We recommend wearing your bathing suit under comfortable clothing and walking shoes or water shoes. We had an island tour, saw the flamingoes, Hato Caves, shopped and went to Kokomo Beach (sooo beautiful)! While the east coast is known for the strong winds and forceful waves, the west coast of Curacao boasts calm, turquoise waters hiding fascinating underwater wildlife. While photos are restricted in all caves but one for preservation of the structures (as light causes an interaction on the limestone that results in algae), do be sure to take some pictures when allowed to capture the inner beauty of the Hato Caves. Caves were very nice. Guides will take you through the caves. Find tickets & tours worldwide. Bob was a great tour guide, he changed our itinerary and we did swimming with the turtles first then the beach and then the caves. 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. The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers questions. Caracas Bay is a dynamic place packed with restaurants, bars, hotels, and recreational areas. Great excursion. The tour guides were great. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. This is an active excursion and, in order to participate, guests must be able to easily navigate the moderate hike and multiple stairs. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Boka Wandomi hides another beautiful attraction the natural bridge made of limestone, offering the views of the powerful waves thundering into the caverns. For travelers who do not like to venture far from the cruise port, the historic Willemstad area is within walking distance, allowing easy access to plenty of history, culture, and shopping on the island. You probably have. Small Shore Excursions generally range in size from 2-20 people, providing a more personalized experience than the large excursions offered by the cruise lines. Kokomo Beach had great snorkeling too. The Queen Emma pontoon bridge connects Punda and Otrobanda. After you pass through the Renaissance Resort, youll reach Rif Fort village, an unusual, seafront shopping complex housed in a restored 19th-century fort. Alejandra, our tour guide, was excellent and kept us engaged. Located in the north of the island, a 10-minute walk from the Curacao International Airport, and a 15-minute driving distance (around 10 km; 6 mi) from Curacao cruise port, the famous Hato Caves rank among the most visited attractions in Curacao. See the list of the best off-road Curacao excursions.
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Keep in mind that you may encounter large touring groups when cruise ships are docked. Spent 45 minutes. Hato Caves: This biggest and most prominent cave on the island is more than 300,000 years old. I truly enjoyed the visit here, and I think everyone should experience it. When visiting Curacao on a cruise, there are several options available for shore excursions. No special shoes required - you can wear flip flops! Your tour guide will point out unique elements in each cave, while providing history of the caves and the role they played in the culture of Curacao. [CDATA[ (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "http://forms.aweber.com/form/76/1442865476.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "aweber-wjs-z2z56i6ju")); // ]]> Our trip to Hato Caves was part of a tour we booked with our cruise line, Royal Caribbean. This fascinating cave system is home to two types of rare bats: the Long-Tongued Bat and the Long-Nosed Bat, and youll find these interesting creatures hanging from the caves ceilings. What are the nearest attractions to Hato Caves? Usage of the caves by island inhabitants can be traced back about 1,500 years when the native Arawak Indians used these caves for shelter. Our tour guide Bob M. did great giving us the run around the island tour and history lesson for the day.
There are many options, including Curacao ATV tours, jeep safari excursions, and more. accessibility guidelines, COVID-19 Legal
There is an on-site restroom facility and a snack bar where you can purchase drinks. Find a better price for any excursion we offer and we will refund you 110% of the price difference! 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. There is the main bus station as well, however, the buses dont run regularly and I wouldnt recommend you use them. The trail can be steep at times, but there are handrails. Turtle beach was nice but virtually no changing area and $1 for the single bathroom.
