Curacao may not be on many people's radar yet, but you should change that very quickly! Curaçao is colorful, warm, relaxed, and at the same time diverse. The island combines Caribbean bathing coves, Dutch-Caribbean culture, short distances, good food, Willemstad with its colorful houses, and many excursion possibilities. Moreover, it is a great travel destination for summer holidays and is only a direct flight away from Amsterdam. Have I got your attention now? Then read on!
Curaçao is particularly exciting for summer holidays because it is geographically outside the hurricane belt. Getting there is also simpler than you might think for the Caribbean. The easiest way to get to Curaçao is via Amsterdam: with KLM, TUI, and Corendon as airlines, you'll be in Curaçao in a 10-hour direct flight.
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Why Curaçao works so well with children
Snorkel in the morning, relax in the shade at lunchtime, observe flamingos in the afternoon or stroll through Willemstad. The distances are short, and the daily rhythm can be easily adapted to children.
Especially for small children, the protected coves are a gift. Many beaches are located in quiet, natural bays where the water is often clear and relatively calm. For older children, snorkeling, boat trips, or cultural excursions become exciting.
The climate is also well suited for a family vacation. Curaçao has a warm, sunny climate all year round with an average temperature of about 27 degrees. Important for summer holidays: July, August, and September can bring some rain, but the wettest months are more October to December, and showers are usually short, localized, and more of a refreshing break.
Jan Kok Lodges: a small oasis instead of a large family resort
If you don't want to stay in a huge all-inclusive resort in Curaçao with children, you should take a closer look at the Jan Kok Lodges. The complex is located in Sint Willibrordus in the quieter west, nestled in nature, palm trees, and flowers. It consists of six apartments, two lodges, and three studios – a total of eleven individual accommodations.
Here you don't stay in a classic hotel room, but in accommodations with a kitchen, veranda, grill, lots of privacy, and space. The complex is small, personal, and quiet. At the same time, it is located so that you are quickly at some of the most beautiful beaches on the island, such as Playa Porto Marie, Daaibooi Bay, and Cas Abou.
The accommodations are designed for self-catering. Instead of having to eat out every evening, you can make breakfast on your own veranda, prepare snacks for the beach, or grill in the evening if the children are simply tired after a long day at the beach.
Depending on the accommodation, the amenities include fully equipped kitchens, comfortable beds, bathrooms, air conditioning, veranda, BBQ, pool with sun loungers, outdoor showers, and on-site parking. The car rental service is particularly family-friendly. Curaçao is an island best explored flexibly by car.
Which accommodation suits which family?
The Jan Kok Lodges are not a classic hotel with "rooms", but a small collection of studios, apartments, and lodges. For families, the apartments with two bedrooms are particularly interesting.
| Accommodation |
Suitable for |
Particularly practical for families |
| Garden Apartment No. 2 |
2–4 people |
Two bedrooms, outdoor living area, kitchen, garden, BBQ |
| Iguana View Apartment No. 4 |
2–4 people |
Two bedrooms, veranda, kitchen, hill views |
| Garden Apartment No. 3 |
2–5 people |
Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, private garden veranda |
| Iguana View Apartment No. 3 |
2–5 people |
Two bedrooms, plenty of space, bathtub, veranda |
| Garden Apartment No. 1 |
2 people |
Separate bedroom, private outdoor shower, interesting for couples with a toddler |
| Flamingo View Apartment |
2 people |
Separate bedroom, view of the salt pans |
| Studios Iguana View No. 1–3 |
2 people |
Compact, with kitchen, veranda, and shared outdoor kitchen |
| Garden Lodge & Flamingo View Lodge |
2 people |
Plenty of privacy, large veranda, ideal for parents with a baby or as a couple's getaway |
For families with two or three children, the 2-bedroom apartments are therefore particularly exciting. If you are traveling with a baby or toddler, you can also book a smaller apartment or a lodge, depending on availability.
What can you do around Jan Kok Lodges with children?
1. Beach hopping on the West Coast
From Jan Kok, some of Curaçao's most beautiful beaches are quickly accessible. Playa Porto Mari, Daaibooi Bay, and Cas Abou are just a few minutes' drive away and offer shallow water, shade, and restaurants.
2. Observe flamingos at Jan Kok
Nearby are the salt pans of Jan Kok, or St. Marie Bay. From Landhuis Jan Kok, you have a great view of the salt flats, where flamingos can often be seen.
3. Discover Willemstad
Willemstad is colorful, lively, and easily manageable with children if you don't go out in the greatest midday heat. The Handelskade, the Queen Emma Bridge, ice cream breaks, street art, and the colorful facades in Punda and Otrobanda make the city exciting even for children.
4. Curaçao Sea Aquarium or Children’s Museum
For younger children, the Curaçao Sea Aquarium and the Children’s Museum are good options if you want to plan a day with less beach or more shade.
6. Hato Caves, Shete Boka, or Christoffel National Park
With older children and teenagers, the Hato Caves, the wild Shete Boka National Park, or a hike in the Christoffel National Park are worthwhile. Important: start early, pack enough water, and plan generous breaks in the heat.
Our conclusion: Who are the Jan Kok Lodges perfect for?
The Jan Kok Lodges are particularly well suited for families who want to discover Curaçao individually. If you are looking for a buffet, children's club, and continuous entertainment, this is not the right place for you. But if you are looking for a quiet, well-maintained, personal accommodation with a kitchen, pool, veranda, car rental option, and a good location for beaches and excursions, you will find a very beautiful base for a Caribbean family vacation here.
FAQ: Jan Kok Lodges and Curaçao with children
Is Curaçao a good travel destination for families during the summer holidays?
Yes, Curaçao is very suitable even during the summer holidays. The island is located outside the hurricane belt, has warm weather all year round, and offers many quiet coves and family-friendly excursions.
What is the easiest way to get to Curaçao?
For travelers from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, Amsterdam is a very practical connection. From Amsterdam, there are direct flights with a flight time of about ten hours.
Which Jan Kok Lodges are best for families?
For families with several children, the two-bedroom apartments are particularly suitable: Garden Apartment No. 2, Iguana View Apartment No. 4, Garden Apartment No. 3, and Iguana View Apartment No. 3. The two larger variants can accommodate up to five people.
Do you need a rental car in Curaçao?
For a stay at Jan Kok Lodges, a rental car is very useful because beaches, restaurants, supermarkets, and excursion destinations are most easily accessible by car. Jan Kok Lodges offers its own car rental options; child seats are available on request.
Is there a kitchen in the Jan Kok Lodges?
Yes, the accommodations are designed for self-catering. Depending on the accommodation, there is a fully equipped kitchen or outdoor kitchen and BBQ.