At Playa Santa Cruz, people don't come just for the sand. This sheltered bay in Banda Abou, on Curaçao's west coast, wins you over first with its calm: the shallow water makes it a favorite gathering spot for local families, who happily settle in under the shade of the trees lining the shore.

On weekends, the mood shifts. This is where many Curaçaoans come to barbecue with friends, a well-established tradition in this part of the island. During the week, the beach settles back into quiet, catering more to visitors who've come for something other than a swim.

Because Playa Santa Cruz is best known as a starting point. This is where boats depart for the Blue Room, the sea cave where the light reflects in deep blue off the walls. You can also reach the cave on foot, following the coastal trail that passes by Playa Santu Pretu, the small black-sand beach a bit further south. The walk from Santa Cruz takes about twenty minutes, under a sun that shows no mercy, so a hat and water are essential.

Beach access is free, which isn't so common in this part of Curaçao. The real detail that gives away a regular: the boat heading to the Blue Room belongs to a local character known as Captain Goodlife, a fixture at Santa Cruz for years, whose boat and stories are almost as much a part of the experience as the cave itself.