We had a great time. 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. Klein Curacao A small, inhabited island (Klein means little) of Klein Curacao lies about 10 km (6 mi) south-east of Curacao, and is one of the most famous snorkeling and diving spots famous for turtle spotting. What is your favorite thing to do while docked in this Southern Caribbean port? Continue to the Hato Caves for a guided tour inside. The knowledgeable tour guide walks you through the cave for about 45 minutes, while sharing stories about the caves fascinating past and the slaves who used to hide in the Hato Caves until the abolition of slavery in the 19th century. There is a large gift shop where you can purchase the liqueurs and souvenirs, and the tasting is usually organized in a spacious courtyard featuring the bar where the cocktail specialist shows how to make cocktails with a Blue Curacao drink.On a tour of the factory, you can see the distillation process of the Blue Curacao liqueur. It boasts several historic landmarks, out of which the 18th century Fort Beekenburg that dominates the bay is the most iconic one. Hawksbill, loggerhead, and green sea turtles lay their eggs on the islands beaches, and you can often spot them swimming in their wild, natural habitat.Klein Curacao viator.com. Very intimate feeling at some of curaaos top attractions. Located a 10-minute driving distance (5.5 km; 3.4 mi) from the Curacao cruise port, the Curacao Liqueur Distillery at Landhuis Chobolobo is one of the most unique places to visit in Curacao!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_2',130,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-leaderboard-2-0')};Curacao Liqueur Distillery at Landhuis ChoboloboLandhuis Chobolobo gift shop. Have you visited the Hato Caves in Curacao? See the list of the best Willemstad hotelsI took this picture of Curacao cruise port from the Queen Juliana Bridge. Here you can witness the most powerful force of nature with the mighty waves pounding against coral rock formation and underground caverns.Boka Tabla. The formation of the Hato Caves in Curacao occurred over the span of 200,000 years. For thrill-seekers, exploring the island in a 44 vehicle is the most exciting way to see its highlights and its nature. Having worked in the cruise industry for over 7 years as Concierge and Shore excursions staff (Rivages du Monde, Viking River Cruises, Royal Caribbean International), Ive gained priceless, inside knowledge about the ports of call and have become a shore excursions expert. Hans and Emma were awesome. 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. My name is Katarina and welcome to my cruise & travel blog! Grote Knip. After visiting Curacao on a recent trip, we highly recommend a tour of the Hato Caves. Kleine Knip is a small, intimate beach with a lot of natural shade and very limited facilities. Booking(s) successfully added to your profile and cruise companion group.
Swimming with Turtles and Grote Knip Beach Break TOP RATED! The tour was fabulous and the caves were amazing. And viator was so helpful getting the trip booked, The bus driver and tour guide were amazing, informative and funny! By clicking I Agree, you accept our privacy policy. Loved seeing the pelicans and the beach was wonderful. See the most popular Curacao snorkeling and diving toursif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-portrait-1','ezslot_22',140,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-portrait-1-0')}; Curacao is known for its dramatic landscapes, rugged terrain, and awe-inspiring natural attractions. Infants under 3 years old are free when sitting on an adult's lap. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Hi! 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. During your next cruise to the island, it is worth taking the short drive north to explore these 200,000 year old. You can swim to the boat directly from Tugboat Beach, and explore its beautiful marine life. At the Hato Caves, you will be surrounded by many unique stalactite and stalagmite formations during your walking tour. It gave us the opportunity to see the best of this country. Hato Caves was amazing the history behind it was terrific. 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. Source: Pixabay.com. The national park spreads over 10 km (6 mi) of Curacaos north shore known for its rugged coastline and dramatic cliffs hanging over the series of caves. Don Bucolo, or DB, loves everything about cruising- the ocean, the food, and the atmosphere. A Walking Tour of Historic Willemstad Curacao, Best Things to Do in Curacao on a Cruise (2021), Why We Love Teppanyaki on Norwegian Getaway, Royal Caribbean Drink Packages Guide (2022), Complete Guide to Holland America Line Drink Packages, Virgin Voyages Restaurant Guide with MENUS, Discovery Princess Restaurant Guide With Menus, Everything You Need to Know About Norwegian Cruise Line's Free at Sea, Complete Wonder of the Seas Dining Guide with Restaurant Menus, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Update Testing Requirements. The caves were impressive and better than I had imagined. Notices. There are several great locations for snorkeling (Ive mentioned a few beaches above), however, the ultimate snorkeling and diving experience await you at two popular sites: Caracas Bay and Klein Curacao.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-netboard-1','ezslot_20',145,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-netboard-1-0')}; rel="nofollow noopener"if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_15',146,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0')}; Caracas Bay has been part of the Curacao Marine National Park and is located only a 20-minute driving distance south-east from the Mega Pier cruise terminal (around 12 km; 7.5 mi), and if you want to snorkel or dive there, the best way is to book a shore excursion. Another popular inlet is Boka Pistol, where you can see the spectacular sight of the energetic flow of water emerging from the ground hole like a geyser.
In this area, you can explore the vibrant marine life teeming with corals, sponges, sea horses, frogfish, eels, octopus, sea snails, and other tropical fish. Guided and audio-guided tours are available.
