Curacao: Beach Hopping UTV Tour & Local Food Lunch

Summary

Curacao beach hopping by UTV with food stop and swim time

You’ll ride UTVs across Curacao’s west side, stopping at three different beaches with time to swim or snorkel at each spot. Enjoy lunch at a real local food corner in Bandabou (with cold drinks included), swap stories with your guide, and return sandy but happy after seeing Curacao through local eyes.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how the air changed as we left Willemstad — saltier, warmer, just a little wild. Our guide, Dwayne, grinned when he handed us the keys to the buggy. “You’re gonna get dusty,” he warned. He wasn’t kidding; my hair was basically a tumbleweed by the first stop. But that first beach — I think it was Cas Abao — had this turquoise water that didn’t look real until you dipped your toes in. There were only a few locals around, mostly families who waved as they unpacked coolers. It felt relaxed in a way I didn’t expect from something called a “beach hopping tour.”

We bounced along backroads between beaches, passing goats (and one very stubborn iguana). Dwayne pointed out a faded mural in Bandabou and told us about his uncle who used to fish there before tourists came. The second beach was quieter — more driftwood, fewer umbrellas. I tried snorkeling for maybe five minutes before realizing I’m still terrible at breathing through a tube, but the water was so clear it didn’t matter. There was this moment where all you could hear were small waves and kids laughing somewhere down the sand. Not sure why but that stuck with me.

Lunch was at some tiny spot in Bandabou (I never caught the name), just picnic tables and plastic chairs under a mango tree. The smell of grilled chicken hit us before we even parked. Dwayne ordered for everyone — he said “trust me” and honestly, I’m glad I did because whatever sauce they used on the plantains should be bottled and sold everywhere. We swapped stories over cold drinks; someone tried to teach me how to say thank you in Papiamentu but I probably butchered it.

I thought three beaches might feel rushed but it didn’t — maybe because nobody seemed in a hurry except for one guy chasing his hat down the shore (he got it back). By the end my legs were sandy, my face sunburned (bring extra sunscreen), and I kept thinking about that last stretch of blue water as we drove back toward town with music playing low from Dwayne’s phone. So yeah, if you want a day trip from Willemstad that feels less like a checklist and more like hanging out with people who actually live here — this Curacao beach hopping tour is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit top 3 beaches and local food

• Travel to first beautiful beach
• Visit second beautiful beach
• Visit third beautiful beach
• Stop at local food corner in Bandabou
• Enjoy lunch and drinks
• Use snorkeling set at beaches

Top questions

How many beaches do you visit on this Curacao beach hopping tour?

The tour visits three different beaches on Curacao’s west side.

Is lunch included during the UTV beach hopping tour?

Yes, lunch is included at a local food spot in Bandabou along with drinks.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, free pickup and drop-off service is included for all guests.

Are snorkeling sets provided on this day trip?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is provided for use at each beach stop.

Is there an age limit for joining the Curacao buggy tour?

The minimum age required to participate is 4 years old.

Can dietary preferences be accommodated during lunch?

Tours can be tailored to your preferences; let them know any dietary needs ahead of time.

Is this excursion suitable for people with health issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular conditions.

What’s included

Your day includes free hotel pickup and drop-off service around Willemstad, all entry fees and taxes covered, use of snorkeling equipment at each beach stop, plus lunch and drinks at a local restaurant in Bandabou before heading back in the afternoon.