Cocktails at Saint Tropez Ocean Club

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Food & Drinks Cocktail Swimming Kids
Profile picture of Jesse van Muijden

Jesse van Muijden

Host @ Villa Leoni

It was a lazy Sunday in Curaçao when we decided to go out on a date to one of the fanciest hot spots in Curaçao that we heard so much about: Saint Tropez Ocean Club. We dressed up for the occasion in our favorite swimwear and coolest sunglasses. Upon arrival on the hip and happening Pietermaai strip there was a parking spot right in front of the entrance. This made us feel like total VIPs right away. Saint Tropez Ocean Club is very high-end, but has a very welcoming and open atmosphere. We found a cozy spot at the ocean front next to the infinity pool, where we enjoyed cocktails in the sun and felt like absolute royalty.

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Kunuku Aqua Resort Day Pass

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Experience Water park Swimming Kids

If you want to spend a day at a water park in Curaçao, you need to buy a day pass for a resort that has a water park. Kunuku Aqua Resort has one of the largest water parks on the island, with five pools and seven water slides. In addition to the water fun, the park has several bars and restaurants, as well as a small fun fair including attractions like bumper cars and a dancing fly.

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Playa Manzaliña

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Beach Snorkeling Swimming

Have you ever longed for the opportunity to relax on your own private beach in the Caribbean? Then Playa Manzaliña might just be the place for you to go. It is just a few kilometers further to the west than Cas Abou. This beach is relatively unknown and not frequently visited, so if you hang out there long enough, at some point you may just be the only one there. This make Playa Manzaliña it the perfect place to enjoy a romantic beach picnic or undisturbed quality time with your family.

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Pasawá Box Eatery

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Food & Drinks Nearby Art Bar Barber Local Restaurant

Pasawá Box Eatery opened its doors in July 2023 and immediately became an immensely popular culinary hotspot on the east side of Curaçao. At Pasawá you can enjoy local food from a variety of restaurants surrounding a buzzing central plaza with a huge bar in the center. The bar serves amazing cocktails and great coffee. It is at the base of the building’s impressive central tower that features huge televisions all around playing live sports games, a DJ booth and a 360 degrees curved digital display at the top. Pasawá Box Eatery is almost completely constructed with shipping containers, but you will hardly notice, because every inch of them has been hand-painted by local artists. If it was not for the delicious smell of food, you would almost think you were visiting a museum.

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PonyPret Curaçao

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Experience Nearby Animals Pony Ranch

Horseback riding is very popular in Curaçao among locals and tourists. You will find many ranches scattered across the island that are home to a wide variety of horses and ponies. The one closest to Villa Leoni is Rancho El Paso. At this ranch, PonyPret Curaçao offers a range of activities related to ponies. PonyPret specializes in activities for children of four years old and up, but adult pony fanatics are also welcome to enjoy the company of the gentle hoofed companions at the ranch.

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Introduction to Scuba Diving at Tugboat Beach

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Active Nearby Beach Scuba diving Sea Water sports

At Villa Leoni we love to give recommendations for activities, restaurants and beaches to help guests get the most out of their stay. However, we have noticed that many guests overlook the incredible experience of scuba diving, which is one of Curaçao’s top attractions. This captivating Caribbean island is renowned for its mesmerizing dive sites, easily accessible from the shore. With warm waters and excellent visibility, it is the ideal destination for beginners to embark on their scuba diving journey. We understand the concerns that may hold you back from trying scuba diving: the unfamiliarity of breathing underwater, handling the equipment, and worries about the costs. Villa Leoni’s host Olga, who lived on the island for almost a year without trying scuba diving, was no exception. But all her concerns evaporated when she took her first plunge! Curaçao is home to many outstanding PADI certified diving instructors ready to guide you into the enchanting underwater world. Our preferred diving instructor, Pascal Hermes from Curadivers, took exceptional care in introducing Olga to scuba diving at Tugboat Beach, one of the island’s premier diving sites. In just one morning, Olga went from zero experience to having the dive of a lifetime. And here is the best part: at the time of writing, her private scuba diving lesson, tailored to her needs, cost only ANG 150 (~$80), including convenient pick-up and drop-off at the villa. This article aims to address any apprehensions you may have about scuba diving and ensure it lands at the top of your to-do list for your next trip to Curaçao. We will cover everything you need to know, making your first-time scuba diving experience in Curaçao a memorable and exhilarating adventure. Get ready to dive in and discover the captivating wonders awaiting beneath the surface!

