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Less than a 5-minute walk from there you’ll reach the Queen Emma Bridge and the Punda side, where you can explore the main Willemstad highlights and historical landmarks. There is the main bus station as well, however, the buses don’t run regularly and I wouldn’t recommend you use them. This terminal is situated in Otrobanda and consists of Mega Pier 1 and Mega Pier 2 which can accommodate large cruise ships of all sizes. Located in the Lesser Antilles, in the southern Caribbean Sea, 65 km/40 miles north of the Venezuelan coast, Curacao island forms the group of the ABC Islands together with Aruba and Bonaire. The island of Curacao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is the largest island of all three. Like the other two islands, Curaçao is hot and it's important to pack accordingly.
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In the south, you'll find the San Nicolas Bay Reef Islands, which are a perfect place to see the Cayenne tern as well as other tropical birds. Meanwhile, more than 80 species live inside the Bubali Bird Sanctuary, which is close to Eagle Beach. Carrying a little bit of cash for small purchases is recommended, though many major credit cards are accepted. Many restaurants include a “service charge” in your bill, which means that tipping is not required. If the restaurant doesn’t include a service charge, you should leave a 15% to 20% tip. Head to the 4,450-acre wildlife preserve, Christoffel Park National Curaçao, to spend the day immersed in unspoiled nature.
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Pumpkin isn't seasonal on Curaçao so you'll find it as an ingredient in many dishes. You can wash it all down with a Polar or Amstel beer, which are the local favorites. Aruba is one of the best Caribbean islands to visit and has a fantastic blend of different cultures that includes indigenous Spanish, African, Dutch, and South American influences. This melting pot is home to close to one hundred nationalities and two official languages, Dutch and Papiamento.
Willemstad, Curaçao
Plow blades, conch shells and even dried donkey jaws with teeth were also used to make musical sounds. The traditional dances in Bonaire are the Bari and the Simadan but locals also enjoy polka, the merengue, the jazz waltz and the carioca. The Bari is performed during festival time with a lead singer improvising lyrics while the Simadan is performed during harvest time, which occurs during the months of February through April. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Walk by multicolored storefronts filled with local arts and crafts in the Punda and Otrobanda districts.
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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. Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the calm waters at Mambo Beach are perfect for swimming. On cruises to Curaçao, visit the shops along Mambo Beach Boulevard and unwind with a refreshing piña-colada.
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. This beach has a soft white sandy beach with rather inviting sparkling clear turquoise waters. It’s a nice beach getaway, with plenty of parking for your rented car which is the most affordable and common way to get to the beach.
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Get your heart pumping in an adrenaline-filled, adventurous day at this park. You can go on a hike, take a dirt road ATV adventure, or take a nature safari. 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.
The clarity and turquoise color of the water is so mesmerizing you may not want to leave. If you are looking for a remote uncrowded beach, head to the northwestern side of the island, some 20 miles away from Willemstad, and enjoy a day on this beautiful beach. There are over 40 dive sites in Curacao that cater to all diving skill levels. Some popular ones include Mushroom forest, Superior Producer, Alice in Wonderland, and Beacon point. Go dive with a team of highly skilled dive instructors and see a world of colorful healthy reefs teeming with a variety of fish and sea life. If taking a tour of the wild north to Christoffel Park, then a visit to the Savonet museum is a must.
Emerald Azzurra Calls in Curacao for the First Time - Cruise Industry News
Emerald Azzurra Calls in Curacao for the First Time.
Posted: Sat, 13 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The beach is part of the private resort featuring beach and golf courses, luxury villas, several bars and restaurants, and a stunning private beach tucked in a bay named after its blue azure waters. Many cruise guests take a trip to Mambo Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches and the closest one to the cruise port. 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. 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. 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.
The beach is sandy with some rocky parts, not too long, and has both shallow and deep parts. Blue Bay Beach boasts amenities such as bars, restaurants, sunbeds, umbrella rentals, water sports activities, showers, changing rooms, massages, and a playground for kids. 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.
Curaçao is where Europe meets the West Indies, and it collides here beautifully in a smashing blend of bold colors and cosmopolitan culture. The largest of what was once the Netherlands Antilles, this Caribbean island has it all. Above all, what awaits you is the warm, welcoming embrace you’ll start to feel the minute you set sail to Curaçao. The islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are blessed with natural beauty, world-class diving, and a sunny southern Caribbean location. On a cruise to the ABC Islands, you'll be able to visit all three islands and experience everything from golden sandy beaches to pristine coral reefs. Enjoy old-world Dutch charm in each port of call, as well as excellent shopping, eclectic dining, and exciting nightlife options on overnight stays.
In Curaçao, enjoy a rum-tasting experience, or explore the island's unique landscape on a jeep safari. And in Bonaire, go diving or snorkeling to see colorful marine species, rays, and sharks up close. Cruising to the ABC Islands with Celebrity is the perfect way to explore these amazing islands on your next luxury getaway. Stroll through the colorful buildings in pastel shades of pink, yellow, and blue that line the UNESCO-protected section of Curaçao’s port city, Willemstad. Explore the charming, Dutch-influenced center of Kralendijk in Bonaire, known for its excellent shopping and dining.
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. 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.
Aruban culture is all about the spirit of celebration and having an appreciation for the diversity of the island. Just like the arts and culture, Aruba's food is a mix of Caribbean, Dutch, African, and Latin American flavors. Fresh seafood, fried delicacies, wholesome stews, and tasty soups are all incorporated. Dishes like pan bati (a sweet and soft flatbread), cabrito stoba (a popular goat stew), and keri keri (a delicious fish soup) are all local staples and easy to find around the island. For drinks, there's beer (the most popular is Balashi) and cocktails like Aruba Ariba, which has a distinctive bright red color.
Other popular places to shop include the Sambil Mall which features many food courts and at Salina, one of the primary shopping districts of Willemstad. One of the most popular attractions in Curacao is the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue. This synagogue, otherwise known as Snoa in Portuguese, is the oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere.
The latter is seen during carnival month but you can see street festivities, impressive costumes, local music and creative parades all year long. The Bonbini Aruba Festival takes place every Tuesday and offers folkloric music and dance while the Caribbean Festival comes to life every Thursday night with performers, food stands, and crafts. Others include the Dera Gai celebration, the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival, and the Summer Music Festival during June. This Caribbean islands trifecta is famous for embracing different cultures and having some of the most iconic vistas in the tropics. Aruba is famous for its lively Caribbean spirit, while Bonaire is known for its quiet and remote vibe, and Curacao has colorful architecture and picture-perfect beaches. Walk around this quaint harbor town and you'll think you've travelled back in time to Old Amsterdam.
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