanese food (I am Javanese myself), primarily due to the Dutch colonial labour migration.

The Beaches - Endless Shades of Blue

Porto Mari Beach

The kids did a little research and they found out about the "Pig Beach", where wild boars sometimes roam around. When we parked the car and looked at the view to the beach, the blue shocked us. Mind you, I grew up in Indonesia, surrounded by both the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and we spend summers in Croatia with its crystal clear blue Adriatic Sea. Yet the blues of the Caribbean Sea of Curaçao were unlike anything we had ever seen. We spotted two boars and plenty of iguanas, which thrilled the kids. The beach infrastructure is excellent: lounge chairs and parasols for rent, a great beach bar with good food and cold drinks, and cam, crystal-clear sea perfect for swimming. A floating platform just offshore made it even more fun for jumping and diving. 

 

Cas Abao Beach

If Porto Mari amazed us, Cas Abao left us speechless. The colour of the sea was even more vivid and turquoise. It's an excellent spot for diving and snorkeling (a PADI 5-star dive site), with easy access to fringing reef systems where you can see turtles, stingrays, moray eels, seahorses, and colourful tropical fish. With sunbeds, parasols, and restaurants available, it's another beach where you can easily spend an entire day soaking in unforgettable shades of blue. On our way back to the hotel, we stopped to have dinner in and Indonesian restaurant called Bali, which we enjoyed very much.

Grote Knip Beach

Just when we thought we'd discovered the bluest blue in Curaçao, we drove a little farther and found an even more stunning shade at Grote Knip (Kenepa Grande, in the local language). Compared to Porto Mari and Cas Abao, this beach has more limited facilities, so it's best to bring snacks and drinks if needed. Access is free, with only basic amenities, but the view is spectacular. You can also try cliff diving here, but it's best to arrive early in the morning before the crowds gather. If it feels too busy when you arrive, head to nearby Kleine Knip, a smaller but equally beautiful version of this paradise.

Mambo Beach

This may not be the prettiest beach on the island, but it is certainly the most popular. This is where you'll find trendy restaurants, shops, nightlife, live music and beach parties. Since it's just steps away from our resort, it became our go-to spot for meals when we stayed in. My kids' favourite breakfast spot was Bliss the Berry and Reefs Cafe & Co. A bit farther along the boulevard, we enjoyed casual dinners at the Sea Side Terrace, which offers lovely outdoor seatings, grilled fish and local dishes.

Family Activities Beyond the Beach

Curaçao Sea Aquarium - Snorkeling with Stingrays

At the kids' request, we dedicated a full day to the Sea Aquarium, located just a short walk from our hotel. I pre-booked the Animal Encounters package, which included a guided snorkeling experience in a lagoon where stingrays and various fish species live in their natural environment. The package included general admission, allowing us to watch the daily training sessions at the Dolphin Academy up close. Unlike many aquariums where animals are kept in tanks, the lagoons here are open and connected to the sea, making the experience feel more immersive for the whole family.

Curaçao Ostrich Farm and Aloe Vera Farm

To fill one afternoon, we visited an Ostrich Farm on the eastern side of the island. They offer a guided safari tour in a South African-style, followed by the option to dine at their restaurant, which serves ostrich steaks and burgers. Beside ostriches, the farm is home to emus and pot-bellied pigs roaming freely. I pre-booked the safari online to secure a specific time slot. On the way there, you can also stop for a guided tour at the Aloe Vera Farm. Our hotel provides aloe-based shampoo, conditioner, and body lotions that the kids loved so much, and eventually led us to this farm. 

Final Thoughts

One week in Curaçao felt perfectly paced. The island offered everything we had hoped for: safety, family-friendly activities, and easy logistics. For families with kids looking for a Caribbean destination that combines relaxation, adventure, and ease of travel, Curaçao might just be the perfect choice.

Mallorca for families: 4-day itinerary

Easter holidays are when we usually escape Belgium for a warmer and sunnier part of Europe. This year, we finally managed to arrange a trip together with our good friends and their children. Plane tickets to the Canary Islands were too expensive, so we opted for one of the Balearic islands instead -  Mallorca.

Just like during our stay in Lanzarote (read here), we rented a car so we could move freely around the island. We chose Sa Coma, just south of Cala Millor, as our base because we found a resort that we liked that fit our budget. Otherwise, Alcudia Bay area is a popular choice for families if you want to stay close to the beach. If shopping and culture are your priorities, it's best to be based yourself in Palma. And if you're looking for a less crowded but picturesque base, pick one of the mountain towns like Deia or Valldemossa.

