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Just back from Southern Itinerary, want a great day, try this beach!

canadiancruisers11

By canadiancruisers11,
in Curacao

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jandjfun

jandjfun

Posted
Posted
check out Breezes OR Lions dive OR Dolphin Academy...this is one long beach (Mambo Beach!)

Do you mean to actually go there instead of Kontiki, or on how to get there? I don't want to spend 60 bucks to go to the beach. But I do need a clean calm beach. I don't drink, and eat very little so for me an all inclusive isn't necessarily the most cost effective. But if the beach is much nicer, then it could be worth it!!:D

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curacao

curacao

Posted
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Do you mean to actually go there instead of Kontiki, or on how to get there? I don't want to spend 60 bucks to go to the beach. But I do need a clean calm beach. I don't drink, and eat very little so for me an all inclusive isn't necessarily the most cost effective. But if the beach is much nicer, then it could be worth it!!:D

 

KON-TIKI is just a part of Mambo Beach. It is at the opposite end of Dolphin Academy. It is a great spot to do nothing. The entrance fee to the beach is $3-4 dollars and to rent a chair is about the same. The beach is very clean. Your biggest expensive will be the cab ride over, BUT you can save there IF you cross the foot bridge, which is east of the MegaPier or channel. Catch a cab on the other side of Foot bridge. Have the cab drop you off at Mambo Beach OR Lions Dive hotel and all is right there. Oh, Breezes is right there too.

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jandjfun

jandjfun

Posted
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KON-TIKI is just a part of Mambo Beach. It is at the opposite end of Dolphin Academy. It is a great spot to do nothing. The entrance fee to the beach is $3-4 dollars and to rent a chair is about the same. The beach is very clean. Your biggest expensive will be the cab ride over, BUT you can save there IF you cross the foot bridge, which is east of the MegaPier or channel. Catch a cab on the other side of Foot bridge. Have the cab drop you off at Mambo Beach OR Lions Dive hotel and all is right there. Oh, Breezes is right there too.

Thank you so much!! How far is the foot bridge from the mega pier? How much do you think the cab ride from the peir vs. over the foot bridge is?

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curacao

curacao

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Thank you so much!! How far is the foot bridge from the mega pier? How much do you think the cab ride from the peir vs. over the foot bridge is?

From the MegaPier...about 2 blocks....to the right. Cannot miss it. You will walk through the Riffort area/Marriott towards your right.

If you don't "park" at the MegaPier, then the ships are in the channel, and the bridge is right there. Note: Larger ships get the MegaPier. Not sure how much cabs are, as I never took a cab(had my own car!) but other cruise critics state that it is about $10-$15.00 each way, per car .. not pp. It is a longer trip if you don't walk across the bridge as cars have no other way except to go over the Julianna bridge which is quite tall, but it does have an awesome view of the area. Wish I knew how to put pictures on this website as I have hundreds, just can't seem to get it to copy or move over.!!

 

PS,.. the bridge will link you from the Otrabanda area to the Punda area.

So..........if you want to shop a little have them drop you off in Punda and walk back across the foot bridge. Options are great.

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jandjfun

jandjfun

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I don't think the Miracle qualifies as a "mega ship" it is fairly small compared to some others.

 

OK, one more question. I will be traveling with a group. Maybe 15-20 people. Do they have taxis big enough for that many? Or is there a transportation company that we can hire to pick us up at the pier, take us to the beach, then return in the afternoon to get us back to the ship?

 

Oops...I thought that was the last question, but one more. Are there taxis at the beach to hire when we are ready to return to the ship?

Thanks so much for your help.

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curacao

curacao

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I don't think the Miracle qualifies as a "mega ship" it is fairly small compared to some others.

 

OK, one more question. I will be traveling with a group. Maybe 15-20 people. Do they have taxis big enough for that many? Or is there a transportation company that we can hire to pick us up at the pier, take us to the beach, then return in the afternoon to get us back to the ship?

 

Oops...I thought that was the last question, but one more. Are there taxis at the beach to hire when we are ready to return to the ship?

Thanks so much for your help.

 

It all depends on "which" ships will be on the island that day. The larger ships (Queen Mary II) have to port at MegaPier because of their length. So if you are the ONLY ship in port that day, you will probably port at the MegaPier, but if not the larger ships will port there. It really doesn't matter as they are just around the corner (channel) But if you port in the channel, need to go over to the Rif-Fort and see it as it is History of the Island. They defended the island years ago with the fort and it is still around to see.

 

As for the group, you will probably need 2 vans, that are actually taxi's. Negotiate the price BEFORE you travel with them. Just remember you are not going far!

 

There are taxi's everywhere on cruise ship days. Which are the days we avoided going out to lunch when living there.!!! I, personally, was jealous, but I did get to see a LOT of ships from everywhere. Very interesting. I also will be returning via cruise line in November.

 

Can't wait!!!

