Table Of Content
Visit the Riffort where you can find an array of restaurants and souvenir shops. You can also climb the fort where you will have the best view over the Sint Anna Bay and the Handelskade. Walking through the streets of Otrobanda, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the sounds and smells of daily life in Curaçao. The aroma of freshly-baked pastechi’s wafts out from local batido trucks, while the lively chatter of locals fills the air. You can find people playing a game of dominoes or selling hand painted souvenirs at the Brionplein.
Explore on a Free Walking Tour
Just a 15-minute drive from the pier, you will find a precious sandy beach with lots of amenities on the grounds of the gated community of the same name. Additionally, several hotels and resorts dot the sandy shoreline, enhancing the appeal of Mambo Beach as a favored spot among cruise ship passengers due to its diverse amenities. The area offers a vibrant atmosphere with Curaçao markets, local boutiques, and charming cafes along narrow streets, providing a diverse range of items from fashion to (locally crafted) souvenirs. This means that you walk straight into the hustle and bustle of the capital city when embarking the ship.
Where You Dock in Willemstad – Curacao
You can relax on miles and miles of tranquil, serene beaches on its southwest coast or go for adrenaline pumping outdoor pursuits on its northwest coast. If none of that interests you, there is always its glorious colorful town, rich with history, culture, excellent cuisine, and friendly residents. For the local lunch experience, i recommend visiting the Plasa Bieu. The Plasa Bieu is a covered market hall featuring six open kitchens, each of which offers delicacies from the Curaçao cuisine.
Willemstad, Curacao Cruise Port Guide Info
You can also spend some time hanging out with the sea urchins, stars, and cucumbers at the touch tanks. Visit Curacao’s sea aquarium, one of the most unique aquariums in the world, where instead of large tanks of sea-water, the aquarium has real sea-water pools fed by the sea. One of the largest and oldest art galleries is Alma Blou open Tuesday to Saturday in a former plantation house at Habaai in Willemstad. Escape the heat of the day and step into the cool, well-lit interiors of this beautiful place and enjoy Curacao’s creativity. Set in Landhuis, a former plantation that ran well into the 20th century, the Savonet museum is based on the plantation’s partially restored buildings. It showcases the plantation’s history through lineage exhibit of the owners and African workers of the plantation.
Cruises to Willemstad, Curaçao
Oceania Cruises organizes 7 shore excursions, and Princess has 24 excursions available. Walking inland from Koningin Wilhelminapark, along Columbusstraat (Columbus Street), will take you to the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue - a unique Jewish Cultural Historical Museum. A bit farther, by the waterfront, the Floating Market is on the northern edge of this area - around 300 meters (900 feet) from the Koningin Wilhelminapark - and a sight not to be missed. The island has a rich history, much of it focused on plantations and the slave trade. The Kura Hulanda museum explores the dark history of Curacao’s involvement in African slavery in the Caribbean.
Curacao Ports Authority Launches New Cruise App - Cruise Industry News
Curacao Ports Authority Launches New Cruise App.
Posted: Sun, 09 Oct 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Experience Curacao at Punda
Midway past the two beaches are rocky cliffs where you can go cliff jumping, an exhilarating moment that you should try at least once or maybe twice. If you’re not as daring, you can relax under the shade of a palapa with a refreshing cool cocktail in hand. There is an entrance fee to access the beach, that starts from $6 per every four people in a vehicle. The small calm bay is protected on either side by huge cliffs which adds to the charm of the place. The calm shallow to deep waters of the place are, however, what attract people here. Adjoined to Christoffel National Park is Shete Boka Park, a rugged north coast stretch with dramatic headlands jutting out into the sea forming nice little coves.
The most unusual site which will catch your eye as soon as you dock in Curacao is the pontoon bridge. This is a floating pedestrian bridge from 1888 connection the two parts of the city centre. The bridge blocks the entree to one of the biggest natural harbours in the world. The bridge will swing open every now and then allowing ships to sail in. When the pontoon bridge opens make sure not to be on it or you’ll be stuck.
Curaçao's next gem: the Port of Willemstad development - Ship Technology
Curaçao's next gem: the Port of Willemstad development.
Posted: Tue, 12 Apr 2016 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Both piers are within walking distance from the city's main tourist attractions. At both terminals are available taxis (be sure to negotiate the rate). Public transportation service includes the ”Buki di Bus” and trolleys. The Mega Pier is for large cruise ships that cannot fit under the Island’s Queen Juliana Bridge. This pier is located in Otrabanda, and is where you are most likely to dock when cruising with major cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Celebrity Cruises.
This synagogue, otherwise known as Snoa in Portuguese, is the oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere. The town, whose buildings display a marriage of Dutch and Spanish architecture, has a rich historical and cultural heritage meriting its UNESCO World Heritage recognition. Thursdays are also for salsa dancing at Mundo Bizarro and at friday evening you can enjoy live music and salsa at the Riffort. Besides all the nice sights that Punda has to offer, you can also find an array of open air café’s and shops where you can enjoy a cool drink or shop for souvenirs, fashion, electronics and jewelry.
By the 20th century, Curaçao became a favorite destination for cruise ships, warmly welcoming visitors from all over the world to the tiny island. Bright, airy, and beachy Willemstad may feel like a Dutch city, but don’t let the colonial pastels and European-style streets fool you—you’re on the Southern Caribbean cruise of a lifetime. On cruises to Curaçao, beautiful beaches, clear waters, and incredible diving and snorkeling will quickly steal your heart.
There are many interesting artifacts, restored antiques, and photographs that depict the former way of life in Curacao. This is a nice break away from the beaches that both you and the kids will enjoy. A popular place to grab authentic Curacao meals is the Plasa Bieu (old market). Here, fried plantains, jerk chicken, and pumpkin pancakes with savory meat stews make up the menu. The communal style seating allows you to interact with the locals who favor the restaurant for lunchtime meals.
The city’s narrowest alleys and most vibrant facades are a blank canvas for both local and international artists. Punda has a lot to offer with a bustling market, local boutiques, and charming cafes lining its narrow streets. You’ll find everything from fashion to locally crafted souvenirs And when you need a break from shopping, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the many outdoor cafes and restaurants that dot the neighborhood. Strikingly vibrant colors adorn every building in Punda, with the iconic Handelskade waterfront as one of the main sights. The picturesque scene is a perfect blend of Dutch and Caribbean architecture, with a touch of Spanish influence that gives the neighborhood its unique character. The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive in Willemstad is the stunning architecture.
The most famous attraction here is the legendary Tugboat shipwreck, lying 5 m (16.4 ft.) under the water’s surface, in the shallow, pristine waters of the bay. You can swim to the boat directly from Tugboat Beach, and explore its beautiful marine life. Caracas Bay is a dynamic place packed with restaurants, bars, hotels, and recreational areas. A small, inhabited island (“Klein” means “little”) of Klein Curacao lies about 10 km/6 miles southeast of Curacao and is one of the most famous snorkeling and diving spots for turtle spotting. Hawksbill, loggerhead, and green sea turtles lay their eggs on the island’s beaches, and you can often spot them swimming in their wild, natural habitat.
No comments:
Post a Comment