Only have a few days in Curaçao? With a SmartWheels rental car, you can see the island’s highlights without rushing. This itinerary covers the best beaches, culture, nature, and food spots, all reachable by car.
Day 1: West Coast Beaches
Start your morning by picking up your rental car from SmartWheels at your hotel, the airport, or the cruise terminal. Head west on the Weg Naar Westpunt, the main coastal road.
Your first stop is Playa Porto Mari, about 30 minutes from Willemstad. This beach has a unique double reef that is perfect for snorkeling right from shore. Spend an hour or two in the water, then grab a cold drink at the beach bar.
Drive 15 minutes further west to Playa Lagun, a narrow cove surrounded by cliffs where sea turtles swim right up to the shore. Arrive before noon for the calmest water and best visibility.
For lunch, continue 10 minutes to Playa Fòrti. The restaurant at the top of the cliff serves fresh fish with an unbeatable view. Watch cliff jumpers while you eat.
End the afternoon at Grote Knip (Playa Kenepa Grandi), one of the most photographed beaches in the Caribbean. The turquoise water here has to be seen to be believed. Drive back to Willemstad for dinner. Total driving time for the day is about 2 hours. Total distance approximately 80 kilometers.
Day 2: Willemstad, Culture, and East Side
Spend the morning exploring Willemstad on foot. Park your car at one of the lots near Punda (XCG 3–5 per hour) and walk across the famous Queen Emma pontoon bridge to Otrobanda. Visit the colorful Handelskade waterfront, the floating market, and the narrow streets of Pietermaai with their restored colonial buildings, restaurants, and street art.
After lunch in Pietermaai, drive 20 minutes east to Jan Thiel Beach. This is a well-organized beach with loungers, a restaurant, and calm water. Alternatively, drive to Mambo Beach Boulevard for a more lively atmosphere with beach bars and music.
In the late afternoon, drive 10 minutes further to the Curaçao Sea Aquarium and the nearby Animal Encounters program. Or visit Serena’s Art Factory (25 minutes west of Jan Thiel) to paint your own Chichi doll, the iconic Curaçao souvenir.
Dinner suggestion: drive to Gouverneur de Rouville in Otrobanda for waterfront dining with a sunset view over the Handelskade.
Day 3: Christoffel Park and Shete Boka
Start early for this day because you want to beat the heat at Christoffel National Park. Leave by 7 AM and drive 45 minutes northwest to the park entrance. The hike to the top of Mount Christoffel (375 meters, the island’s highest point) takes about 2 hours and rewards you with panoramic views of the entire island. Bring plenty of water, sturdy shoes, and sunscreen.
After the hike, drive 5 minutes to Shete Boka National Park. Walk the trails along the rugged north coast and watch enormous waves crash through natural rock bridges and into Boka Tabla, a sea cave you can enter during calm conditions.
For lunch, drive 10 minutes to Landhuis Knip, a historic plantation house with a small museum and restaurant. Then cool off at nearby Klein Knip beach for the rest of the afternoon.
Drive back to Willemstad for your final dinner on the island. If you are leaving the next day, return your SmartWheels rental car to the same location you picked it up. Lock it from your phone and you are done.
Estimated Budget for 3 Days (Per Person)
Car rental with SmartWheels (economy car, 3 days): approximately $158. Fuel for 3 days of driving: approximately $30–40. Beach entrance fees: approximately $15–25 total. Park entrance fees (Christoffel + Shete Boka): approximately $25. Food and drinks: depends on your style, budget $30–60 per day. Total estimated transport and activities cost: approximately $230–250 per person (excluding food).
Which Vehicle for This Road Trip?
For this 3-day itinerary, we recommend a compact SUV from SmartWheels at $67 per day. It handles the paved highways, the beach access roads, and the park trails comfortably. If you are a couple traveling light, an economy car at $52 per day works for Days 1 and 2, but you may want higher ground clearance for Day 3 at Christoffel. For families, our mid-size SUV at $78 per day fits 5 passengers with all the beach gear.
Book your 3-day rental car and start planning your Curaçao road trip.