Cave was hot!!! The caves ended the tour and was our least favorite part of the trip. A stop at the caves can be coupled with other Curacao attractions such as the ostrich farm. This legacy is preserved in cave paintings found in some of the caves. Nonstop information all through the trip and he also showed us the art installations after our tour. Make sure you have comfortable shoes. Please select a tour departure date and time in order to add this product to your cart. rel="nofollow noopener". You may need to negotiate a few steps. See the list of Landhuis Chobolobo tours & cocktail workshopsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',131,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-1-0')}; Recommended article: Pros and Cons of Booking Cruise Ship Shore Excursions. Standard Shore Excursions typically range from 20-50 people. The museum also delves into the cultural influences that combined to form present-day Curacao. This was perfect. The tour was entitled Caves and City Tour and lasted approximately 3 hours. The Hato Caves entrance fee and transportation to and from the caves were included in the shore excursions total costs. If you are going on the ABC Islands cruise, one of your itinerary stops includes the island of Curacao and Willemstad, its lovely, picturesque capital. Its worth seeing. See the Curacao port map on Google mapsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',127,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-medrectangle-4-0')}; Willemstad, the charming islands capital, is divided into two parts: Otrobanda (meaning the other side), and Punda, where the main Willemstad attractions are. Since its opening to the public in 1991, the caves have been made accessible by foot for visitors. You have reached the maximum number of items in your favorites list. Thank you for reading and Happy Cruising! Miguel was one of the best parts of our trip! The main entrance to the caves does require climbing approximately 50 stairs, but once inside, most of the path is a sloped walkway making it easy for travelers to experience these caves. You should be in good physical health if you reserve one of these tours. Curacao Hato Caves are easy to explore. This is a famous tourist area where youll find many shops, ATMs, several restaurants, and tour operator booths offering trolley train rides, car rentals, bike rentals, and more. Booking.com(function(d,sc,u){var s=d.createElement(sc),p=d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0];s.type='text/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u+'?v='+(+new Date());p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);})(document,'script','//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); Have you ever heard of Blue Curacao Liquor? See the list of the best Kenepa Beach excursions. Infants under 3 years old are free when sitting on an adult's lap. Id love to connect with you via Instagram @katarina_adventourbegins, Facebook @Adventour Begins, and Pinterest @katarina_adventourbegins. It will also include instructions on what to do in the very unlikely event that you encounter difficulties in meeting up with your guide. Some shapes are more easily visible than others, but either way, it is a fun activity regardless of your age! Upon returning back to the pier area you will be provided a city tour in the shopping area of Punda. See the list of the best Willemstad hotels, 25 Top Shore Excursion Packing List Items, See the list of Landhuis Chobolobo tours & cocktail workshops, Pros and Cons of Booking Cruise Ship Shore Excursions. There is a small entrance fee to pay (around 3.50 $ per adult) and the prices within the complex are very reasonable. St Marie Beach was amazing ! Your email address will not be published. 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. During your tour, your guide will point out these areas of the caves and ask you to use your imagination. To get to the entrance of the cave, you need to climb 49 steps which is doable as the steps arent steep, there are handrails, and you climb at your own pace. The operator whose product is featured here may pay Viator more. The drive from the cruise terminal to the Hato Caves was about 20 minutes. You can see the Mega Pier cruise terminal in Otrobanda (with large cruise ships), and the Mathey Wharf alongside St Anna Bay where the smaller ships are docked. Drop us an anchor below to help your fellow travelers find the right shore excursion for their stop at this colorful island. *, Opens in a new window. Your email address will not be published. Swimming with the turtles was great experience. 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! My wife and I got great pictures throughout this beautiful island! Most days you will find a couple of dozen wading through the salt flats of Sint Michiel. Page will reload to reflect new bookings. To get to Hato Caves, you can book a shore excursion, take a taxi, bus, or book a private transfer/rent a car. Your booking confirmation will contain clear instructions on where and when to go to start each of your tours. Definitely recommend this tour. This tour is NOT wheelchair accessible. You can also visit the cactus garden featuring hundreds of different cacti species, home to rare birds and friendly Green iguanas. 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. Be patient with meet-up & start of tour as there are a TON of people walking around. The cruise ships sometimes offer Curacao Liqueur tours at Landhuis Chobolobo, but in case you decide to do your own thing, you can take a taxi at the cruise terminal and take a guided tour of the distillery at your own pace. 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. Proof of age is required for a child to go free. For full information, please see my disclaimer here. Required fields are marked *. Dont forget to try the Watermelon Flamingo when you go! Thank you for providing this great experience. For groups of 4 or more, we can usually arrange a private shore excursion for less than the cost of a large cruise line tour. Check out todays cruise deals from Cruise Critic!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-netboard-2','ezslot_21',141,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-netboard-2-0')}; Stay tuned for my next Caribbean adventure!
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