What to Do in Curacao From Cruise Ship

Bon Bini or welcome to Curacao, where colorful towns, stunning beaches, dramatic coastlines, rich civilization, and charming locals all come up together. This beautiful diversity ensures yous are never short of things to do in Curacao.

Simply put, it's an island of many charms. Yous can relax on miles and miles of tranquil, serene beaches on its southwest coast or get for adrenaline pumping outdoor pursuits on its northwest coast. If none of that interests you, there is always its glorious colorful town, rich with history, civilization, first-class cuisine, and friendly residents.

All these elements combined produce a long interesting listing of things to do in Curacao only to go along things simple here are the 20 of the best.

Port Data

Curacao's cruise port is plant at the southern point of the island in Willemstad, the capital metropolis of Curacao. Depending on the size of your prowl ship, yous can either dock at the Mega Pier or the smaller cruise terminal, both of which are located on reverse sides of the Sint Anna inlet. This inlet divides the boondocks into two districts, Otrabanda on the west and Punda on the East.

The Mega Pier is for large prowl ships that cannot fit under the Island'southward Queen Juliana Bridge. This pier is located in Otrabanda, and is where y'all are almost likely to dock when cruising with major cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Glory Cruises.

From the cruise transport pier, Willemstad is just a walking distance away.

1. Wander Effectually Willemstad

1 of the prettiest towns you will e'er have the pleasure of visiting is probably Willemstad, Curacao.  Willemstad is the capital city of Curacao and true to Dutch ways, the boondocks is painted in hues of soft cotton fiber candy colors.

The boondocks, whose buildings display a matrimony of Dutch and Spanish architecture, has a rich historical and cultural heritage meriting its UNESCO Globe Heritage recognition.

In this boondocks, you lot tin can explore history past visiting interesting museums and forts, or report intricate compages on an old synagogue and merchant houses. It has 4 quarters but two of the most popular are Punda and Otrabanda, which sit across one some other on the Sint Anna Bay (a narrow inlet that leads to the deep harbor of Schottegat).

I of the well-nigh popular attractions in this part of the city is the Queen Emma bridge that connects these two famous quarters of the island together. Go eat, explore, take pictures at the DUSHI & CURACAO signage, or shop while in Willemstad. You can do it all by foot or tram.

2. Beginning at Otrobanda

Otrobanda, which means the other side, is the newer of the ii districts on St. Anna Bay. This is where your exploration of Curacao begins. Of notable interest is the Rif Fort, which is a stone'due south throw from the cruise pier.

The fort, which is now the renaissance mall, nevertheless maintains its original fort structure but the interior has been updated with quaint outlets featuring eateries and shops. Yous can store, eat, people scout, or simply relax with peachy views of Punda and the harbor as seen from the roof of the fort.

Once out of the fort, wander effectually the colorful streets surrounded past pastel-colored buildings featuring more shopping and eating outlets. Afterward, caput over to Queen Emma'southward bridge to cross over to Punda, considered the livelier side and the heart of Willemstad.

3. See the Pontoon Bridge in Action

Ane of the greatest attractions in Curacao is the Queen Emma Bridge connecting the two reverse districts on St. Anna Bay. This quintessential old world bridge is the merely functional pontoon span remaining in the world.

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 information technology the nickname of the 'Sometime Swinging Lady'.

4. Experience Curacao at Punda

You can't say you lot have been to Curacao if you oasis't toured Punda, the heart of the boondocks. Punda is i of the most beautiful towns in the world, featuring quaintly colored Amsterdam-like buildings that bear Colonial Dutch, Spanish, and European architecture.

This side of boondocks is besides where of import historical landmarks such every bit the oldest Jewish synagogue in the Americas and the history-rich fort Amsterdam are found.

It's no wonder Punda is alleged a UNESCO Earth Heritage centre. You lot become to this side of Willemstad by crossing the Queen Emma Bridge. Become and walk its paved pristine pedestrian-only streets and check out the StreetSide cafes and waterfront outlets that feature everything from quaint shopping stalls to gorgeous eateries to colorful art stores.

Everywhere you become in Punda is a photo waiting to happen. So, keep your camera shut.

5. Visit the Jewish Synagogue

One of the nearly popular attractions in Curacao is the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue. This synagogue, otherwise known every bit Snoa in Portuguese, is the oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere. It was started in 1651.

