Discover Curaçao’s Paradise Beaches: From Playa Kalki to Koko’s!

I’ve just got back from sunny Curaçao, and what a brilliant time I had. As a true beach lover, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here. And who wouldn’t want to enjoy some sun, sea and sand during the Dutch winter? If, like me, you love peace and quiet, wide open spaces and beautiful beaches, then do read on. I’ve put together a list of the best and most relaxing beaches for you.

Playa Kalki

At the westernmost tip of Curaçao lies the beautiful beach of Playa Kalki. On this stunning white sandy beach with azure waters, you can hire sun loungers, but you’ll need to be there early in the morning.

You can walk up to the lovely Playa Beachclub Curaçao via the main entrance or via a stone staircase from the beach. This beach club opened last year and you can relax in peace on sun loungers or hire a more luxurious cabana for the day. As this beach club is situated above the beach, you have a stunning view of the bay from here. Enjoy the infinity pool and the beautiful view!

And do you like music? On some days there’s also a DJ here; check the website for details.

Within walking distance of Playa Kalki, you’ll also find the Tomasito Cave. This was also on my ‘to visit’ list, so we popped over there. Really lovely to see! You descend into the cave via a wooden staircase and can take a quick dip in the beautiful green-blue water. If you’re in the area anyway, you might as well pop in.

Cas Abou

Cas Abao Beach is absolutely picture-perfect and definitely worth a visit. Just make sure you get there early, as the few spots under the thatched palapas fill up quickly, and believe me, that shade is no luxury.

Personally, I think it’s a shame that the sun loungers are a bit haphazardly arranged and could do with replacing here and there. There’s also a restaurant where you can get snacks and drinks, but be prepared for queues that can get quite long; if you’re unlucky, you might end up waiting in line for up to 45 minutes.

Still, that does little to detract from the beauty of this bay, because it remains simply breathtaking.

Brass Boer Curaçao

My favourite beach on Curaçao? That’s definitely Brass Boer Curaçao, situated on the beautiful Blauwbaai. A little tip: book in advance, as this hotspot is popular and often fills up quickly.

A day here feels like pure indulgence – peace, space and fantastic food. I love it!! If you’ve got a spot in the front row, you’ll be treated to an almost magical view all day long: pelicans flying overhead, iguanas strolling leisurely across the beach and the rocks, and colourful fish swimming through the clear water.

It really is one of those places where everything is just right – not too busy, lovely music and comfortable sun loungers. This is simply where you want to be.

Karakter

On the south coast of Curaçao, you’ll also find Karakter, another lovely spot. As soon as you arrive, you’ll feel it straight away: peace, space and a relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for a carefree day out. No mass tourism, just that lovely, laid-back vibe you’re looking for on holiday.

Settle down on a sun lounger overlooking the azure blue sea, take a refreshing dip or simply enjoy the sun with a good book. And then there’s the food… that’s a real treat here. From tasty breakfasts and lunch dishes to delicious dinners, everything is prepared with care and you can really taste it.

Bida Island

A day trip to Bida Island was high on my list, and of course we just went for it. The atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed and the surroundings feel luxurious and well-maintained; everything looks stunning.

That said, I have to admit that the food, for such an exclusive setting, was a bit of a let-down. The beach snacks you get when you hire a sun lounger are a real treat, though – think a refreshing coconut ice lolly served in half a coconut and a tasty lobster croquette. But the lunch menu did disappoint us a bit… pizza, gyoza and that sort of thing – fine, but not what you’d expect at this level, and certainly not for the price you pay.

Tip: take care when booking a cabana. If you opt for a standard one, you might well end up at the back, with no sea view, and that would be a real shame in a place like this.

Avila Beach Hotel

The Avila Beach Hotel has a lovely private beach for its guests, but if you’re not staying there, you can also buy a day pass so you can enjoy the same beach. A day pass costs around 15 euros and gives you access to the sun loungers.

The bay is wonderfully peaceful, the sand on the beach is so white it almost hurts your eyes, and the water is lovely here. Naturally, there is a restaurant on site, but there is also someone who will bring food and drinks to your sun lounger if you wish.

A nice bonus is that there are also a number of lovely little restaurants around the hotel. Think of Soi95 and Café George.

LionsDive Beach Resort

LionsDive is situated on the beach at Mambo Beach. Personally, I find the beach bars at Mambo too touristy and too busy, but at LionsDive you can relax in a sort of palm garden. If you’re not a guest at the LionsDive hotel, you pay 15 euros for a sun lounger and can enjoy the whole day under a palapa.

LionsDive also includes Hemingway’s restaurant, where you can enjoy a lovely lunch or dinner by the water. We’re big fans of the lunch here; for example, they simply serve a delicious sandwich with homemade chicken or tuna salad. Delicious!

Koko's

At Jan Thiel beach you’ll find several beach clubs, including the wonderfully peaceful Koko’s next to Zanzibar. At Koko’s, you’ll find peace and space. Pelicans fly in and out here – it’s lovely to wake up in the morning, enjoy a cappuccino and watch them. Friendly staff, tasty food and simply a wonderful place to unwind for the day.

If you fancy a bit of action early in the morning or later in the afternoon, you can also take a walk from here to Mambo Beach via the adjacent Zoutpannen. No Happy Hours here; at Koko’s, they close at 7 pm. Koko’s Curaçao is my favourite spot on Jan Thiel Beach.

Papagayo

And then there’s the famous Hotel Papagayo on Jan Thiel. Here too, you can hire a sun lounger or a cabana even if you’re not a guest. It is a bit busier here, but hiring a cabana for the day is still a lovely experience.

The cabanas are to the left of the swimming pool, and fortunately it’s a bit quieter there. The ‘beach dushi’ ensures you’ll want for nothing, because if you hire a cabana, you’ll get a bottle of water, a bowl of delicious fresh fruit in the morning and tasty Dutch snacks in the afternoon.

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