Buggy Tour (UTV): drive yourself along Curaçao’s west coast
This isn’t a tour where you sit in the back. On the UTV Expedition you get behind the wheel of your own 2-person buggy (UTV, Utility Terrain Vehicle) and drive, guided by a multilingual guide, along Curaçao’s west coast: past the flats of San Pedro, past a hidden cave, to Boca Patrick, with a swim stop at Daai Booi.
Drive yourself along the west coast
The UTV Expedition takes 4 hours and departs daily at 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM, with an optional transfer from most hotels. Looking for a trip to Christoffel National Park, guided and without driving yourself? That’s the Jeep Safari Adventure.
San Pedro
The tour starts across the open flats of San Pedro, on Curaçao’s west coast, the first stretch where you get used to steering the buggy.
Boca Patrick
One of the stops the provider lists.
Swim stop at Daai Booi
At Daai Booi, a beach on the west coast, there’s a swim stop.
What is a buggy tour (UTV) in Curaçao?
A UTV, short for Utility Terrain Vehicle, is a 2-person buggy where you sit side-by-side, with your own steering wheel, gas and brake. That’s the difference with an ATV or quad, which you straddle like a motorcycle. On the UTV Expedition you drive yourself, while a multilingual guide leads the group over unpaved terrain.
That makes this tour different from a jeep tour such as the Jeep Safari Adventure or the Jeep & Snorkel Adventure: on a jeep tour you sit in a larger, guided jeep. On the UTV Expedition you drive your own buggy, in a smaller group of vehicles, along a route mapped out for the driving experience itself, not primarily for a visit to the national park.
Self-drive or guided? Exploring Curaçao’s west coast
Curaçao has several ways to explore its unpaved interior. The difference is in who drives, which vehicle you use, and which area you see.
| UTV Expedition | ATV Expedition | Jeep Safari Adventure | Jeep & Snorkel Adventure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | West coast: San Pedro, cave, Boca Patrick, Daai Booi | East coast: aloe vera plantation near Sint Joris, hills, caves, north side | Christoffel National Park (Bandabou, west) | Sint Joris Bay, Dinah Veeris Garden, Director’s Bay |
| Vehicle | 2-person UTV/buggy | Quad (1 or 2-person) | Open 4x4 jeep | Open 4x4 jeep |
| Self-drive? | Yes, driver 21+ with license | Yes, valid driver’s license required | No, guided | No, guided |
| Snorkeling included | No | No | No | Yes, at Director’s Bay |
| Duration | 4 hours | 3 to 3.5 hours | Full day, about 7 hours | About 4 hours |
| Price | USD 229 per UTV (max 2 guests) | USD 118 (1p) / USD 177 (2p) | USD 119 per person | USD 85 per person |
| Departure | Optional transfer from most hotels, 8:00 AM/1:00 PM | Ask Eric’s ATV for the departure point, 9:00 AM/2:00 PM | Pickup at most hotels | Pickup at most hotels, before 9:00 AM |
In short: want to drive yourself on the west coast in a small, nimble buggy? This is the tour. Prefer to drive yourself on the east side? That’s the ATV Expedition. Want to see Christoffel National Park specifically, guided and without driving yourself? That belongs to the Jeep Safari Adventure. Want to combine off-roading with snorkeling on the east side? That’s the Jeep & Snorkel Adventure.
Practical info UTV Expedition
Everything worth knowing before your tour.
The route: from San Pedro to Daai Booi
These are the parts of the route the provider lists.
San Pedro
The provider lists the flats of San Pedro, on Curaçao’s west coast, as part of the route.
The hidden cave
Along the way you stop at a hidden cave.
Boca Patrick
Boca Patrick is one of the stops the provider lists.
Swim stop at Daai Booi
At Daai Booi, a beach on the west coast, there’s a swim stop. Wear your swimwear under your clothes and you’re ready to get in the water.
Tips for your buggy adventure
- Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy sports shoes, no flip-flops.
- Apply sunscreen before you leave, most of the route is in open sun.
- Bring swimwear under your clothes for the stop at Daai Booi, plus a towel.
- Bring your ID or driver’s license, required for the driver.
- Bring cash for any extra drinks or snacks along the way.
- Bring extra water in addition to the bottle that’s included.
From 3 Palabrua to the west coast
Staying in Curaçao? Check out Aqualife 3 Palabrua, a vacation villa directly on the Spanish Water in Jan Sofat. The operator offers an optional transfer from most hotels; arrange pickup from the villa with the operator in advance. Back from an afternoon of driving yourself along the west coast, you’re quickly back at the water by your own villa to unwind.
Frequently asked questions about the UTV Expedition
Practical questions before you book this tour.
What’s the difference between the UTV Expedition and the Jeep Safari to Christoffel National Park?
What’s the difference between a UTV and an ATV?
Do I need a driver’s license for the UTV Expedition?
Can I ride along without driving myself?
Is the UTV Expedition suitable for children?
How much does the UTV Expedition cost?
What time does the tour leave, and will I be picked up?
Book your stay on the Spanish Water
Plan your adventure in Curaçao from a villa right on the water.
Book directOr via Booking.com / Micazu