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curacao

curacao

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I just reread this entire thread. It is so interesting!! Now I am wondering if hooks hut is on mambo beach as well. Do you know how close to Kon tiki is it?

No..Hooks Hut is just the opposite direction from the Mambo Beach and MUCh closer. Hooks Hut is next door to the Curacao Hilton. they have a great beach by day and then it gets dressed up for dinner (on the beach) at night. There is a dive shop there also...if you needed one.

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curacao

curacao

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OK. We still take a taxi to hooks hut??

yes but it won't be as far and you don't have to go over the Julianna bridge. It is to the west of the dock (to the left!) If you go there, try their BittenBallen (?) off their menu...YUM< YUM.. they make the best on the island. It is great snack food.

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travelinggrands

travelinggrands

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Hey Canadian cruiser, We will be there Feb 19th with Carnival Miracle. You wouldn't happen to be on the same ship, would you? We are traveling with a group from VA that like their beach time. I'm trying to get them to try Cabana Beach. Do you think 30 extra people on a Sunday would upset the resort management?

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mommabean

mommabean

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I wonder if anyone has been to Cabana Beach (formerly Kontiki) lately. From what appears to be their website, it doesn't appear as quaint as it was previously. I can't find any current info on pricing either. We'll probably go there anyway and I'll try to report back what we find.

 

If anyone has any current info, let me know.

 

Going over this info with DH, we think we were in this area last year. We got there after a tour and found no good shady places left at any of the places. We walked the full length and only saw one topless woman who should have kept her top on. Think St. Maarten only worse. Ugh! I don't remember any of the places being as nice as the pictures I saw from when the OP was there. DH says there was a lot of construction going on - I can't remember. I do remember all the loungers looked disgusting with stains from body oils and suntan lotions. I'm not sure what to expect now. We'll check it out again anyway.

 

 

Gina

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mommabean

mommabean

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Here is the picture I took from where I was sitting last year. I'm not sure which exact club we were sitting at. But it appears to be the same general location. I'm reminded of the grimy looking loungers and beds. :( For being the only ship in port, it sure was crowded by the time we got there.

 

DSC02159.jpg

 

 

This can't possibly be the cabana beach, can it?

http://www.cabanabeachcuracao.com/bar-and-restaurant/

 

Gina

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lmcubs

lmcubs

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Hey Canadian cruiser, We will be there Feb 19th with Carnival Miracle. You wouldn't happen to be on the same ship, would you? We are traveling with a group from VA that like their beach time. I'm trying to get them to try Cabana Beach. Do you think 30 extra people on a Sunday would upset the resort management?

 

I am on the Miracle with you. Trying to figure out what to do on a Sunday in Curacao. Shopping might be limited, so am researching other options. Spending a day at the beach during the winter is always an option for me!

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P.A.

P.A.

Posted
Posted
I wonder if anyone has been to Cabana Beach (formerly Kontiki) lately. From what appears to be their website, it doesn't appear as quaint as it was previously. I can't find any current info on pricing either. We'll probably go there anyway and I'll try to report back what we find.

 

If anyone has any current info, let me know.

 

Going over this info with DH, we think we were in this area last year. We got there after a tour and found no good shady places left at any of the places. We walked the full length and only saw one topless woman who should have kept her top on. Think St. Maarten only worse. Ugh! I don't remember any of the places being as nice as the pictures I saw from when the OP was there. DH says there was a lot of construction going on - I can't remember. I do remember all the loungers looked disgusting with stains from body oils and suntan lotions. I'm not sure what to expect now. We'll check it out again anyway.

 

 

Gina

 

Any updated info on this beach? We'll be there in Nov on the Crown Princess and would be interested on how it is now. Thanks! :-)

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momof4boys

momof4boys

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Here is the picture I took from where I was sitting last year. I'm not sure which exact club we were sitting at. But it appears to be the same general location. I'm reminded of the grimy looking loungers and beds. :( For being the only ship in port, it sure was crowded by the time we got there.

 

DSC02159.jpg

 

 

This can't possibly be the cabana beach, can it?

http://www.cabanabeachcuracao.com/bar-and-restaurant/

 

Gina

 

 

 

 

I clicked on this site and then clicked on home and then later beach and yes it is the one and the same.

 

We're looking for a place to visit in July 2012 so this may be the place!

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curacao

curacao

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We are only here short time on Grand Princess, 7 am to 1 pm/ Hardly much time to do anything. Which beach is the closest and easiest to get to?

From what I read, it seems like PIRATES NEST which is at the Hilton????

Someone said go to the left and take a cab? Or walk? How far? Or how much by cab? Thanks.

 

To get to Pirates Nest (formally Hooks Hut!) take a cab. Not far, but it can be a far walk with the time frame you have. But, there is a closer beach, called Holiday Beach. If you port at the MegaPier...walk to the main street and go left (west) you will see a Denny's sign. To get to the beach, just go thru the casino/hotel to the back of and there ya are. they have a nice restaurant, dive shop and beach area and clean restrooms.

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