Plantation House Jan Kock (Landhuis Jan Kok). But, for those cruisers looking for something a bit more adventurous, you can take a short drive to the Hato Caves in Curacao. To get to these snorkeling and diving locations, the best way is to book a tour, as everything will be organized for you, including the equipment which is usually provided. Guides will take you through the caves. These caves had a utilitarian purpose during the early days of the slave trade in Curacao; escaped slaves used them as hiding places, and lived in them for months at a time. Alex was amazing guide. Alejandra, our tour guide, was excellent and kept us engaged. Hans and Emma were awesome. Excellent overall tour! Also, pictures are only allowed in one area of the caves, which was not advertised until the tour started and was a bit of a disappointment. It is also less likely that the tours information and explanations of the unique formations will be lost in translation. Cave was beautiful and island history interesting. Of course, taxi service is also available at the cruise port if you would rather visit the caves on your own. Home Ports of Call Caribbean Curacao Why You Should Visit Hato Caves in Curacao, The Hato Caves in Curacao are located only 20 minutes from the cruise port. For thrill-seekers, exploring the island in a 44 vehicle is the most exciting way to see its highlights and its nature. The home of the original Curacao liqueur which has been produced here since 1896, the distillery offers guided tasting tours where youll learn about the distillation process of the Blue Curacao liqueur and various types of this renowned Curacao alcohol. Get ready to explore the islands 300.000 years old past as you walk through the impressive coral limestone formations that youll find inside the cave: stalactites, stalagmites, a romantic water pool, the Virgin Mary statue, and other geological shapes whose mysterious beauty will blow your mind away! We had an island tour, saw the flamingoes, Hato Caves, shopped and went to Kokomo Beach (sooo beautiful)! Save your favorites. Find tickets & tours worldwide. Guided and audio-guided tours are available. Lots to see here! Source: Pixabay.com. They'll point out the apocryphal and fanciful stories behind some of the stalactites and stalagmites; in the eerie lighting, some take on shapes and are called the Pirate's Head, the Sea Tortoise, and the Giant of Jack and the Beanstalk fame. Like Aruba and Bonaire, Curacao is a fabulous place with a rich tourist offer and off-the-beaten-track places that will amaze you with their beauty! During high season (from mid-December to mid-April) and on holidays, more on-site Hato Caves tours might be available. Miguel was one of the best parts of our trip! Are you ready to embark on your journey to sea the world, one port at a time? Kleine Knip is a small, intimate beach with a lot of natural shade and very limited facilities. Pickup and drop-off from Curacao hotels and the cruise port is typically included with guided tours. Cruise portsCrew membersDestinationsBlogAbout me, ContactPrivacy policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimer, We use cookies to improve your experience. *, Opens in a new window. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Source: Pixabay.com. rel="nofollow noopener". if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-box-4','ezslot_3',128,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-box-4-0')};The city center is within a 10-15 minute walking distance from the Mega Pier cruise terminal andis easy to reach. The drive from the cruise terminal to the Hato Caves was about 20 minutes. Make sure to snorkel at this beach. Nonstop information all through the trip and he also showed us the art installations after our tour. Willemstad's covey of structures recall the quaint designs of Amsterdam, with exquisite 17th and 18th century Dutch colonial buildings not to be found anywhere else outside of the Netherlands. The caves are open every day from 9 AM to 4 PM, the guided tours are organized every hour, and the entrance fee is 9 $/adult and 7 $ for kids aged 4-12. The World Heritage City of Willemstad - Punda, was established in the mid-1600s. Lots of artificial reefs with colorful fish around them. Id love to connect with you via Instagram @katarina_adventourbegins, Facebook @Adventour Begins, and Pinterest @katarina_adventourbegins. You should be in good physical health if you reserve one of these tours. It is a sandy public beach with some rocks and coral pieces on the waterline, so make sure you bring water shoes. The only disadvantage is that due to its popularity it can be crowded sometimes. Located in the Lesser Antilles, in the southern Caribbean Sea, 65 km (40 mi) north of the Venezuelan coast, Curacao island forms the group of the ABC Islands together with Aruba and Bonaire. Great excursion. To get to Shete Boka Park, you can book a shore excursion, rent a car, or a private transfer (a cheaper option than a taxi). We could not have asked for a better day. Also bring the snorkel gear, because snorkeling is amazing besides the tropical fish and corals, you can spot the sea turtles swimming around you. Source: Pixabay.com. Snorkel Gear and Scuba Diving Equipment Tips by a Pro! This booking number and last name combination could not be found. You may need to negotiate a few steps. This is an active excursion and, in order to participate, guests must be able to easily navigate the moderate hike and multiple stairs. See the list of the best Willemstad hotelsI took this picture of Curacao cruise port from the Queen Juliana Bridge. Its worth seeing. There are several attractions you can visit during your exploration of this picturesque city.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',129,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-banner-1-0')}; Note: The currency in Curacao is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG), also known as the florin. They were on time, bus was air conditioned and it was a small tour. Swimming with the turtles was great experience. Page will reload to reflect new bookings. When he is not sailing the high seas, he does whatever his wife tells him to do-it only took 10 years to realize this. Great experience, Alejandro was very knowledgeable about the island facts. Page will reload to reflect new bookings. Once we arrived, we received a 45 minute tour of the caves and some additional time allotted for the group to use the restrooms and grab a drink at the refreshment center. It boasts several historic landmarks, out of which the 18th century Fort Beekenburg that dominates the bay is the most iconic one. Ive been to Mambo Beach several times, and cant wait to go again. Go wild through the sandy plains filled with giant cacti trees, iguanas, lizards, and other wildlife, visit the Curacao Ostrich Farm and zoo on the east coast (a 25-minute drive from the cruise port), or Koral Tabaak nature reserve famous historic cave offering spectacular views of the north coast!The north coast of Curacao. Continue to the Hato Caves for a guided tour inside. //
hato caves from cruise port