bup1224

2 hours ago, Hoosierpop said:

Hi All,

 

We will be getting into Curaçao at 1:30. Anyone have recommendations for a beach in the afternoon that may not be packed at that time? We are looking for a good beach that has food/drink near.

What day are you here? Beaches are pretty crowded on cruise ship days (Mambo, Blue Bay, Grote Knip etc.) but may be less crowded if you are the only ship here

4 hours ago, purplephenom said:

 

Is Copperstone the store with the resident cat? 

 

 

We are planning on loosely following this walking tour, but detouring if we see shops/other interesting things to see: https://travelhelix.com/2019/04/16/self-guided-walking-tour-of-willemstad-curacao-otrobanda-punda-pietermaai/

 

Is Copperstone anywhere near anything on this path? 

 

Yes, same street as the synagogue. 

1 hour ago, croozen said:

Ooops did not see your post and just entered a very similar question. we are particularly interested in jewelry shopping. (watches)

Most will be open. 

11 hours ago, shiny1 said:

Any suggestions on things to see and do on a Sunday in port? I understand some places are closed. 

Stores in Punda are typically open from 10 am to 2 pm or 3 pm when cruise ships are in port.

Beaches are always open.

9 hours ago, mattR said:

I believe it was Kleine Knip.  We also could have gone at another place close by Playa Forti where we stopped for lunch that was probably twice as high but we opted to just do the smaller jump.

Was it Grote Knip (Kenepa Grandi)?

Punda is a walkable area 

4 hours ago, tdoner said:

I'm curious to know if there are golf carts or something explore the city?

TIA!

 

No golf cart like in Bonaire. 

40 minutes ago, littysmom said:

Do u know how far Blue Bay is from the cruise ship port?

15 minutes or so.

2 hours ago, littysmom said:

Any recommendations for a beautiful beach experience while in Curacao?  Most of what we heard, were that the beaches are about a 45min drive from the cruise port.

I saw the suggestion of Mambo on your other post.

Blue Bay would be another option, more cove like beach, might need water shoes there.

Has a bar/restaurant,  does get crowded on cruise ship days 

On 1/26/2020 at 4:54 PM, NCteacherlovescruising said:

We have all our excursions booked for our cruise except Curaçao. I’m debating between these three. Which would be your choice for a couple in their 50s and why?  We enjoy beaches and sight seeing/tours, so either sounds appealing. 

If you want to see our island with a smaller customized tour,  Gone Caribe is fabulous. 

Irie tours is also good but you could be with "x amount" of people on your tour.

If you haven't been here before, skip Santa Barbara unless you just want to chill on the beach with food and beverages.

With Gone Caribe,  you can customize your tour!

1 hour ago, Suzyq52201985 said:

We would like to do a city tour during our stop in Curacao next month and trying to choose between Irie Tours, Ben's Tours or Casper Tours. Would love to hear your experience with any of these. If it matters, we don't get into port until 1 pm so limited amount of daylight, which is why we are looking at the 2 hr tours. Thank you!

Casper tours guides are so nice and informative. 

Irie tours is as well.

I believe Casper is less expensive than Irie if that is part of your consideration 

13 hours ago, Mullwi said:

hi! Our private tour fell through for next week. Our top things are to see flamingos, swim with turtles and spend most of day at nice beach that has shade or umbrella. Has anyone taken a chance and found a driver at the port? Would appreciate any advice especially regarding swimming with turtles. I believe we are only ship in port, but heard it can get crowded especially when busses get to turtle snorkeling beach. Is there any entrance fee there? Better to go there first? Ship docks at 9. Again, I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

No entrance fee at Playa Piskado where the turtles are.

Yes it gets very crowded,  they actually closed the road to it last week.

On 1/22/2020 at 2:24 PM, prekcruiser said:

Hi, we are also renting a car from Advance and have the same plan....to visit several beaches on our own.  Our ship is in port from 8-4 so we have a little less time.  I am planning on starting the day at Playa Piskado with the turtles, then moving on to Grote Knip ( Kenepa Grande) then going to Grote Knip or Playa Lagun, then on to Porto Mari, then Playa Daaibooi.  Then on back to the pier.  Bup1224, does this sound doable in the amount of time we have?  We are planning to snorkel a bit at each beach.  Also, which beach has the best lunch in your opinion?  Also, how bad would the traffic be around 3:00 when heading back to the pier?

It's alot but can be done with short stops at each. 

Porto Mari has a decent restaurant. 

Traffic normally is not terrible at 3 pm.

42 minutes ago, brookie848 said:

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

Yes...we are on the Epic, but we dock on 2/27. When we booked the cruise, we were supposed to be there all day on 2/26, but then the itinerary changed (not thrilled about it). We in port from 6:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Thank you.  We have a friend on that ship (we live here so we are going to meet her)! I meant the 27th.

