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Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #curacao — you may see them right here. For a taste of the real Curacao, explore the capital and stop at local eateries like Plaza Bieu, Trio Penotti or La Boheme. At spots like these, you'll find a storm of local flavors reflective of the cultural mix. Try kabritu, curried goat stew, or ayaka, meat-filled tamales wrapped in banana leaves.
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Take it easy lounging on the sparkling white sand, or get your heart rate up with a friendly game of beach tennis. This Caribbean islands trifecta is famous for embracing different cultures and having some of the most iconic vistas in the tropics. Aruba is famous for its lively Caribbean spirit, while Bonaire is known for its quiet and remote vibe, and Curacao has colorful architecture and picture-perfect beaches.
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Go, learn, touch, play, or feed marine life such as sea lions, nurse and lemon sharks, stingrays, and dolphins. You can also spend some time hanging out with the sea urchins, stars, and cucumbers at the touch tanks. Curacao has an intriguing history made up sad tales of enslavement, colonial wars, and piracy. Two museums of interest in the island are the Kura Hulanda and the Savonet Museum. Other budding shopping scenes in Curacao are found at Breedestraat in Punda and the renaissance mall in Otrabanda.
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Vehicle travel is on the right-hand side of the road so for most North American travelers you won’t need to get your feet wet trying to drive on the other side of the road. Bus schedules and routes are found within the city and at both ports. Transportation called “collective” cars and vans are easy to catch to bus you around the island, however it is important to make sure the license plates for these vehicles says “bus” on them. Cruise ships pull into the Santa Anna Bay, a narrow and very deep channel.
The beach offers secure parking, showers, restrooms, and the option to rent a locker for safeguarding your valuables. This means that you walk straight into the hustle and bustle of the capital city when embarking the ship. The districts of Punda, Otrobanda, Pietermaai en Scharloo are just 5-15 minute walk from the Mega Pier Cruise Terminal. Curaçao, a kaleidoscope of cultural heritage and natural wonders, offers cruisers a unique Caribbean experience. Curaçao’s cruise port acts as your gateway to an island brimming with cultural riches, historical landmarks, and natural wonders. The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise shiparrivals from all major cruise lines.
Willemstad, Curacao Cruise Port Guide Info
Do you want to skip the crowds at the beach and local restaurants and have some time for yourself and your family? So, when you want to enjoy the water on your own, this private yacht will give you a whole boat to yourself and some time to relax and enjoy the water. There, you will get into your safari jeep cruiser and head to the open plains of the desert areas of the island. With a guide to tell you all about the island’s vegetation and yearly climate, you will learn about the island as you drive around and see the main areas of Curacao on your way to your final destination. After a short ride to the Ostrich Farm, you will take a jeep safari ride through the different life stages of an ostrich from birth to adult. On this farm, you will also get the chance to spot crocodiles, pigs, and monkeys, and get to spend time at the gift shop to purchase a unique souvenir to remember the trip.
Learn this and more interesting history about the Jews of Curacao at the Jewish Museum adjoined to the synagogue. One of the greatest attractions in Curacao is the Queen Emma Bridge connecting the two opposite districts on St. Anna Bay. This quintessential old world bridge is the only functional pontoon bridge remaining in the world.
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There are plenty of fish to see here, especially along the rugged cliffs. Some green sea turtles can also be spotted in the middle part of the sloping sea bed. Adjoined to Christoffel National Park is Shete Boka Park, a rugged north coast stretch with dramatic headlands jutting out into the sea forming nice little coves. Shete Boka, meaning seven inlets, is a natural wonder that has some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Curacao.
Culture and History of Curaçao
It took hundreds of thousands of years for the Hato Caves to form, and today these coral limestone wonders are one of Willemstad’s most popular natural attractions. Learn the history and tall tales of the Hato Caves on a guided tour, then meander the trails and cactus garden in the park nearby. Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the calm waters at Mambo Beach are perfect for swimming. On cruises to Curaçao, visit the shops along Mambo Beach Boulevard and unwind with a refreshing piña-colada.
In Scharloo, you’ll notice cool buildings with a mix of architectural styles, like Art Deco, Baroque, Dutch Colonial, all with a touch of Caribbean vibes. Wandering through the streets of Otrobanda immerses you in the sights, sounds, and scents of daily life in Curaçao. The enticing smell of freshly-baked pastechi wafts from local batido trucks, complemented by the lively chatter of locals that fills the air.
Bonaire has a whooping 22 beaches to discover and the island offers soft sand beaches as well as rugged coastline. Atlantis Beach is ideal for kiteboarders, white-sand seekers and those looking for a long beach stroll while Te Amo Beach has tranquil waters with a sandy shoreline and great snorkeling nearby. Playa Chikitu, which is located inside the Washington Slagbaai National Park, is a remote cove with white sand dunes, luminescent waters and sea turtle nests. Be careful there because the currents are strong and swimming is not allowed. The national park spreads over 10 km/6 miles of Curacao’s north shore known for its rugged coastline and dramatic cliffs hanging over the series of caves.
The Curacao Maritime museum in Scharloo will show you all 500 years of harbor history. After crossing the Queen Emma Bridge, you can see the famous Handelskade. Make sure to eat some traditional Curacao food in one of the best Curacao restaurants in Willemstad.
Take a tour of the lighthouse and the rustic shipwreck which makes for great views and interesting attraction respectively. Afterward, you can have lunch at the restaurant on the premises or head over to the sea aquarium beach for a sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling session. The aquarium charges $21 per adult and $11 per child ages 5-12 years old.
It is simply decorated inside and also houses a Fort Church Museum where you can learn about the island’s culture and the history of the Protestant community of Curacao. There’s plenty of shopping in Curacao to satisfy your craving for retail therapy. Rif Fort in Willemstad is a converted fort that now houses boutiques, shops, and galleries, while Mambo Bay Boulevard is a popular shopping hub for souvenirs and beachy goods. The Punda District is a gold mine for duty-free stores, known for shops with the latest designer goods, fragrances, jewelry, and locally made art. Interact with sea lions, dolphins, and flamingos in their habitats at the Curaçao Sea Aquarium, where marine experts take you behind the scenes on incredible encounters for all ages. Descend into a chamber nearly 20 feet below and gaze into the deep blue sea from Ocean Lens Curaçao, a once-in-a-lifetime guided tour.
You should also visit the Hato Caves, which has stalactites, stalagmites, underground lakes and waterfalls. For beaches, Cas Abao, Playa Lagun, Playa Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara Beach all offer white sandy shores great for swimming, snorkeling or just lounging. Convenience is key, especially for those with limited time to spend on the island. We will highlight a couple of popular beaches that are conveniently located near the cruise port, allowing passengers to easily access the sun, sand, and sea without extensive travel. If your ship does happen to come in on a Sunday, don’t worry too much as many stores and activities will open on those occasions to help bring in the tourism. One of the first things cruise ship passengers will learn about visiting Willemstad is how to use the pedestrian Queen Emma Bridge.
Over the last years, numerous colonial-style structures have been restored and painted with vibrant depictions of typical Curaçao scenes on their facades. We love to explore them whenever we walk through the neighbourhood and it’s in my opinion a must when strolling around Willemstad. The area offers a vibrant atmosphere with Curaçao markets, local boutiques, and charming cafes along narrow streets, providing a diverse range of items from fashion to (locally crafted) souvenirs. Included in the schedule are specifics about the types of ships that embark the port of Willemstad. You’ll find information on the different vessels, from expansive cruise liners to charming boutique ships and opulent luxury vessels.
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