Curaçao has a suitable place to stay for every type of traveler: from large all-inclusive resorts to intimate boutique hotels and free-standing villas or Airbnb’s by the sea. Because public transportation is limited and the most beautiful beaches are scattered across the island, you get more out of each type of accommodation when you rent a rental car car. This way you can drive from beach to restaurant at your own pace, and easily combine several sides of the island or types of accommodation in one vacation.
Hotels & Beach Resorts
For whom. Travelers who want convenience, facilities and a central location.
Booking is easy through: the hotel’s own website, Booking.com or a reliable travel agent.
Popular options & parking tips
- Avila Beach Hotel (Pietermaai/Willemstad) – Historic hotel with its own beach.
Parking: Free on-site; convenient for trips to Mambo Beach or the city.
- LionsDive Beach Resort (Mambo/Sea Aquarium) – Sporty resort, ideal for divers/snorkelers. Walking distance to many happy hours and parties.
Parking: Ample private parking; weekends can be busier around Mambo.
- Papagayo Beach Hotel (Jan Thiel) – Modern rooms and beach club. Walking distance to the island’s most popular happy hour; Zanzibar on Saturday night.
Parking: Large free private parking lot and a public parking lot; evenings can be lively at restaurants.
- Renaissance Wind Creek (Otrobanda) – City hotel with infinity pool, near the Handelskade. Located in Riffort with several restaurants
Parking: Free parking garage/valet; ideal if you want to explore the city on foot.
- Kontiki Beach Resort (Mambo Beach) – Tropical feel with wooden lodges, right next to Mambo. Within walking distance of several popular restaurants such as Mood Beach Curacao
Parking: Private parking and large parking lot next to the resort, easily accessible.
Why car? From these hotels you can be on the west coast (Banda’bou) for beach hopping (Grote Knip, Lagun, Cas Abao) within 45-60 minutes by car and in the center (Punda/Otrobanda) within minutes. Without a car, you mainly rely on cabs.
Resorts (larger scale, often with many facilities)
For whom. Families, couples or groups of friends who seek comfort and like to have everything at their fingertips: restaurants, pools, children’s facilities and often a private beach.
Booking: directly through the resort website, Booking.com or a travel agent.
Famous resorts & parking tips
- Livingstone Jan Thiel Resort (Jan Thiel) – Spacious apartments and villas with tropical garden and large pool, close to Jan Thiel Beach.
Parking: Free and spacious, right by the accommodations. - Morena Eco Resort (Jan Thiel) – Sustainable resort with eco-friendly villas and apartments, quietly located within walking distance of the beach.
Parking: Free and often right by the villa/apartments.
- Chogogo Dive & Beach Resort (Jan Thiel) – Known for diving facilities, multiple pools and direct beach location.
Parking: Free and spacious, private lot.
- Papagayo Beach Resort (Jan Thiel) – Luxury villas in modern style, part of the Papagayo group (together with Papagayo Beach Hotel).
Parking: Large private parking lots, easily accessible.
- Acoya Curaçao Resort, Villas & Spa (between Willemstad and Jan Thiel) – Resort with spacious apartments, villas and spa, quietly located but central.
Parking: Free on private property, easily accessible by car.
Why car? Resorts offer a lot, but the real charm of Curaçao is in the beaches, bays and nature outside the resort. A rental car gives you the freedom to alternate resort comforts with your own excursions.
All-Inclusive Hotels
For whom. Vacationers who want convenience (meals & drinks included) but still seek freedom to see the island.
Booking: often direct or through package tours.
Known options & parking tips
- Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino (Piscadera) – All-inclusive, central location.
Parking: Free on private property. - Sunscape Curaçao (Mambo/Sea Aquarium) – Famous house reef for snorkeling. There is also a casino
Parking: Free; you drive to Willemstad or Jan Thiel in no time. - Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort (Piscadera) – Modern and stylish with multiple restaurants, kids club and pools and gym.
Parking: Spacious and free on private property. - Kunuku Aqua Resort (Daniel, Banda’bou) – Family-friendly with water slides and shuttle service to beaches.
