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This is my guide on what to see on Curaçao outside the city of Willemstad. Keep reading for some of the island’s most popular and hidden attractions. Not included are the two national parks on the island – Christoffel and Shete Boka – and stuff we didn’t have a chance to do such as the Curaçao Sea Aquarium.
Curaçao Ostrich Farm
The Curaçao Ostrich Farm, a short drive east of Willemstad, is a great attraction for families. It’s open daily from 9am to 4pm with tours every hour. Tickets are US$20 for adults and US$15 for kids (as of February 2025). There’s also a gift shop and a decent restaurant on-site.
If you have time to kill before your tour, you can hang out in the garden just past the ticket booth. There’s a small playground with a few farm animals. You can also climb the lookout tower for great views of St. Joris Bay (Sint Joris Baai), where you can see kite surfers on the water.
The Tour
When it’s time for the tour to depart, one of the friendly and enthusiastic guides will call everyone over to check tickets. The tour begins with a look at baby ostriches, where you’ll learn that their sex isn’t revealed until their feathers start changing colors. You’ll then get on one of the buses to start the safari around the property.
On the next few stops, you’ll learn about the different stages of the lives of ostriches, from adolescence to adulthood. You’ll also hear interesting stories and facts about these curious birds, including how to tell the difference between a male and a female, how they mate and care for eggs, and what they eat, as well as how ostriches ended up on Curaçao in the first place.
Near the end of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to feed the ostriches as well as stand on an actual ostrich egg to test its strength.
In addition to ostriches, you’ll see emus, Nile crocodiles, and potbellied pigs. All in all, the entertaining tour takes about 45 minutes.
Fort Beekenburg
Just past Caracasbaai are the remains of Fort Beekenburg, which today is a small public park. The fort was built on the orders of Governor Van Beek in 1703 atop a rocky outcrop to protect the entrance to the bay of Spanish Water (Spaanse Water). It frequently came under attack of English and French pirates.
When the island was captured by the British in 1800, Fort Beekenburg was occupied by English soldiers from the corvette HMS Nimrod. The Dutch regained control in 1803, but the British occupied the fort again from 1807 to 1816.
Fort Beekenburg served until the middle of the 19th century, when it was decommissioned and dismantled. Between 1927 and 2005, the fort was inaccessible because the land was owned by an oil company.
Tower
The round tower at the center of the fort was built out of stones from the Netherlands. On the first level are a few cannons. A door to the inner tower provides access to the top via a ladder.
Once at the top, there are fantastic views of Caracasbaai, the oil rigs just off shore, and the surrounding natural scenery.
Outbuilding
A small building near the tower appears to have been used for storage or as a cistern. There was no information about it during our visit. If anyone can confirm its function, please let me know and I’ll update this post.
Abandoned Quarantine Hospital
A short drive south of Fort Beekenburg is an abandoned quarantine hospital. It was built in 1882 to isolate sailors who potentially had infectious diseases as well as yellow fever. They would be quarantined for 40 days. The hospital functioned until 1925 and is in disrepair today.
You can only enter the ground floor of the hospital, but be careful because some of the floorboards are missing and others are in danger of snapping in half.
The stairs on either side of the building lead up to a bricked up doorway, making it impossible to get into the second level. You can, however, get into the basement via a corridor underneath the west side of the building.
If you walk to the cliffside north of the building, you’ll get some great views looking down on Tugboat Beach below as well as the oil rigs, Fort Beekenburg, and Caracasbaai.
Seru Kabritu
We didn’t do it because it was getting late, but it’s possible to hike up to the top of Seru Kabritu, or Kabrietenberg, a hill towering 62 meters above sea level. It should take about 20-30 minutes or so to get to the top for the fantastic views. We were told to wear good sturdy shoes because there are sharp rocks, and to be careful of the drop at the end. We’ll definitely hike it next time we’re on Curaçao.
Hato Caves
Conveniently located next to the airport are the Hato Caves. This cave system is open daily from 9am to 3pm. All tours are guided and last about 45 minutes. Admission is US$10 for adults, US$8 for kids age 4-12, and free for kids under 4 (as of February 2025). There’s a snack bar on-site, a cactus garden, some animals, and a trail as well.
Cave Tours
After you get your ticket, you wait for the guide to call you over to begin the tour. You have to walk up 49 steps to the entrance. Once inside, the guide will give a quick introduction and remind visitors that photography is only allowed areas of the cave where natural light can enter. This is to protect the colony of bats living inside and is strictly enforced.
You follow the guide through a few chambers of the cave learning about its natural history and cultural significance. You’ll also quickly realize that this isn’t a typical cave with a nice cool temperature. It’s actually hot and humid inside and can get a little uncomfortable.
