Willemstad Curaçao Cruise Port is your gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage capital city of Curaçao. In this guide, I’ll share with you the top things to see on a DIY walking tour in Willemstad Curaçao, from the Floating Market to mangrove forests right next to the cruise port! For non swimmers and non-divers, Curaçao Cruise Port is a great place to experience the underwater wonders of Curaçao’s reefs and to swim with the resident sea turtles!
Note: Curaçao was once part of the Netherlands Antilles. The Netherlands Antilles (aka Dutch Antilles) was officially dissolved in 2010. Curaçao, similar to St. Maarten, are now constituent countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. You’ll still see references to the Netherlands Antilles on travel websites but it technically doesn’t exist anymore! Curaçao has autonomy over its governance and finances.
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Willemstad Curaçao Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎😎 Easy Peasy
Organising your own DIY shore excursion at Willemstad Curaçao Cruise Port is 😎😎😎😎😎 Easy Peasy! Here’s why:
- Walk to Historic Centre: Up to a DIY walking tour to see the UNESCO heritage listed Willemstad city centre? You’ll only 10 minutes’ walk away, once you disembark your ship.
- Diverse attractions nearby: Willemstad Curaçao Cruise Port has something to please everyone! From maritime museums, mangrove forests to a massive food court for foodies at Plasa Bieu, there’s more than enough fun to keep you occupied for a full day at port
- Underwater Adventures: For those itching to do more, Curaçao is considered one of the premier diving destinations in the Caribbean. Don’t worry if you don’t swim or don’t dive, there’s reef adventures for you too! (I’ll share those below with you.)
Willemstad Curaçao Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need to Know
Willemstad Curaçao Cruise Port has two cruise terminals! Both are marked on my Curaçao Cruise Port Map below:
- Mega Pier: If you’re arriving on a large cruise ship, you’ll be docked in the mega pier, about 10 minutes walk to Willemstad city centre – see photo above 👆. Lots of amenities at the cruise pier, from shops, restaurants and free WiFi
- Mathey Wharf: If you’re arriving on a smaller cruise ship, you may be docked here. It’s slightly closer to the city centre and about 5 minutes walk to Queen Emma Bridge.
- Currency: Official currency is the Antillean guilder, aka Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG), sometimes known as florins locally. The currency is fixed to the US$: US$1= 1.8 Antillean guilders.
- US$ in cash is widely accepted and you’ll find prices in US$ in places frequented by tourists. But if you pay in US$, you may get your change back in Antillean guilders. If you don’t want any ANG, be sure to check before making your purchase!
- Language: Most Curaçaoans working in tourism are multilingual and will speak English with you. (Curaçao has three official languages: Papiamentu, Dutch and English).
- Official Websites:
- Official Tourism website is Curacao.com
- Recommended Transport App: Use Google Maps for general walking directions and navigation
- eSim for roaming in Curaçao: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring independently. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout – if you’re on a Caribbean cruise, then buy the Island Hopper, valid in 27 Caribbean Islands!
Curaçao Cruise Port Map
- On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
- On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
- If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps
Curaçao Cruise Port: Top Things to Do
1. Explore Willemstad on Foot from Curaçao Cruise Port
You can explore the UNESCO listed historic centre of Willemstad on foot from Curaçao Cruise Port. See more on what to see & do, in my “Willemstad Curaçao Cruise Port DIY Walking Tour” section below. The walk from Curaçao Cruise Port to Queen Emma Bridge is about 10 minutes.
2. Go Beach Hopping
The closest beach to Willemstad Curaçao Cruise Port is Playa Marichi. But I know that most cruisers would be disappointed that it’s not the kind of wide sandy beach that when we dream of a Caribbean cruise! (Playa Marichi still has lovely calm waters, it’s just rather small. It’s about 15-20 minutes walk from the cruise terminal.)
The much more famous beach nearby is Mambo Beach. Mambo Beach is centred Mambo Beach Boulevard, a lively strip lined with bars, restaurants, shops and hotels. It’s definitely quite a party scene with music blasting from beach bars and DJs spinning tunes until late into the night. So it may not be the sort of atmosphere that you’re looking for anyway. Note that there’s a small admission charge (ANG $7, or around ~US$4) to enter Mambo beach. Access to beach clubs and rental of beach chairs are additional. The easiest way to get there is to catch a taxi direct from the cruise terminal, as it’s about an hour’s walk.
Want to be a beach bum for the day? Then do a beach hopping tour up and down the coast around Willemstad Curaçao Cruise Port.
3. Take an Underwater Walking Tour
Curaçao has healthy and vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. While it’s not at the same level at the Great Barrier Reef, it’s considered one of the best locations in the Caribbean. So no matter your confidence in the water, Curaçao is a great place to enjoy time underwater.
