Wondering what to do in Curacao cruise port on your upcoming cruise?
Curacao is home to various natural and man-made tourist destinations that are sure to entice and entertain the whole family during shore excursions. With Dutch heritage influences, the island offers a unique mix of South American, Caribbean, and European cultures that you won’t find anywhere else.
If you’re looking for an interesting and exotic place to visit on your next cruise, then be sure to add Curacao to your list! This beautiful island has something for everyone and is perfect for families with kids of all ages. Here are some of the most popular attractions that you won’t want to miss while in Curacao.
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What Is There To Do Near Curacao Cruise Port?
We’re sharing some of the most popular attractions in Curacao in greater detail below:
Curacao Children’s Museum
If you’re looking for a fun and educational activity to do with your kids during your cruise stop in Curacao, then be sure to check out the Curacao Children’s Museum. This interactive museum is perfect for kids of all ages and features eleven different exhibits that will keep them entertained for hours. With a focus on hands-on learning, the Curacao Children’s Museum is a great place for families to explore while in Curacao.
Admission is $7.00 (12.5 ANG).
Landhuis Rooi Catootje
Stretching approximately 75 acres in size, the Landhuis Rooi Catootje was a plantation and colonial home built circa the 1820s upon the arrival of Dutch settlers in Curacao.
Along with its status as a colonial home, the Landhuis Rooi Catootje is central to Curacao’s colonial history as the site of the Round Table conference and the establishment of the self-government of the Dutch Antilles.
Home to various antique furniture and an extensive library to explore, the Landhuis Rooi Catootje is an integral part of the colonial history of Dutch settlers, and a must-visit from the Curacao cruise port.
Flamingo Sanctuary
Although perhaps not as well-known as their African counterparts, Caribbean flamingos are no less colorful and flamboyant. Fortunately, the flamingo sanctuary in Curacao is home to one of the largest and most well-preserved flamingo populations among the Caribbean Islands.
However, respect their space and not exit your vehicle, as flamingos require space and a comfortable environment to feed and care for their young.
Hato Caves
The Hato Caves are a great excursion for families.
The caves are a natural wonder that offers a unique and beautiful experience. They are also a great place to learn about the island’s history and culture. The caves were used by the native Arawak people for shelter, and they contain many archaeological artifacts that help tell the story of these ancient people including cave drawings and petroglyphs.
The caves are also home to an impressive colony of bats, which makes for an interesting sight. The guided tour takes about an hour.
Curacao Sea Aquarium
Opened in 1984, the Curacao Sea Aquarium is home to some of the most unique marine life in the world. The reason is that, unlike other aquariums that create artificial environments for their marine life, the Curacao Sea Aquarium prides itself on the management and promotion of natural habitats to allow marine life to thrive by invitation rather than coercion.
Consequently, the Curacao Sea Aquarium is a fun, humane, and sustainable excursion for the whole family.
Basic admission to the Sea Aquarium is $15 for ages 12 and over, and $7 for ages 5 to 12. Basic admission includes opportunities for feeding lobsters, sharks, and flamingos, and also for watching a dolphin feeding demonstration. Additional animal encounters have higher prices ranging from $25 to $65.
Playa Lagun
Like many Caribbean Islands, Curacao is home to many world-class beaches. One of the best beaches to explore is Playa Lagun, an unspoiled white sand beach that has proven popular with locals and tourists.
Playa Lagun has the perfect conditions and geography for numerous water sports, including but not limited to swimming, diving, snorkeling, and fishing.
Fort Beekenburg
Constructed way back in 1703, Fort Beekenburg was built on a rocky outcrop near Caracas Bay. The purpose of Fort Beekenburg was the protection of Curacao and the city of Willemstad from the British and marauding pirate gangs!
Although Fort Beekenburg hasn’t seen action for centuries, visitors are encouraged to explore the tiny fort and see the power/genius behind small defenses to protect vital locations.
This site does not have an admission charge.
Caracas Bay
Speaking of Caracas Bay, this rocky pebble beach is a favorite location for various water sports like kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and diving. Furthermore, it is flanked by multiple restaurants to explore and enjoy at your leisure!
Caracas Bay is a public beach and is often frequented by locals.
Kura Hulanda Museum
Central to the history of Willemstad is the Kura Hulanda Museum. Opened in 1999, this anthropological museum takes an unflinching look at the role of colonialism and the effects of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in Curacao and across the Caribbean.
Consisting of over fifteen buildings and hundreds of exhibitions, the Kura Hulanda Museum is a must-visit for fans of history and those looking to better understand the modern socio-political impacts of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Note that some of the exhibits can be disturbing and may not be suitable for younger kids.
Museum admission is $10 for adults and $7 for children.
Dolphin Academy Curacao
Similar to how the Curacao Sea Aquarium promotes natural and sustainable interactions with humans and animals, the Dolphin Academy allows visitors to interact with dolphins in their natural environment.
Consequently, this is considered a more humane and sustainable way of meeting some of the most intelligent, curious, and beloved animals in their natural habitat.
This is one of the pricier excursions on this list. The Academy offers a range of experiences that allow different levels of interaction. Prices range from $99 to $295. These prices include admission to the Curacao Sea Aquarium. There are additional charges for professional photographs (although you are permitted to take your own pictures as well).
Shete Boka National Park
While national parks typically conjure up images of sweeping plains or dense forests, the Shete Boka National Park in Curacao is a marine national park and is home to the nesting grounds of thousands of sea turtles every year.
Translated as the “seven inlets,” this ten-kilometer national park runs along the rocky shoreline, exposing visitors to the beauty and ferocity of the Caribbean coastline and its natural wildlife.
Admission to the park is $10 for adults and $1.50 for kids ages 5 to 12.
Curacao Maritime Museum
Opened in 1998, the Curacao Maritime Museum tells the story of shipbuilding and sailing over the past 500 years in and around the island!
Along with multiple exhibits, an exhibition hall, a restaurant, and a gift shop, the museum offers daily guided tours for visitors. Consequently, the Curacao Maritime Museum is a must-visit for fans of naval history.
Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for kids. Children under six are free.
Curacao Ostrich Farm
Like the Curacao Flamingo Park, visitors to the island may be surprised to hear of the existence of an ostrich farm due to the bird’s close association with Africa. But you can also find ostrich (non-native) in Aruba and Curacao.
The Curacao Ostrich Farm is one of the biggest ostrich breeding farms outside of Africa, allowing visitors to interact with these iconic birds in a safe and well-maintained environment away from their continental homeland. Guests have the opportunity to feed juvenile ostriches.
Admission is $16 for adults and $13 for kids.
Closing Thoughts
The 12 activities listed above provide a range of fun activities available in Curacao. If this is a stop on your upcoming itinerary, start planning now!
