Curacao: Adventure Lovers Paradise

Curaçao is a gorgeous, colorful island in the Dutch Caribbean and is part of a group of islands called the ABC islands. Aruba, Bonaire and of course, Curaçao. You may have heard of Curaçao, the orange-flavored liqueur which can actually be purchased on this island. Do not let the size of this island fool you, there is so much adventure to be had here. The weather is perfect for outdoor adventures with a pretty consistent temperature year-round ranging from highs of 86°F/30°C to 92°F/33°C to lows of between 76°F/24 °C and 79°F/26°C. This picturesque island is not subjected to a rainy season either although its wettest months are October, November and December. It is perfect for the Curacao adventure lovers.

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Curacao is a Dutch owned island however, it was actually discovered in 1499 by Lieutenant Alonso de Ojeda, part of Columbus’ crew. The island then fell into the hands of the Spanish. Of course as much of history, conflict ensued and as part of 80 years war between the Netherlands and Spain. Finally in 1634, the island fell to the Dutch West India Company. The Dutch influence is very apparent on the island. So much so that Willemstad, the island’s capital, is nicknamed little Amsterdam. You will be blown away by the colorful houses that line Sint Anna Bay. The people of Curacao are actually members of the European Union and hold a Dutch passport. It’s like the Netherlands but with better weather!

There are plenty of forts and museums to discover to keep any history buff busy. Fort Beekenburg majestically overlooks the sea while Rif Fort has been transformed into a shopping and dining destination. Then there’s the adventure side of the island. Curacao is one of the best vacation destinations for scuba diving enthusiasts with crystal clear water, shipwrecks, wild dolphins and sea turtles along with vibrant coral. The temptation to jump into the warm ocean water is just undeniable. 

Foodies, This Section Is For You

That’s not all, foodies listen up! This little island has some of the best food in the world. I have traveled the globe and my favorite dish came from Curacao. Imagine a baguette with soft fresh bread topped with brie cheese, walnuts and a drizzle of honey, fresh and warm out the oven from Douwe Egberts Cafe in Rif Fort, it is a taste sensation. Do not leave the island without trying their national dish of Keshi yena. Keshi yena is a large gooey cheese ball mixed with a spiced meat, usually chicken. 

Getting around this picturesque island is fairly easy, my suggestion is to either hire a car or a bicycle and enjoy the island at your own pace. Curacao is that underrated travel destination of your dreams! Let’s delve into our Tripio list of adventures in Curacao!

Let’s Start With The Water Based Activities For The Curacao Adventure Lovers

Dive Deep Sea Shipwrecks

Photo by Kris-Mikael Krister on Unsplash

The MV Superior Producer is Curaçao’s most Iconic Shipwreck and is considered to be in the top 5 dive sites in the Caribbean. This WWII ship sank on September 30, 1977 only 500 feet/150 meters from the shore. She eerily sits upright on the seabed 100 feet/30 meters below the surface. This dive is both awe-inspiring and spooky at the same time. Only experienced divers should attempt this exploration. Ensure to bring along copies of your dive certification and contact the local dive companies for a once-in-a-lifetime spooky dive. This is the best thing to do in Curacao for scuba diving enthusiasts and adventure lovers.

Snorkel With Wild Turtles

Photo by Stephan van de Schootbrugge on Unsplash

Playa Piskadó is a small fishing beach with a pier. There are lots of wild turtles that swim around this beach which makes it the perfect spot to go snorkeling. The locals feed the turtles so be careful not to touch them in case they mistake your fingers for food. You can snorkel with the turtles for free if you have your own snorkel gear. Otherwise, you will have to pay a fee to hire the gear. Another tip is that you can sit on the beach for free if you just sit on the sand, if you’d like a chair or sunbed then like with most beaches, you will have to pay. What a cool experience to be able to snorkel with wild turtles!

Swim With Dolphins For The Curacao Adventure Lovers

Photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash

The Dolphin Academy in Curacao is an oceanfront facility that provides interactive swimming, snorkeling and diving experiences with dolphins in an enclosed natural lagoon or out in the open water. Dolphins are some of the most intelligent creatures on the planet. Get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with them. The Dolphin Academy in Curacao offers several different experiences including snorkeling, scuba-diving, open-water diving, open-water snorkeling, swimming, encounters and even a dolphin trainer course. The best part is that they all interact with the dolphins of course. 

Don’t miss out on the sea lion show either, you will be able to see why they are called water-puppies in their fun and interactive show! What a great experience! The Dolphin academy here in Curacao is dedicated to educating the public about conservation and the importance of protecting our oceans along with the precious marine life that call it home. Calling all animal lovers, this is one for your itinerary.

Go Kitesurfing, A Win For Curacao Adveture Lovers

Photo by Israel Gil on Unsplash

Nix Kiteboarding Kitesurfing School Curacao is located in St Joris Baai. St Joris Baai is a semi-secluded bay situated on the north-eastern shore of Curacao. Get your adrenaline pumping in these warm waters (78°F/25°C) and test your skills! Choose between different courses from beginner to pro and just let the instructors know how tough you’d like the challenge to be, good luck! Curacao is the perfect vacation destination for adventure lovers who thrive participating in water based activities.

Moving Onto Some Cave Exploration And Cliff Jumping For The Curacao Adventure Lovers

The Blue Room Cave

The Blue Room Cave is an absolutely incredible location! Glistening with its blue water. There are many local tours and boat rides offered to get here however, if you are up for an adventure then you can hike here for free. Just before the entrance to the Playa Santa Cruz restaurant/water sport shack on the southern tip of Playa Santa Cruz Beach, you will find a path. The path is on very uneven ground and takes about 20 minutes. It can be quite treacherous so be sure to be wearing good quality hiking shoes. Be aware that the restaurant owner and watersports owner might try to discourage you from hiking down- this is because they want to make money on tours of course.