For non-swimmers or less confident swimmers, take an underwater walking tour. You’ll be given a fully enclosed “helmet” with a hosepipe for air supply, so there’s no snorkel or scuba diving gear to worry out. (You just breathe normally.) You can then walk on the sea bed alongside marine life.
For swimmers who aren’t qualified divers, Curaçao is as one of the premier diving destinations in the Caribbean. Or if you’ve ever wanted to try diving, Curaçao is a great place to have a go! You’ll see a kaleidoscope of colourful fish, sponges, sea turtles and even the occasional reef shark. There’s two well-known shipwrecks (a cargo ship and a tugboat) which have become artificial reefs, so there’s a lot to enjoy for a beginner’s first dive.
4. Swim with Sea Turtles
If you’d like to swim with sea turtles, then an excursion to Westpunt in the northern part of Curaçao will guarantee sightings! The stretch of coastline between Playa Piskado and Grote Knip beach in Westpunt is nicknamed “Turtle Bay“, because it’s a very popular feeding spot for sea turtles! Fishermen clean their catch here and the turtles gather to feast on the scraps! The turtles come right up to shallow waters in the beach, so you don’t need to worry if you’re not a confident swimmer. Tours leave from Gate 2, right outside the cruise terminal.
On a typical day, you can be expected to see green sea turtles (most common), hawksbill turtles, loggerhead turtles and sometimes even leatherback turtles. Hawksbill turtles have distinctive pointed beaks and beautiful patterned shells. They are critically endangered but Curaçao is one of their important nesting sites, so sightings are common.
Too busy to fit it all in? Then another personal favourite spot to swim with sea turtles is at Carlisle Bay in Bridgetown, Barbados. If your Caribbean cruise also stops there, you can save the sea turtles for another port. I spent a birthday under water with these turtles and it was truly magical!
Willemstad Curaçao Cruise Port DIY Walking Tour
All the stops listed below are close together and typically a few minutes’ walk from each other. Use my Curaçao Cruise Port map above to navigate between the various things to see on this DIY walking tour.
1. Queen Emma Bridge
Once you disembark your ship, turn right and walk along the waterfront. Rather than follow the main road, stay on the pedestrian only footpaths and you’ll be walking along the waterfront. The Queen Emma Bridge is the floating pontoon bridge, known affectionately as the “Swinging Old Lady” as the bridge swims open for larger ships to pass through St. Anna Bay. The bridge is named after Queen Emma, the Queen consort of the Netherlands from 1879 to 1890, serving as regent for her daughter, Queen Wilhelmina.
Originally built in 1888, it’s been renovated and upgraded many times over the years. The bridge connects the two historic districts of Willemstad, Otrobanda (where the Curaçao Cruise Port is) and the eastern side Punda, where the following attractions are. Once on the other side of the bridge, take note (or a photo) of the Punda Love Heart.
2. Handelskade
The Handelskade is Curaçao’s iconic waterfront with lots of rich history! Dating back to the 17th century when the Dutch West India Company established Willemstad as a major trading centre, the Handelskade was the hub for merchants, ships and goods from around the world. The colourful buildings that line the Handelskade were built as warehouses and traders’ offices.
The buildings are all of a distinctive Dutch colonial architecture style, with their gabled roofs, large windows and ornate details. Along with the rest of Willemstad’s historic centre, the Handelskade is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and historical significance.
The legend behind the vibrant colours of the Handelskade is unusual! In the early 1800s, the governor of Curaçao, Albert Kikkert, supposedly suffered from migraines. He believed that the bright white paint reflected sunlight and exacerbated his headaches. So he issued a decree that all buildings in Willemstad had to be painted in colours other than white. Whether you believe it or not, it’s certainly a good story! There’s lots of shops, restaurants and cafes, so definitely stop by here for a stroll!
3. Floating Market
Turn the corner at the end of the Handelskade and you’ll find the Floating Market. The name originated from Venezuelan merchants who would sail their boats across to Curaçao loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish. But it’s no longer a “floating market” where transactions are done in boats as those in Thailand or Vietnam. The vendors have now set up stalls on the wharf along Sha Caprileskade in Punda but there’s still colourful boats and displays to look at. There’s loads of fresh produce stalls and a few stalls selling souvenirs.
4. Plasa Bieu (Old Market)
A few minutes down the road from the Floating Market is the Plasa Bieu (translates as “Old Market”). Once a covered market hall, the Plasa Bieu is now more of a food court with lots of local dishes to try! So come here if you’d like to try some local Krioyo cuisine for lunch. Some popular dishes are:
- Stobá: A hearty stew made with beef, goat, or chicken, along with vegetables and a rich sauce.
- Sopi Mondongo: A tripe soup that might sound adventurous but is a local favourite.
