Best Time To Visit Curaçao: Seasonality, Weather & Events

Once you’ve seen a few photos and felt the pull of Curaçao’s white sand beaches and mesmerizing turquoise waters, the next step is picking the best time to go. Curaçao has long been a hidden gem, but with resorts like Sandals Royal Curaçao now in the spotlight, this island is shining even brighter for couples seeking island fun with a touch of luxury—where sunny days are always on the forecast.

Picture: Double infinity pool at Sandals Royal Curaçao. The best part? Drinks are on us!

The best time to visit Curaçao is typically between December and mid-April, also known as peak season. This is when the island comes alive with events, including Curaçao Carnival, which wraps up in March with a vibrant grand street parade. Around this time, you'll also find plenty of opportunities to experience local culture, from the Ostrich Farm (yes, it includes a safari ride!) to Plein Air Curaçao, a large public painting event, and the island’s celebrated food fest, Curaçao Culinair, in April.

Read on to find out more about the best time to visit Curaçao, and some of the amazing things you'll be able to do during your Dutch accented island escape!

Curaçao in a Nutshell

Curaçao is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and forms the “C” in the ABC island chain along with Aruba and Bonaire. When you arrive, you’ll land at Curaçao International Airport, also known as Hato International Airport, about 6 miles northwest of the capital city, Willemstad. This bright and colorful city, famous for its Dutch colonial architecture, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Also read: ‘What is Curaçao known’ for’ and ‘54 amazing things to do in Curaçao’ to get to know this island a bit better.

Curaçao is home to about 150,000 people and spans 270 square miles. Located just 37 miles from the coast of Venezuela, this mostly flat island’s highest point is Sint-Christoffelberg in the northwest, standing at roughly 375 meters. When it comes to weather, Curaçao doesn’t follow traditional seasons. Locals joke there are only three: sunny, windy, and slightly rainy. On average, daytime temperatures stay comfortably between 78°F and 88°F all year long.

When is the Best Time to Visit Curaçao: Seasonality

Many travelers looking to escape the chill head straight for Curaçao, where even winter days rarely dip below 78°F. While December to April is the island’s sweet spot for events and peak vibes, Curaçao’s steady sunshine and inviting temps make it a great destination all year round—there’s really no bad time to go.

Weather wise, February and March have been recorded as the months to visit this island. Of course, when planning a vacation, the actual time most people go depends on their schedules. If you can’t get to Curaçao during December or April, you can try during the shoulder or low season which both have their own set of benefits. Here’s what you need to know about the various travel seasons as they relate to Curaçao:

Peak Season (December to April)

Peak season or high season tends to be the busiest for Caribbean islands including Curaçao. During this time many people choose to travel to get a break from the cold of northern climates, or for family trips during school breaks. The weather in Curaçao is normally at its best during these months. This means resorts and restaurants can fill up quickly and so can the best beachside spots. Traveling during peak season has its benefits including amazing weather and an exciting event calendar that you can take advantage of if you book early enough.

Shoulder Season (May to August)

The months of May to August are considered the shoulder season and can be a good time to travel if you’re looking for an experience that’s somewhere in the middle of what you’d get in the low and high seasons. This means there probably won’t be throngs of people on the beaches and other attractions, but the streets won’t be completely tourist free either. The weather is still great in the shoulder season and the tourist volume is not as large as in the peak season, which can work out well if you want to relax and also socialize and check out some cool events.

Low Season (September to November)

Booking your trip during Curaçao’s low season—typically between September and November—can be a breeze. It’s generally a quieter time to travel, and while some destinations see less-than-ideal weather, Curaçao stays mostly sunny. In fact, September is often the warmest month on the island. Traveling during this season may also mean scoring deals on flights and accommodations, which is always a bonus.

Expert tip: Rainy days can be unpredictable, so to boost your chances of sunny skies for all your planned adventures, consider booking a stay that’s at least a week or two long.

