The Best Beaches in Curacao You Can Easily Visit by Public Bus

Curaçao is the largest and definitely most varied one of the ABC islands. Not only does it have a vibrant capital city that made it onto UNESCO’s list of world heritage. The island boasts powerful street art, fascinating history, amazing food, and world-famous liqueur. Yet, one of the main reasons tourists flock to the island, especially during the wintertime, are Curaçao’s idyllic coves and secluded beaches.
Contrary to all assumptions, many of the most beautiful beaches lining the island of Curacao can be conveniently and very inexpensively reached by public bus.

Curaçao

Other than for instance Aruba, Curaçao does not have those endless beaches covered with white powdery sand. Since the coast is rather rocky, you’ll find lots of picturesque coves and bays where you can swim, snorkel, dive, and sunbathe.
On the other hand, other than on Bonaire, in Curaçao, these small bays are covered with sand so that you don’t need to spread your towel on an uncomfortable rock.

All the bays I have visited had some kind of touristy infrastructure like permanently installed parasols with strong wooden stands and straw umbrellas called palapas, and beach beds. Nevertheless, since there are some major differences between Curaçao’s beaches, I’m describing them below so that you are prepared respectively can choose which ones sound more attractive to you. Because I myself had to find out that those iconic beaches every review is raving about aren’t necessarily for me. Not because they aren’t beautiful – they certainly are. But they are packed with people lying beach bed next to beach bed.
Excuse me, do you have a little room for me in your sardine can?

Everyone likes and expects something different from a perfect beach. While some people enjoy the lounge feeling of a comfortable beach bed with an attentive waiter serving cocktails, others prefer the serenity of a secluded cove with no infrastructure whatsoever. There are fans of the underwater world and those of sea sports. While some enjoy pounding beats, others just want tranquility to read their book.

Good news: Curaçao has a beach for each and every need’n’taste!

Jan Thiel Beach

Let’s start with Curaçao’s most famous beach, Jan Thiel. Their slogan is It all happens at Jan Thiel Beach, and they are absolutely right. Only: That’s not necessarily attractive for everyone. Jan Thiel is a large resort including various parts of which some are exclusively for hotel guests.

While the site is very spacious, it is also packed with beach beds so the resort does have a cramped feel to it.

Hence, although it supposedly all happens at Jan Thiel Beach, it ensues without me as I’m rather the Robinson-type.

You have to pay a 3.50 US$ entrance fee at a booth and then about 5 US$ for a beach bed. In return, you have all the facilities like showers, bathrooms, and a couple of halfway reasonably priced bars and restaurants.

I would say that Jan Thiel is by far the best option for those who want or need well-functioning infrastructure like for instance families with small children.

Kenepa Grandi

This beach goes by various names depending on the language. You’ll find it also as Grote Knip, Knip Beach, or Playa Kenepa. No matter what you call it, it is definitely one of Curaçao’s most beautiful sand beaches.

Located on the northern west coast of the island, it opens in a long bay to the sea. However, as the bay is protected by two protruding cliffs, you can safely swim’n’snorkel.

As soon as you get there, you’ll be amazed by the views from the outlook on the beach’s southern side.

The waters are wonderful and clear and popular snorkeling grounds. Mind you, although it is a sand beach, there are rocks and corals in the water, hence, you should wear swim shoes.

What makes Kenepa Grandi so special, however, is the option to jump into the water from the cliffs. I’m a mother, hence, I certainly won’t recommend anyone to jump into unknown waters, but obviously, people are doing it safely there.

Since Kenepa Grandi is a public beach, there is no entrance fee, but there are no facilities either. Yet, there is a snack bar selling soft drinks and burgers. However, I wouldn’t count on them being open 24/7, therefore, you better bring your own water and snacks.

On weekends, Kenepa Grandi gets crowded with locals who are barbecuing and celebrating life, which makes the beach less serene, obviously. Also, some land excursions take cruise passengers to Playa Kenepa, but they mostly stay just for about two hours.

Kokomo Beach

Everybody knows
A little place like Kokomo
Now if you wanna go
To get away from it all
Go down to Kokomo

This is what the Beach Boys sang in 1988, and since then, many followed their invitation. Far too many. Today, you definitely cannot “get away from it all” at Kokomo Beach.
On the contrary.