Along the way, the guide will point out stalactites, stalagmites, and creative formations. Some formations have names and interesting stories behind them. In the last room, you’ll have a chance to take some photos before getting escorted back to the entrance.
Before you think about visiting I only recommend visiting if there aren’t hordes of cruise ship passengers being bused in. It can get really crowded and would be more enjoyable with fewer people. We had about 40 people in our group and there were two groups in the cave at the same time.
Indian Trail
The Indian Trail is another activity on the property. It’s a roughly 20-minute self-guided walk along an accessible path lined with the typical vegetation on Curaçao. You’ll find numbers posted along the trail, and there’s a panel at the beginning you can take a photo of to make sense of the numbers.
Before the trail loops back to the parking lot, you’ll find carvings made by the Caiquetío people in about the 6th century. Similar carvings have only been found on the ABC Islands and in areas along the Orinoco River in South America, where the tribe originated.
Flamingo Viewing
Heading towards Westpunt, if you take a detour through Sint Willibrordus, there’s a spot along the road you can pull off and see flamingos. Apparently, they’re more active earlier in the morning and at dusk. We passed by late morning and there were plenty. You should also see some ducks.
Landhuis Cas Abao
Just before the guardhouse at Playa Cas Abao is the abandoned Landhuis Cas Abao. It was built in the 17th century and was once named Engelenberg after its owner, Willebrord van Engelen. The estate once covered nearly 1,000 acres of land.
The plantation was heavily damaged during the Slave Revolt of 1795 and was sacked by the British around 1809. It was completely restored around 1970. Additional structures include a coach house, cistern, and an outhouse.
You can walk through the mansion but beware of broken glass and wasps. The wooden stairs were sturdy at the time of my visit.
Santa Martha Bay Lookout Point
Heading further north, a detour along a rough road leads to a lookout point with breathtaking views of Santa Martha Bay. You can also see Landhuis San Nicolas on the other side of the bay.
Hòfi Mango
Hòfi Mango is nature park set on a historic mango plantation near Playa Santa Cruz. It dates back to 1707, and other crops such as sugarcane were also grown there. Today, it’s a popular tourist destination with a very good restaurant. It’s open daily from 8am to 5pm. Admission is US$20 for self-guided tours and US$26 for guided tours, US$8 for kids age 4-12, and free for kids under 4 (as of February 2025). If you’re taking the self-guided tour, you can purchase a map to follow the route through the park.
Cactus Garden
The first point on the route is the Cactus Garden (Kura di Kadushi), which is opposite the ticket booth. It displays several different types of cacti found on Curaçao.
Grave of Willem van Uytrecht
Nearby is the grave of Willem van Uytrecht, the former owner of the plantation. He was known to be very strict and had children out of wedlock with slaves. After his death, van Uytrecht left all of his children, both legitimate and illegitimate, equal pieces of land.
Plaza of Love
A few steps away is the Plaza of Love (Plenchi di Amor). It’s a heart-shaped garden representing the park’s receiving of all guests with an open heart.
Sugar Mill
The yellow tower across the street is the Sugar Mill (Molina di Suku). It’s the only sugar mill in the Dutch Caribbean and is an important monument on Curaçao. Historically, sugarcane was only grown on a few plantations with swampy areas. The yield wasn’t enough to produce sugar, so it was used for making rum for the local market.
Distillery
Today’s gift shop was once the Distillery. It played an important role in the Slave Revolt of 1795. Slaves broke into the Distillery and Sugar Mill to steal rum so the revolt leader Tula and his followers could make and drink “awa di huramentu”. The gift shop sells traditional Curaçao rum and souvenirs such as t-shirts and hats.
Food Truck & Playground
After crossing a bridge you’ll come to a picnic area with a food truck. They have a few drinks and snacks for sale. There’s also a small playground.
Palm Garden
The Palm Garden (Kura di Palma) is across another bridge. The palm trees were planted at Hòfi Mango when it was still part of the largest plantation on Curaçao. It’s still a relatively young garden and they’re expecting it to grow into a tropical paradise.
Poison Garden
The Poison Garden (Kura di Veneno) is a forest filled with the poisonous manchineel tree. The little green fruit is called the devil’s apple because of their toxicity. The natives would dip their arrows in the juice of the fruit to poison their enemies. Surprisingly, the fruit is part of the diet of local iguanas.
Freedom Wall
At the end of the Poison Garden you’ll come to the Freedom Wall (Muraya di Libertat). It separates the Poison Garden from the most fertile ground in the park, the Mango Forest. The Freedom Wall symbolizes transition, and passing through it is supposed to represent leaving toxicity and negativity behind.
Mango Forest
The Mango Forest (Mondi di Mango) is the biggest mango grove on Curaçao. It started with just a few random mango trees in the 18th century and has grown to over 1,000. You can walk through the Mango Forest to get to Mango Plaza, where it’s possible to spot the Grandfather of the Forest.
