Nearby

Nearby

Something for everyone on Curaçao

When you think of Curaçao, you think sun, sea and white beaches. Add the laid-back Caribbean atmosphere and vibrant nightlife and you have all the ingredients for a wonderful, relaxing beach vacation.

But there is much more to experience. The “Dushi Korsou,” as residents call their island, has an impressive history, dating back to the 16th century. Colorful monuments, buildings and mansions are proof of that. Willemstad even has a UNESCO-protected historic center. Action enthusiasts can indulge in a variety of water sports, as well as hiking and adventurous bike rides. On the culinary front, Curaçao surprises with dishes from all over the world, not to mention from the island itself! The island’s inhabitants – some 140,000 – come from more than 40 different cultures. A veritable melting pot of flavors, spices and dishes.

MR Morgan - Virtual Host

Jan Thiel Bay

The beautiful, tropical Jan Thiel Bay is within walking distance of Villa Groot Geluk. You’ll find everything you need for a wonderful, relaxing beach vacation.

Read more >

Activities

Fancy some action? Anything goes in Jan Thiel Bay. Surfing, beachtennis or -volleyball, flyboarding, jet skiing, diving; there are plenty of rental companies where you can quickly and easily reserve a spot and equipment.

Food & Drink

When you think of the Caribbean, that includes good food and drink. Curaçao offers something for everyone, from fresh seafood to haute cuisine, from local dishes to treats for the little ones. Where is it to be done?

Practical info

Anticipation: almost as much fun as the vacation itself! To prepare you well, we would like to give you some practical information. If what you are looking for is not listed, please contact us or visit www.curacao.com.

Jan Thiel Bay

The beautiful, tropical Jan Thiel Bay is within walking distance of Villa Groot Geluk. You’ll find everything you need for a wonderful, relaxing beach vacation. Sun and sea, good restaurants, cozy bars, luxurious beds, entertainment and every water sports facility you can think of. The gentle gradient from sand to sea also makes it a safe place for small children.
Within 15 minutes you are in the heart of Willemstad and Mambo Beach is a 10-minute drive away.
Warning: Undefined array key "station" in /var/www/vhosts/villagrootgeluk.com/httpdocs/wp-content/plugins/simple-weather/simple-weather-widget.php on line 129

Activities

Endless possibilities in the area

Fancy some action? It can be done in Jan Thiel Bay. Surfing, beachtennis or -volleyball, flyboarding, jet skiing, diving; there are plenty of rental companies where you can quickly and easily reserve a spot and equipment. Snorkeling? In the Caribbean, it’s like a fairy tale. The colors of the fish and the flora of the underwater world are an experience in themselves. Or maybe play some ball? The island has two 18-hole golf courses, at Old Quarry at Santa Barbara Resort you get a nice discount as a guest of Villa Groot Geluk!

I like to give you some tips:

Swimming with turtles

One thing you should definitely not skip when vacationing in Curaçao is a visit to Play Grandi on West Point. Local fishermen bring in fish there around 3 p.m. in small, colorful boats. Wonderful to see. You can also swim with turtles, an unforgettable experience!

Wellness & Spa | Ultimate Relaxation

If you’re looking for more relaxation, that’s also possible, of course. Book a yoga or meditation session or indulge in a treatment from one of the professional masseurs or pedicurists.

Rib boating

Go rocketing across the water on a “rib boat”! This will get you to the most beautiful parts of the coast of Curaçao in no time (and with a big adrenaline boost). Visit beaches that cannot be reached by land and feel the wind whipping through your hair.

Golf

There are 3 golf clubs on Curaçao. Our favorite is the Old Quarry Golf Course 18 holes. Not for nothing; the complex was voted “Best Caribbean Golf Course” 2018 and 2019 by USA Today. The views are wonderful, it is open 365 days a year and, last but not least, as a guest of Villa Groot Geluk l Sans Soucis, you get a nice discount!

Surfing

On Curaçao both wave surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing are quite possible. In all sorts of places and at all levels. The Spanish Water, Jan Thiel’s inland lake, is perfect for learning to kite or windsurf. There is almost always a pleasant breeze here, without being immediately blown away.

Sea Aquarium

Have you always wanted to swim with dolphins? Now is your chance. Visit the Dolphin Academy, where you can play with these amazing animals under the right conditions én swimming. The aquarium, however small, is also super fun to visit.

