First Curacao Hostel

First Curacao Hostel is on the site of what was once one of the largest ice cream factories in the Caribbean. The factory was converted into a hotel/hostel combo property in 2004. In 2016, that property split into a separate hotel, The Ritz Village Hotel, and a hostel, First Curacao. Though the hotel and hostel are now run as separate properties instead of one, they still share some common features, such as the pool and pool bar. The property's rainbow-colored buildings have ice-cream-inspired names like “Float” and “Scoop,” and many rooms retain some of the factory’s original features. Exotic statues and sculptures collected by the owners are dotted around the property, further enhancing its unusual charm. Together, First Curacao and Ritz Village feel like a self-contained village. Buildings are arranged around a lovely central courtyard, and there are a few shops along the private “street” leading through the property. While the atmosphere is sociable, experienced backpackers are likely to find the vibe different from a typical hostel -- there are no scheduled activities, and the bar closes early, so it’s not a place for those looking to party. 

The Ritz Village is a good base for sightseeing, with Willemstad’s historic Punda district located less than a 10-minute walk away. The property is also a short walk from the hip Pietermaai district, which is sometimes described as the “SoHo of Curaçao.” There are plenty of conveniences like banks, grocery stores, and a movie theatre accessible on foot. But some guests have noted that the property's street can be seedy at night. The nearest beach is a 12-minute walk away at the Avila Beach Hotel, where guests can pay to access the beach facilities. Mambo (Seaquarium) Beach can be reached in 10 minutes by car. The property is a 15-minute drive from Curaçao International Airport.

Two of The Ritz Village/First Curacao’s 14 buildings are dedicated to hostel rooms. The 44 hostel rooms include four-person (mixed and female-only) and two-person dorms. They're basic and tidy, with brightly painted walls, bunk beds, and either concrete or carpeted floors. Guests are given a towel and set of bed linens at check-in to make up their own bunks. All dorms have air-conditioning, in addition to a good-size locker for each guest. Some also offer desks or tables, but extra furniture varies from room to room. Hostel buildings each have well-maintained shared bathrooms. One has a sink for every shower stall, and there’s a separate washroom for women. In the other, washrooms are mixed, and there’s only a single shared sink. Note that there is no hot water in the showers. Each building also has a shared kitchen. They aren’t particularly practical, equipped with only a microwave, toaster, and limited cookware and cutlery. One has two mini-fridges, while the other has a full-size fridge -- both lack stovetops and ovens.  

First Curacao's lineup of on-site features is quite good for a hostel. There’s a pretty courtyard pool (shared with Ritz Village) flanked by a row of palm trees on one side, and cushy, neon pink loungers on the other. A shallow section has a couple of submerged loungers, and offers a safe place for kids to swim. A separate round, above-ground hot tub is sheltered by a matching pink umbrella, and there's a second hot tub on one of the hostel's rooftops, with a few loungers. The pool area has a little open-air lounge with shelves of books in several different languages, along with kids’ toys and games. There's also a casual thatched-roof eatery that overlooks the pool. Although this is marketed as a restaurant, it's more of a snack bar, with drinks and a small menu. Breakfast is served here for an extra fee. There's also vending machines with snacks, cigarettes, and coffee. The property’s small shopping arcade includes a dive shop and a car rental agency. There’s a minimart that sells a limited selection of food and essentials, and has a self-serve laundry facility (guests can buy tokens for washers and dryers at reception). Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and there’s free self-parking.