Are you looking for a one-day in Curacao itinerary from the cruise ship in Curacao? Then I got you covered!
The beautiful island offers many amazing things to do! So many things, it can be hard to choose what to do if you only have one day in Curacao.
I have stayed many weeks in Curacao this year, and I know all the best spots!
As an avid cruiser, I know that not every itinerary fits in with your schedule, so I have prepared multiple options for a one-day Curacao itinerary here in this post!
Let’s dive in!
About the Curacao Cruise Port
Cruise ships that dock in Curacao will arrive at one of two major cruise ship terminals in Willemstad. They either dock on the Mega Pier Cruise Terminal or the Mathey Wharf.
On days when only one cruise ship docks in Curacao, the Mega Pier Terminal is used. The Mega Pier has an open-air terminal with all kinds of amenities next to it. Find information booths, restrooms, and a taxi stand.
The Mathey Wharf is the other possible docking pier for cruise ships in Curacao. It has a capacity for as many as 4 ships. It is located next to Queen Juliana Bridge across the St. Anna Bay. Nowadays, only smaller ships dock here.
The Marichi Pier is sometimes also still in use, but only if the others are blocked.
Option 1: Get a Rental Car And Explore the Island
Willemstad is within walking distance of the cruise port. If you are mainly interested in checking out the city, you won’t need a car.
If you want to see more of the island, I suggest booking a rental car. I prefer booking a rental car in advance.
Parking is free in most places on the island. For tips on fuelling and driving on Curacao, check my Ultimate Curacao Travel Guide for more detailed info.
It takes about an hour to drive from Willemstad all the way out to the west. Make sure to account for that when picking your activities – many people underestimate driving times on the island.
Suggested Curacao Road Trip Stops
🌴 Go to the beach: I suggest Jan Thiel Beach, Mambo Beach, Cas Abao Beach, Kokomo Beach, or Playa Porto Mari. Playa Lagun and Playa Gipy are also amazing!
🌴 Snorkeling or diving: Curacao has amazing marine life. Many beaches have snorkel and dive shops where you can rent gear for your underwater adventure.
🌴 Hiking and adventures: Shete Boka National Park, Christoffel National Park, Hato Caves, or the Tafelberg are great places for your trip.
🌴 Museums and history: Savonet Museum, Mongui Maduro Museum, Kura Hulanda Museum
🌴 Art lovers: Check out the chichis at Serena’s factory, see the street art in Willemstad, participate in a Driftwood painting workshop at Tugboat Beach or Playa Porto Mari
🌴 Animal and nature highlights: Aloe Vera factory, Curacao Sea Aquarium, Ostrich farm, Flamingo area
🌴 Landhuis Chobolobo – the Curacao liqueur distillery: join a cocktail workshop, tour the museum, and buy great souvenirs
🌴 Check out Plasa Bieu, the local market. The vendor stalls sell lots of local cuisine, juice, and more.
Option 2: Explore Willemstad
There are many amazing and exciting things cruise ship passengers can do in Willemstad.
Cruise guests will love the proximity of the Willemstad Cruise Port to the inner city. It is really only a couple of minutes of walking.
Visiting Willemstad on your cruise is a great idea for everyone interested in culture and shopping. It is also ideal for cruise guests who don’t want to book excursions or drive around on the island.
Check out my in-depth Willemstad guide for more info about the city!
Otrobanda
Otrobanda is the district to the west of Sint Anna Bay, where the cruise ship is most likely docked. Taking a walk around the scenic district will offer cultural insight and amazing photo spots. There is a lot of street art in this district.
The former fort “Rif Fort” is a waterfront mall with a courtyard, stores & bars as well as cafes. This is a great place to get some shopping in or simply sip a coffee in a relaxed atmosphere.
The wall of the fort offers a great view over the bay and the Handelskade.
Queen Emma Bridge
The Queen Emma Bridge is a floating pontoon bridge. The pedestrian bridge connects the two districts Otrobanda and Punda.
From the Queen Emma Bridge, you can see the famous Juliana Bridge.
Punda
After crossing the Queen Emma Bridge, you can see the famous Handelskade. The row of colorful houses is an amazing picture spot in Willemstad. There are many fabulous stores and cafes in Punda. You can also find lovely street art here.
A great spot to visit is the Plasa Bieu (Old Market) in Punda. Try local dishes there, like cactus soup or goat stew. Also, check out the floating market and the Iguana Cafe.
You can buy souvenirs and local arts and crafts there. The historical Fort Amsterdam is worth a visit.
Pietermaai
The Pietermaai district is famous for being the SoHo of Willemstad.
The vibrant and colorful part of town is home to many restaurants, ocean clubs, and hip bars. Check out Saint Tropez Ocean Club for a dip in the pool and a nice lunch.
There are loads of cute, colorful buildings. This place is ideal for young people. It is very Instagram-worthy, so make sure to check it out before heading back to the Willemstad Cruise Port.
Option 3: Spend a Day at the Beach Or at a Hotel (Day Pass)
Another great and relaxing way to experience Curacao is catching a cab and driving to a beach. There are quite a few amazing spots close by, so it will not cost too much money to go there.
Check out the 247taxi app or grab a cab at the cruise port. Make sure to agree on the price in advance. Many people try to scam tourists this way.
Great beaches in the area of Willemstad are:
- Mambo Beach Boulevard
- Blue Bay Beach
- Kokomo Beach (Famous Swings)
You can buy a day pass (around 100 USD) for the following hotels close to the port:
- Renaissance Hotel Curacao
- Baoase Hotel Curacao
- Marriott Beach Resort Curacao
Conclusion: One Day in Curacao
In this post, we answered what to do in Curacao from a cruise ship. We saw the Willemstad Curacao Cruise Port and dove deep into all the options on what to do from there.
Whether you rent a car and explore by yourself or book a guided day tour, there is much to explore on the island.
You can also take it easy and relax on the beach or enjoy a scenic walk in Willemstad – the choice is up to you!
Make sure to check out my other cruise itineraries for more info about various ports of call.
Read about the best time to visit Curacao to plan the perfect vacation.
About the Author
Hi friend, I am Sabrina, a passionate travel blogger and photographer from Austria.
I love capturing the world through the lens of the seasons, chasing soft spring blooms, golden autumn light, and cozy winter moments along the way. My goal is to help you discover destinations at their most magical moments.
