East to West Private Tour of Curaçao: A First-Timer’s Dream Day

Having friends over from abroad is always fun—until you realize you now carry the full weight of being their tour guide. My boyfriend and I had friends visiting Curaçao for the very first time, and while we love showing off the island, we also wanted to enjoy the day ourselves. That’s why we booked the East to West Island Tour—a private, full-day adventure that turned out to be the perfect introduction to Curaçao for our guests and a stress-free day for us.

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Is the East to West Private Tour Curaçao worth it for first-time visitors?

Yes, this tour is ideal for first-time visitors—it covers all major highlights in one day, with a private guide and flexible pace.

We started early in the morning, picked up right on time, and were instantly greeted by our friendly guide, who clearly knew his way around the island—and knew how to read the group. No rushed schedule, just a well-balanced mix of sightseeing, fun facts, beach stops, and food (very important).

Our friends got their first taste of Willemstad with a quick stop at the Queen Emma Bridge and the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery, where we all pretended we understood citrus peel fermentation. From there we moved on to Fort Nassau for a panoramic view over the city. Even we, as locals, were impressed.

A private tour that hits all the right spots

The real beauty of this tour? It’s comprehensive without being exhausting. We explored the island from east to west, stopping at Mambo Beach, flamingo-filled salt flats in Sint Willibrordus, and the iconic turquoise waters of Grote Knip. Of course, we had to introduce our friends to the raw power of the sea at Shete Boka National Park—standing near those crashing waves never gets old.

We took a long lunch break at Jaanchie’s Restaurant, where the "menu" is basically the owner walking over and listing off whatever’s cooking. It felt like eating at your grandma’s house—if your grandma happened to be an island legend.

The tour wrapped up with a stop at Playa Grandi, where we spotted sea turtles gliding between fishing boats. One of our friends had never snorkeled before, and now she’s sending us daily updates about marine life. So yes, it made an impression.

Final thoughts

If you’ve got visitors on the island—or just want to cover a lot of ground in one well-paced day—this tour is gold. We got to relax, reconnect, and enjoy the island through fresh eyes. And honestly? I picked up a few facts I didn’t even know myself.

We all had an amazing time—if you’re hosting guests or looking to discover Curaçao’s best spots in a single day, I’d definitely recommend booking this tour through the link below.

FAQ

How long does the East to West Island Tour take?

It’s a full-day tour (about 8 hours), covering cultural sites, beaches, nature parks, and lunch.

Are entrance fees and lunch included?

No, museum and park entrance fees, as well as lunch at Jaanchie’s, are not included in the tour price.