Kokomo Beach is a relatively small cove. Since it’s very popular – probably also due to this highly unintelligent song – it was the most crowded beach I visited during my stay in Curaçao. It is basically covered with sun beds standing close to each other in lines.
I hate that.

The water is nice, but the water is nice everywhere around Curaçao.

Although you don’t have to pay an entrance fee, it seems to be a private beach since there is a fence and a gate that closes at 7 p.m.

You can get food and drinks from two bars if you don’t want to bring your own.

However, after having visited the legendary Kokomo Beach, I came to the conclusion that it’s simply not worth the hassle of finding ways to visit the other extremely secluded beaches everyone is raving about.

Cas Abao and Porto Marie are impossible to visit by public bus unless you are willing to walk for 45 minutes on a deserted road where car drivers don’t expect pedestrians to meander around. And since they are at least as famous as Kokomo, I’m afraid they will be as packed and far from being dreamy. That’s simply not worth the strenuousness of complicated routes and long walks in the Caribbean sun.

Obviously, that’s a whole different story if you are driving there.

Mambo Beach

I might be a bit biased when it comes to Mambo Beach since it was my go-to place when I was tired and didn’t feel much like exploring new shores beaches. Since it is within walking distance from the Boca Simon guest house*, it was my refuge of rest and recreation.

However, I’m sure I would have also liked it if it hadn’t been in the farther vicinity. Of the organized club-like beaches, Mambo is the most casual and easygoing one. Yes, there are palapas, beach beds, bars, and even many small shops alongside the promenade. And still, Mambo has a very relaxed ambiance to it.

The water is clear with a shallow part followed by a deep one which makes swimming and snorkeling more fun. You can swim to the barrier made from rocks that protects the swimming area against the waves from the open sea. There, you can hang out laying on the rocks, watching the waves splash in.

Seeking Leisure

The only time it gets more crowded and noisy is when the cruise passengers flock in on their shore excursion. But their brouhaha mostly lasts a couple of hours and then they are gone and Mambo returns to its leisurely vibe.

Since Mambo Beach is on private property, it opens only at 9 a. m. and you have to pay an entrance fee of 3.50 US$. If you don’t want to lay on your towel in the sand, you have to fork out another 5 US$ for a beach bed that you then can use the entire day. Mind you, there are various price categories at the different bars.

Snacks and drinks can be enjoyed either at the bars and restaurants or you order them straight to your beach chair. They have reasonably priced drinks and a small selection of snacks.

Lagun

Although Playa Lagun has the big advantage of being a public beach with very little commercialized infrastructure, I still didn’t love it that much.

It is a good size – cozy yet not too small – and you can either spread out your towel in the shade of a palapa or a tree or you can rent a beach chair for as little as 3.50 US$. You either bring snacks and drinks with you or enjoy refreshments from one of the surrounding fish restaurants. As a matter of fact, the ticket that you get for paying for your chair is a voucher for a soft drink at one of the restaurants.

While you don’t have to pay an entrance fee, you have to pay 1 US$ to use the bathroom or the shower which is a bit exaggerated.

In the Caribbean heat, I can only eat breakfast and then again an early dinner. I never get lunch or larger snacks. But as I saw how fishermen cleaned and prepared fish they just brought in from the sea, I regretted not being hungry at noon since I doubted that I could get a nice fish meal any fresher than there.

Since Playa Lagun is flanked by coral rocks, snorkeling here is great. You don’t have to swim far to see swarms of different colorful fishes.

Clean It Up

So why didn’t I like Playa Lagun? The question is easily answered: It’s very dirty. The sand looks dirty and is littered with cigarette butts, bottle caps, even pieces of glass, and other trash mindless people left behind. Actually, no matter how much I love these public beaches, they are far dirtier than the privately organized ones.

So yes, if Playa Lagun was as clean as Kenepa Grandi or Playa Kalkí, I would like it much better.

Playa Piskadó And Playa Kalkí

Playa Kalkí is probably the northernmost freely accessible beach and therefore not as crowded as many of the other bays. Since it’s equally beautiful, it is actually my very favorite beach in Curaçao.

But let’s start at the beginning: Right below the bus stop at the Catholic Church of Westpunt which is Curaçao’s westernmost settlement, obviously, you’ll descend to the famous Playa Piskadó aka Playa Grandi. The beach as such is not very nice and quite dirty. However, there are tons of turtles in the water which is just amazing.

