Playa Porto Mari in Curaçao: Sun, Sand, and Unmatched Views

At Playa Porto Mari, there’s much to see. This beach, located on the west side of Curaçao, is especially known for the small pigs that live there. But it’s not only the cute beach dwellers that make Playa Porto Mari a recommended destination. The beach also impresses with its excellent facilities and has much to offer especially to vacationers interested in the underwater world of the Caribbean.

To access Playa Porto Mari, an entry fee of about ANG 5.00 (approximately $ 2.80) is charged. Children under twelve can enter the beach for free. Since this beach is privately managed, the proceeds go towards maintaining the area.

Additionally, the owners ensure the beach remains in pristine condition and take care of the resident pigs. You can visit the beach daily from 09:30 AM to 6:30 PM and make the most of your time there. Along with a cozy beach bar where you can purchase cool drinks, light snacks, or even hearty main dishes, Playa Porto Mari also offers restrooms, shower facilities, and changing cabins.

The beach itself is best accessed by rental car, which you can park in the large parking area. From the parking lot, you can also access several hiking trails: the Bird Trail, the Seru Matteo Trail, and the History Trail. If you are generally interested in outdoor activities, we recommend you check out our post about various hiking opportunities on Curaçao.

Directly off the coast of Playa Porto Mari lies the so-called “Double Reef”. Conveniently, there is also a diving school right near the beach. If you do not have your own diving equipment or did not bring it, you can rent it right on the spot.

Once you’re suited up, you can head to the reef. There you will not only discover many colorful corals but also moray eels, sea turtles, stingrays, and a variety of fish species.

Located about six meters below the water surface, the reef is easily accessible from the beach. This makes it not only very popular with divers but also a popular destination for vacationers who are enthusiastic about snorkeling.

The beach, located on the west coast, is known not only for its enchanting underwater world but also for its adorable beach residents. Originally, only two wild pigs, Woody and Willy, were home at Playa Porto Mari. These delightful animals roam freely along the coast and often relax with a nap near the water. On particularly busy days, however, the pigs often retreat and relax in a shady spot further away.

By now, not only Woody and Willy are at home at Playa Porto Mari, but four more pigs have joined them. These lively creatures respond to the names Lia, Meur, Max, and Wim. If you’re lucky, you might get the chance to capture a moment with these animal friends. It would undoubtedly be a fantastic snapshot that will always remind you of your vacation in Curaçao.

Due to its somewhat remote location, Playa Porto Mari is best accessed by a rental car. The beach restaurant, the excellent facilities, showers, and well-maintained sanitary facilities make Playa Porto Mari the perfect place to relax.

To ensure you get a parking spot, it’s advisable to visit earlier in the day. If you don’t want to spend the whole day at the same beach, you can easily drive from there to Playa Cas Abao, another famous beach on the island, which is very close by.