bup1224

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!

On 3/8/2023 at 9:21 AM, evajon2012 said:

 

Unfortunately, I learned that the highly recommended GONE CARIBE will be on vacation the day we are in Curacao.   Yes, I guess we ALL need vacations :). 

 

Anyway - we will be there on December 30th with the Celebrity Beyond.  I think we are there for 9 or 10 hours.  We are looking for a 5 - 6 hour (at the most) tour.

 

My family - myself (54), my husband (55), our daughter (27) and her boyfriend (27) are looking for a 

fabulous tour guide to develop a unique day tour that includes...

 

1.                       Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue

2.                      Curacao Liqueur Distillery at Chobolobo

3.                      Downtown History Tour

4.                      Floating Bridge/Floating Market

5.                      Turtle Experience – Swim with Turtles / Visit Turtles

6.                      Flamingo Watching on the Salt Lakes of Sint Willibrodus

 

AND – we are looking for OTHER suggestions…. 

 

What PERSONAL tour guide would you recommend?  We are thinking an SUV/Van would be the most comfortable for us!

What would YOU add to the itinerary?  What should we NOT miss?  My husband does have limitations with walking so no hiking please!   

 

Also, here is somewhere fabulous to eat….. preferably with a fabulous view?

 

Last time we were in Curacao we did a Jewish History tour and Hato Caves.  We also did the distillery; however, the kids want to go back. 

 

Suggestions?

 

If you want, you can email me personally at eva@writingteacher.com. 

Definitely contact Tyrone Brunken with Afro Guide Curacao.  

On 2/26/2023 at 6:02 PM, tlguinn_2000 said:

Where is a good place to shop in Curacao?  We of course want to pick up a Curacao T-shirt, but also other things that are unique to the region.  We plan to spend most of the day touring around the island going to beaches but thought we would shop some in Willemstad.  We thought we would ask the tour driver to drop us off in the downtown area and walk back to the ship.  Possible? 

Also are there some places away from the town area that would be good for shopping?

 Punda is perfect for shopping.

Visit Copperstone o  Hanchi Snoa 9 (same street as the synagogue) and you will find local art, also meet the artist Dhanarts (Melissa is her name).

On 2/7/2023 at 5:36 PM, MtnSeaGirl said:

My DH and I will be doing a B2B in late April/early May for our 30th anniversary.  Been stalking the boards to find ideas for the ABC Islands for the 2nd leg of our journey on the Carnival Horizon.  We are looking for rather calm beautiful water and  fine sand like Myrtle Beach or Antiqua.   Neither of us scuba as I almost drowned in a pool as a child.  Give me a swim vest, and I'll go anywhere ABOVE the water.  Snorkeling is difficult as the times we have tried this has mostly been in waves pounding over my head and having to jump from the boat ( he politely handed me down  LOL  ).  I know. I'm a hopeless wimp, right?  Last time in Aruba, we took the local bus for fun and I parasailed on my 50th BD.  That was amazing.  Changing boats in the middle of the water was no problem.  ( that was the system they had; one boat takes you out, the other boat is where you "sail" from ).   Curacao was our port to walk around and just enjoy last time.  We did not go to Bonaire.  We would like to find a nice beach for a couple hours to enjoy and make those wonderful memories of a lifetime. All help is appreciated so I thank you in advance.  I am also curious if anyone has ever tried SNUBA.  Seems expensive for the 30 minutes you are actually under water, but with a cord that I know I can follow to get back up may allow me to see the colorful fish. My dream is one of those sea turtles that is not behind glass at a museum or zoo.   May just help overcome the fear of not being able to surface which is my fear of scuba.  I had to laugh in St Thomas as I was renting snorkel gear.  I wanted a swim vest. The young man behind the counter was so sweet.  He laughed and said "Lady, I can take your money but you have to try pretty hard to drown in the salt water here."   PS  I can swim but would not win any races or awards for it.  I actually love the water.   I will also post this on Aruba and Bonaire pages.  TY again.   

Please do not do any underwater seatrek here in Curaçao,  they have destroyed much of our coral, including a coral restoration project.

You won't find fine white sand at most of the beaches in Curaçao, Mambo is a manmade beach area with a breakwater and probably the calmest water.

On 2/7/2023 at 12:53 PM, Great 2 B at Sea said:

We are a family of 6, interested in going to the Curacao Sea Aquarium when our ship docks there.  We don't want to take a taxi.  My son read somewhere that you can take a Ferry to this Aquarium.  We were wondering if anyone has taken this Ferry? If you have, does it run quite often?  We don't want to risk not being able to get back to the ship if it doesn't go back and forth all day.  I appreciate any help in this matter.  Thanks in advance.

There is not a ferry that goes to the Sea Aquarium.  You will have to take a taxi or the public bus.

If you take the public bus, you will need to do so from the bus station in Punda, which is across the Queen Emma Floating Bridge and about a 10-15 walk from the bridge. 

On 1/29/2023 at 6:25 PM, wsu_cougs said:

 

We were in the same boat you are. We also tried to book with Gone Caribe, but they were full. We took bup1224's recommendation to contact Tyrone at Afro Guide Curacao. We had the most amazing day with him on December 2nd of 2022. He took us to swim with turtles in the morning at Playa Piskado/Playa Grandi, what a great experience. Tyrone is very proud of his home island, and we stopped at a few great spots to see flamingos and incredible beach views. The highlight for us was spending a few hours wading in the water and hanging out at Playa Cas Abao, it was truly paradise. Having Tyrone as our private guide was great, it really felt like we were being shown around the island by a friend. I can't recommend him highly enough! 

I am so happy you enjoyed your tour with Tyrone.  He is definitely very knowledgeable and a fabulous person,  we are blessed to have him as a friend 

3 hours ago, CruisingDad said:

The taxi fares on Curacao are not regulated like they are on Aruba. You will need to negotiate the fare in dollars before you get in the taxi. Will probably be 5-10 dollars per person each way.

Actually taxi fares in Curaçao are regulated by the Curaçao government. 

10 hours ago, Docbizarro said:

We’ll be doing a morning excursion but then we want to go to De Visserji Piscardera for lunch and then go to the Curacao Distillery before returning to the ship. 
 

what’s the best way to do this?

 

If we take a taxi to De Visserji will we be able to find another taxi when we’re going to leave?

Just to note, De Visserij is only opened Friday- Monday.

On 12/23/2022 at 9:19 PM, dlh015 said:

Looking for dinner establishments near the pier...nothing too fancy but not a dive...lol.

 

Thanks!

Chanterelle Bistro in the Rif Fort,  Gouverneur Restaurant just up the street from the Rif Fort,  Perla Del Mar in Punda behind the Dushi and Curaçao signs. 

Iguana Cafe is hit or miss with food quality.