When you think of Curaçao, you probably immediately imagine pearl-white beaches, azure blue seawater and the colorful Willemstad. But did you know the island also has a surprisingly rich animal world? In fact, Curaçao even has its own Big Five! From impressive birds of prey and curious iguanas to lightning-fast lizards and elegant pelicans, the nature on Curaçao is more diverse than you might expect. Thanks to the dry, sunny climate and varied landscape, many animals feel right at home here. In this article, I’ll tell you all about Curaçao’s Big Five and other animals I encountered during my stay on the island.
Flamingo
The flamingo is perhaps the most iconic animal of Curaçao. You can admire these graceful birds in the salt pans located in various places across the island. I personally spot flamingos at the Jan Kok salt pans, along the Weg naar Sint Willibrordus and at the salt pans of Sint Michiel, along the Weg naar Bullenbaai. You can also encounter the elegant flamingo at the Jan Thiel salt pans.
Iguana
The iguana (Iguan) is another common animal on Curaçao. You can find this large lizard all over the island, often lying on a rock or wall enjoying the sun. The iguana is a herbivore and plays an important role in the island’s ecosystem, partly by helping to spread seeds. These lizards can grow quite large, so it’s always impressive to see one slowly sliding by. During my stay on Curaçao, I encountered iguanas in the most unexpected places—even right outside the door of our hotel room at the Livingstone Jan Thiel Beach Resort.
Sea turtle
Curaçao is a perfect island to spot sea turtles (Tartaruga). One of the easiest places to see them is Playa Grandi, where fishermen throw the scraps of their catch into the water. The turtles are attracted to this food source. Unfortunately, this has become quite a tourist attraction. If you want to see sea turtles truly in their natural environment, without them being lured and you’re willing to take the time for it, go snorkeling at Daaibooi Beach or Playa Lagun; turtles are regularly spotted there.
Wild goat
The wild goat (Kabritu) lives on Curaçao in rocky and mountainous areas, mainly on the north and west sides of the island. They are usually found in the rougher terrain, where they can easily hide among the stones and rock formations. The wild goat is a strong and agile species that has well adapted to the sometimes harsh conditions on the island. During my explorations around the island, I came across wild goats several times searching for food in the bushes and shrubs, often along the roadside.
Caracara
The Caracara is a true symbol of Curaçao’s rugged wilderness. This falcon-like bird is often spotted in open areas on the island, where it has a good vantage point. Caracaras are scavengers, but they also catch small animals when given the chance. With their sharp eyes, they can even detect the slightest movements on the ground from the air.
Other animals on Curaçao
The characteristic animals mentioned above belong to what is called the Big Five of Curaçao, but the local fauna is much more diverse than that. Due to the dry, sunny climate with little rain and many open, rocky areas, Curaçao is an ideal habitat for animals that tolerate heat well and need little water. Many species have perfectly adapted to these conditions over time. As a result, you’ll find a surprising variety of birds, reptiles and other animals on the island, both on land and along the coast.
Brown pelican
The brown pelican is a majestic presence along the coast of Curaçao. With its huge beak, distinctive throat pouch and broad wings, you can’t miss this seabird when it’s nearby. Pelicans often fly low over the water searching for fish. Once they spot prey, they perform a spectacular dive into the water to scoop up a fish with their beak. You often see pelicans near fishing harbors and on rocky outcrops along the coast. I personally spot the brown pelican at places like Karakter and the beautiful beaches Playa Kalki and Kokomo Beach.
Troupial
The troupial (trupial) is one of the most colorful and striking songbirds on the island. With a bright orange/yellow chest, black head and white spots on its wings, the bird is easy to recognize. The troupial has a loud, melodious song that you’ll immediately hear when it’s nearby. I often encounter this yellow bird at popular dining spots on Curaçao, especially along the coast, such as at Koko’s and Karakter.
Lizard
Curaçao is home to many different species of lizards, some of which are endemic, while others have easily adapted to the island’s climate. When you’re walking, you’ll hear rustling in the bushes all around you. Lizards on Curaçao are truly everywhere! When the whiptail lizard gets threatened, it darts lightning-fast across rocks or sandy paths. Another common species is the house gecko, a small, light-colored nocturnal creature often found on walls and ceilings. The anole is a small lizard, often green to brown in color, with a distinctive throat pouch, which you regularly see on walls, branches or among bushes in nature.
