Are you looking for fun things to do in Curacao with kids? Then I got you covered! Curacao is the perfect place to go with your little ones. With its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and endless fun activities, there is always something to do for young and old.
From snorkeling with sea turtles to exploring hidden caves and making your own art – Curacao has everything to offer a child can dream of. But the very best things to do in Curacao with kids are sometimes quite hard to find.
I have lived on the island for almost a year and explored everything there is to do in Curacao. To save you a lot of time planning for your family trip, I have created this ultimate guide of things to do in Curacao with kids.
Find some helpful tips on child-friendly activities and the best family resorts in Curacao in this post. Let’s get to it.
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Table of Contents
Best Family Resorts in Curacao
There are a lot of great areas to stay in Curacao with children. Naturally, you don’t want to stay in dangerous areas or in party spots. The best places to stay in Curacao with Children are Piscadera, Mambo Beach, and around Playa Porto Mari.
There are quite a few family resorts in Curacao, so you will have a myriad of options when booking your accommodation. All of them have fun kids’ pools, easy beach access, and other kid-friendly entertainment options. They also have great access to most of the cool things to do in Curacao with kids.
Here are my favorite family resorts in Curacao:
Things to Do in Curacao With Kids
Curacao is a beautiful place and unlike many islands, you will find that there are a lot of things to do in Curacao with kids. You just need to know where to go. Luckily for you, we have an extensive list!
1. Go Snorkeling in Curacao
If your kids love aquatic life then snorkeling is one of the fun things to do in Curacao with kids.
Snorkeling in Curacao is an unforgettable experience for young and old. With its crystal-clear water and colorful coral reefs, it’s the ideal spot for discovering the underwater world. Snorkeling is a great kids-friendly alternative to scuba diving.
You can venture out on your own or join a guided tour with experienced guides. Curacao has many beautiful snorkeling beaches that are great for beginners and children. It is one of the fun things to do in Curacao with kids.
There you can see colorful fish, sea turtles, sea horses, and other interesting creatures swimming around you. You might even get to see a shipwreck, super interesting for young explorers. You can see why it ranks so highly on everyone’s list of top things to do in Curacao with kids.
The crystal clear waters of the beach Daaibooi is a great place to be if you are looking for things to do in Curacao with kids.
The most popular spots for snorkeling in Curacao with children are Playa Porto Mari, Playa Lagun, and Cas Abao Beach. Of course, Tugboat Beach and Daaibooibay also need to be on your list.
You can snorkel right from shore and don’t need to swim far to see beautiful reefs. If you take a day trip to Klein Curacao, make sure to bring your snorkel as well.
Curacao offers many great spots for snorkeling, for beginners as well as advanced snorkelers. Make sure to bring reef-friendly sunscreen, water shoes, and protective clothing for your small ones.
2. Hiking Mount Christoffel
If you have older children (10 + years) or kids with sheer endless energy, you should definitely climb up Christoffel Mountain.
The mountain has a height of 375 meters (1230 feet). Mount Christoffel is the highest point in Curacao. From the top, the view is amazing!
The hike takes about 3 hours round-trip and is a lot of fun. There are rocks to climb and hidden pathways to explore. Make sure to start your hike as early in the day as possible (the park opens at 06:00 am), otherwise, it might get too hot for your kids.
Along the way, you get to see iguanas, parrots, lizards, and other sweet animals, a great experience for children for sure. The last few minutes of the trail are a bit of a climb. Make sure to bring good shoes. The experience is not stroller friendly.
Make sure to bring enough water and some snacks and of course a camera on the hike.
3. Go to Klein Curacao
Klein Curacao is my favorite place to visit in Curacao with kids.
The hidden Caribbean paradise is a small island off the coast of Curacao. You can only visit the island with a Klein Curacao Day Trip.
You will board a catamaran in the morning and set sail towards the uninhabited island.
Once you arrive in Klein Curacao, your children can snorkel with sea turtles, play on the endless white sandy beach or take a walk to the abandoned lighthouse.
The sights are unique, and your small ones will remember this day forever.
4. Exploring the Christoffel National Park
The Christoffel National Park is a great place to explore for everyone that does not want to climb the mountain. You can explore the park on foot, by bike, or on horseback. There are a few different trails for every sort of explorer.
The two bigger driving trails in the Park are an amazing way to explore without having to do much walking. It is super informative and a nice way for children to explore the nature of the island a bit more.
There are some interesting viewpoints, and you can even explore hidden caves. In these caves, you can admire the drawings of the indigenous people of Curacao. A great small history lesson for your kiddies.
If you buy a ticket to the National Park, you get to visit the Savonet Museum for free. It is a great opportunity to combine these things and learn in an interactive way about the history and culture of the island. Can’t think of any better things to do in Curacao with kids that is quiet as educational.
5. Explore the Shete Boka National Park
The Shete Boka National Park is an area of approximately 10 square kilometers in the north of the island. It is famous for its rugged coastline, impressive rocky cliffs, and huge crashing waves.
The name “Shete Boka” means “seven inlets” in Papiamentu, the local language. You can see these seven inlets (bokas) along the coastline. Children will love the magnificent blowholes, natural bridges, and secluded beaches.
You can hike two different trails and see some stunning waves crashing onto the shore. Boka Pistol Trail is one of the best spots to visit in the park. Make sure to bring a change of clothes, you might get wet.
The visitor’s center will provide you with a map and some ice-cold drinks. This is where you also park your car before heading out. The trails are pretty short and can be done by smaller children as well.
6. Make Your Own Art
Creative kids will love this child-friendly thing to do in Curacao.
