Curacao

The road to Westpunt also offers fantastic views of the ocean and the coastline of Curaçao.

In our series about Curaçao this time we travel to Westpunt, a sleepy fishing village on the northwest coast of the island. The road to Westpunt in Curacao offers a beautiful drive along the west coast of the island and our ride starts in Willemstad, the capital of Curacao, and runs along the coast to the northwest. 

rental car

When you rent a car on the island, which is definitely recommended, you can discover the most beautiful places yourself. Don't forget to fill up the tank around Willemstad before you travel to Westpunt, because gas stations are scarce. When refueling you have to pay in advance or by card, and what you have paid too much you will get back after refueling. Fortunately, the island is not that big either, because the distance between Willemstad and Westpunt is only 37 kilometers and with a full tank you can get anywhere.

Mount Christopher

Along the way you will pass a number of popular beaches such as Playa Porto Marie and Playa Cas Abou, which are known for their crystal clear waters and white sand beaches. These are ideal places to stop for a refreshing dip in the Caribbean Sea and soak up the sun.

After passing the beaches you continue through the rugged landscape of the St. Christoffelberg, the highest point of Curaçao, and past the Christoffelpark, a national park with a rich flora and fauna. The park is home to a number of rare animal species, including the Curaçao white-tailed deer. This animal, of which there are probably only about 200 living, is also known as 'bini' in Curaçao.

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Photo: Pitane Blue -Curaçao - Playa Piskadó

The road to Westpunt also offers fantastic views of the ocean and the coastline of Curaçao. Along the way, you'll pass small fishing villages and historic plantations, including Plantation Savonet, a former slave plantation now converted into a museum. Finally you reach Westpunt, a sleepy fishing village on the northwest coast of the island. Here you will find some of Curacao's best dive sites, including Playa Kalki and the famous tugboat dive wreck.

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Playa Piskado

This small fishing beach is very suitable for snorkeling and diving and because of the authentic Curaçao fishing boats and nets it is a wonderful location for taking pictures. For the people who like to swim with sea turtles, you can check it off your bucket list here. It is a small beach with a small dilapidated pier. There is also a Manzanilla tree on the beach. The leaves and fruits of the manzanilla all contain a strong poison, so be careful.

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Photo: Pitane Blue on the way to St. Willibrordus on Curaçao

Westpunt is also an excellent place to enjoy the local cuisine, with restaurants offering fresh fish and seafood. The road to Westpunt is a wonderful way to explore Curaçao and offers a glimpse of island life outside the busy city. Whether you are looking for relaxation on the beach, adventurous activities such as diving and hiking, or simply breathtaking views, the road to Westpunt will not disappoint.

flamingos

On the way back we will spot flamingos. Yes, there are still flamingos to be seen on Curaçao, except on the day we visited. The flamingos nevertheless prove to be a major attraction on the island and are often seen in the wild in the salt pans of Sint Willibrordus, which are located on the south side of the island. These salt pans are home to a large colony of Caribbean flamingos, which feed on the tiny crustaceans and algae that live in the shallow water of the salt pans.

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Yes, there are still flamingos to be seen on Curaçao, except on the day we visited.

The road to Westpunt is a reasonably maintained two-lane asphalt road where most of the pits are filled with asphalt. As you drive in a westerly direction, you pay attention and you see a single tourist with a flat tire on the side of the road. Perhaps he did not manage to avoid the holes in the road. Some parts of the road are separated by beautiful scenery, but moderate your speed as a goat may just pop out of the undergrowth to greet you.

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Photo: © Pitane Blue Curaçao

If you are looking for an authentic and flavorful culinary experience in Westpunt on Curacao, Jaanchi is definitely worth a visit. Jaanchi's menu is inspired by the local cuisine of Curaçao and offers a wide variety of dishes from fish and seafood to meat and vegetarian options. The restaurant is best known for its traditional dishes such as stobá (stew), funchi (cornmeal porridge) and keshi yena (stuffed cheese). The dishes are prepared with fresh and local ingredients and are perfect to enjoy after a day of activities and adventure in the area.

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