The beautiful island of Curacao attracts people from all over the world. Located in the southern Caribbean Sea, it combines a beautiful natural environment with a vibrant lifestyle and dynamic community. If you want to experience a slice of this paradise for yourself, there are lots of fantastic real estate opportunities to be found.
The luxury property market is bustling in Curacao, with overseas buyers getting to enjoy a unique location and high standard of living. Let’s step inside the Curacao market and see what this amazing place has to offer. Buying real estate in Curacao has never been this easy.
Before we dive deep into specific locales, it’s important to view the island as a whole. As an independent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curacao has long attracted overseas interest. People come from everywhere, with buyers from the USA, Europe, and Latin America well represented. Buyers typically come in three groups, with plenty of overlap between these categories:
• Tourism is growing in Curacao, and many buyers are searching for vacation homes. This group often rents out their property when it’s not in use.
• Some people simply want to retire in Curacao. This group is attracted to the idyllic landscape and relaxed lifestyle of the island.
• The third category of real estate buyers are purely investors. This group generates rental income from short-term stays, with long-term rentals also possible.
Foreigners can purchase property in Curacao, with the Government of Curacao welcoming investment from overseas. There are no restrictions on foreign buyers, who enjoy the same rights as Curacao citizens. Foreign buyers have access to freehold property or lease land, which is a common method of property ownership on the island. Under this arrangement, property is leased from the government in exchange for an annual fee. Foreign buyers don’t need to become residents, and many parts of the island allow tourist rentals.
Let’s take a look at popular Curacao neighborhoods and resorts to see how they compare:
Jan Thiel is a desirable location located 8 km southeast of Willemstad. Built around a salt lake and nature reserve, the wider Jan Thiel Bay area is home to luxury hotels, modern villas, and Caribbean homes. This part of the island has been a big favorite among Dutch tourists for decades, including Vista Royal, Boca Gentil Resort, and adjacent areas in the older part of Jan Thiel.
Jan Thiel is well-equipped with facilities — locals and tourists enjoy the beach and salt flats alongside beach clubs, restaurants, gyms, spas, and boutique shops. There are plenty of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to villa and apartment accommodation. Vista Royal Resort and Boca Gentil Resort are two great communities. While only the latter is a gated resort, both environments are safe for permanent residents and holidaymakers.
As one of the most developed locations in Curacao, Jan Thiel is packed with real estate opportunities. Demand is high, and there is lots of potential for growth. Jan Thiel has some of the most luxurious properties in Curacao, but you can still find bargains at $500,000 or lower. Holiday rentals are permitted throughout Jan Thiel, which makes this area ideal for investments.
Santa Barbara is a private beach in the southeast of the island. It was originally the property of a mining company, before being purchased by Hyatt Regency. Management of the resort was then passed to Benchmark Resorts and Hotels in 2013, with Sandals Royal Curacao Resort stepping in to upgrade the facility post-COVID-19.
Development of the new Sandals resort is underway, with hundreds of new rooms being built along the Spanish Water Bay and Caribbean Sea. With more than 400 tradesmen employed during the construction period and over 800 full-time employees needed by the hotel, Santa Barbara is likely to experience more growth in future years. This will help to stimulate demand for housing and push prices higher.
Along with the resort itself, this beautiful locale features a gated community and several modern amenities. Whether you’re staying for a few days or retiring here for good, you can enjoy Santa Barbara’s golf course, restaurants, swimming pools, spa, and ice cream shop. The beach and resort offers fabulous views of the marina, and it’s accessible to the public with an entrance fee. Property prices in Santa Barbara vary widely, from around $250,000 to more than $4 million.
The Landhuis Brakkeput area was originally a plantation. From the early 18th century, livestock and produce helped to feed local residents. Buildings sprung up to house locals, with these same buildings now functioning as accommodation and restaurants for Curacao’s guests. Today, the Brakkeput area is a peaceful residential neighborhood close to Jan Thiel and Spanish Waters.
The name Brakkeput or Brakke Put means ‘spring with brackish water’.
