The best sights in the east of Curaçao

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Latest update: 28 October 2024

Combine a few hours at the beach with the best sights in the east of Curaçao. Fun, closeby, and quick. How about the Aloe Vera plantation, Serena’s Art Factory, or Fort Beekenburg? Check out the 13 tips.

Beach and culture in the mix

Many people choose a holiday address in Curaçao near Mambo Beach or Jan Thiel. Rightly so, but from those locations it is quite a long drive to the sights in the West – you have to set aside a whole day for it. That is not bad at all, but sometimes it is just nice to see some sights nearby and to get back to the beach asap. Mix a bit of culture with some chilling, which is, as far as I’m concerned, the recipe for a great day!

Tip 1 – Visit the Caracas Bay Peninsula

There is a peninsula between Jan Thiel and the Spanish Water. Follow the Caracas Bay road along the Caracas Bay, and you can’t really go wrong. Once you pass the Caracas Bay, it already feels quite remote. Wild nature mixed with abandoned buildings and the rough harbor – the drive alone is worth it. You will find three small beaches here, two cool snorkeling spots, a nice local restaurant, an abandoned fort, and a quarantine building (tips 2 to 6). If you want, you can also view these places from the water, go on a canoe trip.

Tip 2 – Fort Beekenburg

Fort Beekenburg had to protect the Spanish Water in 1703. That worked out pretty well; the French the English, and pirates were also stopped. The fort is beautifully situated on rocks directly on the water. Around the fort is a wild garden where some picnic tables have been placed for visitors. During my visit, nature had won from the seating areas completely surrounded by tall vegetation.

You can visit the fort for free and the entrance is self-explanatory. Simply follow the stairs. You must climb a wooden staircase to get to the top, where the cannons (replicas) are. It is a bit of a squeeze if you have a backpack on your back, but the strong, cooling breeze and the view are absolutely worth it.

Google Maps location Fort Beekenburg

Tip 3 – Quarantine building

The Quarantine building is quite dilapidated, but it probably wasn’t all that beautiful in the past either. At the end of the 19th century, the Caracas Bay peninsula was a kind of waiting port for ships carrying contagious diseases. A hospital near Fort Beekenburg and the Quarantine building housed the healthy sailors. They had to stay here until they were confident they weren’t sick.

The ground floor of the Quarantine Building is accessible, and you can immediately see why you can’t go to the first floor: even the ground floor is treacherous. The walls are covered in graffiti tags, and bats and birds have found a home here. The Quarantine Building is worth a short visit. Just to reflect on the history of Caracas Bay and, of course, to take a picture.

Google Maps location Quarantaine building

Tip 4 – Snorkeling at Tugboat Beach & Bar

For the enthusiastic snorkelers among us, go to Tugboat Beach. It’s worth it. You will find the tugboat a short swim away, near the enormous metal poles. As you swim towards it, you will encounter many fish and abandoned materials such as chains. The sunken tugboat is the highlight. The wreck is only about five meters underwater, so it’s easy to spot snorkeling. It is also a popular diving spot, and occasionally, canoeists come to take a look.

Because it is quite a swim, some people may like to bring something to float on. A swimming noodle perhaps. You can rent snorkel gear at the Tugboat Beach Bar or bring your own snorkel mask.

Tugboat Beach is a pebble beach (bring water shoes!), and you usually have a view of a huge freighter. It’s not exactly idyllic, but it’s unique. It is also fun to snorkel along the dock of the ships because there are even more fish to see. The beach bar Tugboat Beach Bar is a nice place for a drink, but don’t expect luxury. The staff also makes souvenirs from whatever washes up on the beach. Nice if you want to take something original home with you.

Google Maps location Tugboat Beach

Tip 5 – Direkteursbaai

The beach of Direkteursbaai was meant for the directors of Shell years ago, they could chill there. Nowadays everyone can use the beach. Direkteursbaai is especially fun for divers. As a snorkeler, I don’t see anything special, although I have heard people have better experiences. An ominous abyss also appeared after swimming for a few meters, so that was my cue to return to the beach

Still, it is a nice stone beach to visit if you are on the peninsula of Caracas Bay. It is remote, and you have a nice view of Jan Thiel from the rocks. There are no facilities at Director’s Bay, so bring your own food and drinks. Warning! There is a warning sign about theft. So do not leave valuables in your car and watch your belongings when you are on the beach

Google Maps location Direkteursbaai

Tip 6 – Local food at Pop’s Place

End your visit to the peninsula of Caracasbaai with a lunch or snack at Pop’s Place (Brisa do Mar). This is a nice, simple restaurant right on the water. With a bit of luck you will get a spot with a very nice view. At Pop’s Place, you can order local dishes. Goat stew, Mondongo soup, or maybe a karni soba sandwich?

