Districts · Willemstad
Willemstad by district
Willemstad is easy to read: the Sint Annabaai channel splits the old town in two. Punda (east) and Otrobanda (west) are joined by the Queen Emma pontoon bridge; Pietermaai runs east along the sea from Punda and Scharloo sits just north of Punda across the Waaigat inlet. Everything on this guide is inside a 25-minute walk of the bridge.
About these names
Addresses use street names in Dutch or Papiamentu (Kaya, Straat, Weg); a taxi driver knows the hotel or restaurant name, not the number.
- PundaseeeatbuySuits: A first morning: bridge, harbour, synagogue, marketThe main sights and the Old Market; shops shut by early evening and on Sundays.6 sights · 4 eatsDistrict guide →
- OtrobandaseesleepSuits: Museum and fort, quieter hotelsKura Hulanda and Rif Fort; lanes are dim after dark, so keep to the main streets.5 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- PietermaaisleepeatdrinkSuits: First-time base, dinner and barsRestored townhouse hotels and terraces; a 10-minute walk to Punda; busy on weekend nights.1 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- ScharlooseeSuits: A quiet architecture walkBig restored merchant houses on wide streets; few cafés, so bring water.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Salinja and Otrobanda outskirtsskip as a baseSuits: Distillery visit onlyLandhuis Chobolobo is here; otherwise these are residential and industrial areas.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Mambo Beach and Jan ThielseesleepSuits: Beach resorts15–20 minutes east by car; beach clubs and resorts, outside the walking town.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Curaçao International Airport (CUR) (20–35 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Salinja and Otrobanda outskirts, Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Punda: The main sights and the Old Market; shops shut by early evening and on Sundays. Suits: A first morning: bridge, harbour, synagogue, market.
- Otrobanda: Kura Hulanda and Rif Fort; lanes are dim after dark, so keep to the main streets. Suits: Museum and fort, quieter hotels. Price band $$.
- Pietermaai: Restored townhouse hotels and terraces; a 10-minute walk to Punda; busy on weekend nights. Suits: First-time base, dinner and bars. Price band $$.
- Scharloo: Big restored merchant houses on wide streets; few cafés, so bring water. Suits: A quiet architecture walk.
- Salinja and Otrobanda outskirts: Landhuis Chobolobo is here; otherwise these are residential and industrial areas. Suits: Distillery visit only.
- Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel: 15–20 minutes east by car; beach clubs and resorts, outside the walking town. Suits: Beach resorts.
- Sleep area Otrobanda: suits Museum and fort, quieter hotels, price band $$.
- Sleep area Pietermaai: suits First-time base, dinner and bars, price band $$.
- Curaçao International Airport (CUR), 20–35 min by the usual route.