House of a New Breeze
Just off Mango Plaza you’ll spot a metal frame. This is the House of a New Breeze (Kas di un Brisa Nobo). The location was once a campsite with a scout hut. The frame is now a place used for events such as wedding ceremonies and corporate team-building.
Stairway to Heaven
After walking down a long path, you’ll reach the Stairway to Heaven (Trapi di Shelu). It was built one rock at a time over a period of three months. The park believes that once you reach the top, you’ll feel like you’re in heaven on earth. I’m not sure about that, but there is a bar up there called Heaven on Earth.
Hand of God
The Hand of God (Man di Dios) is also at the top of the Stairway to Heaven. It was created by local artist Giovanni Abath. Between the two hands you can see the highest point on Curaçao, Mount Christoffel.
Lookout Point
Finally, the lookout point (mirador) near the Hand of God offers sweeping views of the north side of Curaçao. You can see the entire park of Hòfi Mango.
Landhuis Knip
Landhuis Knip is on the road to Grote Knip and Kleine Knip. This plantation house was built at the beginning of the 18th century and was once one of the wealthiest on the island. It’s also one of the most important historic monuments on Curaçao.
On August 17, 1795, a group of slaves on the plantation, led by Tula, refused to go to work. They confronted the owner, Casper Lodewijk van Uytrecht, and demanded their freedom, thus sparking the flames of the Slave Revolt of 1795. The slaves grew in number, eventually reaching over 1,000, until they were overpowered by their leaders and sentenced to death. It became the largest slave uprising in the history of the Dutch Caribbean.
The house was restored in 1985 and is now the home of the Tula Museum (Museo Tula). It covers the history of the slave trade with a focus on the Slave Revolt of 1795. Admission is US$15 for non-residents of Curaçao (as of February 2025), and it’s typically open 10am to 2pm daily except Mondays. Our tour guide was a fantastic resource of information.
Tours of the Tula Museum
We started in front of a small shack where milk was produced. She explained the history of Landhuis Knip and showed us the area where the slaves once lived.
From there, we went into the front corridor of the house to learn about African kingdoms, followed by a room about the history of the slave trade and its connection with Curaçao. She gave some graphic descriptions of how slaves were captured and how they were treated during the voyage across the Atlantic.
The next two rooms focus on slave revolts. The first smaller room includes revolts that broke out in places such as Haiti and Venezuela, while the Tula hall covers slave revolts on Curaçao. An entire section is dedicated to Tula’s revolt in 1795, complete with videos and a topographical map showing a timeline and routes of the slaves and the militia that stopped them.
From there, we went upstairs where there are three rooms. The first room covers the emancipation of slaves on Curaçao, which occurred on July 1, 1863, while the second room covers the lives of slaves.
The third room is dedicated to women who led slave revolts. It highlights a few of the important women who took up arms against their masters.
The final section of the museum displays information on the local culture as well as the origins of Papiamento and the struggle to have it recognized as an official language on Curaçao.
Other Features of Landhuis Knip
Some of the other features of Landhuis Knip are the outbuildings across the street from the plantation house. Besides that, there are fantastic views of the green landscape surrounding the house.
There are also two monuments along the road outside the plantation house. One is a monument dedicated to the Slave Revolt of 1795. Nearby is a monument honoring the 148 slaves freed at Landhuis Knip on July 1, 1863.
What to See at Wespunt, Curaçao
Westpunt is the northern and westernmost point of Curaçao. It’s a quiet area full of vacation rentals and small hotels. In addition to some beaches, there are also a few impressive natural sites nearby.
Boka Shampaña
Near the northernmost point of Curaçao is Boka Shampaña. It’s one of the more impressive blowholes on the island. To get there from the parking lot, you have to walk a short distance along jagged rocks, so make sure you wear good shoes and watch your step. If you fall, you can easily cut yourself.
Boka Shampaña takes its name from the fact it looks like the popping of a champagne bottle. It’s a spectacular sight to see. You can also admire the rugged coastline of this part of Curaçao.
Curaçao Rock Flag
On the short walk to the Watamula Hole, you’ll pass a huge rock with the flag of Curaçao painted on it. It’s nothing major but cool to see.
Watamula Hole
Keep walking and you’ll get to the Watamula Hole. This amazing natural formation was formed by water forcing its way underneath and crashing against the surface, gradually creating a huge cavity by wearing away the softer rock above. Don’t get too close to the edge – falling in could be deadly!
Playa Guepi
From the Watamula Hole, you can follow a narrow path at the edge of a cliff to get to Playa Guepi. It’s a relatively unknown spot that’s supposedly good for snorkeling. Along the path, at one point if you look back you’ll see a natural bridge. Just take it easy and watch your step, and again, wear good shoes!
