Where to stay: Curaçao
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There I was, wrapping up my fall semester, grading finals, and wishing it was summertime. My body is not built for the cold and December’s temps start to ruin my otherwise sunny disposition.
I started Googling “safest island for solo female traveler” and Curaçao landed firmly on this list. I had heard of this island before but was unsure of where it was situated on this amazing planet. The answer is: right next to Aruba. Curaçao is part of the “ABC” islands. Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, just off the coast of Venezuela.
I started researching places to stay, keeping in mind that I would only be able to go for one week. I had a very short list of must-haves:
.. a pool
a beach
a nearby market
a private balcony.
There are loads of places that fit this requirement but there was something about the place I chose that made me think I would feel like a queen for a day (or week). Welcome to Papagayo………
Papagayo Beach Hotel
Papagayo is located in the Jan Thiel region of the island, about 15 minutes south of the city center (Punda and Otrabanda where all of the colorful buildings are... more on that in another post) and is in a fairly residential neighborhood, a short distance away from the Spanish Waters.
At Papgayo, you have two options: The Beach Hotel or the Papagayo Resort. Both properties are adjacent and you have access to the Papagayo Beach Club either way.
The hotel is made up of several detached 3-story buildings while the resort consists of villas (perfect for families). The Hotel is beachfront but the Resort Villas are not.
I chose a beachfront room at the Papagayo Hotel and let me tell you… it did not disappoint. The buildings are sleek in design and the balconies on the 2 top floors have glass walls so that your view is as epic as possible. Some of the buildings are set farther back on the property, while others are just steps from the beach and pool areas. I highly recommend that you request room 536 or 535 in building 6. The view from these rooms is exceptional and I think out of all the different buildings, building 6 is the best in terms of orientation and view.
The balconies in the rooms on the left side of the buildings (as you look at the ocean) have glass walls on the right and left side but do have a white wall in the front so it obstructs your view just a little, although the wall does give you a little more privacy. The rooms on the right side of the buildings have glass walls on all 3 sides (see photos for a visual to better understand this description).
NOTE! If you have a ground-floor room, there is only a half-partition wall between your balcony and your neighbor’s. The balconies on the top floors have full frosted glass partitions for more privacy.
Each room offers toiletries, a refrigerator, and a coffee machine. They give you 2 coffee pods per room but I went to the market to get espresso pods for the duration of my stay because I drink a lot of coffee and I don’t like housekeeping every single day so I wanted an independent coffee supply.
While I didn’t stay in the Villas, they are larger (2 bedrooms, etc) but the trade-off is that you have to walk across the street to get to the beach and the views aren’t nearly as impressive.
Surroundings
Papagayo is located in an upscale neighborhood, an easy distance to the city center, Mambo Beach, and other East Side attractions. The resort has literally everything you need, right there on the grounds. There is a small market attached to the hotel reception which is great for keeping costs down. They have freshly baked goodies (go in the morning before they sell out), a freshly squeezed orange juice machine, and just about everything you might need for snacks and all 3 meals. The market takes USD and Euros in addition to the local currency (in fact, this is the case just about everywhere I encountered).
There are several restaurants as well. My favorite was Mojitos and Bites (great burger!) and the pizza from Zanzibar (a short walk down the beach). There is also a spa, gym, car rental, casino, beach tennis, and a few cute shops to peruse. I loved Art by Eve. This store offers top-quality items handmade by locals with a very friendly staff to chat with as you shop. There is also a dive shop located on the property as well as a jet-ski excursion & others you can book. Heck, you can even get a tattoo at their barber/tattoo shop if Curaçao makes a huge impression on you and you feel the need to memorialize your trip.
Pools:
Papagayo has 2 different pools at the Beach Club, the famous saltwater pool and the regular infinity pool. The saltwater pool is right in the middle of all the activity (restaurants and boardwalk that goes through the property) and is the more action-packed pool. There are loads of beach chairs… and loads of people. I preferred to relax at the infinity pool because I was always almost the only person there! It is a much quieter place to read a book and listen to the ocean. There are plenty of chairs and loungers and far fewer people.
The Papagayo Resort Villas also has their own private pool but it isn’t beachside. The difference in pools (in terms of crowds) means that no matter the type of traveler you are, you will find the perfect place to get some rays!
NOTE: when you check-in, you will receive your very own beach bag including a beach towel and a chair pillow which helps to hold your towel on breezy days.
The first 3 photos below are of the infinity pool and the remainder are of the saltwater pool area.
