What do you think the most searched for Caribbean island is for summer travel this year? While the Cayman Islands have long been popular, and the lush, volcanic island of Dominica has become a more recent favorite, Curacao is the island that topped trending international travel destinations on Google Flights’ 2025 Summer Travel Trends report.
Located off the coast of Venezuela, Curacao was also named No. 1 for air arrivals and stopovers in the Caribbean based on the latest year-to-date statistics revealed by Tourism Analytics.
If you haven’t considered visiting, you might wonder what makes it so enticing.
This Dutch island boasts the quintessential Caribbean chalk-white sandy beaches edged by brilliant turquoise waters, a capital with an intriguing history and a booming food scene. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that it’s one of the “ABC Islands,” which means it manages to avoid most hurricanes, making it a better risk for summer travel as compared to many other Caribbean isles.
Stunning Beauty
Most visit Curacao for its stunning beauty that can be enjoyed while taking part in everything from snorkeling and diving among vibrant coral reefs inhabited by abundant marine life, including sea turtles and coral fish, to stand-up paddleboarding, hiking, biking and simply relaxing on one of the many postcard-perfect beaches.
Rich History
History enthusiasts can explore the colorful streets of Willemstad, with its UNESCO-listed historic heart home to vibrantly painted Dutch colonial architecture. There are multiple historical attractions, including key sites like the famous floating Queen Emma Bridge and Fort Amsterdam, built in 1634 by the Dutch West India Company.
The early 19th-century Rif Fort near the harbor entrance was converted into a shopping and entertainment venue hosting shops, bars and restaurants.
Diverse Culture & Cuisine
Curacao’s diverse culture, with more than 50 different nationalities represented here, has resulted in a wide range of traditions, customs, languages and cuisine. The island’s diversity has resulted in a thriving food scene.
Restaurants here feature everything from Dutch and French to Brazilian, Indonesian, Japanese, Latin and American dishes. Fresh seafood is common throughout Curacao, but one of the most iconic dishes is keshi yena, a baked round of Gouda cheese that’s stuffed with a spicy meat filling. Kokada (coconut patties) and yuana (stewed iguana) are just two of the other local favorites.
