robptaylor Posted October 24, 2018 #1 Share Posted October 24, 2018 First time visiting the ABC Islands and looking for suggestions on which islands to book excursions and which to just "tour the town". On a recent cruise we booked excursions for every port and frankly found it EXHAUSTING. In the past we usually booked one or two excursions and save the other ports for doing our own thing, e.g., walking the town, renting a scooter/car, etc. Which of the ABC's is best for just doing your own thing and which should you go with an excursion/group? In other words, which ports have plenty to do on your own and which do you need to "get away" to experience the island? Any suggestions are appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bup1224 Posted October 24, 2018 #2 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Rob - It really depends of what you like to do - if you snorkel or scuba dive, I would say book an excursion for that in Bonaire. We used Woodwind a few years ago and we highly impressed with them for a snorkeling trip. Aruba is easy to do on your own - there is shopping right outside the port or easy to take the bus to the beach. Curacao is the biggest island of the 3 islands. If you want to see the beautiful beaches, you will need to rent a car or take an excursion as taxis are a bit on the expensive side here. For a different type of excursion that will be private and will customize to what you want, check out Back to Nature Private Jeep Tours - please tell them Bridget M. sent you (I don't work for them but absolutely one of the best tours I have taken and I live on the island!). Our downtown area consists of Otrobanda and Punda. There is alot of architecture, street art, shopping, etc. in both. If you are into the history, here is a link to a thread on here with walking tours (self guided) of both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onthegogirl Posted October 31, 2018 #3 Share Posted October 31, 2018 On 10/24/2018 at 10:08 AM, bup1224 said: Rob - It really depends of what you like to do - if you snorkel or scuba dive, I would say book an excursion for that in Bonaire. We used Woodwind a few years ago and we highly impressed with them for a snorkeling trip. Aruba is easy to do on your own - there is shopping right outside the port or easy to take the bus to the beach. Curacao is the biggest island of the 3 islands. If you want to see the beautiful beaches, you will need to rent a car or take an excursion as taxis are a bit on the expensive side here. For a different type of excursion that will be private and will customize to what you want, check out Back to Nature Private Jeep Tours - please tell them Bridget M. sent you (I don't work for them but absolutely one of the best tours I have taken and I live on the island!). Our downtown area consists of Otrobanda and Punda. There is alot of architecture, street art, shopping, etc. in both. If you are into the history, here is a link to a thread on here with walking tours (self guided) of both. Hi Bridget, Do you know if B2B will pick us up at the pier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bup1224 Posted October 31, 2018 #4 Share Posted October 31, 2018 1 minute ago, onthegogirl said: Hi Bridget, Do you know if B2B will pick us up at the pier? Yes they will! Please make sure to tell Gina that Bridget M. sent you - I don't work for them but I love them! (if you don't mind - what's your first name?) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vermonter16 Posted December 10, 2018 #5 Share Posted December 10, 2018 I just want to second Back2Nature tours with Gina. I'll be posting a review in a few days. She was great! We saw places totally off the beaten path. But I'd book asap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msolomons Posted December 14, 2018 #6 Share Posted December 14, 2018 What is the best way to contact Back2Nature tours? I can't seem to figure out how to call them 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bup1224 Posted December 17, 2018 #7 Share Posted December 17, 2018 On 12/14/2018 at 3:36 PM, msolomons said: What is the best way to contact Back2Nature tours? I can't seem to figure out how to call them 🙂 Here is the email for Back2Nature - gina@b2ncuracao.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msolomons Posted December 21, 2018 #8 Share Posted December 21, 2018 Thanks so much! Got in contact with them and booked them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gina Korsou Posted December 21, 2018 #9 Share Posted December 21, 2018 On 12/14/2018 at 3:36 PM, msolomons said: What is the best way to contact Back2Nature tours? I can't seem to figure out how to call them 🙂 www.b2ncuracao.