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Amazonia Curaçao: The Jungle Experience

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Experience Animals Jungle Rainforest

If you’re looking for an exciting and unique adventure in Curaçao, Amazonia is the place to be. It is a small resort located in the Santa Catharina neighborhood on the north-east side of the island. This hidden gem boasts a jungle themed zoo, a pool for resort guests, and a restaurant where anyone can book a table to enjoy scrumptious meals and beautifully crafted cocktails like the “Genie in a bottle”.

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Lunch at Plasa Bieu

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Food & Drinks Cactus Local Lunch Soup Stew Tamarind

When you think of Caribbean cuisine, Curaçao may not be the first place that comes to mind. But this island offers a rich and diverse culinary tradition, and one of the best places to experience it is Plasa Bieu. Located in Punda, right by the Waaigat, Plasa Bieu is also known as Marshe Bieu or Old Market. The building used to be a covered market hall, but now it’s solely devoted to food. It’s a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, who gather at communal tables to enjoy delicious and affordable lunches. For only around twenty Antillian guilders you can get a satisfying hot meal and refreshing cold beverage. Keep in mind that It is open until three o’clock in the afternoon, so plan accordingly.

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Twilight Sparkle signature cocktail

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Food & Drinks Cocktail Drink Smoothie

If you’re looking for a refreshing and fruity cocktail that perfectly embodies the island vibes of Curacao, look no further than the Twilight Sparkle. Created by Jesse and his daughter Leoni, this signature cocktail is a blend of frozen strawberries, blueberries, Blue Curaçao, rum, and whipped cream that will transport you to a tropical paradise with every sip.

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Kayak round trip Spaanse Water

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Active Nearby Architecture Bay Kayak Nature Yacht

Kayaking is an exhilarating and exciting activity. It allows you to explore the beauty of nature from a unique perspective. In particular, the Spaanse Water is a must-visit destination when it comes to kayaking in Curaçao. With a route of 12.6 kilometers, the Spaanse Water offers a perfect opportunity for kayaking enthusiasts to explore the beauty of the island and enjoy a fun-filled adventure on the water. The complete round trip with visits to every inlet between the peninsulas of the Spaanse Water takes two and a half hours to complete. Undoubtedly, this kayak adventure will give you a proper workout.

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Seru Kabritu hike

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Active Nearby Hiking Hill Mountain Nature

Curaçao is known for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, but there’s more to this Caribbean island than just sun, sand, and sea. The island has a variety of landscapes, from coral reefs and mangroves to rugged hills and towering cliffs. One relatively unknown hike on the island is the trek to the top of Seru Kabritu, a hill that rises 62 meters above sea level and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

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Fuikdag

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Party Bay Boat Music

Fuikdag is an annual event that takes place in Curaçao, an island nation located in the southern Caribbean Sea. The event is a massive boat party that takes place on the first Sunday of the year, and it attracts thousands of people from all over the world. In 2023, Fuikdag took place on January 8, and it was an unforgettable experience for all those who attended. It sure was memorable me. Not just because I made lots of new friends on the party boat, but also because I dropped my phone in the bay just before the end of the party. I may or may not have been a bit tipsy. More about that further down this article.

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Karnaval Kòrsou

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Party Carnival Karnaval

On February 19 in 2023 we watched the Grand Carnival Parade “Gran Marcha” in Curaçao. It was a colorful spectacle full of music, dance, joy and laughter. The paraders were dressed up in wonderful customes. On foot, they went all the way from Santa Maria to Otrobanda, supported by vehicles carrying refreshments and complete music bands. The route was filled with spectators. Most of them brought their own coolers with food and drinks, chairs, umbrellas and even party tents. Enough shade and refreshments were very necessary, because it was a very hot day. Everybody waited patiently for the parade to start, since it was delayed for over an hour. Once the party broke loose, the parade went on for hours. Everybody was having a blast watching the displays and dancing to the music.

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Playa Daaibooi

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Beach Hiking Snorkeling Swimming

Playa Daaibooi is one the most underrated beaches in Curaçao. Besides the stunning beach beach, the surrounding area features beautiful hiking trails.

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Jet Ski Safari Spaanse Water

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Adventure Nearby Nature Water sports

The views from Villa Leoni on the Spaanse Water are astonishing. A jet ski tour is a fun and exciting way to explore this nearby bay area.

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