Boka Spanjo
Curacao

Overview

Boka Spanjo is a remarkably secluded cove on Curaçao’s west flank, accessible only by hiking or by boat from Santa Cruz. The 1-hour trail gains elevation, passes scrubby cliffs, the Blue Room and Boka Hulu, and eventually drops you into a quiet bay with turquoise water and no amenities. There is a dirt road leading to the beach but it's usually closed by a gate so you cannot drive there.

I saw no old plantation ruins on the while hiking to Boka Spanjo despite some guidebooks mentioning them. The landscape is raw: bare rock, coral fragments, and complete silence. On the day I walked it, I passed exactly two other hikers. The value here is in solitude and the sense you’re stepping off the map.

Best time to visit Boka Spanjo

• Time of day: Early morning for calm seas and softer light
• Season: Dry season (January–September) helps keep the trail dry and less slippery
• Weekdays: Better for privacy — fewer hikers or boats
• Weather-wise: Pick days with low swell and minimal wind; avoid after rain

Tips for visiting Boka Spanjo

• Bring extra water — and then more — the trail is exposed and long
• Start from Playa Santa Cruz, not trying any side shortcuts
• Wear shoes with good grip; parts of the coastal ridge are rough
• Go light — every extra kilo you carry up and down will feel heavy
• Carry a phone (if signal holds) and a basic first aid kit

What to bring to Boka Spanjo

• At least 2–3 L of water per person
• Sun protection: hat, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses
• Snorkel gear and mask (there is no rental at the site)
• Lightweight snacks / lunch
• Dry bag or waterproof pouch for valuables
• Basic first aid items
• Comfortable walking shoes

Given its remoteness, the list of activities at Boka Spanjo is a short one. It's basically all about solitude and having your own private beach. Whether you’re hiking, swimming, or just soaking in the view, the Boka Spanjo trail offers one of the most authentic outdoor experiences on the island’s west coast.

Hike the coastal trail from Playa Santa Cruz to Boka Spanjo

The hike to Boka Spanjo starts from Playa Santa Cruz and takes about 60 minutes one way. The coastal trail passes Santu Pretu, the Blue Room and Boka Hulu before continuing another 20 minutes west through dry limestone terrain and cactus forest. It’s a moderate but rewarding trek that reveals Curaçao’s wild side — wind, sea, and raw nature.

Most of the hike is monotonous, with just bushes on both sides and absolutely no shade. There are, however, spots where you can walk to the edge of the cliffs for spectacular views. Along the way, you might spot lizards, seabirds, or even wild goats. Few visitors go beyond Hulu, so the path to Spanjo feels like your own private adventure.

Enjoy the views and coastal photography

The stretch around Boka Spanjo is a dream for landscape photography. From the rocky bluff above the cove, you get panoramic views of Curaçao’s west coast — turquoise shallows, rugged coral cliffs, and endless sky. The morning and late-afternoon light create striking contrasts, making this one of the best photo spots in west Curaçao.

Swim or snorkel when the sea is calm

If the sea is calm, Boka Spanjo is an incredible place to swim or snorkel. The water here is crystal clear, and the steep sides of the cove shelter it from wind. Snorkeling at Boka Spanjo is more limited than at Hulu, but you’ll still see patches of coral and small tropical fish near the rocky edges.

Combine Boka Spanjo with Boka Hulu and the Blue Room

Most hikers combine Boka Spanjo, Boka Hulu, and the Blue Room cave in a single coastal hike from Playa Santa Cruz. The route passes the Blue Room first, then continues along the cliffs to Hulu and finally to Spanjo, the most secluded of the three.

Stop at Hulu or the cave for a swim before tackling the final stretch. Plan at least half a day for the round-trip and bring plenty of water — this is one of the most remote and rewarding trails on Curaçao’s west coast with almost no shade.

Snorkeling at Boka Spanjo is as remote as it gets in Curaçao. The cove sits open to the sea, so conditions depend on wind and swell, but when it’s calm the water is crystal clear and the silence is unreal — just waves echoing off the cliffs.

Where to snorkel: the best spots at Boka Spanjo

Enter from the middle of the beach, then follow the cliffs on either side. The right side has more coral and rock ledges, while the left offers an easier, calmer entry. The reef starts close to shore, so you don’t need to swim far.

What you will see underwater

Expect parrotfish, trumpetfish, and damselfish gliding over patches of brain coral and colorful sponges. It’s not the most vibrant reef in Curaçao, but the water clarity and total quiet make it a special spot for a quick, refreshing snorkel.

Best time to snorkel at Boka Spanjo

• Morning: Calmest water and best visibility
• Dry season (Jan–Sep): Clear seas and dry trails
• Avoid windy days: Waves can surge against the cliffs
• Midday: Great light for underwater color

Safety tips and snorkeling guide

• Enter from the sandy center; avoid the rocks on both sides
• Stay close to shore — it drops off fast
• Skip it on windy or rough days
• Bring a buddy, there are no lifeguards
• Use a bright float if you swim outside the cove

Snorkel gear rental at Boka Spanjo

There are no rentals at Boka Spanjo. Bring your own gear or rent it in Willemstad or Playa Santa Cruz before starting the hike. Some local boat trips to the Blue Room and Hulu also include snorkeling gear.

My personal honest opinion

I wouldn’t hike to Boka Spanjo just for snorkeling, but if the sea is calm, jumping in after the long walk is the perfect reward. Floating alone in clear turquoise water, surrounded by cliffs, feels meditative.

