Nature and Wildlife

Curacao is known for its beautiful beaches, but there’s so much more to explore on the island beyond the sand and sea. With its diverse flora and fauna, Curaçao’s nature is full of unexpected surprises waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re an avid hiker or just looking for a change of scenery, there are plenty of natural wonders to explore on the island.

Nature

We are happy to tell you the best spots on the island with beautiful nature, animals and endless views. It is worth getting into the car and discovering the beautiful Westpunt, the rough North and the flora of Eastpunt.

Christoffel National Park

Christoffel National Park is the largest national park on the island, and it’s a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. Here you can explore beautiful landscapes, spot a variety of birds, and climb the famous Christoffel Mountain. With several hiking trails of varying difficulty levels, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Want to know more? You can find it here!

Flamingo Trail

For a shorter and more leisurely hike, head to the Flamingo Trail. Located just a 5-minute drive from our hotel in Boca Sami, this trail takes you through beautiful natural scenery where you can spot pink flamingos. Our colleagues are happy to provide more information about the trail.

Sheta Boka National Park

Sheta Boka National Park is a must-visit for anyone who loves rugged coastlines and stunning ocean views. Covering almost 10 kilometers of the rocky wave north coast of the island, this park is home to a variety of natural attractions, including the thundering waves at Boka Tabla and the sea turtles at Boka Kalki. Find out more information, opening hours and fees at their website: www.shetabokapark.org.

The Curacao Big Five

While Africa refers to the ‘Big Five’. Curacao has its own “Big Five” which includes two bird species: the crested caracara (warawara: Papiamentu) (130 cm wing span) and the red flamingo (chogogo: Papiamentu) (165 wing span). The Big Five of Curaçao further consists of the green iguana (yuwana or yuana: Papiamentu) (4.0 kg), the leatherback turtle (tricot: Papiamentu) (700 kg), and the wild goat (kabritu: Papiamentu) (18 kg). Not in the Big Five, but an animal you will certainly spot is the he troupial (trupial: Papiamentu), the island’s most common native bird.

Caracara (warawara)

The Caracara is a bird of prey that is native to the Caribbean and can be found on Curacao. It is a large bird with a distinctive crest on its head, and can be seen in various habitats around the island. Despite being adaptable, their population on Curacao is endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and pesticide use. They can be spotted in the hills around Christoffel National Park but should be observed from a distance.

Iguanas (Yuana)

The Iguana is a large lizard that can be found on a few islands in the Caribbean but is strongly threatened in its survival. This protected animal is abundant and you will undoubtedly spot them on the street, on the beach, or in nature.

Flamingos (Chogogo)

These iconic pink birds are a common sight on the island and can be found in various places. To spot flamingos on Curacao, take a 5-minute drive from Bayside Boutique Hotel along the road to Bullenbaai until you reach the large salt pan at Sint Michielsbaai. You’ll be able to spot many flamingos along the side of the road. Or sometimes you will even find them at the Blue Bay Golf Course!

Turtles (Tricot)

Turtles are a common sight around Curacao, and you can spot them from various locations around the island. While swimming with turtles is possible in a few places, Playa Grandi is the best spot if you want to get up close to these majestic creatures. It’s important to remember that sea turtles are endangered, and some species are even critically endangered. As humans, our actions have a significant impact on their survival. To learn more about sea turtles and their habitat, check out the website of Sea Turtle Conservation Curacao. Let’s do our part in preserving these beautiful creatures for future generations to enjoy!

Wild goat (Kabritu)

Wild goats are a common sight on Curacao, and they can be found roaming freely in various parts of the island. These goats are descendants of the domestic goats that were brought to the island by the Spanish in the 16th century. Over time, these domesticated goats became feral, and their population grew as they adapted to the island’s arid climate and rugged terrain.

Troupial (Trupial)

The troupial is the island’s most common native bird. The troupial has a beautiful song: ‘troepie-óé troepie-óé’ from which it also derives its name. The large yellow-breasted troupial has even been declared the national bird.