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The city is home to an array of brightly colored buildings that are sure to take your breath away. From the iconic Handelskade waterfront to the pastel-colored houses of Pietermaai, every street in Willemstad is a pleasant surprise. Willemstad is the capital city of the Caribbean island of Curaçao. This Vibrant city is a melting pot of cultures, history, and art, with influences from Europe, Africa, and South America.
Top Tours & Excursions In Willemstad – Curacao
When planning your visit to Curaçao, it is advisable to determine which pier your cruise ship will dock at. This information proves convenient when creating your itinerary or booking a shore excursion. Learn about transportation, top shore excursions, and all you need for an unforgettable visit. Beaches, sights, and landmarks are easily accessible from the Curaçao Cruise Port.
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Mambo Beach is recognized for its family-oriented atmosphere, offering something enjoyable for every member of the family. Alongside different recreation options, visitors can explore the nearby Sea Aquarium and Dolphin Academy. Over the last years, numerous colonial-style structures have been restored and painted with vibrant depictions of typical Curaçao scenes on their facades. We love to explore them whenever we walk through the neighbourhood and it’s in my opinion a must when strolling around Willemstad. Included in the schedule are specifics about the types of ships that embark the port of Willemstad.
Willemstad Curacao tours, shore excursions,
When we go out to diner, we mostly opt for a restaurant with a view and it is certainly something I would recommend when visiting the island during a cruise. The water displays a vibrant turquoise blue, and the sand feels as soft as you would expect from a pristine Caribbean beach. If you’ve done any research about the island before your cruise vacation, chances are you’ve encountered numerous photos showcasing the bay of Grote Knip. For those seeking adventure, visitors can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkeling gear to venture out and explore the lively coral reefs in the bay.
Floating Market, New Market, and Old Market can be found within a 5-minute walk from the main street and the Synagogue, alongside the canal by the Queen Wilhelmina Bridge. Here you can buy fresh goods from the locals, and get some delicious, authentic Curacao dishes such as iguana stew in the rustic Old Market, offering live cooking shows and a unique ambiance. It’s not as frequented by tourists because it’s not on the main drag, but to us, was the most vibrant. One of the best things to do in Willemstad is to go on a self-guided street art tour. No matter which area of Willemstad you decide to explore (they’re all easily walkable!) colourful works of art will greet you at every turn.
Beaches close to the Curaçao Cruise Port
Of notable interest is the Rif Fort, which is a stone’s throw from the cruise pier. Close the day with a drink at Cascade rooftop bar, De Heeren @ Sea or Saint Tropez Ocean Club. They all serve great cocktails and you will have a magnificent view over the water. The observation tower provides an amazing overview of the park and you can also go on a kayaking tour.
Go on a self guided street art tour
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The island of Curacao is an ideal diving and snorkeling site as the whole island is surrounded by a fringing reef. While the east coast is known for its strong winds and forceful waves, the west coast of Curacao boasts calm, turquoise waters hiding fascinating underwater wildlife. The beach has a long stretch of powdery sands and crystal clear turquoise water, several beach bars, restaurants, plenty of gift shops, cabanas, sunbeds and umbrella rentals, and an aqua park. Some areas of the beach are more crowded, while some are more peaceful. Once you exit the Rif Fort village, you’ll find yourself on a large square filled with several shops and cafes, as well as a few local vendors selling tours. From the square, you can marvel at the Queen Emma Bridge and the colorful Dutch buildings in the Punda district.
A floating bridge allows you to cross the canal and is an attraction in itself. Some also say that after his death it would have been discovered that he had shares in the painting company of the island. Whether you’re exploring for a day or staying a little longer, the warmth and beauty of Curaçao are sure to make a lasting impression.
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Tips for a Fulfilling Culinary Experience
The off-peak season runs from May to November and is great if you are visiting on a budget, but it’s also the hottest season with a slight very rare chance of hurricane storms. If a cruise is threatened with a hurricane, however, the ships are often diverted and you may miss your chance to explore this amazing port of call. During a day in Willemstad, stroll along Willemstad’s Old Town and quaint harbor, both designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Punda, characterized by its vividly colored buildings, features the iconic Handelskade waterfront, showcasing a fusion of Dutch, Caribbean, and Spanish architectural influences. Upon your arrival in Willemstad, the breathtaking architecture immediately captures your attention. The city boasts a variety of vividly colored buildings that are guaranteed to leave an impression. Another crucial aspect highlighted in the schedule is the frequency of arrivals and departures. This information can vary from day to day, influencing your itinerary and overall experience. This schedule provides a comprehensive overview of ship arrivals and departures, allowing you to plan your time effectively.
A special piece of architecture is the Princess Amalia Bridge, a typical old-Dutch drawbridge that connects Scharloo with Punda. With various boutique hotels, bars, and restaurants, there’s always something fun to do just around the corner. Nature lovers can indulge themselves at the Curaçao Riff Mangrove Park, where you can explore the flora and fauna of the local mangrove forest.
The tour provides history of the island as well as takes you to some absolutely beautiful stops that are perfect for snapping photos. Don’t let the main shopping street fool you – turn down any alleyway and you’ll be greeted with all sorts of street art and sculptures. Take a walk through the Kura Botanical Hotel and you’ll pass by Rustiq – one of our favourite bars and restaurants, which is next to the Kura Hulanda Slave Museum. The Otrobanda, Punda, and Pietermaai districts of Curacao’s capital are colourful, rich with history and street art, and filled with culture, fun, and food. Curacao’s capital city of Willemstad absolutely has to be explored during your visit to this colourful Dutch Caribbean island. The downtown neighborhoods of Punda, Otrobanda, Pietermaai, and Scharloo are within walking distance from the pier.
Another interesting thing to do in Curacao is to see the Hato Caves. Step 1,500 years back in time as you explore petroglyph-filled walls that detail the life of the original inhabitants of Curacao, the Arawak. It’s also the site of the rare white-tailed deer (there are about 250 remaining in the park) and an interesting species of owl, the palabrua, a native type of barn owl. The park has three old plantations, one hosting the Savonet museum mentioned before. Christoffel Park, found at the base of Mt. Christoffel on the northwestern end of the island, is the sight of exotic flora, fauna, history, mysteries, and beauty. The park is covered by a dense scrubland with exotic plants such as divi-divi trees, cacti rising over 10 feet tall, and fragrant wild orchids.
This neighborhood is adjacent to Punda and is just a 5 minutes walk from the Wilhelminaplein. Pietermaai is the epitome of a colorful Caribbean environment, with vibrant colonial-style buildings that house bustling bars and some of the island’s best restaurants. This beach is situated around a 25-minute drive southwest (13 km/8 miles) from the cruise port, in the famous Caracas Bay, known as a great snorkeling and diving site. Smaller vessels dock at the older pier Curaco Cruise Ship Terminal (located inside Santa Anna Bay).
The beach is a favorite spot for local fishermen to clean their catch, often providing leftover food to the turtles. This practice makes this beach a particularly attractive location for turtles, drawing more of them compared to any other place in Curaçao. Similar to the majority of beaches in Curaçao, Cas Abao is nestled in a cove, framed by imposing rock formations that create the illusion of being marooned on a deserted island. There are several amenities one can enjoy when visiting, such as comfortable lounge chairs and umbrellas, convenient changing rooms, and refreshing showers. When walking from Punda to Scharloo, you will cross the bridge Princess Amalia Bridge.
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