Cas Abao Beach

[EquatorialRapture]

We set sail in nine days and we STILL haven't decided what to do in Curacao. The four of us are beach lovers and always try to do our own excursion by catching a taxi or bus at the port for a day trip. Cas Abao looks to be the most picturesque beach on Curacao and reminescent of a spot I once visited in Kona. However...it's pretty far from the port and we'd like to fit in time for sightseeing in town.

 

Has anyone been to this beach or another Curacao beach that might be closer you could recommend to a group of four active middle-aged adults? Time is running out! :o

[curacaoqueen]

Blue bay beach is lots closer and is pretty.There are loungers,palapas,food and drink.

[Siglaw1893]

Do you mind me asking what date it is you will you be in Curacao? We'll be there on March 23rd off of RCCL's Adventrure of the Seas.

[EquatorialRapture]

Do you mind me asking what date it is you will you be in Curacao? We'll be there on March 23rd off of RCCL's Adventrure of the Seas.

 

We will be there on the 22nd off of Carnival Miracle.

[GloriaF]

We will be there March 20th off Crown Princess (ports at 1 PM), and are also looking for a beach for swimming and snorkeling-- ideally that we could walk to from the ship. Is Blue Bay Beach within walking distance for a couple that likes to walk?

[preschool teacher]

We will be there March 20th off Crown Princess (ports at 1 PM), and are also looking for a beach for swimming and snorkeling-- ideally that we could walk to from the ship. Is Blue Bay Beach within walking distance for a couple that likes to walk?

 

I'm on your ship too...are you on the roll call? We want to snorkel there also as does another couple. Maybe we can share the ride...I want to go anywhere with great snorkeling.....happy weekend....

[Morgsmom]

I'm on your ship too...are you on the roll call? We want to snorkel there also as does another couple. Maybe we can share the ride...I want to go anywhere with great snorkeling.....happy weekend....

 

 

We are booking this cruise tomorrow (can you imagine? 6 days out?)... Looking for a Curacao Beach, too! ;) Will head over to the roll call.

[Siglaw1893]

We will be there on the 22nd off of Carnival Miracle.

Touring Curacao and trying to find a recommended touring company there has been difficult. It does not seem to be a place that is conducive to just hopping off the ship and going on your own. It's less developed than Aruba, but bigger, and the best beaches are relatively far away. This leaves you with the option of hanging out in Willemstad and visiting an old synagogue or taking some over-priced tour offered by the boat (which some may like). I, however, want to see the amazing sites and beaches that are supposed to be found on the west side of the island, but for which no boat-sponsored touring option provides.

 

My research online and communicating with tour groups has led me to Irie Tours and Peter Tours. They get great reviews online. In fact, they are the only tour companys that get anything other than bad reviews on Tripadvisor or anywhere else, it seems. Both are relatively small touring companys that don't offer all tours everyday. But, both are very customer friendly and quick to respond to an inquiry. We decided on Irie Tours because, although they're famous for their segway tours of Willemstad and their open-air party buses, they also have an air-conditioned van, and they went out of their way to offer an all-day private tour in the van to all the best beaches in the west (plus Shete Boka and flamingo watching) for the same price and with all the same perks as the big party bus. Peter Tours has the same or similar tour, and was a tad cheaper, but only offered the beach tour on Mondays. I hope this helps.

[Isa65]

It's less developed than Aruba

 

I wonder where you got that idea from....:confused:

[GloriaF]

I'm on your ship too...are you on the roll call? We want to snorkel there also as does another couple. Maybe we can share the ride...I want to go anywhere with great snorkeling.....happy weekend....

 

Cathy, Morgsmom - I just saw your post. I have no plans yet, so let's all talk at the Meet & Greet Monday.

 

I think it best to wait and meet one another, then make plans if we "click". I'm also open to contacting Irie Tours and splitting the cost...just don't want to hang around town all day.

[Siglaw1893]

I wonder where you got that idea from....:confused:

 

I've never been there, I'll admit. But, are you saying that Curacao has all the same resorts and casinos and malls and infrastructure, etc. as Aruba? That is not to say that Curacao is third world. From what I've researched, it has charming Willemstad with its colorful buildings, and it has modern amenities at its eastern beaches to be sure. But, unless everything I've read about the two islands is wrong, the two aren't on the same overall developmental level. Much of Curacao, including its entire western half, is not the hub of commercial hedonism that Palm Beach and Eagle Beach, and Oranjestad, Aruba are supposed to be.

[Isa65]

Actually I am saying exactly that. Even more, the infrastructure on Curacao (as far as roads, faster internet, etc) is MORE developed than Aruba.

 

One reason behind Aruba's split from the other Netherlands Antilles' islands is because Curacao was the central island receiving all funds from the Netherlands and benefitting from this. The other islands always received left-overs, sadly.

 

If you venture outside of the port area and the tourist areas on both islands you will find that Curacao has more upscale office parks and residential areas as well as modern sporting facilities.

 

Not saying anything bad about Aruba, as my Mom is from there and I love vacationing there.

 

Now, if you ask me: Is Aruba more focused on tourism? Then I would say yes. Hence the massive resorts and casino's.

[dwdwnurse]

Do you mind me asking what date it is you will you be in Curacao? We'll be there on March 23rd off of RCCL's Adventrure of the Seas.

 

Hi! I see you're on the same sailing as me!! Please join our roll call and sign up for the Meet & Mingle.

 

See you there!

[tjmaher]

Interesting I attempted to contact Irie Tours today. Apparently, there website is no longer there. Keep getting a message that states, webpage has expred or is up for rennewal. Anybody know what is happening?