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Mambo Beach is located a minute drive from the port of Curacao (around 7 km/4.3 miles) and to get there you can book a shore excursion, take a taxi, or take a public bus from the Willemstad downtown. Within walking distance from where cruise ships dock, the city's unique colonial architecture has a number of attractions to explore on foot and on your own. This is the Curacao mega pier were cruise ships can dock while in port. However, if only 1 ship is in port, you are most likely going to dock here at the Mega Cruise Terminal.
Explore Curacao’s Art
The Curacao Golf and Squash Club is a private 600-member club with a par hole course. The setting is spa-like located among the quiet tranquility of the island. The Blue Bay Golf and Beach Resort is located on the sea with amazing views from wherever you stand on the course. Like many of the nearby islands, the local language is Papiamento. However, most people are fluent in and will speak English, Spanish, or Dutch.
Queen Emma pontoon bridge
The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Willemstad Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. Each of the dozens of beaches on the island have their own unique personality from powdery white sand beaches and rolling hills to seductive privacy and rocky shorelines.
Blue Bay
If you are interested in really exploring the island history a must would be Penha & Sons which is the oldest building in Willemstad built in 1708. Bus schedules and routes are found within the city and at both ports. Transportation called “collective” cars and vans are easy to catch to bus you around the island, however it is important to make sure the license plates for these vehicles says “bus” on them. In Willemstad you will find a fun and lively small city with people who are as colorful as the surrounding buildings.
Curaçao Cruise Port Guide
The streets come alive with music and dancing as locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy the island’s vibrant nightlife during the weekly Punda Vibes event. The neighborhood is also a great place for dining with many restaurants to choose from. Cruises to Curaçao disembark at the Mega Pier located on the Otrobanda side of the island. The port is also equipped with ATMs and currency exchange counters. Tourist desks offer information about nearby attractions, and taxi stands are located right outside the port.
South and West Caribbean cruise ports
If the bridge is open free ferries will go up and down to service the pedestrians. From here you are about 500 yards away from the city centre of Willemstad. You will find an information booth, taxi stand, tour operators and souvenir shops on the dock. While the island might not have the most beautiful forests or scenery of the Caribbean, it does have 28 beaches of which some are even in the world’s top 10. Find out which ones we recommend in the Curaçao cruise port guide. The national park spreads over 10 km/6 miles of Curacao’s north shore known for its rugged coastline and dramatic cliffs hanging over the series of caves.
Start at Otrobanda
However, if you decide to go to a beach, bear in mind that there are no beaches near the cruise port. The closest one to the cruise terminal and one of the most attractive beaches on the island is Mambo beach, located about 7 km from the cruise port, or a 15-minute driving distance. To get there, you can take a taxi, public transportation departing from the center of Willemstad, or book a shore excursion.
View All Cruises to Willemstad, Curaçao
Curaçao ranked as one of the best cruise ports in the world - Curacao Chronicle
Curaçao ranked as one of the best cruise ports in the world.
Posted: Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
This secluded piece of heaven lies on the northwestern coast like all other beaches and is located less than a 40-minute drive (29 km/18 miles) from the port of Willemstad. The road is bumpy and curvy, and there is a small entrance fee for the parking that you pay on-site. Whether you’re spending a day visiting Curacao from a cruise ship or are staying in the heart of this vibrant city for a vacation, there are a number of things to do in Willemstad. Marichi Pier offers a quick escape from the touristy spots of Punda and Pietermaai. The water is so blue and inviting and you’ll often find locals enjoying a quiet reprieve on the beach or kids jumping off the pier.
Featuring soft, creamy sand, gentle waves, and the soothing warmth of the Caribbean sun, this beach is an ideal spot for relaxation, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the laid-back tropical atmosphere. In Scharloo, you’ll notice cool buildings with a mix of architectural styles, like Art Deco, Baroque, Dutch Colonial, all with a touch of Caribbean vibes. Pietermaai beckons with its assortment of boutique hotels, bars, and restaurants, ensuring there’s always an authentic place to relax just around the corner. Whether it’s the colorful murals of Otrobanda or the charming pastel houses of Punda, each street in Willemstad unfolds as a pleasant surprise. Once outside the Rif Fort area, the cruise passenger will be at around 600 feet (200 meters) from Brion Square and the floating Queen Emma Bridge - a major landmark of Willemstad.
An exhibition presents the history of the island and the distillery and explain the manufacturing process. This anthropological museum presents the culture of Curacao and an exhibition of African artifacts dating back to 500 BC. Whether you’re drawn to the serenity of nature, the thrill of adventure, the richness of history, or the joy of family activities, Curaçao promises a day filled with discovery and delight. Curaçao’s culinary landscape is as colorful and diverse as its culture, offering a tantalizing blend of flavors that reflect its rich heritage and the influences of African, Dutch, Spanish, and Asian cuisines. Curaçao, a gem in the Caribbean Sea, welcomes cruisers with open arms and a colorful display of its rich culture and heritage.
The tale is later to have revealed that the governor actually owned part of a local paint factory, and requiring the town-wide architecture makeover was just his way of increasing his wealth. The colorful buildings of Willemstad are hard to miss and its unique characteristics has earned the UNESCO World Heritage Site as the Caribbean’s most colorful city. The unique pontoon bridge opens periodically when a boat or small ship needs to pass through and watching this happen is definitely a sight to see. The Queen Emma Bridge is an iconic landmark not only to the Curaçao cruise port, but to the country as well. You could easily spend the entire day walking around the port area and taking in the sights.
This sculpture is designed for lovers to lock a padlock to it to seal their bond. First installed as a single heart in 2017 after the famous Pont des Arts bridge in France, two more have since been added because of its popularity. It lasts roughly 2.5 hours and provides a fantastic oversight of this city.
Curaçao has 38 beaches and each one of them has its own special features. You can swim with Sea Turtles at Playa Piskado, Snorkel at Playa Lagun or perhaps the white sandy paradise beach of Grote Knip is something for you. Curaçao is an island where you can find a broad spectrum of tours and activities.
The Curaçao Cruise Port is the gateway to a Caribbean adventure that offers plenty of variation. With its strategic location and four piers, it offers easy access to Willemstad’s vibrant streets and iconic landmarks. From our personal point of view, this type of shore excursion provides an excellent chance to discover Curaçaos’ beautiful coastline during your one-day-stay one the island.
One of the first things that you’ll notice about Otrobanda is the eclectic mix of art and Curaçao culture that can be found throughout the neighborhood. In recent years, a great number of colonial-style buildings have been restored and their facades have been painted with typical Curaçao scenes. There’s just so much to see and explore, and I believe visiting this vibrant city is the best way to discover the real Curaçao. The Fort Church - a protestant church constructed in the 18th century as part of the nearby Fort Amsterdam, colored in yellow, is an important Historic Monument and Museum in Willemstad.
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