A Day in Curaçao: Willemstad, Blue Curaçao, and Rolling With the Punches
Curaçao greeted us with an overcast sky and a canceled excursion, and it still turned into a great day. That is kind of the whole lesson of cruise travel: stay flexible, and a good port will reward you anyway. We tasted the island's famous blue liqueur, crossed a floating bridge, wandered a UNESCO old town, and made the best of a plan that fell apart. Here is our day in Curaçao.
Is Curaçao worth a day in port?
Yes. Curaçao's capital, Willemstad, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of candy-colored Dutch colonial architecture, and the island has unique experiences you will not find anywhere else, like the original Blue Curaçao distillery and the swinging Queen Emma pontoon bridge. Even when an excursion falls through, there is plenty to fill a day on foot.
Willemstad: a UNESCO old town
Stepping off the ship puts you right into the heart of Curaçao. The capital, Willemstad, earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997 for its historic district, and it is genuinely one of the most photogenic harbor towns in the Caribbean. The famous Handelskade waterfront is lined with rows of brightly painted Dutch colonial merchant houses along the channel that splits the city into two districts, Punda and Otrobanda.
The Curaçao Liqueur Distillery
Our first stop was a must-do: the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery, home of the world-famous Blue Curaçao. The distillery has been producing this iconic liqueur since 1896, and the genuine version is made only here, from the dried peels of the laraha, a bitter citrus fruit that grows only on this island (it descends from Spanish oranges that adapted to the dry climate centuries ago).
The best part is the tasting. They have a whole lineup of flavors, and we could not resist trying them all, chocolate, tamarind, orange, and the original. Some are surprisingly good (the chocolate really does taste like chocolate). If you visit Curaçao, put this one on your list.
The Queen Emma Bridge
You cannot do Willemstad without crossing the Queen Emma Bridge, the iconic floating pontoon bridge locals call the "Swinging Old Lady." It connects the Punda and Otrobanda districts and actually swings open to let boats pass through. Walking across it gives you the best views of those colorful waterfront buildings. It is free, it is fun, and it is the quintessential Curaçao photo.
When the plan falls apart (and that's okay)
Here is the honest part. Our main excursion got canceled at the last minute. There was an accident that delayed our tour, we waited around for half an hour, and then learned it would be at least another 45 minutes, so they scrapped it. Bummer, but this is where flexibility saves the day.
Instead, we made our own afternoon: we explored the city center, hit the local craft and farmers market, and grabbed lunch at a cozy cafe called De Buren. We also wandered the shops near the terminal, which had plenty of stores and things to do. Was it the day we planned? No. Was it still a good day? Absolutely. On a cruise, the ability to pivot is half the skill.
A fun fact from our guide
Our tour guide shared a piece of local lore we have to pass along: in Curaçao, iguana soup is traditionally considered an aphrodisiac, said to work a little like a certain blue pill back in the States. We cannot vouch for the science, but it is a very Curaçao thing to learn on a bus ride.
Honest tips for Curaçao
Stay flexible. Excursions can fall through. Have a loose Plan B (Willemstad is very walkable).
Do the distillery and the bridge. They are uniquely Curaçao and easy to combine.
Walk the Handelskade. The colorful waterfront is the photo you came for.
Bring a light rain layer. Our day was overcast with passing showers, which actually kept it cool and pleasant.
FAQ
What is Curaçao known for?
Its colorful UNESCO capital of Willemstad, the original Blue Curaçao liqueur, and the floating Queen Emma Bridge.
Where does Blue Curaçao come from?
The Curaçao Liqueur Distillery in Willemstad has made it since 1896 from the island's native laraha citrus.
Is Willemstad walkable?
Very. The Punda and Otrobanda districts are connected by the Queen Emma pontoon bridge and easy to explore on foot.
What if my excursion gets canceled?
Willemstad has more than enough, the bridge, the distillery, markets, shops, and cafes, to fill a great day on your own.
The Verdict
Curaçao tested our go-with-the-flow muscles and still delivered. We sampled Blue Curaçao at the place that invented it, crossed the swinging bridge, soaked up a UNESCO old town, and proved that a canceled excursion does not have to ruin a port day. Willemstad is colorful, walkable, and full of character. We left calling it a really good day, and we meant it.
Want to see how we made the most of it? Watch our Curaçao day on YouTube: Caribbean Netherlands Island: Curaçao, and subscribe to Finding Our Forte for more.