There is also a store in the Rif Fort that sells local art, Mon Art I believe is the name.

21 hours ago, brookie848 said:

We will be visiting Curacao in February with horrible port times -- from early morning until 12:30 p.m. -- so we will need to be back on the ship by noon. 

 

We would like to do something with Blue Curacao. I've looked at the factory tours, but that would require a taxi and I'm not sure I want to deal with that with our short port time. Plus, it didn't get great reviews. I'm now looking at the Blue Curacao Experience downtown. Has anyone does this and is it worth it? 

 

Does anyone have other shops we should not miss when we are wandering around downtown? We prefer "local" shops as opposed to the same souvenirs (although those can be fun, too). 

 

Thanks!

There is a store called The Lokale on Breedestraat in Punda that is full of local art.

Also Copperstone at the back of the Gomezplein has a local artist as well as regular souvenirs. 

If you don't mind me asking, which day are you here/ship are you on? Is it Norwegian Epic on the 26th?

21 hours ago, OCruisers said:

Actually Mambo Beach is beside the Seaquarium and often called Seaquarium Beach.

Yep, on the eastern side of the island. 

2 hours ago, Kbud said:

The cruise excursion we wanted to book for a Sunset Harbor tour is sold out. Does anyone know of any sunset harbor tours outside of the ship excusions in Curasao?

Check with the Pelican,  Blue Finn, Blue C sports 

49 minutes ago, ICANDIGIT said:

I found Blue Bay Beach but couldn't find Mambo beach. Which way from port?

Mambo is East.

8 hours ago, the_scarecrow_in_oz said:

Bon dia. What is the parking situation like at Grote Knip, Kleine Knip, Playa Lagun, Playa Piskado, and Playa Santa Cruz? Is it plentiful, or do I have to worry about finding a place to park? How much does it cost? Is it safe? Do I have to worry about it being broken into or stolen? Should I lock the car, or leave it unlocked?  Danki, Scarecrow.

Bon Nochi Scarecrow! Imo, Playa Piskado is very popular now so parking might be crowded, go there first if possible. 

Don't leave anything in your rental car (I live here and don't leave anything in mine). I always lock my car.

All the beaches you mentioned are free, Santa Cruz is still a more local beach so be aware of what is going on.

1 hour ago, Heatherco said:

We are open to anything.  We are snorkeling on Bonaire so don’t have to on Curaçao.

I still say snorkel here too.

Playa Lagun,  Playa Piskado for the turtles (go there first), Grote Knip (Kenepa Grandi) is a beautiful beach (not the best snorkeling though).

Klein Knip is next door and a smaller beach.

There are restaurants at Playa Forti (where the cliff jumpers might be). I like Blue View Terrace there.

3 hours ago, Heatherco said:

We are renting a car for the day and will be in port from 8-5.  Would love suggestions in places we should try and see.  Also any beach recommendations and places for lunch would be great too.

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Are you more interested in snorkeling,  a full service beach, historic sites, hiking?

2 hours ago, Seapoint said:

We have a day in Curacao and want a nice beach with chairs, shade and good swimming. Snorkeling a plus, but not essential.

Considering Blue Bay Beach and Mambo Beach.

Which do you recommend? What are pros and cons?

Either will probably be crowded on a cruise ship day.

Mambo has a rock barrier and no rocks in the water, several different areas, beach bars, restaurants, calmer water.

Blue Bay is a more natural beach imo. Beach bar, restaurant,  good snorkeling.

14 hours ago, shiny1 said:

Where is Plasa Bieu?  We are there on a Sunday and noticed some places are closed. Thanks!

It's in Punda behind the round market but it's closed on Sundays

14 hours ago, shiny1 said:

We’re in Curaçao on a Sunday and noticed some places are closed. It looked like the Tuk tuk

cars do not operate on Sundays. Just wondering if most shops, sights and restaurants will or will not be open. Any tips or advice is appreciated! Thanks!

In Punda our downtown,  most businesses are open on a Sunday when cruise ships are here,  hours vary but usually 10 am - 2 or 3 pm

48 minutes ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

We'll be on a cruise in March with a stop in Curacao. We want to spend a day at the beach. Someone recommended the Lions Dive at Mambo Beach. Do they have day passes available? How much do they cost? Is there a place to get food and beverages. Any help will be appreciated.

You can go to any area at Mambo beach and rent chairs without a day pass, including the Lions Dive beach.

There is a beach entrance fee and each beach section has different pricing for chairs/cabanas. 

Plenty of restaurants and bars at Mambo.