Eagle Beach and the facades of Willemstad

Who it is for

For anyone who wants two islands of the Dutch Caribbean in one trip, with beaches, a national park and a historic capital to explore on foot.

Not for anyone who does not want to drive, since Arikok, western Curaçao and the small beaches on both islands call for a rental car.

The strategy

Aruba comes first, based in Oranjestad or at Eagle Beach, with a car for Arikok, entered at 8am; the Conchi natural pool requires a 4x4. There is no regular passenger boat between the islands: the link is a short flight of under an hour on regional airlines such as Divi Divi Air, Winair and Z Air, with schedules that change by season, so book ahead. On Curaçao, stay in Willemstad and keep a weekday for the centre, since the synagogue closes at weekends; the west, with Westpunt about 45 km away, takes a full day by car. You fly home from Curaçao airport (CUR), served by airlines such as KLM, American, Copa, Avianca and Azul. May and June are dry on both islands, and carnival fills them early in the year.

What you will see

• Eagle Beach, Aruba. The widest beach in Aruba, with white sand and calm water, the two most photographed fofoti trees on the island, public shade huts and parking.
• Handelskade, Curaçao. The Punda quay along St. Anna Bay, with its row of Dutch-gabled houses painted yellow, blue, green and pink.

Day by day

Aruba

1. 1
   Day 1: Oranjestad on foot and Eagle Beach in the afternoon

   1. 8Fort ZoutmanUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 1Eagle BeachOne to two hoursEssential
2. 2
   Day 2: Arikok National Park: caves and Conchi

   1. 6Conchi (Natural Pool)Half a day or moreWorth a visit
   2. 7Guadirikiri CaveUp to half an hourWorth a visit
3. 3
   Day 3: The north: Ayo rocks, Alto Vista, the lighthouse and Palm Beach

   1. Ayo Rock FormationUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. Alto Vista ChapelUp to half an hourIf there is time
   3. 5Arashi BeachOne to two hoursWorth a visit
   4. 4Palm BeachOne to two hoursWorth a visit
4. 4
   Day 4: San Nicolas and Baby Beach (day trip)

   1. Baby BeachOne to two hoursWorth a visit
5. 5
   Day 5: Savaneta and Mangel Halto (day trip) · if you have more time

Curaçao

1. 6
   Day 6: Willemstad on foot: Punda, the bridge and Otrobanda (Monday to Friday)

   1. 8Fort AmsterdamUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 1HandelskadeOne to two hoursEssential
   3. 3Mikvé Israel-Emanuel SynagogueUp to half an hourEssential
   4. 9ScharlooUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   5. PietermaaiOne to two hoursWorth a visit
2. 7
   Day 7: Northern Bandabou: Christoffelberg, Shete Boka and Westpunt

   1. 5ChristoffelparkHalf a day or moreEssential
   2. Playa GrandiOne to two hoursWorth a visit
3. 8
   Day 8: Western beaches, Tula's plantation and the flamingos

   1. 7Grote KnipHalf a day or moreEssential
   2. Landhuis Knip and Museo TulaUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. Playa LagunOne to two hoursWorth a visit
4. 9
   Day 9: Klein Curaçao (day trip) · if you have more time