Courtney - 417 Travel

A day on excursion in Curaçao with my wellness group 🇨🇼🌿

One of my favorite days from hosting my wellness group in Curaçao was a full island excursion that showed us just how much this destination has to offer.

We started at the National Park water cave and blowhole, which felt completely different from the beaches. More rugged, natural, and a reminder of how diverse the island really is.

From there, we explored Turtle Beach for snorkeling, and getting in the water with sea turtles was such a surreal moment. Calm, clear water and one of those experiences you don’t forget. One of the sea turtles even swam right up and touched me.

We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant, Playa Forti, which is always one of my favorite parts of any day like this. Fresh, simple, and so good. Full fresh fish and great drinks. Plus, you can go cliff jumping there—some of our group did!

Later we made our way to the Curaçao distillery tour where we got to learn (and taste) a bit of the island’s history.

We ended the day shopping in the Willemstad markets, which are full of color, local vendors, and so much personality.

What I loved most is that it never felt rushed. It was the perfect balance of exploring, experiencing, and still having space to just enjoy the moment.

This is what wellness travel looks like to me. Not just slowing down, but actually experiencing a place in a meaningful way

Curaçao vs Aruba 🇨🇼🇦🇼

I get asked this a lot, and honestly, they’re more similar than different. Both are beautiful Dutch Caribbean islands with European influence, reliable weather, gorgeous beaches, and that easy Caribbean vacation feel.

The biggest difference?

Curaçao feels more like the hidden gem.

Aruba is the island everyone knows, so it tends to be more crowded and often a bit more expensive, especially during peak travel times. It’s also usually easier to get to since it’s more popular and has more direct flight options.

Curaçao feels a little less discovered. It’s more relaxed, less crowded, and has a really fun mix of Caribbean culture and Dutch-European architecture. Willemstad looks like a postcard with its colorful buildings right along the water, and the island feels great for exploring beyond just the resort.

The beaches in Curaçao are also more tucked-away coves with unbelievably clear blue water that almost doesn’t look real.

One thing to know with Curaçao is that flights can sometimes take a little more planning. Depending on where you’re flying from, you may need to get more creative to avoid overnight layovers or double connections.

Both islands are beautiful… it really just depends if you want the more popular classic or the hidden gem 🇦🇼🇨🇼

I love Mexico. You really can’t beat the service. Your drink is never empty, the staff is smiling, and they genuinely go above and beyond. It’s honestly one of my favorite all-inclusive destinations.

Mexico also has a lot of variety, which is part of what makes it so popular. Everything from family-friendly resorts to adults-only to very adults-only, plus budget-friendly spring break spots and high-end luxury. There’s truly something for almost everyone, which is why the deals are often so good.

The downside is that because it’s so easy to get to and has so many options, it can start to feel a little familiar if you go often.

That’s where Jamaica feels different.

It’s still relatively accessible compared to some smaller Caribbean islands, and you get those beautiful Blue Mountains, great coffee, and really good food. But the experience feels more laid-back and less structured.

The locals are friendly in a different way too. In Mexico, they want to give you the best possible experience, and you can tell everyone takes real pride in their job. In Jamaica, locals feel more like friends than service providers. They’re warm, relaxed, and genuinely happy to connect. They share their secrets, their humor, and their rum freely.

So what does it actually cost to go to Jamaica? 🇯🇲✈️

Here are two really solid summer deals right now from STL:

🌴 Riu Palace Aquarelle (Family Friendly)
📅 July 13–18
✈️ Roundtrip Southwest flights included
💰 Starting around $1,850 per person

Great for travelers wanting a fun all-inclusive atmosphere, beautiful beach time, and a more social resort vibe.

OR

🌴 Couples Swept Away (Adults Only)
📅 July 13–18
✈️ Roundtrip Southwest flights included
💰 Starting around $1,900 per person

Perfect if you want a more laid-back, adults-only Jamaica experience with one of the best beaches in Negril and a more relaxed atmosphere overall.

Jamaica has such a fun energy to it. Beautiful beaches, great food, warm locals, rum punch, and plenty to do if you want to explore outside the resort too.

Travel protection is not included but can absolutely be added.

Message me if you want details, room options, or help deciding which resort is the better fit for your travel style 🇯🇲