Within this magnificent synagogue are polished mahogany benches and bema, brilliant chandeliers, an impressive organ, bluish glass windows, and nigh interesting of all, an all sand floor.

The sand floor is said to be a remembrance of the makeshift places of worship filled with sand on the floor that served to mute movement noises every bit Jews prayed during the Jewish persecution era in Europe.

Acquire this and more interesting history well-nigh the Jews of Curacao at the Jewish Museum adjoined to the synagogue. At that place is a $10 entrance fee but it's worth every penny to explore.

6. Check Out the Floating Market

Option up fresh fruit and interact with locals at the floating market place in Punda. This unique market is a h2o-based place where sellers sell fresh fruits and fish from boats. Visit early to get the freshest produce.

Other budding shopping scenes in Curacao are found at Breedestraat in Punda and the renaissance mall in Otrabanda. The picturesque pedestrian-only streets comport quaint waterfront shops selling all manner of trade, including chichi dolls, Dutch cheeses, fine art, clothing, utensils, and handicrafts. Enjoy shopping for unique gifts to carry back home.

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Other pop places to shop include the Sambil Mall which features many food courts and at Salina, 1 of the primary shopping districts of Willemstad.

7. Tour Fort Amsterdam

Curacao has eight forts yet standing. The oldest and most interesting is Fort Amsterdam. It was the first fort built on the isle, back in 1635. Fort Amsterdam is located at the border of Punda guarding the entrance of the harbor and the Sint Anna inlet.

The fort is now a UNESCO world heritage site and bears a lot of the isle's history and heritage. Fort Amsterdam is the seat of the island'due south government and military operations, and features palatial buildings with interesting architectural designs.

It has a beautiful courtyard and an old church with an embedded cannon wall reminiscent of old wars. The fort is worth a visit to explore its dazzler and learn some history. A lot of photo ops are available every bit well.

8. Eat Like a Local

Sample a great selection of Afro-Caribbean area flavors at waterfront restaurants and authentic Curacao restaurants in the heart of Willemstad. Apart from Dutch, Caribbean, African, and Spanish flavors, Curacao has over 50 more international influences in its cuisine, guaranteeing you an unforgettable gastronomical exploration.

A popular place to grab authentic Curacao meals is the Plasa Bieu (old market). Hither, fried plantains, jerk craven, and pumpkin pancakes with savory meat stews brand upwards the carte du jour. The communal style seating allows you to interact with the locals who favor the restaurant for lunchtime meals.

Check these dining tours for Curacao.

In Dutch restaurants, such as Kome, you tin can try cheese-based treats such every bit Keshi Yena which are cheese balls stuffed with spicy meats. Or try foreign meats such as iguana, lionfish, and ostrich meat, which are served in select restaurants on the island.

9. Visit a Museum

Curacao has an intriguing history made upward sad tales of enslavement, colonial wars, and piracy. Visit a museum to learn the island's past. Two museums of interest in the island are the Kura Hulanda and the Savonet Museum.

Kura Hulanda is located in the heart of Willemstad. It showcases the night history of African enslavement and the resultant empowerment of Curacao through the slave trade.

If taking a tour of the wild north to Christoffel Park, then a visit to the Savonet museum is a must. It gives you lot a glimpse into the island's history from 4,000 years ago with a keen interest in plantations, which were once the courage of the island's economic system.

Set in Landhuis, a sometime plantation that ran well into the 20th century, the Savonet museum is based on the plantation's partially restored buildings. It showcases the plantation'southward history through lineage exhibit of the owners and African workers of the plantation.

It's a practiced identify to imagine what life must have been like in the previous centuries and what it meant for different people. There are many interesting artifacts, restored antiques, and photographs that depict the old way of life in Curacao. This is a prissy break away from the beaches that both you and the kids volition enjoy.

10. Explore Curacao'due south Art

Curacao is an island bursting with colors and surrounded past awe-inspiring landscapes. As such information technology makes for the perfect muse for artists. True to this, the isle has enough of art galleries that showcase interesting works of sculptures, figurines, paintings, and photographs, plus stunning murals out on the streets.

To explore this unique side of the island which is bursting with creativity and is bound to make the wheels of your encephalon turn, visit an fine art gallery.

