We have cruised to a lot of destinations, but so far Curaçao has been one of our favorite stops! We rented a car and drove around the island, including a visit to Shete Boka National Park.

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Driving to Shete Boka National Park

Once we retrieved our rental car from the Avis car rental at the port (plan to reserve your car ahead of time), we got on the road to Shete Boka National Park.

Driving to the National Park will take approximately 45 minutes. We were able to use our cell phone for directions, but if you don’t plan to pay for international service, make sure you write down the directions before leaving home. Once you get onto Weg Nar Westpunt (the main road that heads northwest across the island), it will be pretty easy to find. As you get close, there will be signs directing you to the entrance.

Shete Boka National Park

Wow! What a beauty this park is!

Entrance to the Shete Boka National Park is 15 Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG) per person which is equivalent to U.S. $9.00.

There are four major sightseeing areas within Shete Boka National Park: Boka Wandomi, Boka Tabla, Boka Kaiki, and Boka Pistol. Boka Kaiki and Boka Pistol are not accessible by car. To get there, you’ll have to hike from the main parking lot and we were told it’s about a 25 minute walk each direction. Boka Wandomi and Boka Tabla are short walks from their respective parking areas.

We were traveling with my grandparents so we did not attempt to visit the two areas that required the hike.

TIP: Even though Shete Boka is near the water, the climate in this area of Curaçao is very desert-like. If you plan to hike, there is no shade. Make sure to take water with you and wear a hat and sunscreen. You should also wear walking shoes (not flip flops)!

Boka Wandomi

We started by driving to the left of the park along the road that takes you to Boka Wandomi. You’ll park in a small lot (there was only one other car while we were there). From there, you’ll head down a rocky path toward the water.

Along the way, you’ll see lots of IGUANAS!

As you approach the end of the walkway, you’ll be stunned by the spectacular view.

This is a great spot to grab some family photos with the beautiful cliffs in the background.

This area is called Boka Wandomi and is also referred to as the Natural Bridge.

There is a viewing deck here to get a nice birds eye view of the cliffs and beach.

Standing at the end of the walkway near the edge of the cliff almost feels like you’re standing at the edge of the earth.

From here, you can walk down the limestone staircase to the beach that’s between the inlet.

The beach is not huge but you get a great view of the waves.

There is a little limestone “cave” you can walk through on the left side of the beach.

You can also follow steps up that side of the beach to walk along the cliffs on the opposite side from the entrance.

Boka Tabla

This is the popular spot for tour groups because it is closest to the main entrance where the buses can park. When we arrived a group was there, so we just waited for them to finish before we headed over.

Boka Tabla has two main areas: the inlet cave and the cliffs. The walking path starts from the main parking lot, marked by an iguana statue.

Follow the walkway and you’ll come to a short path into the “cave.” In this inlet, there is a viewing deck where you can watch the waves crash into the cave and along the cliffs.

There is also a small, rocky beach area where previous visitors have stacked up hundreds of piles of rocks.

After checking out the inlet, you can head back up the path to walk along the edge of the cliff.

Here you’ll come to a second viewing deck (where the tour group was pictured earlier).

From this spot, you’ll be able to see the most powerful waves crashing into the cliffs.

Boka Kaiki and Boka Pistol

The hiking trail to Boka Pistol begins at Boka Tabla. Again, we weren’t able to try the hike (it would be much too difficult for my grandparents to attempt.) According to the park map, the trail will first take you to Boka Kaiki.

If you continue on, you’ll arrive at Boka Pistol. It gets the name from the loud “gun” sound that you hear when the waves crash. The walk will probably take about an hour and plan on longer if you’d like to stop for photos and to sit and watch the waves for a bit.

Other Shete Boka National Park Visitor Information

Shete Boka National Park adjoins to Christoffelpark, another national park with hiking trails that go up and around Christoffel Mountain. If you plan to do both parks, it is recommended that you start with the hike up Christoffel in the early morning because it gets really hot during the day. According to the park’s website, the Mountain Trail will take about 2-3 hours. 

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