- Kadushi Soup: A unique soup made with cactus, known for its slightly slimy texture and earthy flavour.
- Guiambo Soup: A flavorful okra soup with seafood or meat.
For those less adventurous, you’ll also find grilled meats with local ingredients like plantains. Bring cash! Only some stalls take cards. Prices are typically displayed in local currency but most stall keepers will take USD$.
5. Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue
The Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Americas, having held regular services for over 300 years. The synagogue’s roots trace back to the 1650s when Sephardic Jews, fleeing persecution in Spain and Portugal, found refuge in Curaçao under Dutch rule.They established a community and built their first synagogue in 1674. The current synagogue building was completed in 1732.
The synagogue’s design was inspired by the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam, featuring a grand, airy interior with high ceilings and large windows. The sand floor is meant to symbolise the Exodus from Egypt when the Israelites wandered through the desert.
6. Fort Amsterdam
Built in 1635 by the Dutch West India Company, Fort Amsterdam was strategically positioned at the entrance of St. Anna Day to defend the island from Spanish attacks and pirate raids. It also served as the headquarters of the Dutch West India Company.
Fort Amsterdam is still very much in use today and serves as the seat of the government of Curaçao. Within the fort walls is the Governor’s Palace, a beautiful colonial building that was once the residence of the Dutch West India Company director. It’s possible to walk through the main gate and visit the Fort Church (Fortkerk), the oldest Protestant church on the island with a distinctive yellow facade.
Before you leave the Punda district of Willemstad, take a photo at the Curaçao sign nearby – marked on my Curaçao cruise port map above.
7. Curaçao Maritime Museum
The Curaçao Maritime Museum covers 500+ years of Curaçao’s maritime history from the early explorations of Spanish and Dutch colonisers to the island’s role in trade, piracy and naval warfare.
There’s lots of interactive exhibits that explores the evolution of shipbuilding, famous shipwrecks and the stories of Curaçaoan seafarers. Amongst intricate models of historic ships are Spanish galleons to Dutch merchant vessels. The museum also offers harbour tours on an original ferry on Wednesdays from 2-3pm (additional charge but you don’t need to pay for a museum ticket too.)
- Opening Hours: When ships are at ports, it’s open from 10:30am to 3:30pm. Otherwise, open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
- Tickets: US$10 adults, $7 kids aged 6-17, free for kids under 6.
8. Museum Kura Hulanda
Back across on the Otrobanda side of Queen Emma Bridge is the Museum Kura Hulanda. The museum is housed in a beautifully restored 19th century merchant’s house and slave quarters.
The museum offers a world-class exhibition on the transatlantic slave trade, exploring its origins, the Middle Passage from Africa to the Americas and its impact on Curaçao and the Caribbean region. There’s also incredible artefacts from West African empires such as sculptures, masks and textiles.
- Opening Hours: Daily 8am to 4pm
- Tickets: US$12 adults, US$7 kids – you can pre-book online here.
The museum is located inside the Hulanda Village, a complex that includes a hotel, restaurants, shops and residential flats, so don’t think you’ve lost your way!
9. Brión Square
Brión Square is a public square named after Pedro Luis Brión, a Venezuelan revolutionary who fought for independence from Spain. The centerpiece of the square is a majestic statue of Brión on horseback, with his sword drawn, sculpted by the Venezuelan artist Edgar Salas. This is a great place to stop on your way back to the cruise port, for a rest or just to people watch.
10. Curaçao Rif Mangrove Park
Next to the Willemstad Curaçao Cruise Port is the Curaçao Rif Mangrove Park. It’s certainly an unexpected location, to find a thriving mangrove forest so close to a city centre. There’s guided tours but you can also explore the park on your own, with a raised boardwalk trail. Black, white and red mangroves, each with its distinctive characteristics are inside the park, as well as the Buttonwood Tree, often grown together with mangroves as a “companion tree”.
Because of these mangroves, the park has abundant wildlife to see. Birdwatchers will likely spot herons, egrets, pelicans, and ospreys. The native lizard species called Bloublou can be seen amongst the mangroves and green iguanas are keen often as well.
- Opening Hours: Daily 8am to 5pm.
- Tickets: US$15 adults, $2 kids aged 6-12, free for kids under 6. Guided walking tour is US$20 & guided kayaking tours US$25
Featured Photo by Bent Van Aeken on Unsplash
If your cruise is stopping at Willemstad Curaçao Cruise Port, I hope this guide has been useful to help you plan your own DIY shore excursion in Curaçao. As with most Caribbean Islands, there’s so much more to see than just the areas close by the cruise port and Curaçao is no exception! The famous Hato Caves is probably one of these attractions. But there’s definitely enough to see around Willemstad for a full day at port!
Have a most wonderful Caribbean cruise and drop me a line below if you have any questions!
