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Do you know if Bacardi factory is near there too? Hoping to hit everything before heading to airport.

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Can you take a taxi there? We are coming in at pan American Pier and wanted to shop old San Juan?

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Anyone know the cost of a taxi ride to Paradise Point from Havensight?

Is 8:30am the latest guests leave the ship? We have a 4:00pm flight so trying to figure out how late you can leave the ship or what time our group will be called to leave?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check in to all of these. Don't mind spending money on tours but would rather keep it around $50-$60 per person and not $100+ as I've seen on some. Thanks everyone!

Is it possible to take a taxi to these places and go on our own? Or do you need to pay a tour company? We have 6 in our family so tour companies are a bit pricey.

Any estimate on what a taxi will cost for 6 of us to get to Mambo Beach?

It's my understanding that 18% is added to a beverage package automatically? Is this correct?

I found one (Leeward) and when I contacted them, they said they have a contract with RCI and I had to go through them.

Does anyone know what a taxi would cost form the cruise port to Mambo Beach? There are 6+ of us.

Can anyone tell me how long it takes by taxi to get to cruise port from Mambo Beach? Cruise departs port at 11:00pm.

I just read something on another post about a San Juan Beach Break at Uno Beach Club. Said they held their luggage, while they were on beach and it included drinks, etc. Said it was at Numero 1 hotel in Santa Ana, Ocean Park, 787-727-5010. I'm going to check it out as we have a late flight as well in July. Hope it helps!

We've stayed at the Courtyard - Isla Verde twice now, pre-cruise. The first time was in 2013 and the second was this past September. However, the Courtyard is near the airport.

 

We chose this hotel because it was reasonably priced and on the beach. Both times, our flight has arrived between 11:30AM and noon, we've arrived as early as 12:30PM and the room has been ready, on both occasions. It's only a five minute ride from the airport to the hotel.

 

The rooms have been very clean and nice both times. We noticed that the rooms have been updated (very nice) since 2013.

 

Hotel staff have been very helpful and friendly. There are a few on site restaurants, a casino, a beautiful pool and swim-up bar, and the beach is nice, wide, and clean with plenty of loungers/umbrellas for guests. There are some really nice hammocks. There is a beach grill and easy access to the bar. We actually got grilled chicken sandwiches from the grille this past time and they were huge and very good and came with a generous helping of French fries.

 

Check-out is at noon, so we've never been "rushed" to check out earlier before our cruises, so when we've arrived to get on the ship, we've never been stuck trying to find something to do with all of our luggage in tow. Very easy to get a cab. They are there waiting and hotel porters actually call them over for you. The ride from hotel to either cruise ship pier (Old San Juan or Pan American) is about 15 - 20 minutes.

 

Attaching some pictures:

 

Hotel lobby and front desk

 

View from our table in the buffet restaurant

 

Hotel beach and loungers (they have umbrellas and set them up when you pick your loungers)

 

The Courtyard

 

The pool/swim-up bar. This is the larger pool, but here are a couple other smaller pools.

 

The hammocks

 

Hope this helps and feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Your post just helped me out! Thanks much! We're going in July, 2016. Oh, and go Steelers!

Kenepa is larger (much further away up West) and more beautiful.

However, there are absolutely NO amenties there.

During the week, no beach chairs.

No toilets, restaurants, shade, etc.

 

Cas Abao is very pretty as well and has all amenities to make your day comfortable.

Both are good for snorkeling, especially if you swim along the rock formations at either side of the bay.

 

Neither beach will be crowded on a weekday (unless there are multiple ships in port and lots of cruiseline excursions take guests to the beach).

 

Enjoy your day in Curacao!

Can you tell me which beaches are NOT rocky? My mother has trouble walking and I'd prefer a beach with nice sand, if there is one. Thanks!

Years ago it was recommended on the boards to bring a clear pocket shoe holder (the kind you hang from a door). I've been taking it ever since. For a family in small quarters, you use it to hold everything that would be sitting on the dresser (brushes, hair ties, jewelry, make-up, etc.) Also take a folding hamper.

Learned of some additional great ideas on this post! Keep them coming!