On multiple places on the island (Tugboat Beach, Playa Porto Mari, or Serena’s Art Factory) children can make their art on driftwood or paint chichis.
My favorite spot is Gilmar’s art hut in Playa Porto Mari. Gilmar is a friendly local that helps children paint driftwood signs. He is super patient, and the experience is fun and creative.
Bonus tip: keep your eyes open on the beach for the piglets Willy and Woody.
7. Explore the Hato Caves
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 (133 Reviews) Price: $75 per person Duration: 7 hours 📍Meeting Point: Hotel Pickup Details: Read more on Viator!
Hato Caves is a great spot in Curacao for families. The Hato Caves consist of several limestone caves that have been formed by thousands of years of erosion. They are quite easy to find since they are located right next to the airport.
My favorite spot in the Hato Caves is the Grand Room. It is a large chamber with an impressive ceiling of 12 meters.
Your tour guide can explain everything about stalactites, stalagmites, and other fascinating formations.
“Bob was a lot of fun and an Excellent historian providing a lot of knowledge about the island both good and bad. The visit to the Hato Caves was amazing and swimming with the turtles was simply awesome. I would highly recommend this tour.”
Crystal (read more reviews now!)
Your guide will also tell you about the history and how former slaves have been known to hide from their masters in the HATO Caves. This gives an interesting insight into Curacao’s history as well, a great way to learn for children.
The tour takes about an hour and you can also explore the Indian Hiking Trail afterwards.
8. Go on a Boat Tour
A boat tour is one of the top things to do in Curacao with kids. This way you can really see most of the island in a fun way.
For the more adventurous kiddies, you can book a private speedboat tour of the best attractions on the island. This is a great family excursion for young and old.
If you want a calmer experience, you might book a Curacao Sunset Boat Tour or a snorkel trip around the island’s best beaches.
Beach hopping tours are also beloved among children since they can explore the most fun and beautiful beaches on the island with a catamaran. Willemstad is one of the popular places where you can indulge in all these beach related activities.
9. Curacao Dolphin Academy
The sea aquarium and the dolphin academy in Curacao are great places to visit with kids. Upon entry, children can explore the sea aquarium and learn about many different types of fish and other marine life. They can feed flamingos and see starfish.
The true highlight of the Sea Aquarium is in my opinion the Dolphin Academy. They offer child-friendly meet and greets with dolphins, older kids can even book a swimming with dolphins experience.
The dolphins are treated in an animal-friendly way and children are taught the proper way to interact with the animals. At the end of the tour, you get a lovely picture of your small one with the dolphin to take home. You can see why it is one of the great things to do in Curacao with kids.
10. Curacao Ostrich Farm and Aloe Factory
The Curacao Ostrich Farm and the Aloe Factory are super close to each other, so you can combine a visit. Both places teach a lot about the indigenous plants and animals on the island.
The Curacao Ostrich Farm is a great way to have your children interact with animals. You can hand-feed them and even try to stand on one of the eggs.
In the Aloe Factory, your children will learn how the plant is manufactured in many different beauty and health products. You can even take a bite of it and taste the raw plant. It is a fun activity and one of the best things to do in Curacao with kids.
Travel Tips for Curacao With Kids
The gorgeous colorful houses are great places to wander around and it is one of the cool things to do in Curacao with kids.
Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind when traveling to Curacao with kids:
Beach Safety: Curaçao has beautiful beaches but you need to be cautious of strong currents. Always keep an eye on your children when they’re in the water.
Insect Protection: Bring insect repellent to protect your family from mosquitoes, especially during dawn and dusk. I also suggest bringing an ointment against insect bites.
Food and Water: Tap water is safe to drink in Curacao, but bottled water is readily available. While the tap water is clean, it does not taste very good in my opinion. Keep in mind that some of the dishes on the island are very spicy, and children might not enjoy that as much.
Weather: Curaçao has a tropical climate with lots of sunny days. It is important to bring protective clothing and lots of sunscreen. Especially when snorkeling, it is easy to get sunburn.
FAQ: Curacao With Kids
Is Curacao Good For Kids?
Yes, Curacao is good for kids. The island is very family-friendly, with lots of great things to do in Curacao for kids available. There are also many family-friendly resorts on the island. Curacao is considered safe, but you still need to keep an eye on your small ones.
What To Do With Kids In Curacao?
There are many things to do in Curacao with kids. Make sure to check out the Dolphin Academy, go snorkeling with sea turtles, and book a day trip to Klein Curacao. Older children will love a hike up the Christoffel Berg or checking out the waves in the Shete Boka National Park.
What Are The Best Family Resorts In Curacao?
The Kunuku Aqua resort is the best family resort in Curacao. It has lots of different water slides and playgrounds for children. There is even a small fairground. It is one of the fun things to do in Curacao with kids. Another good place to stay in Curacao with kids is Lion’s Dive Hotel. It has a great and shallow beach attached.
As you have seen in this post, Curacao is a great place to visit with kids! The island and the locals are very family-friendly, and there are many great experiences to be had for young and old.
Whether you check out the Dolphin Academy or snorkel with sea turtles, your children will love their family vacation in Curacao. A big bonus is that there are loads of things to do in Curacao with kids.
There are also a lot of family-friendly resorts and beaches on the island, so you will have a great experience no matter what. Kunuku Aqua Resort and Lion’s Dive Beach Hotel are among families’ favorite hotels in Curacao.
I can definitely recommend Curacao for a family vacation.
About The Author
Sabrina is a passionate travel blogger and content creator based in the Netherlands.
Her goal is to inspire people to experience more while doing less. She aims to create slow-paced itineraries that promote quality over quantity.
