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From both the cruise port and the Riffort mall, it’s just a 5- minute walk to the Curaçao Rif Mangrove park, a beautiful piece of nature and a true oasis in the Willemstad city center. The city center is situated within a minute walking distance from the Mega Pier cruise terminal and is easy to reach. Once you exit the terminal area, keep following the path to the famous Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino where you’ll find shopping malls with upscale stores and free Wi-Fi connection. This terminal is situated in Otrobanda and consists of Mega Pier 1 and Mega Pier 2 which can accommodate large cruise ships of all sizes. This is where the major cruise lines and the large cruise ships dock. The Curaçao Cruise Port offers modern facilities and services to accommodate cruise ships of various sizes.
Beach Hopping Tours
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 biggest mountain of the island is called Christoffel mountain. In the park you will find several museums, plantation houses, 3 driving routes and 8 hiking routes. Go for a drive to the rugged coastline to see the waves splashing into the rock, visit the museum that tell the story about slavery or hike all the way to the top of the mountain.
Also visit the cruise port guides for:
In the Renaissance Mall area you have to walk through to get to the city, you’ll find Starbucks and a handful of bars for your choosing. After leaving the Rif Fort area, there are a number of local artists and vendors lined on the waterfront selling small trinkets and souvenirs. Sea Worlds Explorer allows you to explore the corals and marine life of the island. This museum will appeal to history buffs with its documents relating the island’s naval history. Discovered in 1499 by the Spanish, Curacao was taken over by the Dutch in 1634 to establish a naval base. The city of Willemstad, the capital and UNESCO site, is made up of two districts separated by a canal.
Royal Caribbean bypasses CDC with new cruises from Barbados - Cruise Blog
Royal Caribbean bypasses CDC with new cruises from Barbados.
Posted: Wed, 13 Jan 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The Mathey Wharf dock
Punda is one of the most beautiful towns in the world, featuring quaintly colored Amsterdam-like buildings that bear Colonial Dutch, Spanish, and European architecture. Downtown Punda is the scene of folkloric dance, music, art, and you can find a market. During this evening you can enjoy specials in stores and restaurants. There are lots of activities for kids, special happy hours, fireworks, and more! Willemstad’s streets are brimming with street art and murals that capture the essence of typical Curaçaoan scenes.
It is also easy to combine any of these attractions with some time in the sun as both Kontiki and Mambo Beaches are close to the cruise piers. For season 2019, Curacao Ports announced nearly 800,000 cruise tourists are expected to visit the country. Climb aboard an open air jeep for an excursion which provides a personalized tour of the island.
There are several attractions you can visit during your exploration of this picturesque city. If you need a break from the sun and want to learn some more history about the island, there are a number of museums in Willemstad that offer fascinating insight into the backstory of Curacao. One of the most unique things we saw in Willemstad was Lionfish Caribbean.
If you have a full day to explore Curaçao, Mambo Beach is the place to go for some food and sun. Believe it or not, if you think the onboard ship Wi-Fi is expensive for you, it’s even worse for us. There’s also a selection of eateries in the area offering burgers, sushi, pizza, seafood, ice cream (my personal favorite) and more. The closest place to get your first drink in Curaçao is merely a few feet away as soon as you walk off the pier. Cruise and Sea is not responsible for the content of external websites and transactions made on third-party websites.AdFind amazing things to do. Cruise and Sea is not responsible for the content of external websites and transactions made on third-party websites.AdFind unforgettable experiences to discover the world.
Featured Shore Excursions
Bon Bini or welcome to Curacao, where colorful towns, stunning beaches, dramatic coastlines, rich culture, and charming locals all come together. This beautiful diversity ensures you are never short of things to do in Curacao. The best things to do in Curacao for cruise ship travelers in the Caribbean. Coverting tips for the port at Willemstad along with beaches and excursions.
Less than a 5-minute walk from the pontoon bridge, in the Punda quarter, you’ll come across one of the major historic landmarks – the 17th-century Fort Amsterdam. Today, the fort serves as the seat of the government of Curacao, the governor, and the government officials. After you pass through the Renaissance Resort, you’ll reach Rif Fort village, an unusual, seafront shopping complex housed in a restored 19th-century fort.
Drive through the contrasting landscapes of the northwest lush forests of Christoffel mountain and the red sands of the San Pedro plateau. Explore the rural areas of Curacao as you pass by Sint Willibrordus, Flamingos Sanctuary, and Curacao’s plantation houses. There are many options, including Curacao ATV tours, jeep safari excursions, and more. There are amenities such as beach chair and umbrella rentals, a parking lot, and a small kiosk where you can get snacks and refreshments. The Punda Love Hearts are located across the Queen Emma Bridge on the Punda side.
Carrying a little bit of cash for small purchases is recommended, though many major credit cards are accepted. Many restaurants include a “service charge” in your bill, which means that tipping is not required. If the restaurant doesn’t include a service charge, you should leave a 15% to 20% tip. Queen Emma Bridge, also known as “the Swinging Old Lady,” is an attraction unique to Willemstad. Stretch your sea legs on a rejuvenating walk across Queen Emma Bridge, or simply watch as the floating walkway rises and falls to let ferries and sailboats into the harbor from the comfort of a quaint cafe.
This side of town is also where important historical landmarks such as the oldest Jewish synagogue in the Americas and the history-rich fort Amsterdam are found. Walk across its stretch and enjoy the picturesque sites of colorful buildings on either side of the water. Watch as it gracefully swings open to give way to boats, giving it the nickname of the ‘Old Swinging Lady’. 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. The fort, which is now the renaissance mall, still maintains its original fort structure but the interior has been updated with quaint outlets featuring eateries and shops.
The Kura Hulanda Museum is a must-visit when you want to learn more about Curaçao’s slavery history. Stop in at one of the batido trucks and enjoy a cup of fresh blended fruit juice while you take in the sights and sounds of this vibrant neighborhood. For the local experience, I recommend going to Plasa Bieu for lunch. Mambo beach is one of the most popular destinations though, so it shouldn’t take long to get a full van.
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