bup1224

On 9/9/2024 at 12:10 PM, RedBauer18 said:

Our cruise will have us in Curacao on Christmas Day. MSC is offering excursions, but most of them list places/destinations that are closed on Christmas Day. I emailed the aloe plantation, museum, etc to be sure. What options might we have? Where are we likely to find an open restaurant? On all of the other islands, there was an excursion option to hit up one of the all-inclusive resorts for the day, but not on Christmas. What can we do? Where can we go?

Beaches will be open for sure.

Things in Punda- some will be open for limited hours (like shops) because there is a cruise ship here (typically 10 am to 2 pm)

Some restaurants and bars will be open.

Museums and attractions will be closed. 

On 9/3/2024 at 12:34 PM, pmcue said:

Are taxis easily accessible.

Yes

On 9/11/2024 at 8:42 AM, workinmom3 said:

Trying to decide whether to do Curacao on our own or do a tour. Has anyone used Yellow Adventures in Curacao? We are looking at a tour that goes to Playa Piskado, Shete Boka, and Cas Abao. 

We have considered getting a taxi to Playa Porto Mari but I think I read it was pretty expensive to take a taxi there from the port and back. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

TIA

Yellow Adventures are a great company,  I recommend booking them!

6 minutes ago, pmcue said:

Are taxis easily accessible.

Yes you can get one at/outside the port area, over on Punda just across the Queen Emma Floating Bridge on the right. 

On 8/12/2024 at 5:21 PM, kitkat343 said:

What would you recommend for a hotel for a day pass for families?

Maybe Mangrove Rif Curaçao Beach Resort?

On 8/24/2024 at 12:13 PM, OldCruiseGuy12 said:

Hi,  Can anyone recommend a nice beach bar within walking distance from the cruise ship?  We would like to have lots of shade and the ability to have a drink while wading in the ocean.

 

Thanks!

Walking distance nothing close. 

Take a taxi To Mambo Beach 

15 minutes ago, brookmill18 said:

I've posted on the main page as well, but when searching found this thread so thought I might just see if @bup1224 or @Dutch_Travelgirl had any thoughts...

 

We'd love to go to Playa PortoMari and were thinking through a boat vs a taxi to get there? We found Water Taxi Curaco that is saying $50 each way but it's unclear if they make other stops--plus not sure how choppy the ride can be--read about Klein Curaco being very rough going but we are usually not affected by motion sickness.

 

But Ive only read about people getting there by taxi so not sure if a boat is even really feasible or "better" (thought maybe we could get to see more of the island?). It sounds like taxis are outside cruise terminal and would be great if we could get a group one since we are only a party of 2.

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated--thank you!

The "water taxi" is a newer thing here and I believe it says where they stop based on what you book.

1 hour ago, kitkat343 said:

Would you know which would be best for kids (they like waterslides most of all)

For waterside for kids - Wyndham Kunuku Resort or Coredon Mangrove Beach Resort 

On 10/9/2023 at 8:49 AM, LadyBerard said:

Does anybody have a list of the cost of taxi fares to the beaches?  1) Mambo  2) Blue Bay  3) Porto Marie  4) Cas Abou?

From about a year and 1/2 ago

One way from the port

Mambo - $25 

Blue Bay- $30

Porto Mari- $50

Cas Abou- $60

On 12/19/2023 at 9:36 PM, janetz said:

Divi Resort and Casino

20pp with a drink

10 minute walk from port

You can not pre reserve just get a pass when you get there 

😊

This is not in Curaçao. 

On 9/25/2023 at 1:05 PM, Nboothe777 said:

Does anyone know if you have to go over the Juliana bridge to get to Mambo Beach or Pirate Bay we have some in our group that do not like bridges so was trying to find which beach to go to

You do NOT go over the Juliana Bridge to get to Pirate Bay! It's about a 7 minute taxi ride from the port. 

You do have to go over it to get to Mambo if you take transportation from the port. 

On 9/3/2023 at 11:59 PM, 5lilfish said:

Back in 2005, we took a cruise that stopped at Curacao.  We took a tour that stopped at an ostrich farm.  We are going back to Curacao in March.  I thought I had heard that the farm was closed.  Then I found it on Google.  None of the ship tours have this as a stop.  I was wondering if it truly was still open?  If so, is it possible to go there on our own and then maybe continue on to a beach after?  We are cruising with our youngest 2 kids (16 yr old twins).  They weren't even born yet the last time we went to Curacao.  They aren't huge beach kids so I thought this might be a fun stop.  Any other recommendations for what we could do on our own?  also looking for ideas for Aruba (never been there before).

 

Thanks,

Jessica

I live on Curaçao..yes the Ostrich Farm is open. 

4 hours ago, wdw1972 said:

I'm on that cruise too.  I was hoping for a sunset cruise Monday night but HAL's not offering one and searching for a private company didn't work either (on a Monday).  We may end up just going for a drink or dinner for sunset.  I've been to Curacao in the evening many times and it's very pleasant to walk around and enjoy the lights on the floating bridge, etc.  This trip we'll have 2 nights, so I was hoping for something more structured on the first night.

 

Sue/WDW1972

Contact either Red Snapper or Miramar for a sunset cruise (they are private companies)

On 8/16/2023 at 12:03 PM, PacnGoNow said:

Has anyone used Tortugas Cozumel recently, that’s associated with the Tortugas Beach club?

 

Taking our 3 kids, who are at the minimum age of 10, that

is required.  Just wanted to see if anyone tried them and any suggestions you may have.  They have never parasailed.

