Destination Guide
Curacao
Most people do not expect a Caribbean island to look like a Dutch canal painting. Then you land in Curacao and drive past the Handelskade waterfront in Willemstad, where rows of colonial townhouses glow in shades of tangerine, cobalt, and mustard yellow against the harbor. I’m Jim, a Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Diamond Elite member who has reviewed every Sandals property, and Curacao caught me off guard in the best possible way.
This is the newest island in the Sandals portfolio, and the resort here reflects that ambition. Sandals Royal Curacao opened in 2022 with ideas you will not find at any other Sandals location: complimentary MINI Cooper Convertibles for exploring the island, Dutch bikes on the resort grounds, three food trucks alongside eight restaurants, and an overwater bar you reach by walking across the sea. It feels like Sandals looked at everything they had learned from 16 other properties and put the best of it here.
If Curacao is on your radar for 2026, this guide covers the island from top to bottom. I will walk you through the beaches, the best things to do off-resort, and what makes Sandals Royal Curacao different from every other property in the chain.
About Curacao
Curacao is part of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) in the Dutch Caribbean, roughly 40 miles north of Venezuela. It is a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which means the architecture, the food, and the bureaucratic signage all have a distinct Dutch flavor. The capital, Willemstad, has a UNESCO-listed historic district that looks more like Amsterdam than the tropics.
Three languages circulate on the island: Papiamentu (a creole blending Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and West African languages), Dutch, and English. English is spoken at the resort and in every tourist area. The official currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder, but US dollars are accepted everywhere. Credit cards work island-wide.
Curacao sits below the hurricane belt. Storms almost never track this far south, which gives the island reliable weather year-round. Trade winds keep temperatures comfortable, typically between 80 and 85 degrees. The driest months are January through May, and even the rainy season (October through December) brings only brief afternoon showers.
Hato International Airport (CUR) receives nonstop flights from Miami, New York (JFK), Charlotte, Atlanta, and Toronto. Flight time from Miami is about three hours. The drive from the airport to Sandals Royal Curacao takes approximately 25 minutes through the scenic countryside along the island’s southeast coast.
Best Beaches in Curacao
Curacao has more than 35 distinct beaches, many of them tucked into small limestone coves along the sheltered southwest coast. The water is calm, clear, and warm year-round. Unlike some Caribbean islands with one or two headline beaches, Curacao spreads its best sand across dozens of locations, which means you can visit a different cove every day of your trip.
Cas Abao Beach is a favorite for snorkelers. The reef starts just off the sand, and the water clarity rivals anything I have seen in Bonaire or the Cayman Islands. Playa Kenepa Grandi (also called Grote Knip) sits at the base of a cliff on the west end and regularly appears on “best Caribbean beaches” lists. The water is a deep, saturated blue that photographs well, but it looks even better in person.
Closer to Willemstad, Mambo Beach is the social hub. Beach clubs, restaurants, and bars line the sand, and the vibe is more lively than secluded. For something quieter, Porto Marie Beach on the west coast has a double reef system that supports a healthy population of sea turtles and reef fish. Klein Curacao, an uninhabited island off the southeast tip, requires a boat trip but rewards you with some of the clearest water in the Caribbean and a deserted white-sand beach.
Things to Do in Curacao
Diving in Curacao is world-class. The island has more than 60 marked dive sites along the leeward coast, and most of them are accessible from shore. Mushroom Forest, a surreal field of mushroom-shaped coral formations near Playa Lagun, is the most photographed dive site on the island. The Tugboat wreck near Caracas Bay sits in shallow water and works for both scuba divers and confident snorkelers.
Willemstad deserves a full morning or afternoon. The Punda and Otrobanda districts sit on opposite sides of the Santa Anna Bay, connected by the Queen Emma pontoon bridge that swings open to let ships pass. The Handelskade waterfront, with its row of colorful Dutch colonial buildings, is the most-photographed scene on the island. The floating market, where Venezuelan boats sell fresh fish and produce, is a short walk from Punda’s main shopping streets.
