Great that you’ve found your way to our website and are taking the time to read this blog! My name is Roos, I’m 24 years old, and I’m from the Netherlands, from a small town just north of Amsterdam. I had never been to the island before. After working as a skin specialist for 6.5 years, I was ready for something new.
In September, I’m starting a degree in HBO Office Management & Hospitality at Laurentius College. During the open day, the opportunity came up to spend the first half-year of my studies in Curaçao. It didn’t take me long to decide! But I had one condition, I wanted the security of a fun and challenging job where I could learn something new, help people, and hopefully give them an unforgettable day.
After a conversation with Cherry-Lane and Melanie, I was convinced that this company would be the perfect fit! So, at the end of July, I left—alone—for an island that was still completely unknown to me. In my first week, I got to experience several tours myself. What an amazing way to explore the island and learn about the tours I would be selling to guests! These are not your typical tours.
What stood out to me right away was the passion of the guides, each bringing their own unique style to the experience. They all know the island inside and out.
I’ve already been asked several times which tour is my favorite, and even after a week, I still can’t choose! Each tour has different elements that make it special. So if someone asks me which tour to book, my answer is simple: extend your stay by a week and do them all!
I started the week on my birthday with the UTV Expedition West Coast. I had never driven a buggy before, but it was secretly on my bucket list. What an experience! The route towards Westpunt is absolutely breathtaking passing by wind turbines and driving over roads that wouldn’t even be considered roads in the Netherlands.
The first stop was an old Indian cave, followed by a drive to a Boca, where the rough northern sea crashes against eroded coral rock formations—such a stunning view! The last stop was a refreshing swim/snorkel break at Daaibooi Beach, a beautiful, smaller beach with crystal-clear blue water. The bar was set high. I thought, “It can’t get much better than this.”
The next day, I joined the (revamped) Half Day Off-Road & Snorkel Safari. Our guide, Howard, picked us up in a Jeep. Even on the way to the first stop, it was clear that Howard is an experienced Jeep driver. Despite having driven off-road myself the day before, this was an entirely different adventure!
Howard shares his knowledge, passion, and humor about everything on the island. The first stop was Dinah Veeris’ botanical garden, a must-visit if you’re interested in herbal medicine and the plants that thrive here. After that, we cooled down with a drink at a windsurfing spot, then explored an old bat cave. The off-road drive continued along the Koraal Tabak area and past the oil platform, with stunning views of the rugged north coast. The tour ended with another perfect swim/snorkel stop at a gorgeous beach.
The next adventure was the West Island & Beach Safari, once again with Howard leading the way. The Jeep took us towards San Pedro, where we stopped at another cave with an incredible ocean view.
Then we visited the Savonet Museum, where we saw traditional plantation houses and country homes as they once were. Howard provided deep insight into the history, and the museum gave a powerful look into the island’s slavery era, which, shockingly, wasn’t that long ago.
Next, we visited another stunning Boca, where a delicious lunch was prepared for us. And, of course, we ended the day with another refreshing swim/snorkel stop before heading back.