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydbarrett Posted March 27, 2019 #10 Share Posted March 27, 2019 On 10/24/2018 at 11:08 AM, bup1224 said: Rob - It really depends of what you like to do - if you snorkel or scuba dive, I would say book an excursion for that in Bonaire. We used Woodwind a few years ago and we highly impressed with them for a snorkeling trip. Aruba is easy to do on your own - there is shopping right outside the port or easy to take the bus to the beach. Curacao is the biggest island of the 3 islands. If you want to see the beautiful beaches, you will need to rent a car or take an excursion as taxis are a bit on the expensive side here. For a different type of excursion that will be private and will customize to what you want, check out Back to Nature Private Jeep Tours - please tell them Bridget M. sent you (I don't work for them but absolutely one of the best tours I have taken and I live on the island!). Our downtown area consists of Otrobanda and Punda. There is alot of architecture, street art, shopping, etc. in both. If you are into the history, here is a link to a thread on here with walking tours (self guided) of both. Thank you for this great recommendation for Back2Nature! I assume it would be appropriate to tip after the tour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bup1224 Posted March 28, 2019 #11 Share Posted March 28, 2019 11 hours ago, agibeault said: Thank you for this great recommendation for Back2Nature! I assume it would be appropriate to tip after the tour? Absolutely! I did! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydbarrett Posted March 28, 2019 #12 Share Posted March 28, 2019 7 hours ago, bup1224 said: Absolutely! I did! Ok thanks! My husband usually handles this as I always feel awkward handing someone cash 🤣 Unfortuntately he isn't coming so I must brave up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseapril Posted April 1, 2019 #13 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Hi- Is the review here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeyNowMama1315 Posted April 14, 2019 #14 Share Posted April 14, 2019 On 12/17/2018 at 8:29 AM, bup1224 said: Here is the email for Back2Nature - gina@b2ncuracao.com Just from playing around on their website a bit, I'm assuming this company and their tours are better suited for adults than families. Would you agree? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bup1224 Posted April 14, 2019 #15 Share Posted April 14, 2019 20 minutes ago, HeyNowMama1315 said: Just from playing around on their website a bit, I'm assuming this company and their tours are better suited for adults than families. Would you agree? I actually would not agree. I have seen many pictures of families on their tour. They have a new owner who is just as good as the previous owner IMO. Again, they will customize the tour based on what you want so what you read on the website is basically a guideline so to speak. I live here and honestly can say this was one of my favorite tours I have done here and am planning on doing another one with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snirpville Posted April 18, 2019 #16 Share Posted April 18, 2019 On 3/28/2019 at 6:00 AM, agibeault said: Ok thanks! My husband usually handles this as I always feel awkward handing someone cash 🤣 Unfortuntately he isn't coming so I must brave up. I travel alone. When you get off the bus and say goodbye, simply hand them the cash and thank them very much. You'll do great! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babchia Posted April 20, 2019 #17 Share Posted April 20, 2019 On 10/24/2018 at 10:08 AM, bup1224 said: Rob - It really depends of what you like to do - if you snorkel or scuba dive, I would say book an excursion for that in Bonaire. We used Woodwind a few years ago and we highly impressed with them for a snorkeling trip. Aruba is easy to do on your own - there is shopping right outside the port or easy to take the bus to the beach. Curacao is the biggest island of the 3 islands. If you want to see the beautiful beaches, you will need to rent a car or take an excursion as taxis are a bit on the expensive side here. For a different type of excursion that will be private and will customize to what you want, check out Back to Nature Private Jeep Tours - please tell them Bridget M. sent you (I don't work for them but absolutely one of the best tours I have taken and I live on the island!). Our downtown area consists of Otrobanda and Punda. There is alot of architecture, street art, shopping, etc. in both. If you are into the history, here is a link to a thread on here with walking tours (self guided) of both. Another person reading this older thread! We just emailed B2N hoping to get a tour on 5/9/19. Everyone here was so helpful with info and reviews! Thank you! Anyone with a new review? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babchia Posted April 21, 2019 #18 Share Posted April 21, 2019 18 hours ago, babchia said: We just emailed B2N hoping to get a tour on 5/9/19. Everyone here was so helpful with info and reviews! Thank you! Anyone with a new review? 😥They are booked up! Now trying to figure out what to do? We really liked the idea of a "custom" tour. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bup1224 Posted April 21, 2019 #19 Share Posted April 21, 2019 13 minutes ago, babchia said: 😥They are booked up! Now trying to figure out what to do? We really liked the idea of a "custom" tour. Any suggestions? Similar company here is "Let Lucy Handle it". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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