1 of the largest and oldest art galleries is Alma Blou open Tuesday to Sabbatum in a former plantation firm at Habaai in Willemstad. Escape the rut of the twenty-four hour period and step into the cool, well-lit interiors of this beautiful place and savor Curacao's creativity.

xi. Fun Day at the Bounding main Aquarium

Visit Curacao's body of water aquarium, 1 of the near unique aquariums in the world, where instead of large tanks of sea-h2o, the aquarium has real sea-water pools fed by the ocean.

The ocean aquarium is located on the waterfront in the west coast of Willemstad and has plenty to see, do, and larn. There are large pools with a variety of marine life found in Curacao's water and interesting shows, such as dolphin, sea panthera leo, and shark shows held daily. It's an especially fun place for the kids to learn and interact with marine life.

Go, acquire, touch, play, or feed marine life such as sea lions, nurse and lemon sharks, stingrays, and dolphins. Yous can likewise spend some time hanging out with the sea urchins, stars, and cucumbers at the touch tanks.

Afterward, you tin can have dejeuner at the restaurant on the premises or caput over to the bounding main aquarium beach for a sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling session. The aquarium charges $21 per adult and $11 per kid ages v-12 years old. It'southward open daily from 8 a.m. to v p.m. and you lot want to get there early. You can spend roughly 2-3 hours in this park.

12. Mean solar day Trip to Klein Curacao

Klein Curacao is a flat, small, 1-square mile island southeast of Curacao. The proper name Klein means little, hence the isle'south name 'little Curacao'. The uninhabited isle features an old lighthouse, a shipwreck, a beach firm with thatched palapas, and miles of soft white sandy beaches.

This is the place to go to for incredible snorkeling and beach bumming. Take a tour of the lighthouse and the rustic shipwreck which makes for great views and interesting attraction respectively.

If you lot are looking for some peace and quiet, this is where you want to become. The embankment has a restaurant that serves great BBQ and absurd refreshing drinks, and has clean washrooms.

thirteen. Hiking at Christoffel National Park

Christoffel Park, constitute at the base of Mt. Christoffel on the northwestern end of the island, is the sight of exotic flora, animal, history, mysteries, and beauty. The park is covered by a dense scrubland with exotic plants such as divi-divi trees, cacti ascension over 10 anxiety tall, and fragrant wild orchids.

It's besides the site of the rare white-tailed deer (there are about 250 remaining in the park) and an interesting species of owl, the palabrua, a native type of barn owl. The park has three old plantations, 1 hosting the Savonet museum mentioned before.

You volition demand a good travel backpack for these type of adventures.

Get your middle pumping in an adrenaline-filled, audacious day at this park. There are plenty of ways to feel Christoffel. You can go along a hike, take a dirt road ATV hazard, or have a nature safari.

Enjoy the hike up to Curacao'southward highest betoken some 372 meters (1,200 anxiety) in a higher place sea level and enjoy panoramic views of the island. This is best washed in the morning to take reward of cooler temperatures and to ensure enough of time to residue and hike leisurely. The mount hike closes at 10 AM The park charges about 25 florins per person to admission the park.

xiv. Come across the Hato Caves

Another interesting matter to practise in Curacao is to see the Hato Caves. Step 1,500 years dorsum in time as you explore petroglyph-filled walls that particular the life of the original inhabitants of Curacao, the Arawak.

Go up a steep staircase exploring an elaborate arrangement of caves layered in terraces. Hato caves, which are the largest and most beautiful of the caves, are found on the third terrace.

Enjoy a guided bout that details the incredible history of the place touching on the refuge and escape routes. The caves are located in the rugged northern declension of the island. Exploring them can be done in nether two hours so it's piece of cake to combine with another activity in the north.

15. Ride an Ostrich

Enjoy an African paradise in the middle of Curacao at the Ostrich Farm. Fix in the wild north, the ostrich subcontract is fix to mimic ostrich farms of Southward Africa. This is a fun identify to become as a family.

You get to learn all about the birds, feed them, and pet them, or even ride i if y'all are daring plenty. Seeing the cycle of life of the ostrich from hatching to adulthood is 1 of the almost interesting tours on the farm. The African theme in the place transcends to the Zambezi eating place which serves incredible cuisine, including ostrich steak and ostrich egg omelettes.

xvi. Visit Shete Boka

Adjoined to Christoffel National Park is Shete Boka Park, a rugged north coast stretch with dramatic headlands jutting out into the sea forming squeamish little coves. Shete Boka, meaning  seven inlets, is a natural wonder that has some of the virtually beautiful scenery in all of Curacao.

