Jan Thiel Curaçao is located in the neighborhood of the same name, in the southeast of the island, at the end of Caracasbaaiweg. The beach isn't wild or untouched, it's groomed, but that's exactly what makes it such a pleasant spot for families: you wade into the water on a gentle slope, no water shoes needed, and the bay is protected by breakwaters that keep the sea remarkably calm.
Several beach clubs and restaurants line the sand, each with its own character. Zanzibar Beach & Restaurant, the best known, is famous for its wood-fired pizzas and spit-roasted chicken, but also for its Saturday night happy hour, when a DJ and live band get the whole beach dancing until nightfall. On weekdays, the mood is quieter: people come more for a morning in the sun, a lunch with their feet in the sand, or a stroll among the small shops tucked between the beach clubs.
Beach access comes with a small fee, a few guilders per person, and loungers are rented separately depending on which beach club you choose. Parking, on the other hand, remains free and guarded behind a barrier.
As the sun starts to set, the tables set up on the pier between Zanzibar and Koko's offer a stunning view of the bay glowing softly, a ritual many visitors repeat every evening of their stay without ever tiring of it.
You'll need a car
Most of the best beaches are at least 45 minutes from Willemstad. Renting a car is not optional.