Shete Boka National Park on the north coast is Curacao’s wild side. Waves crash into limestone sea caves, and blowholes send plumes of spray 30 feet into the air. Boka Tabla is the most accessible cave, and you can walk down into it to watch the surf roll in. The park has hiking trails along the clifftops with views of the rugged Atlantic coastline.
Curacao Blue Liqueur is made here and nowhere else. The Senior and Company distillery in Willemstad runs tours and tastings in a historic mansion called Landhuis Chobolobo. You will learn how the lahara orange peel (too bitter to eat but perfect for distilling) gives the liqueur its distinctive flavor. The blue version is the famous one, but the orange and clear variants are worth trying too.
Hato Caves, near the airport, hold limestone formations, stalactites, and underground pools that formed over thousands of years. The guided tour takes about 45 minutes and is a cool break from the heat. Curacao’s street art scene in Willemstad is also growing, with large-scale murals covering walls in Pietermaai and Scharloo neighborhoods.
Where to Stay: Sandals Resorts in Curacao
Sandals Royal Curacao
Sandals Royal Curacao is the newest resort in the Sandals chain, with 361 rooms spread across the Santa Barbara Estate on the island’s southeast coast. It opened in June 2022 and introduced several firsts for the brand. Guests receive a complimentary MINI Cooper Convertible to explore the island on their own schedule. Dutch-style bikes are available on the resort grounds for getting between the pools, restaurants, and beach. It is a different feel from any other Sandals property I have visited.
Dining options are extensive: eight restaurants, three food trucks, and 13 bars, including a swim-up bar and the Latitud overwater bar connected to the resort by a pier. The food leans more international than most Sandals locations, with a strong Latin fusion presence alongside the standard steakhouse, sushi, and Italian options. Scuba diving is included (with PADI certification courses), and the resort has multiple pools, including an infinity pool overlooking the sea. Butler service is available in the top suite categories.
Frequently Asked Questions About Curacao
What is the best resort in Curacao?
Sandals Royal Curacao is my top pick for couples. With 361 rooms, 13 bars, eight restaurants, three food trucks, included scuba, and a complimentary MINI Cooper for island exploring, it offers more variety than any other all-inclusive on the island. You can see where it ranks in my full best Sandals resorts guide.
When is the best time to visit Curacao?
Curacao sits below the hurricane belt, so the weather is reliable year-round. The driest months are January through May. Trade winds keep temperatures comfortable at 80 to 85 degrees even in peak summer. The cheapest travel windows are typically May, September, and the first two weeks of November.
How do I get to Sandals Royal Curacao?
Fly into Hato International Airport (CUR). Nonstop flights run from Miami, New York (JFK), Charlotte, Atlanta, and Toronto. Flight time from Miami is about three hours. The resort transfer takes roughly 25 minutes through scenic countryside on the southeast side of the island.
What language and currency does Curacao use?
The island has three official languages: Papiamentu, Dutch, and English. English is spoken at the resort and in all tourist areas. The local currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder, but US dollars are accepted everywhere. Most transactions at Sandals are processed in USD, and credit cards work across the island.
Do I really get a free rental car at Sandals Royal Curacao?
Yes. Sandals Royal Curacao provides complimentary MINI Cooper Convertibles for guests to use during their stay. You sign one out at the resort’s car desk, and fuel is included. It is a genuine differentiator because no other Sandals property offers anything like it. Curacao’s roads are well-maintained and driving is on the right side, so it is easy to navigate even if you have never driven on the island before.
Is Curacao inside the hurricane belt?
No. Curacao sits well south of the hurricane belt, along with its neighbors Aruba and Bonaire. Major hurricanes almost never reach this far south. That makes it one of the most reliable Caribbean destinations for travel during the June through November hurricane season, when prices at other islands spike and availability tightens.
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Curacao is unlike any other island in the Sandals portfolio. The Dutch architecture, the hidden cove beaches, the world-class diving, and a resort that hands you the keys to a convertible and says “go explore” all add up to something different. If you have questions about booking Sandals Royal Curacao or planning your Curacao trip, I am happy to help.
