Things To Do & Our Tips
At Lagun Blou Resort, your adventure begins the moment you arrive. While the serene beauty of our grounds invites you to relax and unwind, the heart of Curaçao awaits just beyond your doorstep.
General information
To help you plan your perfect stay, we’ve put together some general information about the island and the thing you could do.
Our personal tips
We will also carefully compile and add a selection of outdoor activities, beaches, restaurants, and sights that appeal to us personally. We are happy to share these with you to help you create unforgettable memories.
Things To Do - General Information
For general information about Curaçao you may wish to visit the official website of the Curaçao Tourist Board.
As you'll see, the main page often highlights the very best of what the island has to offer. In fact, it's a testament to its beauty that the tranquil, iconic Playa Lagun is a frequent feature on that homepage. This is the exact kind of authentic beauty that first captured our hearts and has brought us back to this special place.
The website serves as a comprehensive guide for visitors. It provides a wide range of information to help travelers plan their trip and navigate the island.
The website includes details on:
Things to Do: This covers a variety of activities, from beaches, diving, and water sports to cultural attractions, museums, nightlife, and shopping areas.
Planning Your Visit: Essential travel details such as the Digital Immigration Card, customs and immigration, health information, transportation options, and a guide to money and tipping.
Events: A calendar of local events and festivals.
In short, it's a one-stop-shop for official travel information about Curaçao.
Interactive map of Curaçao
Click here for an interactive map of Curaçao's sights and landmarks.
Our Personal Tips
We're compiling a list of our personal favorite outdoor activities, beaches, restaurants, and sights. We'll be adding more details and options as we go, but for now, you can find our initial recommendations in alphabetical order below. We hope they help you create unforgettable memories!
Outdoor Activities
Diving & Snorkeling
For an informed decision about whether, where, how, and with whom you will dive, we refer you to the Trunkdivers website. They provide useful information about prices, course duration, dive times, individual or group dives, and the diving schools and dive sites on Curaçao.
Interactive dive map of Curaçao
Click here for an interactive map with more than 100 dive sites on Curaçao.
At Lagun Blou Dive & Beach Resort, you can dive straight into the clear blue Lagun Blou from the resort's steps. The resort has its own professional PADI dive center. Here you can enjoy introductory dives, guided dives, and all kinds of diving courses, from beginner to advanced. You can also rent diving equipment, oxygen tanks, and weights. Snorkeling equipment is also available for non-divers. Click here here for a price list.
Beaches
Playa Lagun
Right on your doorstep, you'll find Playa Lagun beach. It is a small beach, known for its excellent snorkling and diving opportunties. It's nestled in a protected bay, surrounded by cliffs.
Unlike the larger, more touristy beaches, Playa Lagun offers a more authentic and laid-back Caribbean experience. Its distinctive V-shaped inlet and calm, clear water make it a favorite among both locals and visitors.
Key Features and Activities
Snorkeling and Diving: This is what Playa Lagun is most famous for. The calm, warm waters and easy entry from the shore make it an ideal spot for all skill levels. You can swim directly out to a vibrant coral reef teeming with marine life. It’s not uncommon to spot turtles, squid, schools of colorful fish, and even sea horses in the shallow areas.
Scenic Beauty: The beach itself is relatively small, with soft sand and palm trees that provide natural shade. The dramatic cliffs that frame the cove, dotted with local fishing boats and rustic huts, create a beautiful, postcard-worthy setting.
Local Vibe: Playa Lagun has a distinct local feel. You'll often see local fishermen preparing their catch, which adds to the beach's charm and authenticity. It's a great spot to simply relax and watch the world go by.
On-site Amenities: Despite its secluded feel, Playa Lagun has a few amenities for visitors. There's a local dive shop where you can rent equipment or book a guided tour, and the Bahia Restaurant situated on the cliffside that offers stunning views of the cove.
Restaurants
There are many great restaurants in Curaçao, offering everything from local Caribbean flavors to high-end fusion cuisine. What’s “good” often depends on where you’re staying -whether it’s Westpunt, Willemstad, or Jan Thiel - and what kind of dining experience you’re after. Here are some of our personal favorites to get you started:
Bahia Restaurant
Location: Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner with a stunning view overlooking the beach and bay of Playa Lagun. It’s just a 5-minute walk from Lagun Blou Dive & Beach Resort.
Cuisine: Local and international dishes, such as the grilled catch of the day, grilled tenderloin, and chicken satay.
Highlights: Sip on a refreshing Blue Lagoon cocktail (vodka, Blue Curaçao, lime juice) right near Lagun Blou.