Kura Hulanda Museum

Definitely worth visiting at this time. Discover the history of slave trade, the colonial past of the Netherlands and also the contemporary struggles on the subject.

Tasting Tour Curacao Liqueur Distillery

Curacao has so many delicious treats, the liqueurs from this local distiller is one of them. Visit a tour and get to know all about how these delicacies are made.

Your type of vacation

Endless possibilities for a vacation

A trip to Curacao is different for everyone: the island offers endless possibilities and something for everyone. Both the Villa and its surroundings offer the possibility of a vacation or trip to suit everyone’s needs. For any type of vacation, I can put together a travel guide for you with our highlights and tips to get the most out of your stay. I am happy to help you with this. Read about some of the opportunities where other guests have gone before you:

Personal Training

If you are a personal trainer, you know that finding the right environment for your training sessions is essential. You need a place that is private, has the right equipment and is comfortable for both you and your client. At Villa Groot Geluk, you’ll find all these things and more.

Golf

Are you looking for the ultimate combination of sun, relaxation and a new stamp in your golf passport? Curacao has some of the most beautiful courses, built and designed by the best architects. We are happy to tell you how you can experience the most beautiful golf trip on Curacao with your group and how you can make reservations with great discounts.

Yoga Retreat

Due to the open character of the Villa, and the green Oasis in its garden, Villa Groot Geluk lives up to its name; unwind here and experience ultimate Wellness. Rise with a wonderful Yoga session, ending with a refreshing dip in the pool, fresh fruit and perhaps a massage from a private masseur. Come with a Yoga group or bring your own Yoga instructor.

Remote Working Team

Send your team on an inspiring scrum session? Celebrating an end to a project? Or just start a project together? Villa Groot Geluk offers the ultimate remote working workplace in the Caribbean. With a high quality Mesh network throughout the property, large tables to work on, large refrigerators for refreshment and the beach within walking distance. Alternating a good session in the morning with a Rib-boat experience in the afternoon? I am happy to help you with ideas.

Lets' Celebrate

Something to celebrate? Married that many years? Grandpa & Grandma along for the trip? Retired…. Or just casually with friends or family? Let the Villa welcome your party! Together, make it a beautiful celebration with a nice barbecue, a private chef, a first diving lesson, or a concert on the beach. So my motto is: There is always something to celebrate!

Digital Nomad

A nice outing with friends, with the family or with relatives? Your work sometimes has to come with you, but at Villa Groot Geluk, your work can too. We offer the ultimate Digital Nomad location to work remotely. There is always a place to work quietly, and with a good Internet connection, you never miss a thing. Alternate the day with a dip in the pool, a trip to the beach and a delicious barbecue in the evening.

Water sports

Whether it’s kiting, surfing, diving, wake-boarding or a trip on a rib-boat; there is definitely something for every water enthusiast to do in Curacao. At nearby Spanish Water, I know the best spots and would be happy to give you some tips. Or book a mini-cruise to another island…or a ride in a real submarine perhaps?

Food & Drink

Culinary delights or just a nice bite to eat!

When you think of the Caribbean, that includes good food and drink. Curaçao offers something for everyone, from fresh seafood to haute cuisine, from local dishes to treats for the little ones. Where is it to be done?

I’d like to give you some tips:

Coco's

Actually the secret extension of Villa Groot Geluk. Us knows us is the motto here. Nice breakfast? Say you’re a guest with us and a nice table will be set aside After a lazy day by the pool? You do that here. Fantastic service, lovely loungers, blissful lunches and Insta-proof. But please, don’t tell anyone else!

Tinto Bar y cocina

Cocktails, shared dining and flavorful finger foods while witnessing the best sunsets of Jan Thiel Beach. Open daily from 4 p.m. until late.

The Fisheries

Fish lovers cannot pass up De Visserij, located toward Westpunt, just north of Willemstad. Sitting at a picnic table with a beer in hand, you watch the fishermen bring in their fresh catch. What more do you really want?

Tabooshh!

Beautiful spot in Spanish Water Harbor, a mix of Caribbean dishes with a twist. Recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. Think tapas, think seafood and think nothing else but lick your fingers.

Zest Beach

Great food with your feet in the sand or in your own cabana! Be surprised at this special location on Jan Thiel Beach. Zest Restaurant is open daily from 9 a.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Governor

In a characterful Antillean building in the heart of Willemstad, you’ll find De Gouverneur. You eat there with beautiful views of St. Anna Bay and the famous Handelskade. The cuisine is international and allergies are taken into account.