The Weather in Curaçao

Curaçao is influenced directly by the north-east trade winds and is in comparison to some other islands considered a dry island with a relatively low level of rainfall recorded annually. There are a few months that tend to be rainier, but even in these months rainfall tends to be somewhat irregular. Average daytime temperatures sit between 78°F and 88°F, which means plenty of beach time—with refreshing trade winds or a quick ocean dip to keep you cool.

Even in a mostly sunny destination, it’s helpful to stay weather-aware to make the most of your time. Though Curaçao stays fairly dry, mid-October through mid-December sees a gentle uptick in rainfall, with 3.30 inches in October, 3.80 inches in November, and 3.90 inches in December. Expect the occasional rain shower, but they’re usually short-lived.

Humidity stays fairly high year-round in Willemstad, with November being the most humid at 77.1%, and August the least at 71.6%.

Curaçao’s windiest month is June, followed closely by March and February. Wind speeds in June average around 11.9 knots (13.7 MPH or 22 KPH), which qualifies as a moderate breeze. The strongest sustained winds typically occur from early to mid-June at about 16.4 knots—still within moderate range. So no need to worry about too much wind—just breezy, warm days that are perfect for a relaxing island getaway.

The sun is generous in Curaçao, with August clocking in as the sunniest month—averaging about 9.3 hours of sunshine per day. Across the year, the island averages 8.3 hours of sunshine daily. For comparison: London sees 4.1, New York averages 7, and Los Angeles enjoys 8.9.

Best Time to Dive in Curaçao

Not only is Curaçao a top pick for a beach vacation, it’s also an incredible dive destination. Some of the island’s most spectacular shores include Playa Kenepa, Playa Kalki, Playa Cas Abao, Playa Lagun, and Playa Jeremi—a peaceful little cove with postcard-worthy views. Among these, Playa Porto Mari, Playa Kalki, and Playa Lagun stand out as excellent dive spots. They're part of Curaçao’s impressive lineup of 65 dive sites, all of which you can enjoy year-round thanks to consistently clear waters. Sea temperatures usually range from 78.8° to 82.4°F, adding to the ideal dive conditions.

The best months for diving in Curaçao are mid-December to mid-April, which also lines up with peak travel season. That said, most of the year stays dry here, which helps keep underwater visibility high. If you’re hoping to catch the coral spawning event, dive experts recommend planning your visit in September or October.

Insider tip: Water sports options are plentiful in Curaçao, especially if you stay at an all-inclusive resort like Sandals Royal Curaçao where even free scuba diving trips are included in your stay once you’re certified (max. two tanks per day per guest, professional equipment included).

Major Events in Curaçao

Carnival

January - March

The entire island of Curaçao gets into celebration mode around carnival time, and festivities include a host of events you can be part of if you visit the island during this time. The carnival season officially opens in mid-January and features numerous events including music festivals, beauty pageants, and parades that lead up to the grand street parade in early March, followed by farewell parades that close the season.

Plein Air Curaçao

March

Another big festival in Curaçao is Plein Air Curaçao hosted by the Art Foundation Curaçao. This is an artsy event that features local and international talent painting on land, underwater, and from high-altitude locations islandwide. Oils, watercolors, and pastels are among the mediums used, and workshops are available as well for both teens and adults. Paintings are exhibited and sold during this event as well, and on the last day of the festival, artists compete for prizes.

Curaçao Culinair

April

Calling all foodies! If you’re looking for a vacation that’s a mix of lots of food and plenty of fun, April is a great time to travel to Curaçao. The Curaçao Culinair event happens around this time where you’ll get a chance to taste the offerings of some of Curaçao’s finest restaurants and bars all in one place. This event is great for socializing and enjoying amazing food!

Koningsdag

April 27th

Also in April, you can celebrate Koningsdag, a festivity fit for a King. This name of this celebration translates to King’s Day, and it is all about celebrating the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. There’s a big party the night before Koningsdag in Pietermaai, and on Koningsdag, celebrations kick off in Punda where there’s a range of activities including live performances, a craft market and more. At night, the fun continues with more parties around the island.

