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Curacao 2pm-11pm tour or beach


familycruzinnewbie
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Hi we are on the Breeze April 2014 with 2 kids 11 and 14. I'm trying to figure out our best options given the late arrival.

 

One option is the East Side tours with Irie tours which includes beverages and about an hour at Seaquarium beach. I know that there are no extra admission fees with the tour but is there normally an admission fee to this beach and if so what. I'm trying to figure out exactly what I would see on this tour given that at $25 pp it would be $100 for us.

 

Another option is to just go to a nearby beach. From reading on here, it sounds like we would be paying $20 each way for a nearby beach for a total of $40 plus any beach admission fees. What beach would you recommend, is there an admission fee/ chair rental fee etc? Also what about busses - I thought I read you could go to Seaquarium beach by bus what about others.

 

We could also consider a west side beach but that sounds like it would be about $50+ each way for the 4 of us.

 

Any suggestions as to what we should do. Also I guess we will head back to the boat for dinner - but what are out options after dinner, is there somewhere nice (and safe) to walk or shop. Thanks.

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...
  • 3 months later...

Ask your question again but in the title of your question put Isa65. She seams to be answering a lot of questions for people on here:D

 

I'd like to know myself since I have 2 kids 10 and 13 and was wondering what to do here with little time and on a budget;)

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Hi all, no need for a new thread:D....

 

If you're on a budget and with limited port times (which arriving at 2 pm certainly is) - I would opt for a nearby beach.

 

The Western beaches are too far for your limited time (approx. 45 minutes each way).

 

Since there are 4 of you, I wouldn't take public transportation. It's cheap and safe but you'll need to do 15 minutes of walking to get to the bus depot and it will probably only save you about 10 dollars.

 

Cab to Seaquarium beach/ Cabana Beach is $20 each way (not per person) and entrance fee is $ 3 per person.

 

If you plan to have dinner onboard, I would just go to the beach and after dinner you can walk around in Riffort Village.

 

If you're not having dinner on the ship, you can stay for Happy Hour at Seaquarium, have dinner at Hemingways enjoying a wonderful sunset.

 

Personally, I would splurge for the Irie Tours East side tour as it's lots of fun and you get so see some of the island, combined with beach time.

 

Any additional questions, let me know. Have a fantastic cruise!

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Hi all, no need for a new thread:D....

 

If you're on a budget and with limited port times (which arriving at 2 pm certainly is) - I would opt for a nearby beach.

 

The Western beaches are too far for your limited time (approx. 45 minutes each way).

 

Since there are 4 of you, I wouldn't take public transportation. It's cheap and safe but you'll need to do 15 minutes of walking to get to the bus depot and it will probably only save you about 10 dollars.

 

Cab to Seaquarium beach/ Cabana Beach is $20 each way (not per person) and entrance fee is $ 3 per person.

 

If you plan to have dinner onboard, I would just go to the beach and after dinner you can walk around in Riffort Village.

 

If you're not having dinner on the ship, you can stay for Happy Hour at Seaquarium, have dinner at Hemingways enjoying a wonderful sunset.

 

Personally, I would splurge for the Irie Tours East side tour as it's lots of fun and you get so see some of the island, combined with beach time.

 

Any additional questions, let me know. Have a fantastic cruise!

 

Where is Hemingways?

 

Thank you!

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Hi all, no need for a new thread:D....

 

If you're on a budget and with limited port times (which arriving at 2 pm certainly is) - I would opt for a nearby beach.

 

The Western beaches are too far for your limited time (approx. 45 minutes each way).

 

Since there are 4 of you, I wouldn't take public transportation. It's cheap and safe but you'll need to do 15 minutes of walking to get to the bus depot and it will probably only save you about 10 dollars.

 

Cab to Seaquarium beach/ Cabana Beach is $20 each way (not per person) and entrance fee is $ 3 per person.

 

If you plan to have dinner onboard, I would just go to the beach and after dinner you can walk around in Riffort Village.