Brakkeput Mei Mei means ‘in the middle’ in the local Papiamentu language, and Brakkeput Ariba and Brakkeput Abao refer to historical country houses. This area includes a diverse array of amenities, from supermarkets and stores to bars, restaurants, and a casino.
There are multiple beaches and resorts nearby, and the center of Willemstad is just 15 minutes away. There are also lots of real estate opportunities in the Brakkeput area, which features a diverse array of properties in multiple price brackets. Unlike some parts of the island, you can still find properties here well under $500,000.
Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort is one of the premier beach and golf resort communities in Curacao. It’s a stunning beachfront location with lots of great amenities, making it popular with international property buyers. There are lots of apartments dotted in and around the Blue Bay area, with houses also periodically hitting the market.
Many apartment complexes include basic services, from housekeeping and gardening to laundry, car rental, and airport transfers. This makes it ideal for overseas holiday buyers, who can even access activity bookings and babysitting services. Whatever type of property you desire, Blue Bay combines stunning natural beauty with luxurious living for an unmatched quality of life. Prices vary considerably here based on location and amenities, from just over $500,000 to well over $1 million.
Santa Martha began as a sugar plantation in 1830, before it became the largest salt producer on the island. The area was purchased by the government in 1937, with a desire to transform the plantation into a model farm called Helfirchdorp. While this project was a failure, it laid the groundwork for future development. Many years later in 1995, the estate was restored to its original condition. It was recently transformed into a boutique hotel and restaurant, under the name Landhuis Klein Santa Martha.
Modern-day Santa Martha combines a beautiful beach with lots of lifestyle facilities. Playa Santa Martha is a public beach on the bay with stunning azure water. There are lots of accommodation options nearby, both surrounding the bay and in the surrounding towns. Soto is a small town on the other side of the lagoon, Barber is a little further to the east, and Lagun lies on a stretch of coast to the north.
The construction of the TUI BLUE Curaçao hotel in Santa Martha, which began in June of this year, is well underway. This highly anticipated resort will feature 300 rooms and is expected to open its doors in the first quarter of 2026. Santa Martha offers the perfect location with its authentic surroundings and proximity to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. The development of the hotel is in the hands of the Vogels and Van Alstede families. The Van Alstede family, known for developing TUI’s office building in Willemstad, is overseeing the construction aspect of the project, while the Vogels family—hoteliers behind well-known establishments like Avila Beach Hotel and Lions Dive—will manage the hotel operations. The new hotel is set to provide a significant boost to the island’s tourism industry. It is expected to create over 400 jobs and represents an investment of $80 million. This will not only provide a new source of employment but also promote sustainable development in the Bandabao region. Moreover, the resort is expected to attract not only guests from the Netherlands but also international vacationers from other countries besides the Netherlands. This exciting development is likely to draw more tourist accommodations to the area and create opportunities for the growth of luxury real estate and other tourist properties.
Cas Abou Beach lies 5 km from Santa Martha, on the southwest coast of Curacao. Also known as Bon Bini Beach, after the TV series made there, it’s a popular spot with locals and tourists alike. There are lots of facilities, with visitors getting access to secured parking, restrooms, showers, and lockers. The beach also features a bar and restaurant, and there’s even a dive shop for all the snorkeling lovers.
This part of Curacao has lots of great property options. Buyers can choose between modern houses, affordable villas, and luxury penthouses. The Cas Abou Resort offers coastal views, with many houses offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the sea below. Residents of the resort have free access to Cas Abou Beach and the private beach cove within the grounds. Unlike many gated communities on Curacao, Cas Abou Resort allows property owners to rent out to tourists.
At Palmstone, we specialize in Curacao’s upscale housing market. Our portfolio showcases an exquisite collection of villas, apartments, and prime building plots situated across the island. We deal with enchanting places and help people to embrace new opportunities. Beyond property acquisition, our services include investment advisory, purchase facilitation, rental management, and property valuation.
Please reach out to learn more about Curacao and all its luxury real estate opportunities.
