Climb Christoffelberg with our tips!
Posted on August 1, 2023
Christoffel National Park and the Christoffel Mountain of the same name can be found on Curaçao ! A welcome change from lazing on the beautiful beaches. The mountain is not very high at 372 meters, but we promise you that the climb is quite challenging. Climb Christoffelberg with our tips, and before you know it you will be enjoying the breathtaking view.
How do you get to the Christoffelberg?
The mountain is located about 40 kilometers from Willemstad. There is a good chance that you will be staying in Willemstad and we would recommend a rental car for your overall stay. There are very few buses between Willemstad and Christoffel National Park. So off by car. From Willemstad it is about a 45-minute drive. You first register at the reception to pay the entrance fee (15 dollars per person) and sign a form in which you agree to the conditions. Then you drive further into the park by car, arriving at the parking lot at the foot of the mountain.
Opening hours
The park opens every day at 6am and closes at 2pm. After ten o'clock it is no longer allowed to climb the Christoffelberg, because it simply becomes too hot. We started the climb just after half past seven. We were back downstairs around half past eight, when it was already quite warm, namely 32 degrees. We therefore recommend that you set off early so that the climb is more manageable.
The climb
We already started this blog with the warning that despite the height of the mountain, the climb is quite tough. Don't expect paved paths, but the fact that in some parts you really have to look carefully at how the route runs. In addition, there are also parts where you have to climb, which can also be a challenge with the descent. We would therefore recommend climbing the Christoffelberg if you have good mobility and are in good condition. Watch this safety video in advance.
The route is indicated with yellow marking points, and it is also indicated when you are halfway there. In an hour to an hour and a half you reach the top, where you have fantastic views and if it is clear you can even see the neighboring island of Bonaire. The route to the parking lot also takes an hour to an hour and a half, given that you have to watch carefully where you are walking! Despite the challenges, we would definitely recommend this hike.
Take
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Backpack
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Plenty of water
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A small snack such as a banana or apple
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Sunburn
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Mosquito repellent
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Closed shoes with sufficient grip
