Cheap flights to Curaçao from C$ 205

The island of Curacao lies in the middle of the Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela. It is the largest island of the Netherlands Antilles group and shares many of the attractions of its neighbours Aruba and Bonaire: crystal-blue seas, excellent diving and a laid-back pace of life.

Many of the tourists who book flights to Curacao are divers, keen to explore the glorious waters that surround the island. Its beaches appeal to sun lovers for their white sand, fringed with palm trees. Those along the southern coast tend to be better developed; this is the place to find beachside restaurants and bars on the sand. The capital, Willemstad, is where all flights to Curacao land. It is a charming town, reminiscent of Amsterdam, with canals, gabled houses and narrow streets. Most visitors spend a few days here before heading off to explore the island or hitting the beach.

Curaçao climate

Curacao has a warm, sunny climate all year long. Temperatures average 27 C and are cooled by eastern trade winds. It’s outside the hurricane zones, but tropical storms can randomly cause foul weather. From October to February is considered the rainy season, but the little rain usually falls at night. 

Getting around Curaçao

The easiest way to explore the island is to rent a car. Buses are available, but can be slow and infrequent. This is a good way to meet people and to experience the way of life, though certainly not the quickest means of getting from A to B.

What is good to know if travelling to Curaçao?

• The capital of Curacao is Willemstad, a small town easy to explore on foot. St Anna Bay divides the town into two with the Queen Emma Bridge connecting the two parts. The walk across the bridge affords excellent views of the town and the bay.
• The tourist office has many excursions and trips across the island and within Willemstad. There is a “city highlight tour” which shows the best sights of the city and the blue curacao liquor factor.  The “Yellow Jeep Safari” trip explores the centre of the island. The off-road vehicles visit the North Shore and Christoffel National Park.
• One very popular destination for children is the “seaquarium”. After a basic training course, it’s possible to swim with the bottle-nosed dolphins.
• The floating market at Punda is one the biggest tourist draws away from the beach. Despite its name, the market isn’t actually afloat, but the stalls are right on the waterfront. There is plenty of fish to buy, along with fruit and vegetables.  Arrive early in the morning to see the market in full swing and sample some wares for breakfast.