In my last post, I said we’d explore the employee experience, but today, we’re taking a little detour. That topic is still coming—stay tuned! For now, let’s dive into our Curaçao adventures.
Five years ago, when I imagined traveling on a plane with a toddler, all I saw was chaos - periodic crying, tantrums and frequent pamper changes in hot and tiny bathrooms. Back then, without kids of my own, I completely underestimated just how intelligent and capable children are. I also didn’t fully understand the role of a parent to prepare, anticipate and be responsive to needs in real time to make traveling less stressful for all.
We recently traveled as a family of three to Willemstad, Curaçao—171 square miles of stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm, welcoming and chill people. The island’s name comes from the Portuguese/Spanish word for "heart" and is nestled between Aruba and Bonaire, together forming the ABC islands.
Our five-hour flight with our little one was filled with a mix of screen time, snacks, and naps. We also included coloring and a sticker book activity as screen-free alternatives. (Sidenote: Not proud of these amazon links 🫣…convenience might just be our downfall 🥴. A topic for another time, though.) Snacks were prepped and easily accessible for our schnacky kid.
Exploring a new country with a young child came with a few key considerations:
Location: We stayed at the Elements Hotel & Shops, which is located in Willemstad and in close proximity to many restaurants, shopping, main attractions, the fruit market, and more. The city is very walkable!
Finding a Supermarket/Fruit Market: Buying essentials like bottled water, a half a loaf of bread, apple sauce, squeezable jelly or jam and fruit was necessary for an emergency breakfast and/or random snacking in the room. We also bought cheap, simple utensils since we didn’t bring your own.
Dining Smartly: Ordering sharable meals to prevent overspending. Food spots that held us down: Plein Café Wilhelmina (7am open time, wide menu variety) and Iguana Cafe (located by the water with plenty of options).
Family-friendly Activities: The excitement of being in a new place, trying new things, and exploring will wear any child out. We did two family-friendly activities, CurTukTuk, a fun and easy way to explore the city that lead to a dreamy nap on the ride through Willemstad, and 6 Hours Guided Beach Escape that led to a snooze on a breezy beach chair. On our own, we visited Mambo Beach, which was close by, easy to access, and equipped with delicious food (shout out to The Greenhouse Lounge & Sportsbar and their Mahi Mahi fish with the flavorful hot sauce) restrooms, and a shopping center. The breakwater keeps the water calm, making it perfect for little ones.
Fun fact: Did you know up to 70% of the sand on white sandy beaches is actually parrotfish poop? 💩😱
A couple of other things we loved that didn’t quite fit under the key considerations:
Low Crime Rate: While online sources mention petty theft and street crime, the island—especially the main tourist areas—felt generally safe. As always, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings no matter where you travel.
Welcoming Hospitality Staff: Many hotel and restaurant staff were young, and they exuded warmth, happiness, and hospitality. It created a positive atmosphere and suggested a good work environment for the youth—something I hope is truly the case!
As we explored Willemstad, our TukTuk tour guide shared fascinating insights about the melting pot that is Curaçao. The island is a true blend of African, Dutch, Latin American, Jewish and even Asian roots. This diversity is reflected in the language (they speak four languages!), food, and traditions.
One of the most intriguing stories was the origin of the island’s iconic, colorful colonial buildings. Originally painted white, they were later ordered to be painted vibrant hues after the governor at the time claimed that the sun’s glare gave him headaches. (Although some say he had financial ties to a paint company. 👀) Either way, the colorful architecture is now part of Curaçao’s beauty and charm. It's something the people take pride in.
We’re excited to explore this amazing island even more in a future trip! It’s perfect for a family vacation, solo trip, group getaway or baecation; Curaçao has something for everyone.
If you’ve been to Curaçao, what are some must-visit spots or hidden gems to check out? What are your best travel tips for exploring new places—with or without little ones? Share in the comments 😊✈️
🏛️ Politickle
What I’m listening to:
“I really feel like these people are aliens because how do you ruin [the] planet you [live] on, unless you got somewhere else to be? 🧐” - Amanda Seales, Views from Amandaland
Human-Kind or Human Evil with Rutger Bregman | What Now? with Trevor Noah Podcast