Parking: Free right by the apartments/villas. - Corendon Mangrove Beach Resort (Otrobanda/Willemstad) – Large resort with multiple restaurants, pools and even a water park.
Parking: Private parking lot, spacious and secure. - The Rif at Mangrove Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton (Otrobanda/Willemstad) – New and modern all-inclusive resort next to Corendon, geared toward couples and adults.
Parking: Free and ample on private property.
Why car? Even all-inclusive guests often want to go to Playa Porto Mari, Shete Boka or a sunset at West Point. With a rental car, you can easily plan half-day trips away from the resort.
Boutique hotels (small scale & character)
For whom. Couples/friends who appreciate atmosphere, design and personal service.
Booking: directly or through Booking/Expedia; often flexible cancellation policies.
Fun addresses & parking tips
- Scuba Lodge (Pietermaai) – Small seaside resort with diving school in the famous colored buildings of Pietermaai
Parking: Private spots + street parking; in Pietermaai it can get crowded at night. - BijBlauw (Pietermaai) – Design & culinary. Located next to Scuba Lodge in the beautiful colored street
Parking: Street/small lot; car gets you to Mambo or Jan Thiel in no time. - Hotel ‘t Klooster (Pietermaai) – Monumental, an old monastery with quiet courtyard in the heart of Pietermaai
Parking: Street (paid/permit zones in parts of the center). - Boho Bohemian Boutique Hotel (Pietermaai) – Instagrammable and relaxed.
Parking: Fairly easy nearby. - Bayside Boutique Hotel (Blue Bay) – Small hotel right next to Blue Bay beach, with golf course and diving school within walking distance. Perfect for those who want to combine luxury and tranquility.
Parking: Spacious and secure on the resort grounds, ideal for rental cars.
Why car? Boutique hotels are often located in or near the city. With a car you combine city vibes with beaches 10-20 minutes away.
Vacation apartments & villas (including through Airbnb/VRBO)
Here the region plays a big role. Curaçao is roughly divided into Banda’bou (west: nature/beaches) and Banda’riba (east: Jan Thiel, Mambo, more hospitality/going out).
Banda’bou (west) – tranquility, nature, bays
Villages/Areas: Westpunt, Lagun, Coral Estate, Fontein, Barber.
Plus: Close to top beaches (Grote/Kleine Knip, Lagun, Playa Grandi, Porto Mari, Cas Abao).
Parking: Usually free in own yard or in secure resort (e.g. Coral Estate, Cas Abao villa park).
Examples:
- Apartments above Playa Lagun (views + turtles).
- Villas in Coral Estate (pool, sea view, security).
- Cozy cottages in West Point (close to Playa Kalki/Alice in Wonderland).
Why car? Essentials: supermarkets and restaurants are scattered; beach hopping = 5-25 min drive per bay.
Banda’riba (east) – lively, restaurants, beach clubs
Areas: Jan Thiel, Mambo/Sea Aquarium, Spanish Water, Brakkeput.
Plus: Walking/driving distance to beach clubs, nightlife and lots of dining options.
Parking: Often free at apartments/villas; at popular beaches you sometimes pay parking fees on weekends.
Examples:
- Jan Thiel: modern apartments/villas with shared or private pool.
- Mambo/Sea Aquarium: apartments on/behind the promenade, ideal with children.
- Spanish Water: waterfront villas with jetty (quiet, yet close to Jan Thiel).
Booking is easy: Through Airbnb, VRBO, or directly with local property managers. Look for reviews, location on map and check for gated parking.
Guesthouses & Bed & Breakfasts
For whom. Budget-minded or social travelers who appreciate tips from locals and enjoy connecting with other guests.
Booking: directly through the website, Airbnb or Booking.
Parking: Often free at the door or in a small private lot.
Example: Bed & Bike Curaçao (Pietermaai, Jan Thiel & Westpunt)
Bed & Bike is a modern hostel/guesthouse concept with a relaxed atmosphere and good value for money. You will find both dormitories and private rooms, ideal for solo travelers, friends or young couples.
