If you need a warm non-expensive getaway than Curaçao is calling your name. I went with two of my girl friends to Netherland Antilles aka Curaçao. Jet blue has some awesome vacation packages that are super cheap!

We stayed in the Curaçao Marriot beach Resort and Emerald Casino (UPDATE: its closed).  But I would recommend Sunscape All inclusive Resort OR Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort. I highly recommend renting a car. I think it made our trip that much better and we were able to freely do what we wanted.

Take a joy ride to Grote Knip Curacao. It’s this small beach on the west side of the island that’s opened to the public. The water is stunning and its a perfect place to relax.

Two words: Klein Curacao. Klein Curacao is basically an uninhabited island off of Curacao that has the most stunning white sandy beaches you’ll ever see. I recommend booking with Bounty Adventures. You drive to the starting point which has parking available across the street and you take a 2 hour catamaran trip to the most stunning island. We went snorkeling with turtles and had an amazing BBQ and unlimited alcohol :).  The pictures speak for itself…

If you’re not staying at an all inclusive resort (sunscape I believe is the only one) I suggest driving into town (10 minutes) and going to some restaurants there. There is a movable walking bridge called Queen Emma Bridge that you cross by foot to get to the other side of the town (Punda). Just remember.. it’s a bridge.. therefore boats tend to pass every so often. We were casually walking down the bridge taking pictures ofcourse and heard a faint bell and suddenly we saw people running but we didn’t understand why. We see in the distance the bridge is starting to separate from the platform and we jetted for our lives and ended up jumping from the bridge to the platform. Worse case scenario is you get stuck on the bridge for like 20 minutes with nowhere to go.. so just pay attention and walk fast if a boat is coming! While the bridge is separated there is a ferry that takes you from one side to another every 5 minutes which is nice.

Tips For Curacao:
1. Rent a car
2. Go to Town and DONT get stuck on the floating bridge…
3. Go to Grote Knip Beach
4. Trip to Klein Curacao is a must
5. Do an excursion to the Blue Room
6. They accept USD everywhere other than for parking in town you need their currency

Restaurant Recommendations:
1. Gouverneur De Rouville (has amazing appetizers and cheap happy hour)
2. Seabreeze Swim up bar and restaurant

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Ever woke up one morning and was like to yourself, “Hey lets go to Brazil?” Okay maybe that’s just me..

Randomly saw a good deal on Travelocity one morning to Rio De Janeiro and decided why not. My boyfriend and our two friends booked our vacation package and we were on our way to Miramar Windsor Hotel in Copacabana.

You can’t go to Rio with out seeing Christ the Redeemer. We booked our tour on Viator and were on our way. We weren’t so lucky with the weather that day it was cloudy/rainy but that didn’t stop us from having a good time!

We took a trip that we booked through our hotel to Tijuka Forest which had sick views and cool waterfalls.

I highly recommend taking a day trip to Armação dos Búzios aka Buzios. It’s basically an upscale vacation destination in a super cute beach town. We booked our tour on viator that included a long drive, a Booze cruise, and enjoying free time on the beach/ town of Buzios.

Tips for Brazil:
1. you NEED a visa if you’re traveling from the United States. Be aware it may take over a month to get an appointment at the consulate so plan accordingly!!
2. Many people didn’t speak English but it was totally fine even at restaurants
3. Its NOT as dangerous as people say it is… I felt perfectly fine just be smart and be safe 🙂
4. I would exchange some money to their currency but places do take Credit Cards
5. Get Havianas for super cheap 🙂
6. Because of the conversion things are super cheap and you can eat like kings
7. If you’re into art they have sick art work in street markets all around
8. Look into going to Arrial De Cabo (We didn’t go but looks AMAZING)
9. My only regret was not going hangliding.. until we meet again RIO

Restaurant/Bar Recommendations:
1. CT Boucherie
2. Meza Bar
3. Gero
4. Deck Lounge Bar
5. Bar Urca
6. Arena Copacabana Hotel
7. Via Sete
8. Zaza
9. Braseriro da Gavea