Courtney - 417 Travel

Let’s talk about Curaçao 🇨🇼✨

I felt like I was on another planet. The water is insanely clear and bright blue in a way photos don’t even do justice.

It’s one of those islands that surprises people. Locals learn multiple languages in school (often 4–7), so there’s essentially no language barrier, which makes getting around really easy and comfortable.

Curaçao is also very LGBTQ+ friendly and has a really welcoming, open feel overall.

It’s a Dutch Caribbean island, so you’ll notice the European-influenced architecture, especially in Willemstad, which is colorful, charming, and honestly one of the cutest port areas I’ve ever seen.

Another big plus: it’s outside the main hurricane belt, which gives it a different kind of year-round stability compared to other Caribbean destinations.

It’s also super easy to rent a car and explore on your own, which I highly recommend if you go. The beaches, coves, and viewpoints are all over the island and worth getting out to see.

Memorial Day weekend always feels like the unofficial start of summer ☀️

This is usually the weekend where everyone starts thinking about beach trips, long weekends, pool days, and finally taking that vacation they’ve been talking about for months.

Airports get busier, summer energy kicks in, and people start realizing how fast this year is already moving.

Whether you’re traveling somewhere fun this weekend or just enjoying some extra time at home with family and friends, I hope you get a chance to relax and enjoy it ❤️

Jamaica tips people don’t think about 🇯🇲⬇️

Get off the resort.

The island is beautiful, there is so much to see and do, and the locals are incredibly welcoming. Some of my favorite moments in Jamaica were outside of the resort.

Bring cash in smaller bills. It makes things easier for small purchases, tips, and local stops along the way.

And choose your resort location intentionally. Jamaica isn’t one-size-fits-all, and where you stay can completely change the feel of your trip depending on what you want out of it.

Jamaica has a lot more to offer than just the resort itself, and it’s worth experiencing both sides.