- Pietermaai location: Perfect for exploring Willemstad, restaurants and nightlife.
- Location Jan Thiel: Close to beach and beach clubs, ideal for sun and sea seekers.
- Location Westpunt: The place for nature lovers and beach hoppers, with Playa Kalki, Grote Knip and Shete Boka National Park literally around the corner.
Parking: All locations offer parking options nearby or on-site. Especially in Westpunt, free and ample parking is a big advantage.Why car? Bed & Bike offers bicycles for short distances, but for the real Curacao feeling a rental car is indispensable. Especially in Westpunt, where supermarkets and restaurants are scattered around, a car gives you the freedom to explore beach after beach.
Unique stays
- Eco-lodges/country houses in the nature of Banda’bou – quiet, starry, close to Shete Boka/Christoffel.
Parking: On private property, sometimes unpaved driveway-fine to have a car with some higher ground clearance. - City lofts & monumental buildings in Punda/Otrobanda – perfect for art, museums and food tours.
Parking: Pay attention to street rules/pay zones; preferably choose accommodation with private parking or near secure lot/garage.
Why a rental car optimizes your stay (no matter where you sleep)
- Time savings & flexibility – Go snorkeling at Tugboat before sunrise, lunch in Pietermaai and finish with a sunset at Grote Knip-all in one day.
- See more for less – Taxis add up; a rental car is always more economical if you take multiple trips.
- Combi-stay becomes simple – Switch accommodations or regions effortlessly.
- Safe & practical – Do not leave valuables visible in the car; park on private/gated property whenever possible.
Parking: what to expect by type of stay
- Resorts/Hotels: usually free on-site parking; at city hotels, sometimes garage/valet (paid).
- Boutique/City hotels (Pietermaai/Punda/Otrobanda): mix of private spots and street parking; check in advance for secured spots.
- Airbnb/Villas: often on private property or gated community; ask for exact number of spots and whether there is a remote control for the gate.
- B&B/Guesthouse: almost always free at the door.
Tip: Note in your booking app, “Free/gated parking + distance to main road/beach/supermarket.” That says a lot about daily convenience.
Smart combining: sample routes with mix of stays
7 nights – City & West (popular with beach hoppers)
- Nights 1-3: Boutique hotel in Pietermaai – Discover street food, street art and UNESCO-Willemstad.
- Nights 4-7: Villa/apartment Banda’bou – Beach hopping (Porto Mari, Cas Abao, Lagun), hike Christoffel.
10 nights – All-inclusive + freedom
- Nights 1-5: All-inclusive (Piscadera or Mambo) – Relax & dive/snorkel at your doorstep.
- Nights 6-10: Airbnb Jan Thiel or Spanish Water – Dining at beach clubs, day trip Klein Curaçao, supping.
With the rental car you move around smoothly, without the hassle of transfers or waiting times-load your suitcase, turn on the navigation and drive.
Booking without stress: this is how to make the right choice
- First, choose your region(s): tranquility (Banda’bou) vs. bustle (Banda’riba).
- Filter by “Free Parking” and “Air Conditioning” (essential in the tropics).
- Check travel times: from Jan Thiel to Grote Knip is ~60-70 min; plan your beach days smartly.
- Read recent reviews: note Wi-Fi, air conditioning, hygiene, and safe parking.
- Cancellation terms: useful if you want to fine-tune your mix of stays.
Conclusion
Whichever form of accommodation you choose-from all-inclusive resorts to atmospheric boutique hotels or a detached villa in Banda’bou-Curaçaois best experienced with a rental car. You can effortlessly combine different regions and accommodations, park almost anywhere with ease and discover at your own pace the beaches, bays and culinary hotspots that make the island so special.
Ready to go? Reserve your rental car with Cura Explore early (especially in vacations and around holidays) and put at your accommodation with preference: “free/gated parking”. This way your vacation starts relaxed and you get the most out of any type of stay in Curaçao.