There are no restaurants or bars at Boka Spanjo, and none along the hiking trail either. The nearest spot for food or drinks is Captain Goodlife at Playa Santa Cruz, where you can grab grilled fish, a cold drink, or join a boat trip to Hulu, the Blue Room, and Spanjo.

If you’re staying nearby in Jan Donker or Soto, you’ll find a few small local eateries and cafés serving Curaçaoan dishes like stewed goat, fried fish, or pumpkin pancakes — simple, authentic, and perfect after a long hike.

There are no hotels or resorts anywhere near Boka Spanjo — the area is completely undeveloped. The closest options are small guesthouses and Airbnbs in Jan Donker and Soto, both about a 15–20-minute drive from Playa Santa Cruz, where the trail to Boka Spanjo begins.

These are simple but comfortable places to stay, with a local feel and easy access to Curaçao’s wild west coast. They’re ideal if you want peace, privacy, and an early start for hiking to the Blue Room, Boka Hulu and Boka Spanjo before the heat sets in.

Boka Spanjo lies on Curaçao’s remote west coast, west of Boka Hulu and about a 60–75 minute hike from Playa Santa Cruz. There’s no road access, so you’ll need to hike or arrive by boat from Santa Cruz.

From the cruise port (Mega Pier Cruise Terminal, Otrobanda)

You can drive yourself or take a taxi to Playa Santa Cruz, then follow the hiking trail past the Blue Room and Boka Hulu to reach Boka Spanjo. Boat trips from Santa Cruz may also stop at the cove when seas are calm.

How far is Boka Spanjo from the cruise port?

• Distance: ~36 km (22 miles) to Playa Santa Cruz trailhead
• Driving time: 40–45 minutes (plus 60–75 minutes hike)
• Taxi fare: Around $60–$80 USD

From the airport (Curaçao International Airport — Hato, CUR)

From the airport, you can rent a car or take a taxi to Playa Santa Cruz, then continue on foot or by boat. There is no public transport to Santa Cruz or Boka Spanjo.

How far is Boka Spanjo from the airport?

• Distance: ~30–32 km (19–20 miles)
• Driving time: 35–40 minutes (plus 60–75 minutes hike)
• Taxi fare: Around $50–$80 USD

From Willemstad

You can drive or hire a taxi west along Weg Naar Westpunt to Playa Santa Cruz, then hike the coastal trail past Hulu to reach Spanjo.

How far is Boka Spanjo from Willemstad?

• Distance: ~36 km (22 miles)
• Driving time: 40–45 minutes (plus 60–75 minutes hike)
• Taxi fare: Around $60–$80 USD

From Westpunt

It’s a short, scenic drive southeast to Playa Santa Cruz, passing beaches like Playa Lagun and Playa Jeremi. From there, hike past Boka Hulu to reach Spanjo.

How far is Boka Spanjo from Westpunt?

• Distance: ~16 km (10 miles)
• Driving time: 20–25 minutes (plus 60–75 minutes hike)
• Taxi fare: Around $30–$40 USD

From Sint Michiel

You can drive or take a taxi west through Bullenbaai and Soto to Playa Santa Cruz, then hike along the coast to Hulu and continue to Spanjo.

How far is Boka Spanjo from Sint Michiel?

• Distance: ~27 km (17 miles)
• Driving time: 30–35 minutes (plus 60–75 minutes hike)
• Taxi fare: Around $50–$65 USD

From Jan Thiel

Drive or take a taxi through Willemstad, then continue west to Playa Santa Cruz, where the hiking route to Spanjo begins.

How far is Boka Spanjo from Jan Thiel?

• Distance: ~42 km (26 miles)
• Driving time: 50–55 minutes (plus 60–75 minutes hike)
• Taxi fare: Around $70–$90 USD

Taxi to Boka Spanjo

Taxis are easy to find in Willemstad and at major hotels, but none operate near Boka Spanjo. You’ll need to pre-arrange a round trip or have your driver wait at Playa Santa Cruz, as there’s no signal or pickup point at the beach or along the trail.

Approximate taxi fare to Boka Spanjo

• From Willemstad to Playa Sant Cruz: $60–$80
• From Westpunt to Playa Sant Cruz: $30–$40
• From Sint Michiel to Playa Sant Cruz: $50–$65
• From Jan Thiel to Playa Sant Cruz: $70–$90

Public transport to Boka Spanjo

There’s no bus or public transport to Playa Santa Cruz, and certainly none to Boka Spanjo. The only way to visit is by rental car, taxi, or boat, followed by a hike. Check the Curacao bus routes and schedules.

Driving to Boka Spanjo by rental car

Driving is the easiest way to reach the area. Park at Playa Santa Cruz, then follow the coastal trail past Boka Hulu to Boka Spanjo. The final stretch is foot access only.

Parking

Free parking is available at Playa Santa Cruz near the beach entrance. There’s no parking or vehicle access beyond this point.

Boka Spanjo is one of those rare places in Curaçao that still feels completely untouched. It takes time and effort to reach — a long, exposed hike beyond Boka Hulu — but the reward is pure silence, bright turquoise water, and wild coastal scenery. There’s nothing here but nature, which is exactly the point. If you love solitude, hiking, and the raw side of Curaçao’s west coast, Boka Spanjo is one of the island’s last true hidden gems.