Around Curacao Tours or Santa Barbara Beach Resort?

[boilermaker330]

Has anyone experienced both? We have never been to Curacao, so think a guided tour is probably the way to go, but keep seeing good reviews about the day pass at Santa Barbara Beach Resort. Feedback from someone who has tried both would be greatly appreciated!

Edited January 4, 2019 by boilermaker330

[tuitionowed]

Take a look at Irie Tours for Curacao.  We've used them a few times and have had great experiences.  Prices are fair and you get much for your money.

 

[boilermaker330]

On 1/5/2019 at 6:12 PM, tuitionowed said:

Take a look at Irie Tours for Curacao.  We've used them a few times and have had great experiences.  Prices are fair and you get much for your money.

 

Thank you for the suggestion!

[The Fun Researcher]

We're booked with Around Curacao Tours for March and we'll write a review when we get back.  Probably too late for you though.  When are you going?

Dan

[boilermaker330]

On 1/25/2019 at 11:31 AM, The Fun Researcher said:

We're booked with Around Curacao Tours for March and we'll write a review when we get back.  Probably too late for you though.  When are you going?

Dan

We are cruising the first week of April. I'll check for your review!

[cruiseapril]

We went to a beach for half a day and walked around Willemstad after lunch.

Sometimes the sun is very hot for a whole day at the beach.

[The Fun Researcher]

On 1/27/2019 at 9:46 PM, boilermaker330 said:

We are cruising the first week of April. I'll check for your review!

 

Looks like Andy's van at aroundcuracaotours.com was in an accident.  I reached out to him to confirm our reservation, and he made me aware that the can is probably out of commission for at least a few weeks.  I wish he would have let me know proactively, but the accident was only a few days prior so I'll give him a break.  It's bad enough to have your operation disrupted by someone running into you van.

 

We had March 20th booked, but he doesn't think the van will be repaired by then.  😞  Looking at other options now.

 

Dan

[boilermaker330]

On 2/25/2019 at 12:25 PM, The Fun Researcher said:

 

Looks like Andy's van at aroundcuracaotours.com was in an accident.  I reached out to him to confirm our reservation, and he made me aware that the can is probably out of commission for at least a few weeks.  I wish he would have let me know proactively, but the accident was only a few days prior so I'll give him a break.  It's bad enough to have your operation disrupted by someone running into you van.

 

We had March 20th booked, but he doesn't think the van will be repaired by then.  😞  Looking at other options now.

 

Dan

 

Thank you so much for letting me know! I'm glad you found out before arriving and hope you find a good alternative. I'll reach out to Andy to see if I need to do the same.

 

[The Fun Researcher]

22 minutes ago, boilermaker330 said:

 

Thank you so much for letting me know! I'm glad you found out before arriving and hope you find a good alternative. I'll reach out to Andy to see if I need to do the same.

 

 

 Thanks, yeah we were able to find Irie tours which are colorful open air buses. They have a west side beach hopping tour that includes snorkeling with the turtles and the national Park and other great stops. They get very good reviews on trip advisor as well. $65 per person for the west side tour.

 

http://www.irietours.com/

 

Dan

[Jenjer]

we are also looking at the Irie beach tour can you come back after and let us know how it was?

[The Fun Researcher]

Yes absolutely.  In case I forgot please reply to this thread again after the 24th of March and I’ll give a full report.

 

Dan

[trophy_23]

We just got back from 10 day Southern Caribbean on Koningsdam and we did the Irie beach hopping tour while in Curacao. We wanted to do lots of snorkelling on this trip so brought our own gear along.  We met tour up right outside the gate of the terminal to board the bus.  It was a school bus with no windows, which was nice for fresh air, the seats were snug for leg room (worse than an airplane) but the tour was fantastic!  We stopped at a few different beaches where you could swim, snorkel, cliff jump or just relax.  At a couple spots you could buy food and drinks (the tour included drinks).  They mentioned that they had masks and snorkels (no fins) for those that didn’t have their own gear.  The snorkelling was great, and at one stop we got to snorkel with turtles.  Those who didn’t want to swim could see them from above. I guess it will depend on your port time, but we got back with lots of time to shower have a snack and then head out to walk around town.  Overall great tour, would highly recommend it. 

Edited March 8, 2019 by trophy_23

[vacationbunny]

So, the beach hopping tour was a set schedule at each beach or was it like one of those "hop on hop off" deals where you can decide how long you want to stay at each beach? Thanks

 

[trophy_23]

No it was a set schedule.  At each stop they would tell us what time to be back at the bus.  It was a good amount of time at each stop. 

[Bribrittmom]

How do you get to the bus from the cruise terminal?

[trophy_23]

If you are talking about Irie tours it is right there outside the terminal.  If you prebook they ask you to meet 15min prior to your tour so they can maybe take some walkups if there is space.

[The Fun Researcher]

Just reporting back on my experience with Irie tours as well.  I captured it here in the Curacao portion of my review of our cruise.  Highly recommended.

 

By the way, we  also have our own snorkel gear that we brought, but they have it if you need it.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2648912-navigator-ots-review-9-amazing-nights-march-15-24-2019/?tab=comments#comment-57120111

 

Dan

[Jenjer]

Could we bring our own fins? my kids are swimmers so they have fins for practice...I know not snorkel fins but close enough

[The Fun Researcher]

2 hours ago, Jenjer said:

Could we bring our own fins? my kids are swimmers so they have fins for practice...I know not snorkel fins but close enough

 

Yes, you can bring your own fins and snorkels.

Dan