Unfortunately, there are at least as many snorkelers since it’s a popular stop for many island tours, but never mind. Don’t kid yourself, those many turtles do not just hang out there because they have nothing better to do. Whereby, they are turtles, so what errand could they possibly have to run?

Anyway, there is a fisherman sitting on the dock, feeding the turtles fish offals. That’s the reason they keep swimming around despite the many tourists bobbing in their way. Even from the dock, they are a truly fascinating sight as you can see in my pictures.

However, since there were so many people in the water, I refrained from getting in. I took pictures from the dock and then hit the road to far more beautiful and tranquil Playa Kalkí.

A Long And Winding Road

I won’t lie to you: In the noonish heat, my 20-minute walk between the beaches felt like crossing the desert. The road is long and winding and around noon, there is no shade whatsoever.

But after twenty minutes, as I reached the beautiful secluded beach, the cool turquoise waters washed off my sweat and made me forget my distress on the hot road.

Although there is a dive shop and a restaurant renting out beach beds, they leave enough room for those who just want to stretch out on their towel. The beach is by no means stuffed, it pleasantly lacks the commercialized rush. You can hang out or go snorkeling – no loud music, no sixpack-ordering day trippers. Just peace and quiet.

After a couple of hours resting’n’reading at Playa Kalkí, my decision stands: This is my favorite beach in all of Curaçao!

Lunch at Jaanchi’s

The reason I didn’t stay until the last bus on Plays Kalkí was Jaanchi’s. It’s a local restaurant located between the two beaches serving lovely local delicacies.

They have a fixed menu and every dish costs 20 US$: Whether you choose chicken, goat, or shrimp. Also, all drinks set you back a fiver. I like the concept since it makes you choose more freely without considering your budget. Whatever you eat is for 20 and each drink for 5. Square and fair.

However, I must say that while the quality is okay, the quantity of the food isn’t worth the 20 bucks. Normally, meals in the Caribbean are huge. If I had the choice I always ordered just a small portion and I never went home hungry. At Jaanchi’s, the whole meal was the size of a starter.

One For the Money, Two For the Show

But then you have the whole show that Jaanchi himself sits at your table while taking your order, pretending to order from the kitchen something very special extra for you. He’s fun and charming and accommodates you like his long-lost friend.

There is no glass in the windows so what seems to be a thousand birds are flying from branch to branch and sometimes from branch to chair or table. While they are snacking from the sugar Jaanchi put outside for them – and sometimes from the leftovers parting guests left on their plates – they are making a deafening noise. Everything feels cozy and tropical and a bit magic. After you’ve finished your meal – which is not very challenging as I pointed out above – Jaanchi surprises you with a scoop of ice cream. And although you’ve read about this surprise on TripAdvisor, you are still surprised in a way.

So what now – is a meal at Jaanchi’s worth the 20 bucks? I don’t think so.
Is it still worth going there for the show? I’d argue it is.

Jaanchi’s is in Westpunt on the main road across from the corner of Westpunt G street. It is open daily from noon to 5 p.m.

Day Trip to Klein Curaçao

So you’ve visited a handful of mesmerizing beaches in Curaçao and you think you’ve seen it all? No offense, but you are so wrong!
One of the most excellent activities when in Curaçao is leaving the island; to get to its little sister in the east. She’s called Klein Curaçao, which cleverly translates to Little Curaçao, and she awaits you with pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, and amazing sceneries.
Sounds like such a cliche? I’m sorry, I have no other words that would do this little piece of Caribbean paradise justice.

But if this is too perfect for you, I’m well-prepared to teach you about Klein Curaçao’s sinister history.

Not Pretty

As I’ve mentioned above, the Dutch West India Company was engaged in slave trafficking in the 17th and 18th centuries. In what I’m hesitant to call the heyday between 1640 and 1740, more than 300 ships with up to 600 slaves on board sailed from the African west coast to the Caribbean. Obviously, an outbreak of diseases was not uncommon on ships with a human freight of hundreds of people living under catastrophic hygienic conditions.

Since sick slaves could not be sold and also in order to stop the spread of diseases, sick people were dropped off on Klein Curaçao. Actually, the ruins of the building that once housed the sick can still be found in the northwest of the isle. Those who died either during the crossing or during their quarantine were buried right there. Their tombs are still on the south side of the island.