Bus to the city center:
I do recommend that you rent a car while visiting the island however, my trip was very low-key and short so I knew in advance that I wasn’t going to be touring the entire island. I did visit Punda a few times and twice I took the bus there and back. The 6A bus picks you up right in front of the Beach Club entrance (look for the little blue guard shack and the bus picks you up just to the right of it). The cost is $2 and it requires patience. This is island time, people, so don’t expect the bus to be on time. The bus runs on a schedule… a VERY loose schedule. sometimes it would just skip the scheduled stop time and I had to wait an hour for it to eventually make its stop at the pick-up location near the round market in Punda. It is a go-with-the-flow situation but you can’t beat the price and you do get to see a bit of the island by taking the bus. Bus 6A is the only bus on this route and it runs in a loop. It also stops at Lions Dive, and Mambo Beach areas so you could tour those places as well if you need to. Just remember that buses do not go all over the island and are meant for locals, not tourists so if you aren’t a patient person or are in a hurry, do not take the bus.
Ask reception for a bus schedule. They have them printed up for your convenience.
Nearby Snorkeling Tours
I walked a short distance away (a little under a mile, I think) to the Irie Tours meeting spot for a half-day snorkel trip. The meeting spot is at the roundabout at Carracasbaai and there is a marina there (they also have hotel pick-up for an additional $10 fee), Irie Tours is a GREAT company. The crew was fun and hard-working and they were very attentive to everyone’s needs. One of the crew members gets in the water with the group with his life-saving ring just in case anyone needs help. The guys BBQ on the boat for lunch and I have to say, the meal was great! It also includes an open bar and soft drinks during your trip. I felt very safe as a solo snorkeler and enjoyed the trip. I didn’t snorkel all that much because as pathetic as this sounds…
I got cold in the 79-degree water! I told you, my body isn’t built for the cold. But I did enjoy just being on a boat on the water and meeting travelers from all over the world. The cost was $90 for a half-day trip. They do book fast so plan ahead and book in advance!
Be sure to stop at The Coffee Bike, the little coffee cart in the roundabout that has THE most extravagant espresso machine I have ever seen. The owner said it is made in Columbia and it was fun watching this complicated machine make my espresso.
I often book tours through Viator when I travel because they make it so easy. If you are looking for snorkeling tours and more, consider booking through Viator.
Taxi to and from the airport:
With such a short stay and with the goal of relaxing, rather than doing everything/ seeing the whole island, I did not rent a car so I had to rely on taxis to get from the airport and back again. There are several options on the island and here are just a few that I personally recommend:
You can book directly with Papgayo and they will arrange it.
If you want a fantastic, exuberant driver then you’ll want to book with this company and request Norwin as your driver! He is the epitome of what hospitality in Curaçao looks like. He will give you all sorts of pro-tips and is the absolute friendliest person I met while there. You can also reach Norwin on Whatsapp: +5999 519 0319. Trust me, you’ll love this guy!
24/7 taxi.. these guys are reliable and prompt. You can book through their app and track your driver much in the same way as Uber.
The ride to and/or from the airport is a fixed rate of $55
Note: I took a taxi from Papgayo to Punda one day and it was $38! (now you see why renting a car or doing short trips on the bus are the most economical).
Why Papagayo over other places?
Choosing your accommodation really depends on the type of traveler you are and what you want your experience to be. I chose Papagayo because it seemed like a good mixture of liveliness and relaxation. There’s plenty to do at the resort but it also isn’t as crazy-busy as areas like Mambo beach. I also did not want to be in the city center. Papagayo gets my vote for those who want the conveniences that the resort offers, the opportunity to rest, relax, and have a little fun (the nightlife seems pretty solid there but as a solo female traveler, I do not jump into that particular fray for safety reasons so I can’t really report to you on how groovy it gets down at the beach club at night). It’s a great place for families to stay as the pools are kiddo-friendly (as is the whole resort and beach).
Papagayo is a bit luxurious but not so much that you lose touch with reality… it just offers you a new, temporary reality….: A “choose your own adventure”! Either enjoy peace and quiet or bounce around in your bikini down at the beach bar (or both). Papgayo is a happy medium, in my opinion.
You can book through this link.
NOTE: if you want to stay at an oceanfront property with a large beach for snorkeling, Papgayo probably isn’t for you. While Jan Thiel Beach is right there, it isn’t a long-strand beach. You can still snorkel but it isn’t the best beach for watersports. If you like to be in the middle of all the action, you might consider staying at Lion’s Dive Resort as they are closer to the city center and are located on a bigger, busier beach.
I hope this information helps you as you plan your trip. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
Before I go…. ladies, you NEED this sunhat! It is amazing. It rolls up and you can pack it in your suitcase, it is VERY comfortable and easily adjustable and provides great protection from the sun. I have traveled to 4 countries with it and it’s one of my favorite travel pieces. If you purchase through this link, I will get a very, very small affiliate sum, about 10 cents 😂
