My favorite Top Hiking Spots on Curacao

Curacao is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and endless water activities, but hiking is also a must if you love the outdoors. You'll get to experience all of Curacao's incredible natural beauty, including flamingos, birds of prey, reptiles, and much more!

There are many trails on island, some an easy stroll, others more challenging. Whatever you're hiking level, Curacao has the perfect trail for you!

Be sure to bring sneakers or hiking shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, a hat, and plenty of water! Trust me I’ve made many hiking mistakes… Curacao’s heat and tough terrain is intense any time of the year... and always remember to leave behind only footprints so future visitors can enjoy!

Here are a few of my favs:

Zoutpannen (salt ponds) in Jan Thiel- – Free entrance!

Difficulty: easy to moderate

With dozens of trails to explore, visiting the salt ponds in Jan Thiel is a must for nature lovers! Hikers, cyclists, and birdwatchers love this nature reserve. You’ll see a variety of wildlife including flamingos, sand crabs, birds of prey, iguanas, parakeets, and herons. Although the salt ponds are no longer in use, you can still see remnants of past structures.

The salt ponds were established in the 1700s and thrived agriculturally, harvesting mangos, coconuts, bananas, and oranges. During its peak, the ponds extracted more than 20,000 barrels of salt!

The salt ponds are an easy drive from anywhere in town. I recommend going on the weekends when there is less traffic on Caracasbaaiweg.

*Be aware that some trails might be blocked due to heavier rain fall and flooding, making them inaccessible for part of the year.

My favorite hiking trail (that tends to be less flooded) is a coastal trail that begins behind the Chogogo Dive and Beach Resort and extends to the Sea Aquarium, with stunning views of both the ocean and the salt ponds. What more could you want on a hike??

Plan to visit in the morning or evening hours to avoid the midday heat.

https://www.villacarpediemcuracao.nl/de-zoutpannen-van-jan-thiel

2-Christoffel Park: $15 USD entrance fee – with entrance to the museum included- well worth it!

Difficulty: easy/moderate/hard (many options)- visit the visitor center for a map

Covering over 12,000 acres west of Willemstad, Christoffel Park is a very popular hiking destination, containing 6 well-marked hiking trails, 2 car routes, and the Savonet museum, one of the best-preserved plantation houses on the island. I enjoyed diving into the history of the former plantation and observing the remains of older plantation structures (dams and wells) around the park.

The park famously contains Christoffel mountain, the highest elevation on Curacao. Less of a hike and more a rugged climb, this 3-kilometer hike boasts magical views of the whole island and will take you about 3 hours from the visitor’s center. It is must for anyone who enjoys the outdoors!

From leisurely strolls to climbing mountains, the park offers something for everyone. There are also easier, less steep trails on the Savonet museum side, or northern coast, of the park.

The park is also filled with native flora and fauna. You’ll see certain species that only live within the park like the whited-tailed deer and the native barn owl.

Plan on arriving early to beat the crowds and midday heat. Tickets must be purchased before 10am.

https://www.christoffelpark.org/nature

3-Ascension/Tortuga Trail- Free entry!

Difficulty: easy

As you head north from Willemstad to Westpunt, you’ll find Ascension trail, which begins at Landhuis Ascension.

On this 5-kilometer loop hike, you’ll see a variety of exotic wildlife, bat caves, massive granite stones, and possibly sea turtles at Boka Ascension. You’ll rarely see anyone else on this hike too, so you can soak up the sunshine and solitude!

This easy trail is a perfect spot for families to enjoy. Also, Landhuis Ascension is one of the most stunning restored plantation houses on Curacao. There is a guided tour every Thursday morning at 9am.

https://www.wannahavescuracao.com/landhuizen-curacao/landhuis-ascension/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Landhuis-Ascension/336579823056702

4-Shete Boka National Park – $10 entrance fee for adults, $1.50 for locals and kids 5 years and older, Free for kids under 5

Difficulty: easy

Shete Boka, meaning “seven mouths”, covers 10 kilometers of rocky wave-drenched coastline on the northern coast of Curacao and is the sister park of Christoffel. With rough seas and high winds, you’ll feel like you’re on a completely different island (or planet!).

Established in 1994, the park provides a protected area where 3 endangered species of turtles (hawksbill, loggerhead, and green) lay their eggs without disruption.

The park begins at Boka Tabla, an underground cavern to watch the waves crash into the rocky terrain.

You’ll have two options for hiking trails, one trail that takes you to Boka Kalki and Boka Pistol- where waves crash like an explosion on the limestone (very impressive!), and another trail that leads you to Boka Wandomi, the Natural Bridge. Both trails are about an hour long.

Within the park, you’re able to drive or walk to viewing platforms, which makes it a great    option if you prefer to drive but still want to see the wild seas and coral rock formations.

Note that this trail it very exposed to the elements with little cover or shade, be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen! Shete Boka is unlike any other park on the island, a must see!

https://www.shetebokapark.org/

5-Hofi Pastor Tree of Life: 5 Guilders entrance fee

Difficulty: easy

Located in Hofi Pastor next to the church in the sleepy town of Barber, as you walk past the playground and picnic tables, you’ll discover the “Tree of life” with its branches and roots extending in every direction.

This 800-year-old Kapok tree was brought over from Venezuela about 400 years ago by the Arawaks. An incredible feat to transport a 400-year-old tree to Curacao!

The park is a bit overgrown when you walk on the yellow or red trail but provides plenty of shade and canopies to hide from the sun. More of a stroll than a hike, you’ll stumble upon a variety of trees including kenepas and will hopefully see butterflies, iguanas, troupials, and birds of prey like the warawaras.

There are many, many hiking spots on Curacao to enjoy, these are just a few highlights that showcase Curacao’s natural beauty, rich history, incredible wildlife (and free hikes are great too!) Get out there and enjoy! Share your tips and favorite hikes in the comments below!

6-Hofi Mango- Adults $15 USD and children 4-12 years old $7.50, local rate with local ID $8.50 and children 4-12 years old $4.50, infants free entry. See website for more information

Difficulty: easy

Located in Santa Cruz, this newly opened, 24-acre park offers an experience fully engulfed in nature. Curacao is known as an epicenter of “vortex energy”, allowing you to deepen your connection with nature and yourself. Hofi Mango encourages you to slow down, destress, and enjoy the park’s natural beauty.

With over 700 mango trees (the only mango forest in Curacao!), the only remaining sugar mill, and oldest distillery on Curacao, there is a lot to explore!

Founded in 1707, Hofi Mango harvested a variety of different tropical plants, including sugar cane. Although no longer in use, you’ll find the restored and legally protected sugar mill while strolling around the park. For more of a challenge, check out the stairway to heaven.

Enjoy the landscaped walking route, weaving through various flowers and palm gardens. Each garden has special qualities, so be sure to take your time and relax. You may encounter white-tailed beer, wild pigs, various species of birds, dragonflies, lizards and more on your journey.

*Note that some parts of the park may still be under construction, be sure to check updated park hours. The park reopened March 3 for visitors. Spa and wellness center coming soon.

https://hofimango.com/explorethepark/