Sa Coma Beach, the backyard of our hotel

Day 1: East of the Island

Our first day on the island was Easter Sunday, so we took it slowly and enjoyed a big Easter breakfast together at the hotel. We also decided to explore the side of the island closest to us. 

Cuevas del Drach. A truly unique experience for our families. The kids have always loved caves, and this one includes a visit to the cave with a classical concert. The musicians play their instruments on small boats floating on the underground waters in front of a natural auditorium. Given that it's inside a cave, the acoustics are truly wonderful. The concert is held once every hour, so entrance ticket are sold in hourly slot and can be ordered in advance here.

Porto Cristo. Within walking distance from Cuevas del Drach is this old, picturesque fishing town, well worth a visit. We had lunch at a lovely restaurant called Vibes by Quince with a full view of the cliffs and shoreline. While we waited for our food, the four kids went swimming at the beach just across from the restaurant.

Cuevas dels Hams. If your family is really into underground caves, why not visit a second cave on the same day? Cuevas dels Hams is located in Porto Cristo. The underground lighting has been recently upgraded, and you can get a combo ticket with Dinosaurland.

Dinosaurland. You could skip this without regret, but we had time (and the energy) so we spent a couple of hours here, right by the entrance to Cuevas dels Hams. It's essentially a park with a walking path featuring life-size dinosaur sculptures, along with information you can read about each one. 

Day 2: West of the Island

Our main activity for the day was experiencing the wooden tram ride in Soller, so we planned the day around it and caught the glimpses of the surrounding towns. We let the kids have some extra fun playing beach volleyball in the morning, so we started the day a bit later.

Soller Old Town. One of the most beautiful Mallorcan towns, located in the northwest of the island, also known as the "orange valley" because of its vast orange orchards. It's a town that deserves a full day of exploring, but we spent the morning wandering through its alleys and tried its bakeries before hopping on the old tram. The historic wooden tram (from 1913) leaves from the main town square every hour and takes you through streets, squares, orchards, along the Soller Bay, and finally to the Port de Soller. The ride costs 10 euros per person one way, and it's easy to park your car in one of the parking areas in Soller.

Port de Soller. We aimed to arrive by lunchtime and chose a nice beachfront restaurant where the children could play freely on the beach. The promenade is full of restaurants, cocktail bars, cafes and shops, making it easy to spend a relaxing afternoon - especially with a pitcher of sangria.

Deia. We skipped Deia to return to the resort and give the children more time at the beach, but if you have the energy for an extra stop, it's definitely worth visiting. It's one of Mallorca's most treasured mountain villages and apparently less touristy and more laid back. 

Day 3: North of the Island

Alcudia. On the way to Cap de Formentor, it's a good idea to stop at the Old Town of Alcudia, a medieval Roman town surrounded by a city wall - which you can walk on. 

Cap de Formentor. This is the northern tip of the island, where the end of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range meets the Mediterranean Sea. We reached it easily by car since we visited in April, but it's worth noting that Cap de Formentor is not accessible by car from June to September - during the summer peak season. The drive is jaw-droppingly scenic, and there's a small parking lot near the watchtower. It's said that sunset is the most magical time to visit, but we went in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Pollensa. Since Cap de Formentor is located in Pollensa peninsula, we decided to spend the rest of the day in Pollensa Old Town after enjoying the views. This is yet another picturesque mountain town, known as the "artists' colony", as writers, painters, and musicians discovered it in the early 20th century, and many settled there. This is where we found a homely restaurant on one of its small alleys and enjoyed paella.

The Calvari Steps. The impressive Roman stairway consists of 365 steps, one for each day of the year. Don't fret, despite the number, the ascent is not as difficult as you might imagine, even for kids. The steps are gentle, with benches and spots along the way to rest. The view is breathtaking, and the houses you pass during the climb are beautiful. We climbed during the day, but apparently the steps are illuminated at night and feel very romantic. The stairway leads up to the Calvary Chapel, with a small cafe nearby where you can even enjoy a drink. 

Day 4: Palma

Palma de Mallorca city centre. I personally think that Palma deserves several days on its own, so we didn't quite do it justice by visiting just before heading to the airport. I think our family would need a separate trip, staying in the city to explore it properly - therefore a separate blog entry. The Cathedral is maginificent - probably the most famous landmark of Palma, Bellver Castle offers amazing views of the city, and the Royal palace, the official summer residence of the Spanish Royal family, is definitely worth a stroll.

Palma Aquarium. If you've been following our travels, you know that we have a thing for aquariums - we've visited one in almost every city we've been to (even New York City!). Since Palma Aquarium is located just next to the airport, we decided to end our adventure here before returning the car. With over 55 tanks, including a massive shark tank, you could easily spend hours here.