Photo by Jabneel Statia on Unsplash
Curacao has always been something of a hidden gem of the Caribbean but tourism has increased over last year, with most visitors coming from Europe, followed closely by North America because of affordable direct and regional flights. It’s easy to assume that all travel to Curacao is high-end, but the island has some of the most popular and dynamic biking and hiking trails in the Caribbean, accessible for only the price of admission.
Know Before You Go
Curacao is one of a trio of Dutch Caribbean islands known as the ABC islands, along with Aruba and Bonaire. It’s an often-overlooked treasure that offers great adventures for budget travelers who know where to look. Hiking and walking trails are among the most popular and affordable tourist activities. Some are pretty demanding though; experienced hikers and mountain bikers are sure to appreciate the challenges of quickly changing terrain, along with spectacular views and one-of-a-kind interactions with wildlife.
Curacao can very generally be
split between west and east. The western side of Curacao tends to be
more rugged and undeveloped than the eastern side of the island, where
the population density is greater and the land is more heavily traveled
and built up, including the eastern city (and capital) Willemstad.
Often, the same trails are used for hiking or walking and mountain
biking. The direct sunlight can be harsh in the middle of the day, so
many tourists and locals alike start out early in the day when hitting any one of the dozens of trails.
Because
so many of Curacao’s trails are highly rustic, it’s important to bring
along plenty of water when walking, hiking or bicycling. The terrain can
be rocky or muddy so dressing appropriately is important, too. Wear
comfortable footwear, clothes that are easy to move in, and a hat,
too. Bring a day pack with
a camera, some money, and any other supplies you might need. Where
possible, pick up a map. Trailheads change and dense growth can obscure
trail markings. Some visitors might want to arrange for a tour; however,
there’s no reason visitors can’t strike out on their own if that’s what
they want to do.
Talk to locals before you head out for
information about loops, trails, etc., that might be off the beaten
path. There are many local businesses that rent out mountain bikes and other hiking or outdoor equipment;
some tourists are able to rent or borrow mountain bikes as part of
their lodging arrangements. And take care to avoid disturbing the plants
as much as possible; many are still considered essential for research purposes.
The Untamed West
Much of Curacao was plantations at one time, and Christoffel National Park is no different. It’s the island’s largest national park and home of Mount Christoffel, the island’s highest point at 1,227 feet above sea level. Some of the flora and fauna that can be found here exist no place else on Curacao.
Guests can take one of eight trails. They
vary in difficulty and time to complete. For example, less experienced
hikers may prefer the 20-minute walk through a white tailed deer
sanctuary, while more experienced hikers may aim to summit Mount
Christoffel.
The hike up Mount Chrisoffel and back takes about
three hours. This is a great activity for early birds because the park
closes by 4 o’clock on most days. Hikers are advised to head up the
mountain by 11 o’clock in the morning to allow enough time to reach the
top of the mountain and return. Depending on speed and ability, some
hikers may need to head out earlier than that.
The trail up
Mount Chrisoffel begins as a lush, green trail at a shallow angle before
increasing sharply toward the top, becoming more of a rock-climb than a
trail walk. Hikers enjoy 360-degree views from the summit of Mount
Christoffel. The expansive carpet of green rolling hills is matched only
by equally brilliant azure skies. See the thin ribbons of beach in the
distance, and the deep blue ocean stretching for miles in all
directions. It puts being on an island in the Caribbean into
perspective!
National
park Shete Boka, is adjacent to Christoffel. This is another
well-known and popular place to hike. It’s noted for its rocky shores,
underwater caves, and inlets or boka that get pounded by surf, driving
the spray skyward. The scenery is dramatic and beautiful but clearly
hazardous; no one goes swimming here. The Boka Pistol trail takes
visitors close to turtle nesting areas, limestone cliffs, and a unique
spot where the waves sound like a gun being fired. The Boka Wandomi
trail also includes limestone cliffs, as well as a natural bridge. Each
of these hikes takes about an hour.
For tourists interested in pairing a beach trip with a hike or bike ride, Playa Porto Mari
is a great spot. The white sand bayfront beach with double reef is
well-known and great for snorkeling. And it's the starting point of
three trails, the Seru Matteo Trail, the History Trail, and the Bird
Trail. Hiking these trails takes from 30 minutes to three hours;
mountain biking is generally faster.
The Seru Matteo trail
heads up 187 feet to the top of Matthew’s Hill, offering visitors a
great view of the beach below. The trail starts out pretty level but but
elevates quickly - one spot even has a wooden staircase. The trail
continues past the summit and becomes rougher, with several forks; watch
for signs. The total length of the route is about two miles. It’s a
great opportunity to view native flora and fauna.
The
History Trail and the Bird Trail are both comparatively rougher than the
Seru Matteo. They’re less well-tended and less well-marked than some
other trails, so these two are best left to the adventurous hikers and
mountain bikers. Both trails lead to the ruins of the old estates that
once covered the land; hikers follow the steps trod by slaves on the
island hundreds of years ago. Be aware of the wildlife that can be
encountered on these trails, from wild pigs to eagles and falcons (aka
Wara-Wara).
A Great Variety in the East
The
eastern part of Curacao is where most of the population lives. The
trails here often cover more than one type of ecosystem. These trails
are also more heavily traveled by hikers and mountain bikers.
The
southeastern part of the island is home to the Jan Thiel Nature
Reserve. The area offers a variety of terrain for mountain biking
through clusters of mangrove trees, around a lagoon, and past historical
structures like an old fort Bekenburg and a 200 year old quarantine
building! For those not up to a mountain bike ride, tourists can
also hike around the lagoon. It’s a more low-intensity activity, and can
be completed in just a few hours of relatively level walking, although
if the water level of the lagoon is high, staying out of the water can
be tricky.
Another beach-to-hill hiking trail starts at Boka
St. Michiel known as Boca-Sami to the locals. From the top of the
344-foot hill, enjoy a bird’s eye view of the fishing village and small
beach below. Many hikers enjoy seeing wild birds on this walk. This
could be a good alternative to Mount Chrisoffel, and a little less
strenuous.
For hikers seeking a bit more culture, the
self-guided Indian Trail at Hato Caves takes less than half-an-hour. The
cave drawings of the indigenous Arawak people of Curacao are still
visible on these coral limestone cavern walls. And hundreds of years
ago, escaped slaves hid in this same caves. As much of the hiking on
Curacao is out in the open, with minimal shade areas, this diversion can
be a welcome change of pace.
And perhaps the most dynamic
trail on Curacao spans St. Joris Baai to Koraal Tabak, a dramatic
looking, airy cave at the top of a hill. While most of the other trails
stay within one or two ecosystems, this trail offers perhaps the
greatest variety of sights and sounds, making for an interesting and
challenging excursion. While many of there other trails could be hiked
or biked, this one is best seen by bike. Mountain bikers tour mangroves,
salt flats, cliffs, and caves. They stand on rocky shores and sandy
beaches, and pass coastal windmills turning lazily. As the trail winds
down at the Malpais Nature Preserve, bringing the trail full circle from
sea to shore.
The dramatic beauty of Curacao can perhaps be
best appreciated by immersion. And there’s no better way to do that then
by hiking and mountain biking some of the most popular trails on the
island. At first glance, the landscape is harsh; however, spending some
time among the natural wonders of Curacao makes it possible to
appreciate the tenacity and brutal beauty of a place where the natural
geography and isolation both separate and protect. From the western side
of Curacao to the eastern side, the landscape is fiercely beautiful and
unforgettable.
Guest Blog by Cassidy Oliver
