Christoffel National Park is the largest park on Curaçao, built around Mount Christoffel, which rises to 372 meters, the highest point on the island. The climb to the summit draws early-morning hikers: the trail climbs gradually before narrowing near the top, with a few rocky sections where you'll need your hands. It's no accident that everyone recommends leaving early - the park gate opens at 6 a.m., and access to the summit trailhead closes by mid-morning because of the heat, which quickly becomes overwhelming on this shadeless limestone terrain.

Those who prefer to take it easier will find other options: several more accessible hiking trails and scenic roads suitable for driving wind through vegetation typical of the island's dry west, columnar cacti, wild orchids, and stunted shrubs clinging to the rocky ground. It's also one of the few places in Curaçao where you might spot the Curaçao deer, a local species the park protects.

The park entrance is at Landhuis Savonet, a former plantation that now houses a museum tracing the region's history, from the earliest Arawak inhabitants through the era of slavery and plantations. The park entrance ticket also grants access to the museum, a good way to take a shaded break after the climb before heading back out toward the coves of the north coast.