Address: Lagun 208, Lagun.
Opening Hours: Open 7 days a week from 9.00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. (21:00).
Click here for more information →
Grand Café ‘Gouverneur de Rouville
Location: A must-visit for its prime setting. Request a table on the balcony for a breathtaking view of the Handelskade’s colorful Dutch colonial buildings and St. Anna Bay.
Cuisine: Local and international dishes, each with a unique Caribbean twist.
Highlights: Great food, friendly local staff, and unbeatable views - perfect for lunch, dinner, or sunset drinks.
Address: De Rouvilleweg 9F (2nd floor), Willemstad.
Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. - midnight, year-round.
Esty's Brasserie
Location: A must-visit spot due to its unique setting in the stunning Pietermaai District, often called the "SoHo" of Willemstad. Ask for a table on the terrace to enjoy views of the colonial buildings, complete with French chansons playing in the background. It's cozy and vibrant.
Cuisine: The classics of traditional French cuisine.
Highlights: Refined French dishes, an excellent selection of European wines, and friendly, personalized service in a lively, charming neighborhood. Perfect for a romantic dinner or a culinary night out.
Address: 20 Johan van Walbeeckplein, Willemstad.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Midnight).
Click here for more information →
Sights and Landmarks
Curaçao: Island of Monuments
A small island in the Caribbean Sea, Curaçao boasts more than 860 protected historical buildings and archeological sites.
Most of the listed buildings are situated in the old districts of the island’s capital, Willemstad.
The historical Inner City, which consists of four districts, Punda, Otrobanda, Pietermaai and Scharloo, together with the harbor of Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and accommodates 743 listed monuments. These are mostly historic shops, townhouses and mansions, but an array of typical small homes is also included.
In the outskirts and the countryside, more than 60 former plantation houses dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries dot the island. They are quite often located in a superb natural setting together with some more modest dwellings and vernacular architecture.
Curaçao’s archaeological and historical sites feature remnants of human settlements and activities dating back to the Archaic age (from 2,500 B.C.).
The most famous and awe-inspiring monuments of Curaçao are listed on (an interactive map on) the website of Curaçao Monuments.
Curaçao's Landhuizen: Unlocking the Ochre Heritage
No trip to Curaçao is truly complete without exploring its architectural treasures: the magnificent plantation houses. These historic country estates, once the heart of the island's economic and social landscape, stand today as striking monuments to a rich, intricate, and often challenging past. Many are instantly recognizable by their vibrant, ochre-colored facades.
Visiting a Landhuis (the local term for these estates) provides a unique and valuable opportunity to step into the genuine, enduring heritage of the island. Of the approximately 60 preserved estates, many have been sensitively repurposed, transforming them into vibrant cultural hubs that offer a diverse and profound experience for every visitor.
What to Expect on Your Landhuis Tour
These repurposed estates offer a diverse cultural journey:
- Museums of Memory: Several Landhuizen now function as museums, offering profound insight into the island's history. You can view antique furnishings and learn about the daily life and colonial architecture. The museum (Museo Tula) at Landhuis Knip is dedicated to the pivotal 1795 slave revolt led by Tula—an essential chapter in the island's history. Click here for a virtual tour.
- Art and Culture Hubs: Many estates have embraced the arts. Landhuis Bloemhof, for instance, is a prominent cultural center featuring rotating exhibitions, a sculpture garden, and the extraordinary "Cathedral of Thorns" art installation. Likewise, Landhuis Jan Kok showcases the vibrant, colorful artwork of renowned local artist Nena Sanchez.
- Unique Culinary Experiences: Indulge in authentic local flavors at Landhuizen that have been transformed into restaurants. Landhuis Dokterstuin is famous for its Komedor Krioyo (Creole restaurant), where you can savor traditional Curaçaoan dishes in a historic and elegant atmosphere.
- The Taste of Curaçao: At Landhuis Chobolobo, you can explore the distillery where the world-famous Genuine Curaçao Liqueur is produced. Take a guided tour, learn about the unique Laraha orange, and enjoy a tasting or cocktail workshop.
- Breathtaking Views: Reflecting their original purpose as the master's vantage point, almost all Landhuizen are perched on hills, providing expansive, unforgettable views of the surrounding salt flats, the kunuku (countryside), and the sparkling Caribbean Sea. Enjoy these views during lunch or diner at Landhuis Klein Santa Martha.
Whether you seek history, art, or authentic cuisine, make it a priority to drive the island and explore the unique charm and enduring stories held within the walls of Curaçao's Landhuizen. For more information, visit the official Landhuizen resource at: https://landhuizenvancuracao.info/.