Also, storms on the windward side of the island caused naval accidents. The most famous wreck is the Maria Bianca Guidesman, a tanker that ran aground in 1988.

To avoid further accidents, a lighthouse was built in 1850. The only person who ever lived on the island of Klein Curaçao was the lighthouse keepers. Howsoever, today the lighthouse is equipped with a solar-powered LED light so that there are no permanent residents.

Lovely Day Out

Yet, although there are no residents, Klein Curaçao gets lots of people every day as tourists take excursions to this lovely islet. Ferries are making it from the main island in about two hours. Although with over a hundred bucks, this day trip is not exactly a bargain, visiting Klein Curaçao was actually one of the nicest activities during my stay.

Klein Curaçao is located in the middle of the Caribbean and on clear days, you can actually spot the coast of Bonaire in the northeast. The islet is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs. Together with some impressive shipwrecks, those make the perfect snorkeling and diving spots. Also, fans of so-called lost places will find quite a bit to explore as I explained above.

I went to Klein Curaçao one sunny Sunday morning and I chose Miss Ann Boat Trips* to take me there. It can be a challenge to go on a ferry in the early morning, but the crew being so accommodating and fun made it all so easy and relaxed.

Get Busy

Yes, at 130 US$ per person, the trip is not exactly cheap, but there is a lot included. Starting with a big breakfast as soon as you get ashore. Then you have enough time to explore the isle, enjoy the underwater world, or just rest on the beach. Miss Ann Boat Trips owns actually a very cool thatched beach house on the island including a bar and facilities such as bathrooms and a freshwater shower. Mind you, they even bring sweet water with them all the way from Curaçao!

After a huge lunch, you can join a so-called snorkeling safari. While one of the guys feeds the fishes, they swim around you in a frenzy – it’s like an underwater movie in 3D and truly a great experience.

The ferry then brings you safely back around 5 p.m. As a last highlight, they offer a complimentary rum punch, hence, it’s a good idea to leave your car at your accommodation and come to the pier at the Santa Barbara estate on an organized tour.

For more info and to book your tour, go to Miss Ann Boat Trips*

What To Pack For a Beach Day

If you stay at a beach hotel, you can simply walk from your room to your sun bed in a swimsuit, a book, and a cocktail in hand. In that case, kudos – and you won’t need this checklist. If however, you intend to spend the day on a beach from where you cannot just go back to your room in case you forgot something, you should read this list thoroughly.

Putting it together, I had you beach walkers in mind. You folks who leave their accommodation in the morning, taking the bus to some remote place from where they come back only in the late afternoon. If you forget to take certain things with you, you won’t have them available during the entire day, it’s as simple as that.

Therefore, the below list contains not only quintessential items like your wallet and your reading glasses but also some gadgets that are not crucial but will make your day on the beach more comfortable and pleasant.

Well-Organized Activities

Obviously, this post is made to show you how easy and comfortable exploring Curaçao’s beaches by public bus can be. However, if you want to explore the shores from the water or spend a day on Klein Curaçao, that’s a whole different story and you’ll need an experienced and reliable tour operator. Also, especially for solo travellers, joining a group on a day trip can be a nice change and a great opportunity to meet like-minded fellow travellers.

Therefore, here are some suggestions for what to do when visiting Curaçao. Especially during high season, pre-booking online will guarantee your place at the activity of your choice*:

Although Curaçao’s beaches are just fantastic, they are not the only attraction the island has to offer. In my comprehensive guide CURACAO – The Caribbean Island That Has It All, I’m introducing all the island’s amazing places and fun activities!

Map

This map should help you to find the most beautiful beaches of Curaçao that I’m introducing in this post. Clicking on the slider symbol at the top left or the full-screen icon at the top right will display the whole map including the legend.

Pinnable Pictures

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* I am very appreciative that Bright8 PR together with Curaçao Tourist Board organized a guided walking tour for me and let me participate in a day trip to Klein Curaçao with Miss Ann Boat Trips.
Nevertheless, the description of these activities and all opinions on the services are mine and were in no way influenced by my cooperation partners.

* This is an affiliate link. Hence, If you book through this page, not only do you get the best deal. I also get a small commission that helps me run this blog. Thank you so much for supporting me!