---

March 27, 2020

Today Cruising Journal will take you on a virtual trip to Curacao. Let’s discover together what to see in this marvelous stopover during a Caribbean cruise.

Curacao is one of the five islands of the Netherland Antilles in the Caribbean and part of the ABC islands, the three westernmost islands of the Leeward Islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

Curacao, has around 160,000 inhabitants and features houses with typical Dutch colonial architecture. It offers tourists a great variety of attractions from paradisiacal beaches, caves, museums, the oldest synagogue in the western world, casinos, luxury accommodations, jeep adventures, exceptional scuba diving and wonderful sailing tours. The picturesque and cosmopolitan city of Willemstad is the capital of Curacao. The houses are the main attraction in the historic city center, being both very colorful and pretty. Willemstad is a city full of charm and great ambiance that became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

The city is divided into two districts: Otrobanda (residential area) and Punda (commercial and tourist area) which are connected by a floating foot bridge that opens only when ships enter into the port. For cars, there is the Queen Juliana Bridge, one of the largest bridges in the world. Curacao is a paradise just waiting to be discovered, where you can spend a vacation relaxing in pristine nature, turquoise waters, coral reefs, fine white sand and charming coves that provide unforgettable scenery.

Cruise ships regularly make a stopover in Willemstad, there are three main moorings, one of which is just a few minutes on foot from the city center. Curacao has two docking points for cruise ships: mega ships can dock at the outer moor while smaller ships can dock at the cruise terminals located inside the port, on the canal and on Great Bay. All cruise terminals are connected to the main commercial areas of the city. There are excellent duty free shops in Willemstad, as well as a wide choice of restaurants and bars.

The shopping area of Punda offers tons of great deals to purchase jewelry, clothes, perfume, electronics, silverware, spirits and various types of Caribbean art. Furthermore, there are many casinos on the island where all types of table games are offered. The majority of tourists, especially those that arrive on cruise ships, generally limit themselves to visiting Willemstad. However, there are many other beaches on the island, some of which are within resorts and hotels, that offer a wide variety of services, including dining and refreshments and water sports. In Caracas Bay, on the southern Curacao coast, people who love the most extreme sports will be able to do activities such as mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking. On the island you can also rent canoes, kayaks, windsurfs and participate in banana boat trips.

Curacao is a place that offers so many activities, suitable for every member of the family. It is a stop we absolutely recommend which will make your Caribbean cruise even more spectacular!

Don’t miss out on the advice, opinions and information available on Cruising Journal, with Reviews, photos and cruise offers. Check out our Ports of Call Guides with useful trip advice!

Sergio Ferreira

Comments