Caribbean
Curaçao
Willemstad
Things to Do in Willemstad
Punda
See all things to do

Punda

See all things to do
See all things to do
Punda
4.5
About
Fall in love with the historic neighborhood Punda. Streets that are full of life and colors; fantastic murals and colorful building all over the town. Punda is the location of the world famous Handelskade: the waterfront collection of multi-colored buildings that has become Curaçao’s most characteristic image. But there is so much more to discover!
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Punda
See all
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
280 within 3 miles
Cafe de Tijd Curacao
353
478 ft$$ - $$$ • Dutch • Bar • Barbecue
The Captain Bar
200
0.3 mi$ • Caribbean • Dutch • Bar
Ceviche 91 Curaçao
375
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Caribbean • Peruvian • Seafood
La Boheme Curaçao
751
173 ft$ • Caribbean • Bar • Cafe
Dal Toro Curaçao
473
344 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • Caribbean • International
Gouverneur de Rouville
4,100
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Caribbean • Seafood • International
Old Market - Plasa Bieu
978
0.2 mi$ • Caribbean • Cajun & Creole • Vegetarian Friendly
Culture Deli Café
43
0.2 mi$ • Caribbean
Mundo Bizarro
1,061
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Caribbean • Bar • Seafood
Plein Café Wilhelmina
882
106 ft$$ - $$$ • Dutch • International • Diner
See all
Attractions
102 within 6 miles
Statue Queen Wilhelmina
3
113 ftMonuments & Statues
Queen Wilhelmina Park
91
167 ftParks
Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue
651
363 ftSpeciality Museums
Jewish Cultural Historical Museum
178
419 ftHistory Museums
Effy Jewelry
15
502 ftShopping Malls
Colourful Willemstad
6
338 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Art Foundation Curacao Gallery
2
387 ftArt Galleries
Fort Amsterdam
176
0.1 miHistoric Sites • Government Buildings
Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge
7,191
0.2 miBridges
Statue Dr. Moises Frumencio Da Costa Gomez
4
486 ftMonuments & Statues
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,477 reviews
Excellent
1,593
Very good
1,354
Average
449
Poor
65
Terrible
16
Monaiv
San Diego, CA88 contributions
Great Island for Snorkeling and History
Feb 2023
Highly recommend this island in the Caribbean. On our vacation we made Willemstad home base. We filled our days with various trips around the island and then returned each night to many great restaurants. Rental car is a must. The best beaches are a 30-40 minute drive outside of the city. The people of Curacao are warm and welcoming. English is widely spoken and it is also fun to hear all the other languages as well. A great mash up of cultures.
Written March 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ari E
8 contributions
The Night Life
Jan 2020 • Couples
It was a short but magnificent walk from our hotel, the Bij Blauw, to the Punda. Even at night the colorful buildings, whether they be residences, restaurants, consulates, or offices, all had an alluring charm that begs you to come explore. We walked the downtown streets at night without fear, comfortable in the feeling that we were enjoying the ambiance like so many other tourists. English is spoken everywhere and U.S. dollars can be used to pay for everything, but Dutch and guilders are most prominent. We ambled through plazas and narrow alleys taking in the sights and sounds of open air bars. But the highlight had to walking over the Queen Emma Bridge, all lit up in a colorful canopy of colors, which offered the best view of the harbor and the Penha Building built in the early 1700s. It was, in a word, romantic.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FarFlungStarling
Qualicum Beach, Canada1,014 contributions
The Glorious Past
Feb 2020
We walked up and down the streets and saw so may formerly beautiful colonial buildings in varying degrees of decay, falling down, bricked up and fenced in. Nature is taking over as weeds flourish and trees poke up through foundations. So sad. Times change and people move on. The homes/buildings that have been maintained or restored sparkle in brilliant rainbow colors, with intricate trim, stained glass and embellishments. You can imagine what the neighborhood, bustling with wealthy merchants must have looked like at it's peak. Worth the walk if you are interested in architecture but do a bit of background reading to really appreciate the historical significance.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan K
The Hague, The Netherlands7,257 contributions
More quite than usual
Sep 2020
Unfortunately, Punda is more quite than usual due to the Covid-19 situation. Another point of improvement is that most of the shops are clearly focussing on the hoard that boards large cruise vessels. Meaning shops focussing on mass terrorism rather than locals. But without any cruise ships delivering passengers, there's virtually no one here any more.

I also think malls like Rif Fort are taking some business, as this is the first sign of Curaçao the hoard that boards cruise ships see when the hit land. Unfortunate.

Although technically not in Punda, do visit Plasa Bieu when you have the chance.
Written September 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Britt A
Soborg, Denmark7 contributions
Must see if in Curacao
Feb 2020 • Family
Nice half day trip to Williamstad, Curacao. It is very small but a nice change to the beach for half a day and maybe combined with lunch. In February you also have the carnival which we missed with one day but everybody was talking about it. Walk down some of the small alleys where some artists have painted on the walls.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David S
Middlesbrough, UK1,620 contributions
ANOTHER COLOURFUL OASIS
Mar 2022
Willemstad’s first colonial settlement and apparently began as a hub for Dutch slave traders. Now a World Heritage site, this modern city centre has a distinct Euro-Caribbean atmosphere. The preserved colourful colonial buildings holding houses, boutiques, art galleries, and sidewalk cafes. Punda and Otrobanda are linked by the wonderful ‘Floating Bridge’ and both near the cruise port.
Written April 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wander276653
Curaçao8 contributions
UNESCO site
Jan 2020 • Couples
It is amazing to see how they have saved these buildings but yet allowed them to be functional and support businesses. I found a great piece of local art from a local artisan that captured the area and its vibe. Shout out to Happy Paintings and Renate Rolefes
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan K
The Hague, The Netherlands7,257 contributions
A bit overrated
Sep 2022
Also dubbed 'the Amsterdam of the Caribbean', there were indeed quite a few crazy people out on the streets. Some buildings totally worn down.

The colourful building you see, actually are office buildings and banks, so not much going on there unless you need to be there for business. It was definitely more crowded than two years ago during COVID. But honestly, there are better places to be. We usually only go to the fruit market for some fresh fruits.
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon L
Brighton and Hove, UK596 contributions
Lovely Colonial Capital
Mar 2020 • Couples
Williamstadt is a lovely capital of two halves. Punda is an area of beautiful colonial buildings harking back to their Dutch past. The whole area feels very safe is easily walkable with lots of cafes and restaurants.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel1two3
Washington DC, DC184 contributions
Curaçao needs to revitalize the area
Jun 2022 • Family
So when you think of Curaçao you think of the colorful buildings. The area is a mix of colorful buildings and run down buildings. Honestly I was a little shocked with the area and surprised that for such a tourist spot the buildings around the area was not built up more. Not sure whether the government is planning on putting money into the area but they need to. Over all the colorful scenery was nice we took the free ferry and walked the bridge on the way back.
Written June 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 1,509
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Punda (Willemstad) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Punda
We recommend booking Punda tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 9 Punda tours on Tripadvisor