 

TIA

Wrong forum, this is for Curaçao 

On 7/31/2023 at 9:09 PM, motherofteenagers said:

First time in Southern Caribbean. Renting a jeep in Aruba to go wherever we want. Was hoping to take a catamaran snorkeling trip in Curacao. Usually try to book with a local tour operator whenever we cruise. I contacted several and was told the catamaran trips were booked by private groups, or maybe by the cruise ships??? Wondering if anyone knows of a local catamaran tour? We will be in port October 4th, 8-3, not enough time to go to Curacao Klein. If we can't get a tour, would you recommend snorkeling from the beach?Possibly Playa Porto Marie? Renting a car to drive around and do this? Taxis seem pretty expensive.

Thank you

You can easily snorkel from the beach here in Curaçao. 

Taxis are kind of expensive here. Take a look at Pirate's Bay Beach which is not far from the port.

19 hours ago, topspot said:

We will be going to Curacao for a land vacation in September after being there on a cruise several times.  We like to snorkel, Playa Porto Marie, Cas Abo and Tug Boat beach are on our radar.  There is also a beach where you can swim with turtles.  I believe it is Grote Knip.  The fishermen clean their fish and the turtles are attracted to the scraps.  If you are driving there is also a place where you will often find flamingos, but I don't know where that is.  

The beach with the turtles is Playa Piskado 

On 7/20/2023 at 3:19 PM, Gabcruiser said:

My Husband and I  will be in Curacao for one day on a cruise. We love to snorkel and a beautiful beach.  We are looking for a beach to rent beach chairs/umbrella a place for food and a drink.  We will probably take a taxi.  Some of the places we were looking at are Playa Porto Mari, Playa Lagun and maybe the resort Chogogo with a day pass.

We would welcome any suggestions on what you recommend!  thank  you!

I would take Chogogo off the list.

If you are looking for a resort with decent snorkeling,  check out a day pass at Avila or the Marriott. 

Taxis to the beaches such as Lagun and Porto Mari are expensive here. 

On 7/10/2023 at 6:39 PM, HS2BS said:

There is a brand new Marriott Courtyard opening in October that is right across from the dock with day passes of $90pp(fifty dollar food credit)- Resort fo a day.

 

Hal

Not on a beach at all

50 minutes ago, TTEllis said:

Hey!! Hope all things are well down on the island. Miss you guys terribly and trying to find a ship most notably Princess that will bring me back to your home. 

This Marriott Day Pass, I've done these before on other islands and always had a lot of fun with them. Since the Santa Barbara sold out to Sandals and seeing how Sandals doesn't do day passes is this Marriott Day pass the best way to go now as far as day passes in around around Willemsted? Thank you for your help. 

Todd

 

I miss having dinner on the river. What a treat. I was in Willemsted on Thanksgiving 5 or 6 of them the lights downtown are BEAUTIFUL. One of the best vibes in the Southern Caribbean every time. I'll be back. 🙂

I certainly hope you can come back!

I would say Marriott or Avila. 

On 5/13/2023 at 1:57 PM, Captain-John said:

We were there last week. We paid c. $40 each (with c. $20 F&B credit), making the reservation directly with the hotel.

 

1) $10 to go (unlicensed, 'man with car' scenario negotiated on the walk to the Renaissance shopping area). $20 coming back, from a (presumably) licensed taxi waiting outside the lobby. I thought this was really steep for what is such a short ride.

 

2) Yes. A card is provided to exchange for a towel (1 each, and they hold ID to make sure they get the cards/towels back!)

 

It was a great day, the resort is very nice - but top tip, if you want to swim in the sea, take water shoes (we didn't). It's very rocky in some places. Not much to see if you have snorkelling equipment either but we did enjoy both pools and the beach itself.

 

I live in Curaçao and beg to differ, snorkeling there us usually very good, I snorkel there often.

On 6/2/2023 at 1:17 PM, Leen729 said:

I tried to book this tour for next February and they told me they are sold out.  I was definitely shocked as well as disappointed.  Is there another tour company similar to Gone Caribe?

 

Contact Tyrone Brunken with Afro Guide Curacao 

On 5/30/2023 at 11:34 AM, smelmo said:

Thank you.

You can also rent bicycles at Van Gogh Druve Thru Coffee in Punda/Pietermaai 

You can rent bicycles at Curaçao Bikes in Punda on Madurostraat,  they are more like trolleys so to speak.

On 5/2/2023 at 4:58 PM, Wayfairers said:

Our cruise is stopping in Curacao on December 26.  Our plan was to take a local bus to Westpunt and eat at Jaanchie’s - we did that in 2019 and want to go again.  I know Christmas is a 2 day celebration in Curacao and the 26th tends to be spent with family and close friends.  Has anyone been there on the 26th?  Was anything open?  Were the buses running?

I live in . Busses are on a very limited schedule here on holidays.

Shops (at least some of them) in our downtown of Punda will be open, perhaps with limited hours.

Most beaches are open.

On 5/2/2023 at 3:59 PM, cruising_rocket_scientist said:

Another vote for Tyrone. He was our guide at the beginning of April and we had an amazing island tour. He will build a great itinerary with you and take you where you want to go. We had to adjust our original plans, because grandma was a lot less mobile than we had anticipated, but he just went with the flow. I feel like we really experienced the island. 

We love him! I customized a tour when older relatives who don't swim visited us...it was phenomenal!