After months of COVID restrictions in Curaçao, things finally started opening up again just in time for my 45th birthday.
Clearly, Curaçao planned that specifically for me.
We had been to Mambo Beach Boulevard plenty of times for restaurants and shopping, but somehow we had never actually spent the day at Mambo Beach. So for my birthday, I decided it was time to fix that.
Honestly, a beach chair, a good book and absolutely nowhere I needed to be sounded like a pretty perfect birthday.
Getting Settled at Mambo Beach
One thing to know about Mambo Beach is that this isn’t a remote, untouched Caribbean beach. It’s a full-service beach day.
The beach sits alongside Mambo Beach Boulevard, with restaurants, shops, and different areas where you can settle in for the day. We ended up in the Bonita section, grabbed chairs, and found ourselves a spot under some shade.
Then I pulled out my Kindle and floatie and officially declared myself unavailable.
Birthday plans: complete.
What Is Mambo Beach Actually Like?
If your mental picture of Curaçao is a tiny hidden cove surrounded by cliffs, this isn’t that.
Mambo Beach is developed, convenient, and easy.
There are beach chairs, shade, restaurants, and servers who come right to you. It was also popular with families when we visited, and I could see why.
The water is protected by a breakwater, which creates a large, calm swimming area. There weren’t big waves knocking you around, so it was perfect for floating, swimming, and generally doing as little as possible.
And the water?
Beautiful.
Clear Caribbean water, white sand, and a floatie were pretty much all I needed.
Food & Drinks at Mambo Beach
Another benefit of choosing a developed beach like Mambo is that you don’t have to pack up every time someone gets hungry.
Our server came directly to our chairs, so we ordered food and drinks without abandoning our very important beach responsibilities.
I went with a mango margarita because, well, it was my birthday.
Rhys discovered chicken and waffles.
I don’t remember exactly what everyone else ordered, but I do remember that nobody complained, which with three boys should probably count as a five-star review.
Is Mambo Beach Curaçao Worth Visiting?
Yes, but it depends on what kind of Curaçao beach day you’re looking for.
If I wanted a quiet, secluded beach surrounded by nothing but Curaçao’s gorgeous landscape, Mambo wouldn’t necessarily be my first choice. There are other beaches on the island that are better for that.
But if you want an easy, comfortable beach day with everything right there, Mambo is a great choice.
You have calm water for swimming, chairs and shade, food and drinks delivered to you, plus restaurants and shopping just steps away at Mambo Beach Boulevard. It’s particularly convenient for families or anyone who wants to spend an entire day at the beach without hauling half their house along with them.
For my birthday?
It was exactly what I wanted.
A floatie. A Kindle. Caribbean water. A mango margarita.
Forty-five wasn’t looking too bad.