AtBlue

Another highly recommended place in Willemstad! BijBlauw is restaurant and also boutique hotel, the kitchen is open 7 days a week and is especially popular for its blissful lunches. So a great stop during a shopping session.

Baoase

Recommended to the true gourmets among the guests of Villa Groot Geluk. Baoase Beach Restaurant in Willemstad offers a culinary experience worthy of your consideration. Both the dishes and the service and upscale atmosphere are unanimously rated very highly.

Practical Information

What's handy to know.

Anticipation: almost as much fun as the vacation itself! To prepare you well, we would like to give you some practical information. If what you are looking for is not listed, please contact us or visit www.curacao.com. During your stay at Villa Groot Geluk| Villa Sans Soucis, of course, our janitor is always there for you when needed.

Some tips from me:

Corona

For the current status of corona measures and other info about the virus, for example, check the travel app from Rijksoverheid: Click here for the app in iOS.

Language

The official languages on Curaçao are Dutch and Papiamentu, the island’s local language. A language that evolved from Spanish and Portuguese, Dutch, a little French, English, and some influences from African languages. De Most Antilleans communicate with each other in Papiamentu. Government documents are usually available in Dutch, and older residents of Curaçao, in particular, are still fluent in Dutch.

Keep in mind that the spelling does vary between languages and also between the islands that use it (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao).

Vaccinating: yes or no?

In principle, you do not need vaccinations for a vacation on Curaçao, except if you have been somewhere where yellow fever occurs less than 6 months in advance. In that case, you need a vaccination certificate or indemnification. A list of the relevant countries is on this website.

Acute medical care

Getting sick or having an accident while traveling: you’d rather not think about it. But either way, you’d better be prepared. Only in case of a life-threatening situation do you call the island’s emergency number 911. Of course, it is wise to purchase travel insurance in advance. Dutch policies generally offer good coverage, but it’s smart to check with your health insurer yourself. There are 3 hospitals on Curaçao, the largest with an extensive first aid department is Curaçao Medical centers.

GP and dentist

Minor, non-acute health problems can arise, unfortunately even on vacation. Something inflamed, sprained or twisted? No worries on Curaçao! At Jan Thiel Village there is a doctor’s office that you can visit during walk-in hours. Also, a good dentist can be found in Willemstad at the Centro Dentico Mahaai practice.

Pharmacies

In almost every neighborhood there is a pharmacy called botika. Pharmacies generally close between 5 and 6 p.m. For emergencies after closing time there are always some open, these are called botikas na warda. Medications are available mét or without a prescription. They also have excellent remedies for hangovers there, by the way!

What about the insects?

If there One thing that can spoil the atmosphere during your well-deserved vacation is mosquitoes. Not only annoying, but they can also spread disease. They are most active around sunrise and sunset and a day or two after a rainstorm. Therefore, wear covering clothing and use protective gear. Make sure it contains at least DEET, they don’t like that. You can bring it from home, of course, but it is also widely available in botikas.

Currency

Curaçao’s currency is the Netherlands Antilles guilder, also called the Antillean guilder or Florijn. The currency or currency, is abbreviated to Nafl. or ANG. When you arrive in Curaçao, the easiest way to pay, for example in Willemstad, is with the Antillean guilder.

Grocery shopping

Fancy cooking in the outdoor kitchen or just atmosphere? Grocery shopping: a necessary evil for some, but there are also those who do it for pleasure. And especially in such exotic surroundings. All those colors, smells and tastes, a feast for your senses!

In Jan Thiel, you can just go to the Albert Heijn, called Van der Tweel. There is also an AH in the Zeelandia neighborhood in Willemstad. A few other options are Vreugdenhil and Mangusa, for when you want something different from home.

But if you really want to taste the Antilles and shop with the locals at very fine prices, there are plenty of other options. For example, visit one of the small (often Chinese) kitchens that can be found everywhere. The local market in Punda or the Venozolan market have delicious fresh fruits and vegetables. TIP: always pay close attention to the expiration date, though. And don’t be surprised if people carry your groceries to your car; very normal on Curaçao. The packers don’t get a salary but live off tips, so don’t forget to give them this, think 1 or 2 guilders. Not mandatory, but neat.

Also check this pageholiday-curacao Or vacation home, luxury vacation homes, CuracaoCuracao for more info.