The park starts at the beautiful inlet of Boka Tabla, which has a nice underground cave where yous can enjoy the sights of the waves rolling in. Or head to Boka Kalki where green turtles can be seen laying their eggs.

Encounter the sheer raw power of the bounding main against the formidable rock formation at Boka Pistol, where salt spray fills the air as the waves break with a loud blindside against the rocks.

Explore rolling lava hills, limestone bluffs, and a natural bridge at Boka Wandomi on a path forth the rugged coastline that will bring you back to Boka Tabla.

17. Globe Class Diving

Curacao'south perfect diving conditions make it a world-course diving destination. The island is favored with proficient weather, warm waters, healthy coral reefs, and dandy visibility, making it a bang-up dive destination for beginners and experienced divers alike.

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There are over 40 swoop sites in Curacao that cater to all diving skill levels. Some popular ones include Mushroom woods, Superior Producer, Alice in Wonderland, and Beacon point. Go swoop with a team of highly skilled swoop instructors and see a world of colorful healthy reefs teeming with a variety of fish and body of water life.

18. Snorkel at Playa Lagun

Playa Lagun is a nice modest, protected cove on the northwestern end of the island plant in the sleepy fishing village of Lagoon.

The minor calm bay is protected on either side past huge cliffs which adds to the charm of the place. The calm shallow to deep waters of the place are, even so, what concenter people hither.

Playa Lagun is the best spot for snorkeling correct from the beach. There are plenty of fish to run into here, particularly along the rugged cliffs. Some green sea turtles can also be spotted in the middle part of the sloping bounding main bed.

Visit and spend time in this beautiful and enchanting place. You tin get here by rental machine or motorcoach. There is plenty of parking and amenities for a smooth day at the embankment.

19. Ultimate Beach 24-hour interval at Playa Cas Abao

Playa Cas Abao is probably the most pristine beach is all of Curacao. If yous are looking for a remote uncrowded embankment, head to the northwestern side of the island, some xx miles away from Willemstad, and relish a 24-hour interval on this beautiful beach.

This beach has a soft white sandy embankment with rather inviting sparkling clear turquoise waters. Yous can swim, snorkel, kayak, or proceed a banana boat ride. It's a overnice beach getaway, with plenty of parking for your rented car which is the most affordable and common way to get to the beach.

Human foot embankment pads are a must for those hot days!

At that place are hotels on the beach to catch a bite at, but for the all-time drinks caput over to the daiquiri embankment bar, known for making mean daiquiris.  Enjoy one under the thatched palapas found at the embankment for shade, or get a relaxing massage.

At that place is an entrance fee to access the beach, that starts from $half-dozen per every four people in a vehicle.

xx. Cliff Jumping at Playa Kenepa

Playa Kenepa is a tranquil quiet cove on the northwestern coast of the isle that is the perfect beach getaway. Playa Kenepa has two beaches: the Grote Knip (bigger embankment) and Klein Knip (smaller beach).

Hither is where you lot go for that ideal embankment. The smaller of the two beaches is great for snorkeling while the other is idyllic for swimming, tanning, and water sports. Enjoy the crystal articulate waters on a transparent kayak, or glide gently over the calm waters of the playa. The clarity and turquoise color of the water is so mesmerizing yous may non want to exit.

Midway past the two beaches are rocky cliffs where you can go cliff jumping, an exhilarating moment that you lot should try at least one time or maybe twice. If you're not as daring, you lot tin can relax under the shade of a palapa with a refreshing cool cocktail in paw.

The beach is free and has all the amenities you need at fair prices.

Curacao Weather

Curacao experiences tropical weather which means it's sunny year round. The best time to visit Curacao is from Feb to May when it's neither raining nor extremely hot. The off-peak flavor runs from May to November and is keen if yous are visiting on a budget, merely it's too the hottest season with a slight very rare gamble of hurricane storms. If a cruise is threatened with a hurricane, however, the ships are often diverted and you may miss your chance to explore this amazing port of telephone call.

Also Read: 20 Ways to Feel Havana, Republic of cuba During a Cruise

It might be difficult to do all these amazing options with only a few hours in port, hence return trips are almost always a must. Still, with the right selection, yous volition have an unforgettable fourth dimension in Curacao, so, programme well and book excursions early for the best feel. Happy Cruising!

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Source: https://www.cruisehive.com/best-things-to-do-in-curacao-for-cruisers/29949

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