Jan Thiel lagun or up, to Seaquarium

Last update: due to building some trails are gone. But when you start the hike from Jan Thiel, there is a trail to Seaquarium. Halfway, you can leave that trail and also hike around the saltpans.

Like the Salt Pans of Jan Kok, the Jan Thiel Laguna has a large group of flamingos. The laguna is not on a main road, but a very popular footpath along the coast (from Seaquarium to Jan Thiel Beach) brings you to the salt pans of Jan Thiel. From there you can start to go around the laguna.

You can also start your hike from Bottelier or from The road to Jan Thiel beach. The trail around the laguna is nice and doable in any season, but in the wet season there may be places that get too muddy. In that case you have to climb the rocks to avoid the wet trail or you have to turn back to where you came from.

Plantation house Jan Thiel: Curaçao Monuments

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From Seaquarium to Jan Thiel Beach, there is a rather difficult trail along the coast. Lots of climbing and jumping there! See pictures above.

From Bottelier there is a small trail to the plantation house Jan Thiel; from there you can go on to the east side of the Jan Thiel laguna.

The Jan Thiel Laguna is always beautiful. There is a cooling breeze and little waves whisper at your feet. There are many side trails you can choose from. All offer nice views.

Jan Kok

 Pelican

 Light tower Rif Sint Marie

Saltpans of Jan Kok - View of church of Willibrordus

Looking back to Jan Kok

The Pipe!

Ruin of Rif Sint Marie

Trail along the Saltpans

Jan Kok Plantation House

The Jan Kok laguna (with salt pans) is famous for its flamingos. You can see the birds from the main road. In the wet season (that can be any time, but mostly from November till January) the trail may be muddy and slippery.
We do all trails in the evening. It gets cooler along the way and the setting sun guaranties beautiful pictures.
Guess what! Walking along the salt pans makes you very thirsty. Bring at least one liter of drinking water! (You always have to bring a sufficient suply of water of course)

At Plantation house Jan Kok you can have snacks and drinks. Open from 10 am - 6 pm. Closed on Mondays.

Trail along Bullenbaai

Bullenbaai

Bullenbaai

Trail Tip1: Walk around the laguna. To keep the sun out of your eyes, better start at the South end. You find it in Willibrordus, at the left side of the road, just after passing the Richenel bar (closed).
(Ask locals for the right starting point) You 'll see the ruined plantation house Rif Sint Mari, you'll do part of the trail on the West side of Bullenbaai. Turn left after balancing over a big pipe that covers the outlet of the laguna. Follow the trail to the main road, where you will end up in the little restaurant-bar for a cool local beer! (You were on your feet for about two and a half hours). Walk back (at the left side of the road) to your car that you left at the roadside near the plantation house Jan Kok. It will be dark by then...be careful and watch for cars without proper headlights and free roaming donkeys.

Trail Tip2: You can include a walk to Bullenbaai, and back.
Trail Tip3: Go on from the Bullenbaai (going North) and find the new trail, that our hiking club made, to plantation house Hermanus. You will probably get lost and have to push yourself through thorny bushes, but somehow you'll manage to get to the main road. It is fun! It is a while to get back to your car. It will be pitch dark by then. Always bring a pocket light!