As you travel along the path, you pass the Santa Pretu cove, from there continue along the path for the remaining 15 minutes or so. Once you reach the blue room cave, you will be blown away by its natural beauty. Ensure to bring along pool noodles or life jackets if you can’t swim along with snorkel gear. This is a great all in one adventure with trekking, diving and swimming. What more could an adventurer want? 

Ensure to check the water depth before you dive in and be aware that cliff jumping is always at your own risk.

Grote Knip- Epic Beach With Clear Water, Wild Pigs & Cliff Jumping

Photo by Bruno van der Kraan on Unsplash

Grote Knip is a picture-perfect beach with a lagoon surrounded by high rock formations. This beach is home to friendly wild pigs and crystal clear water! There is so much to do here from hiring snorkel gear, cliff jumping off 20 foot cliffs, relaxing on a beach chair, sipping on fresh fruit smoothies and the list goes on. Be aware that there is a charge(cash only) for beach chairs, sunbeds, umbrellas, snorkel rental and of course any food or drink from the snack bar.

If you are cliff jumping, ensure to check the water depth before as jumping will always be at your own risk so be cautious. This is the ultimate destination in Curacao for the adventure lover! Seeing wild pigs on a tropical beach has to be one of the best things to do in the Dutch Caribbean. Adventure lovers, this one has to be in your top 10!

Dive Off A 40 Foot Cliff At Playa Forti Or Snorkel With Turtles

Photo by lealfernanda_ on IG

Playa Forti is a gorgeous beach on the northern part of the island. It offers crystal clear water, picturesque ocean views, a restaurant, a designated cliff jumping spot and the opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles. On the corner of the cliff is a concrete step, this marks the cliff diving spot. It is a 40 foot dive into the water. Even though this is a designated cliff jumping location, ensure to check the water depth and be aware that jumping is always at your own risk. You may even catch an iguana or two looking at you while you prepare to jump. 

For the slightly less daring, this beach makes for a perfect spot for snorkeling. Bring your own snorkel equipment and get the chance to snorkel with some wild turtles. The coral reef in this area isn’t as magnificent as some of the other locations around the island however, being able to get up close and personal with the turtles is pretty awesome. What an ideal spot for the adventurer here in Curacao! This dive is one of the best things to do for adrenaline junkies and adventure lovers. 

Explore The Million Year Old Hato Caves, Sound Good Curacao Adventure Lovers

Photo by Bruno van der Kraan on Unsplash

The Hato caves were naturally formed several million years ago when coral deposits on the seabed bulged upwards. The cave itself is home to stone animals and hundreds of living bats. Join a 45 minute guided tour that takes you past limestone stalactites, stalagmites, ancient paintings and those stone animals. There are 49 steep steps to tackle as you head into the cave as it is raised 790 feet/240 meters into the mountain. Be aware that it gets very hot inside the cave so avoid the hottest months of the year which is December through to February and bring lots of water. There isn’t a need to make a reservation for your party if there are less than 4 people as you can just walk in. This tour is suitable for children aged 4 years and older. Enjoy exploring these ancient caves!

Here at Tripio, we have done all the travel research for you so all that’s left to do is enjoy your vacation. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie adventure seeker, foodie, history buff or simply want to relax, we have the perfect custom itinerary for you. Simply download the Tripio app from the link below and you can begin generating your very own custom itinerary and custom top 10 based on your preferences! It is as simple as selecting a few preference options and bam, your vacation is planned in less than 90 seconds. You can even add to your own, handy, online, pocket bucket list. The Tripio app is the must-have travel app for every traveler. We cater to everyone, families, singles, couples, you name it. We have included only the best of the best activities so you don’t ever have to endure a stressful or disappointing vacation again. 

Time To Go Off-Road, Curacao Adventure Lovers

Race Around The Dirt Track With MX Curacao Motocross Club

Photo by Sugden Guy sugden on Unsplash

MX Curacao Motocross Club offers a dirt track to test your skills on. Hire a dirt bike for the day and race around the track on one of the most scenic islands in the Caribbean. This is the only motocross track on the island. Ensure to drive safely and have fun. You must be over the age of 18 and have a valid driver’s license to partake. If you like taking extreme sports into your own hands then this is one of the best things to do on the island. Adventure lovers be careful though!

Go On An ATV Adventure Across Curacao, Calling All Curacao Adventure Lovers

Photo by Vitor Rossetto on Unsplash

Eric’s ATV Adventures offers several different tours around the beautiful island of Curacao. Choose between an East and West tour, combination tour and more. You must be over the age of 18 to drive the ATV and have a full, valid driver’s license but passengers can be ages 5 and up. Venture off road on a trip of a lifetime across this beautiful island paradise. Be sure to be wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and closed-toe shoes. Have a blast!

As you can see, this small island packs a heck of an adventure punch. Start planning your perfect vacation to Curacao today by downloading the Tripio app. Add all of the activities that spike your interest straight to your custom itinerary or draw inspiration from your personal, custom top 10 list, selected for you by Tripio. The Caribbean is a bucket list worthy destination and we are here to show you exactly where to go to have the most epic time. I hope you have enjoyed my blog on adventures in Curacao, see you in our next destination!

Looking for the best photo-worthy spots in Curacao, well look no further than our blog on: Instagrammers Highlights of Curacao

and Unveiling the Charms of Curacao: A Tropical Escape

-Gemma Winchester, Tripio Guru

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