- Round-trip transportation from your Curacao Willemstad cruise ship terminal!
- Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation!
- English-speaking certified sightseeing shore excursion guide!
- Guided sightseeing with stops and all entrance fees included!
- Highlights and stops around Curacao island!
- Lunch stop at a local restaurant!
- Sightseeing of Queen Juliana Bridge, Willemstad, Blue Curacao Liquor Factory, West Point, Boca Tabla Cave, Flamingo area, Salt Flats, and many more!
You won't miss out on a single island highlight on this Curacao excursion The city of Willemstad at the heart of Curacao was chosen by the UNESCO World Heritage Site in ... Read More
You won't miss out on a single island highlight on this Curacao excursion. The city of Willemstad, at the heart of Curacao, was chosen by the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, one of just 6 sites so honored in the Caribbean, and with good reason.
You'll meet your shore excursion guide at your Curacao cruise ship terminal. Your trip will begin with a drive through Otrobanda, built as the population of Willemstad grew too large to be contained by walls in the 1700s. Here you'll get a glimpse of Rif Fort, constructed with coral walls in 1828 to defend the island from pirates, now home to the Renaissance Mall. You'll drive through the restored area of Kura Hulanda which houses many of the 700 buildings in Willemstad listed by UNESCO.
From here, your Curacao sightseeing excursion guide will take you through the Scharloo Jewish Quarter past the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas. Then crossing the Juliana Bridge, you'll get a bird's eye view of the Punda, Otrobanda, and Schottegat neighborhoods.
Once you cross into the Pietermaai district, you'll see exactly why UNESCO chose this area as a representation of 3 centuries of a highly preserved multicultural community. The restored mansions make this historical suburb a treat for the eyes.
Once you arrive at the original settlement, Punda, you'll pass by 2 of the city's defenses, Waterfront, built in 1826, and Fort Amsterdam, constructed in 1635 at the mouth of Saint Anne's Bay. You'll see even more history at the Trading Wharf and floating market, designed by the Dutch West India Company as a center for the Atlantic slave trade.
Your first stop on this Curacao shore excursion will be Blue Curacao Liquor Factory which has been making its distinctive spirits continuously since 1896, you'll enjoy this place for about 30 minutes. Following that, you'll have a chance for a photo op at Fort Nassau, built in 1797. Continuing on to the west side of the island, you can take in the lovely hills, valleys, beach coves, plantation homes, and fisherman's huts.
After all of this, a well-deserved lunch break is in order. You'll have quite a menu to choose from at E. Lanternu restaurant and be able to taste first-hand why it has received TripAdvisor's certificate of excellence. (The price of lunch is not included)
Your Curacao East to West Island Highlights Sightseeing Excursion is far from complete, however. The next stop is the Shete Boka National Park, home to three different species of turtles that nest along the bay's inlets. After that, you'll have 10 minutes to enjoy the white sand beach at Knip Beach, named one of the top 25 beaches in the world. Your final stop will be a quick photo stop at the Flamingo Sanctuary.
Another drive through the specular countryside will bring you back to your Curacao cruise ship port once again.
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