Willemstad

Travel Guide
Willemstad featuring heritage architecture, a house and a city
The capital of the Caribbean Island of Curaçao, Willemstad has a multicultural feel, natural beauty, colorful buildings and a deep sense of history.

The range of attractions in Willemstad is as varied as the colors of the houses lining the streets in this harbor city. Learn about its Dutch history, seen in much of the architecture, hike through pristine wilderness or wander through lively markets.Start your visit to Willemstad in Punda, the original part of the city. Here, you’ll find a blend of multicolored colonial buildings and modern shops. Punda is also home to Fort Amsterdam, one of eight surviving forts in Curaçao. Opposite the fort is Penha House. It was built in the 1700s and is a prime example of a Dutch-styled merchant house. Continue along Columbusstraat to the western hemisphere’s oldest synagogue, Mikve-Israel Emanuel. Willemstad is split into two main districts by the Santa Ana Bay. Punda is to the east and Otrobanda (“other side”) is to the west. The pedestrian-only Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge connects the two sides. When the bridge is open, jump on a ferry and cross the bay to get a view of the city from the water.In Otrobanda, wander along narrow, twisting lanes, including the main commercial street, Breedestraat. Learn about the African and slave trade history of the island at Kura Hulanda Museum. Spend an afternoon at Riffort Village. At this former fort, you’ll find outdoor cafés, boutique shops and galleries.Beyond Willemstad’s historical center you can enjoy the area’s natural park and beaches. Blue Bay Beach has a playground, restaurant and bar, umbrellas and loungers. Get a close-up view of the area’s marine life at the Curacao Sea Aquarium on the oceanfront.Willemstad’s cuisine draws from the flavors of over 50 cultures. Go to Marsche Bieuw (Old Market) to sample cheap local dishes, including yuana, which is stewed iguana. At the Floating Market, merchants from Venezuela sell fresh fish and spices, fruits and vegetables.Taxis and rental car is the best way to get around Willemstad. There is a public bus service but it’s not frequent.

Where to stay in Willemstad

Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort
Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort
4.5 out of 5
Baden Powelweg 1, Willemstad, 97223
The price is $219 per night from Apr 10 to Apr 11
$219
per night
Apr 10 - Apr 11
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Willemstad. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"You can't go wrong with staying here. Location is fabulous, close to restaurants and shopping. We rented a car to explore everything else the island had to offer. There is free parking directly across the road from this resort. All the staff were very pleasant. Nice clean rooms."

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2023

Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort
Mangrove Beach Corendon Curacao All-Inclusive Resort, Curio by Hilton
Mangrove Beach Corendon Curacao All-Inclusive Resort, Curio by Hilton
4.5 out of 5
Pater Euwensweg 31, Dutch Caribbean, Willemstad
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $301 per night from Apr 19 to Apr 20
$301
per night
Apr 19 - Apr 20
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury property in Willemstad. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Curaçao Museum and Superior Producer ...
7.6/10 Good! (360 reviews)
"The beach is nice, the resort is at 10 min walking to the city. The food is very good with lots of choices. The staff is very nice to the guests. The swimming pool was not clean by the staff everyday."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2023

Mangrove Beach Corendon Curacao All-Inclusive Resort, Curio by Hilton
Curacao Marriott Beach Resort
Curacao Marriott Beach Resort
4.5 out of 5
John F Kennedy Boulevard, Piscadera Bay, Willemstad
The price is $279 per night from Apr 24 to Apr 25
$279
per night
Apr 24 - Apr 25
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Willemstad. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (331 reviews)
"Beautiful, clean hotel, amazing beach with decent snorkeling."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2023

Curacao Marriott Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Ritz Village Hotel - Adults Only
The Ritz Village Hotel - Adults Only
3 out of 5
Scharlooweg 25, Scharloo, Willemstad, 1234XL
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Willemstad. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a private beach. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the overall ...
7.8/10 Good! (285 reviews)
"Very clean efficiant junior suite was comfortable for our two week stay. Ten minute walk to town center and shopping. Both pool areas are very relaxing. Hostal is one of the nicest I have seen in a long time.Taxi service is very reliable if you dont rent a car."

Reviewed on Dec 6, 2022

The Ritz Village Hotel - Adults Only
Bon Bini Seaside Resort
Bon Bini Seaside Resort
3.5 out of 5
Bapor Kibra z/n, Willemstad
Stay at this 3.5-star spa aparthotel in Willemstad. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a terrace. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (46 reviews)
"Not on beach. Ac only in bedroom. No screens on windows and doors in rooms with no ac .mosquitoes."

Reviewed on Dec 15, 2019

Bon Bini Seaside Resort
Sirena Resort Curaçao
Sirena Resort Curaçao
3.5 out of 5
Kaya Djembe, Willemstad, Curaçao
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Willemstad. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Curaloe Aloe Vera Plantation and Parke Tropikal ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (26 reviews)
"Perfect for our weekend getaway except, we arrived after 10 pm and the sign is not visible. we kept on driving back and forth and the GPS kept on saying you have arrived and the area is in total darkness. We asked people and no one knows where is it. 1. install a light so the guest can see the sign. ..."

Reviewed on Mar 23, 2023

Sirena Resort Curaçao
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Willemstad

If you’ll be staying around Punda, the historic center of Willemstad and its busiest tourist area, then getting around on foot is your best option; it’s reasonably compact and the streets are pedestrian-only. For trips further afield, jump in a shared taxi, or consider renting a car to get around. It’s easy to rent a bicycle, too, but you should take care as the roads on Curaçao can be dangerous. Browse Willemstad rental cars.

Best time to visit

Whatever time of year you visit Willemstad, you’ll find nice warm weather, with temperatures in the high 80s F (around 30 C). There is a wet season, from October to December, but you’ll rarely see prolonged rains, and the island becomes very lush and green during this period. February and March are the best months for weather: the hills are still green, but there’s little rain and it’s nice and sunny.

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