 

If you're not having dinner on the ship, you can stay for Happy Hour at Seaquarium, have dinner at Hemingways enjoying a wonderful sunset.

 

Personally, I would splurge for the Irie Tours East side tour as it's lots of fun and you get so see some of the island, combined with beach time.

 

Any additional questions, let me know. Have a fantastic cruise!

 

Thanks for this information! I will be there with a family of six in August with similar port times so I appreciate the advice.

 

When I looked at the operating hours for Riffort Village, it said they close at 7pm. Would there be anything to see there after that?

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When I looked at the operating hours for Riffort Village, it said they close at 7pm. Would there be anything to see there after that?

 

7 pm is the regular closing hour for most of the stores in Riffort. When there are cruise ships in port most stores stay open later than that, there are restaurants and bars, often live music. There is a movie theater, Starbucks, Renaissance hotel and its casino. There is an ice cream shop, a coffee shop and some terraces (great for people watching).

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi Isa65

Since you have some serious knowledge in Curacao, my girlfriend, our 2 years and a half son and i are stopping in curacao from 2:00 pm till 11:00 pm. we thought about visiting the sea aquarium for our son and then maybe hit the beach for a while after. is that a good plan? Is our son really gonna enjoy the sea aquarium(he love all the animals)?

thanks for your expertise!

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Hi Isa65

Since you have some serious knowledge in Curacao, my girlfriend, our 2 years and a half son and i are stopping in curacao from 2:00 pm till 11:00 pm. we thought about visiting the sea aquarium for our son and then maybe hit the beach for a while after. is that a good plan? Is our son really gonna enjoy the sea aquarium(he love all the animals)?

thanks for your expertise!

 

If want my HONEST personal opinion - then, no. I don't think the entrance fee is worth it as there are many empty aquariums. The only 2 things that are really enjoyable are the dolphin training and the sea lion shows.

And you'll be in time to view those - http://www.curacao-sea-aquarium.com/en/plan-your-visit/daily-program

 

However, since your son will have free entrance and you can enjoy the beach after your seaquarium visit, maybe you can combine these 2 activities for the 2 x $21 you'll have to pay.

 

Anything you decide with a 2 1/2 yr-old, please take airconditioned transportation as you'll be arriving at a very hot time of the day.

 

Have a fun day in Curacao!

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DH and I are determining which beach we want to spend time at while at Curacao this time around. If we go to Seaquarium, we will likely take the bus, however, can you tell me where we need to go to catch the bus?

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If we go to Seaquarium, we will likely take the bus, however, can you tell me where we need to go to catch the bus?

 

When you get off the ship, you go through Riffort Village. As you get out you will see the pontoon bridge and the colorful houses on the other side of the canal.

Cross the bridge.

Take an immediate left.

Keep walking with the water on your left.

The road will take a turn and you will see the floating market.

Pass the floating market and you will see a large round building, that is the postal office.

On the LEFT of the postal office there is a bus depot for small and large busses. The sales kiosk selling tickets will direct you to the right bus.

 

Have a fun day in Curacao!

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familycruzinnewbie, We will be on the Breeze in April as well and we have two kids, 11 and 14 too. Our thoughts are because we are heading to a beach in Aruba, Grand Turk and LaRomana we were just going to hit the shops and maybe eat dinner in port if we are growing tired of the dining room at that point.

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  • 3 weeks later...

We are on the beach in Curacao right now, and I want to thank you for the directions via the bus. It was a longer walk than I expected to get to the buses, but no big deal. The bus only runs once per hour or so, and while it was really easy to get here to Seaquarium, I think we're spending the extra $ to cab it back. I'm pooped after a long day of doing nothing but eating and drinking in the sun!:)

 

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

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Trying to find the best things to do @ this port. Isa65 can you comment on the best beach and the driving distance to each beach. The ones I've researched are Kenepa Beach, Playa Cas Abou beach and PortoMari Beach. Also, best means of transportation while there. I've read somewhere that Budget and Avis rent for about $35 to $45 a day so that seems better than renting a cab. What would you recommend for sight seeing. Saw pics of the caves but they seem ok esp. since you cannot take too many pics. What about Willemstad? Any recommendations would be helpful.