Google Maps location Pop’s Place

Tip 7 – Water sports on the Spanish Water

The Spanish Water is a great area for all kinds of water sports, as well as relaxing boat trips. How about a sailing trip (at sunset), ZUP boarding or SUPping?

Tip 8 – Herb garden Den Paradera

Dinah Veeris is the herbalist of Curacao and she has an impressive herb garden in the east of the island. When you visit the herb garden you will receive a folder with explanations along the walking route. Don’t expect a lush garden; the garden is focused on medicinal herbs. The creative details give the garden some more color. You pay an $8 entrance fee; if you stroll and look at everything, ia visit will take 30 to 45 minutes. Sometimes, it is possible to participate in a guided walk, and then you pay $9. There is also a shop where you can buy natural shampoo, herbs, bath salts, and more. Den Paradera is closed on Sundays.

Google Maps location Den Paradera

Tip 9 – Aloe Vera Plantation

Honestly, if no tour is possible at the Aloe Vera Plantation, there is not much to it. You will only see some fields with plants, a large factory building, some information boards, and a small shop with Aloe Vera products. So call before you go: +599 9 767 5577.

Google Maps location Aloe Vera Plantage

Tip 10 – Serena’s Art Factory

Serena is the artist of the Chichi’s. These are the cheerful black statues of voluptuous ladies with brightly colored accents. Chichi means big sister. If you have been in Curaçao for a while, you have probably seen them before. Here, in the east of Curaçao, you will find Serena’s Art Factory. The statues are made and sold here and you can even join a workshop to create your own Chichi statue. On Friday and Saturday mornings, there is always a workshop that you can join; at other times, you have to make an appointment or check your options here.

But even without the intention of getting creative yourself or buying a statue, the Art Factory is worth a visit. In the garden are signs explaining the entire history of the Chichi statues and how several Curaçao women paint Chichi statues today. Each statue has a number on it so you can find out who painted your statue.

Google Maps location Serena’s Art Factory

Please note: if you drive from the Aloe Vera Plantation to Serena’s Art Factory, Google will send you on a dirt road that has grown considerably and where massive puddles form in bad weather. I can tell you from experience that this is no fun. So just drive a little further to take the main roads.

Tip 11 – Meet the ostriches of the Ostrich Farm

The Ostrich Farm is a little piece of Africa on Curacao. To see the ostriches, you have to join a safari tour. Otherwise, you won’t get any further than the restaurant, where you can eat an ostrich steak or ostrich croquette!

With the safari you will drive around the terrain by bus and make several stops at the ostrich enclosures. You can even stand on an ostrich egg (yes, you can do that with your full weight) and feed the ostriches. If you want, you can make a reservation in advance, but in principle, there is a tour every hour, so you can just drop by.

Google Maps location Curaçao Ostrich Farm

Tip 12 – Kitesurfing at Sint Jorisbaai

Tucked away in Curaçao, you will find a perfect kitesurfing spot: Sint Jorisbaai. You can learn to kitesurf here, but this is also an excellent place for the more advanced kitesurfers. Arrange your lessons and equipment at Nix Kiteboarding.

Google Maps location Nix Kiteboarding

Tip 13 – Golfing at Santa Barbara

Do you like golfing? Then, go to the Santa Barbara Beach Resort. You can also go to Blue Bay Golf Resort. I tried it once in 2008. I don’t seem to have a natural talent for it. I did enjoy driving around in a golf cart through.

Google Maps location Santa Barbara Beach Resort

Failed tips – Jan Thiel salt pans, Table Mountain, and Plantation Koraal Tabak

Well, sometimes things don’t go as planned on holiday. For example, I really wanted to go to the Jan Thiel salt pans to spot flamingos, but my travel partner and I couldn’t find a place to see them. We also thought visiting Table Mountain would be a good idea, but we ran into a fence and guards who told us that Table Mountain is not accessible to tourists at all. Off to Plantage Koraal Tabak then? Nope, there, too, a fence blocks the passage. But hey, at least we’ve seen some remote corners of Curacao. Also fun!