Kaya Kaya Street Party

Bi-annually in August

The Kaya Kaya Street Party is always good fun; this is essentially the largest block party in Curaçao. This event unfolds across several streets in Otrobanda usually in August and it is a cool opportunity to get familiar with local music and appreciate art and murals made by some of the island’s talent. So laid back is this event that some locals even open up their homes to sell delicious food and drinks that can be enjoyed by all.

Vegan Food Fest

Every three months

The health or environmentally conscious will be in heaven at this food fest that serves up a variety of vegan foods. Items on offer typically include vegan nachos, sushi, cakes, organic wine, beer, and more. There’s also usually lots of natural handcrafted products on sale, and whether or not you’re vegan, this is still an event worth checking out.

Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival

August - September

Curaçao’s North Sea Jazz Music Festival is something of a household name there. Some of the artists who have performed at this festival in the past include Lionel Richie, Rod Stewart, Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Ross, Bruno Mars, Sting, Juan Luis Guerra, Enrique Iglesias, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz, Christina Aguilera, Prince, Tom Jones, and more. If you’re on island while this event is going on, definitely consider getting some tickets.

Curaçao Pride

October

Curaçao has its own local Pride festival aimed at celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. This event is held annually and is usually about 5 days long. Around this time, lots of parties are held as well as the Pride Walk along the streets of Willemstad.

KLM Curaçao Marathon

November

Those looking for a more active vacation might find November a good time to visit Curaçao as they can arrive in perfect timing for the KLM Curaçao Marathon. This marathon has been held annually since 2014 and its appeal has a lot to do with how scenic the course is along the waterfront of Curaçao, across the Queen Emma pontoon bridge, and over the Juliana Bridge which is 185 feet above sea level. Do you think you have what it takes to break the course record of 02:43:50 set by Wojciech Kopeć of Poland?

Passionistas Pop-Up Fair

Every three months

Creativity comes alive at the Passionistas Pop-Up Fair which is held every three months in Curaçao. This event is super interactive and you’ll be able to meet and support local crafters if you’re on island during this time. This pop-up event is usually held in Punda and includes food, music, and good vibes.

Pietermaai Pagara XXL

New Year’s Eve

Planning on opening your New Year in Curaçao? If you are, then while there you might want to consider letting Pietermaai be the backdrop for your celebrations. This is a colorful and lively part of Curaçao with lots of nightlife, dining, and entertainment options. All of these establishments add something special to the Pagara event and with the added live music, street shows and fireworks, Pietermaai certainly is the place to be on New Year’s Eve.

Fuikdag

First Sunday of the year

If you’re in Curaçao in January, chances are you’ll be able to enjoy Fuikdag, a float fest held on the first Sunday of the year. This is an exciting event that will require you to make arrangements to get to Fuik Bay by boat. Once you arrive, you’ll be able to get into the fun with scores of other people out on the water on boats, jet skis, and even air mattresses and inflatable animals.

Expert tip: For something off the beaten path, take a boat trip to Little Curaçao—a remote, sun-soaked slice of paradise. While you're in the neighborhood, consider hopping over to Bonaire or Aruba to check all three ABC islands off your list. Flights take just 20 minutes to Bonaire and 40 minutes from there to Aruba.

Where to Stay in Curaçao?

Once you have your destination figured out and when to visit, the next step is finding accommodation.

If you’re looking for a couples-only all-inclusive vacation you’ll be happy to learn that Sandals has opened a brand new resort in Curaçao. Sandals Royal Curaçao offers 350 indulgent rooms and suites with more in the pipeline as the resort expands further in the future.

Spanning 3,000 acres with 44 extensive waterfront areas, this all-inclusive resort includes a range of themed dining options, multiple bars including swim-up bars, access to the neighboring 18-hole, par 72 Pete Dye championship golf course with ocean views, two on-site marinas, lavish accommodations such as Sandals' all-new River Suites, and more.

The Ultimate Best Time to Visit Curaçao

Vacationers love Curaçao because it’s one of those rare destinations where the photos and reviews match the real thing—vivid, welcoming, and full of charm. While December to April is the most popular time to visit, warm temps and sunny skies shine year-round here, meaning there’s always time for the beach, the pool, and all the good vibes your all-inclusive resort has to offer.