 

thanks,

John

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Trying to find the best things to do @ this port. Isa65 can you comment on the best beach and the driving distance to each beach. The ones I've researched are Kenepa Beach, Playa Cas Abou beach and PortoMari Beach. Also, best means of transportation while there. I've read somewhere that Budget and Avis rent for about $35 to $45 a day so that seems better than renting a cab. What would you recommend for sight seeing. Saw pics of the caves but they seem ok esp. since you cannot take too many pics. What about Willemstad? Any recommendations would be helpful.

 

thanks,

John

 

Hi John, it is difficult to recommend the "best" beach as preferences vary. The most beautiful beach does not have any amenities (Knip Bay). The beach with all the amenities (Cabana / Seaquarium) does not have great snorkeling, Blue Bay has amenities, but is very quiet, Cas Abou and Porto Marie are great, but far away (30 minutes each way). (See where I'm going with this?:)).

 

Renting a car is ideal if you're in port between 08.00 - 18.00hrs. If you come in the afternoon, you will have limited daylight time to truly visit the beaches at the Western side.

Willemstad is the capital city where your ship will dock. So within walking distance you will find all shopping, restaurants, beautiful buildings, etc.

 

If you let me know your port hours I could give you more specific advice.

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Thanks Isa65, we are on the carnival arriving March 5. I liked that pdf doc you had on another thread that shows the ships on the port but it was only till Feb. I tried changing the months but it didnt work. Can you please put that in your reply. Yes, I understand what you are saying about beaches. We arrive ship time 2 p.m. which maybe 3:00 p.m. local time. So, since we are limited with daylight time, we have narrowed our beach preference to either Seaquarium/Cabana, BlueBay, Cas Abou or Porto Marie. If we pick Seaquarium then is that still 15-20 mins away from port? if we only save 15 mins then I would rather go to Cas Abou as it looks the most gorgeous from the choices I have put down and has amenities I believe. Would that be a good choice? Car rental is also probably out if they close by 6:00. Plan is to spend time on the beach till about 5:30 and then go back to the ship and then come out later after we freshen up.

Thanks

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So, since we are limited with daylight time, we have narrowed our beach preference to either Seaquarium/Cabana, BlueBay, Cas Abou or Porto Marie. If we pick Seaquarium then is that still 15-20 mins away from port? if we only save 15 mins then I would rather go to Cas Abou as it looks the most gorgeous from the choices I have put down and has amenities I believe. Would that be a good choice? Car rental is also probably out if they close by 6:00. Plan is to spend time on the beach till about 5:30 and then go back to the ship and then come out later after we freshen up.

Thanks

 

I still don't have the docking schedule for March (will see if I can get it this coming week).Blue Bay is about 10 - 15 minutes away and Seaquarium is also about 10 - 15 minutes away (other direction).Cas Abao will be 30 minutes (without traffic).If you debark immediately when the ship arrives, you can hop in a cab in be at Cas Abao before 3 pm. Then you have 3 solid beach hours.You NEED to schedule a pick up from the beach with the cab, as there will not be random taxis waiting at that beach.

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Thanks Isa65. Will wait for the cruise dock schedule as that will give us a better picture if the time is Curacao time or ship time 2:00 p.m.

 

Hi again, regardless of the dock schedule - you will ALWAYS arrive here at 2 pm or a little before. Cruise ships never arrive later than 2 pm local time (unless there is an emergency, weather issues, etc).

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Isa, is there a link for the Irie East tour?

 

Thanks!!

 

 

Sent from my wonderful iPhone 5 using the fabulous Cruise Critic app.

 

Hi! You can google their name and you will find further information. I'm not allowed to place links, promote tours, etc otherwise I'll get banned from the forum (again)....Have wonderful cruise!

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