It really depends on what you are looking for in a beach or island. We, as a family, don't lie on the beach, we snorkel, we race each other to various points and and back (2 current competetive swim kids, and one former one) we climb on the rocks looking at marine life and lizards, we kayak, etc. If you are looking for a white sand beach stretching miles in either direction with a pool boy bringing you drinks, this is not the island for you. We don't stay at our hotel and eat hotel food, we drive around exploring, eating and getting out anywhere that looks interesting. We DO NOT SHOP. I'm a little hesitant to reccomend Curacao to a typical American tourist, or even a family with kids the same ages as mine, because even though mine have been begging to go back for the last year and a half, and voted for MArriott Curacao over Marriott Wailea/Maui for Thanksgiving despite the water slides, I'm not sure they are typical.