Cruises to Curacao

• Dutch is the official language but both English and Spanish are widely spoken and passengers should have no trouble communicating.
• The official currency is the Netherlands Antillean Florin and is equal to approximately fifty-five U.S. cents, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted.
• Because of its unique position in Dutch history, Curacao is the initial setting for the classic children’s book by Theodore Taylor, The Cay.

Cruise Ship Shore Tours in Curacao

Because of its extensive history, cruise ships offer a variety of historical and cultural tours in Curacao, including trolley and tram excursions and folklore tours. Other shore excursions may include snorkeling, canoeing, and scuba diving for all experience levels as well as visits to specific attractions.

Cruises to Curacao: Sightseeing

Because the pier is located an easy ten-minute walk from downtown Willemstad and taxis are easy to hire, there are many sites that cruise passengers can visit without organized excursions. Some of Curacao’s more popular attractions include:

• Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge: This motorized sentinel opens at least thirty times daily to permit ships to enter and leave the harbor. Foot traffic is permitted across the bridge, connecting both sides of Willemstad (Punda and Otrabanda) across the Santa Anna Bay. There is no toll to use the bridge.
• Floating Market: Every day, dozens of ships from Venezuela, Colombia, and other West Indian islands dock to sell fruits, vegetables, and handicrafts in this unique shopping venue.
• Punda: This five-block shopping district in Willemstad is a shopper’s paradise: more than 200 shops feature cheese, perfumes, silks, linens, watches, liquor, leather goods and more.
• Curacao Sea Aquarium: Located east of Willemstad, this spectacular aquarium hosts more than 400 species of fish, crabs, coral, sea anemones, and other marine life. Visitors can swim with dolphins, hand-feed sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays, or enjoy a semi-submersible tour.
• Curacao Underwater Marine Park: Lining the island’s southeastern coast, these 12.5 miles of protected reefs offer numerous diving opportunities with snorkel trails, sunken wrecks, and more than thirty species of coral. Options are available for both novice and experienced divers.
• Den Paradera: On the island’s eastern end, this organic herb garden offers educational guided tours about folk medicines and local remedies – the perfect attraction for new-age or naturalist inclined visitors. The gift shop stocks organic shampoos, oils, and potpourris.
  

  

  Ostrich Farm
• Ostrich Farm: The largest ostrich breeding farm outside of Africa, this attraction in Curacao’s northeast corner allows guests to hold an ostrich egg, sit astride an adult ostrich, and try ostrich delicacies in the on-site restaurant.
• Hato Caves: A popular choice for adventurous visitors, this park features limestone stalactites, stalagmites, and underground lakes. Several prehistoric indian petroglyphs create a striking tableau that demonstrates the island’s ancient history.
• Beaches: With more than three dozen available beaches, Curacao is a sunbather’s paradise. One of the most well-equipped beaches is Santa Barbara Beach, with a wide variety of watersports and recreational opportunities as well as full changing facilities and other amenities highlighted by the beach’s pure white sand.

Cruises to Curacao: Necessary Precautions

Though Curacao may seem like a tropical paradise, visitors should note that the majority of the island is an arid desert and proper precautions should be taken to avoid heatstroke, sunstroke, or sunburns. Furthermore, passengers who elect to explore distant attractions should plan on returning to Willemstad and the port early: taxi fares may increase by as much as twenty-five percent after 11 p.m.

With abundant beaches and eclectic history coupled with a wide variety of attractions, Curacao offers interesting activities for all cruise passengers. Whether you want to sunbathe and snorkel or explore ancient civilizations, Curacao has it all.