The cheapest way to get around Curaçao is by taking advantage of the free ferry service that travels between the island's two main shopping centers, Punda and Otrabanda; although walking across the Emma Pontoon Bridge, is part of the Curacao experience. However, if traveling by--or across--water isn't your ideal way to see the island, or you want to visit places that can't be accessed by boat, a bus is the next most cost efficient way to travel. Bus service in Curaçao is a good way to see the island if you're on a budget or if you just want to get a better feel for local life. There are large buses and minibuses that travel all over the island, and public transportation is popular with both tourists and locals. Bus and mini bus fares are in Nafl so you should visit the "Bankomatico” or “Geldautomaat ” (ATM) before you climb aboard.

BUSES:  The Konvoois, the blue and yellow buses that service almost all urban parts of Curaçao, are a recommended way for tourists to travel around the island. Visitors can recognize Curacao's buses and minibuses by their license plates, which have large lettering that say "BUS." With their unique license plates and bright, colorful paint, this form of public transportation should be easy to recognize. Bus fares are Nafl 1, in town and for points East, and Nafl 1.50 to the western end of the island. Busses run most city routes hourly, every two hours for points west, and less frequently on Sundays. The vans and cars run more frequently, but with no fixed schedules.  Travelers can catch both minibuses and buses at main terminals, located outside the post office on the waterfront city of Punda and by the overpass in Otrobanda.

     When choosing a rental agency, be sure that it is insured and licensed. While local rental firms may have lower rates than the international companies, some people feel more comfortable renting from the more familiar names. Rates at local firms may start as low as $30(USD) a day, with rates for four-wheel drive and nicer cars moving up to $80(USD) a day.

     Travelers from the United States can rent a car in Curaçao with a valid driver's license. Many of the rental car companies require renters to be 21, 23, or 25 years of age and have two years of driving experience in order to rent a car. Major credit cards are also generally required in order to secure reservations and to place security deposits. Daily collision damage waiver fees can run from $11(USD) to $15(USD), and renters are also required to pay a 6 % tax. Mileage is usually unlimited, but renters are responsible for fuel.

     Driving in Curaçao is done on the right hand side of the road, and seat belts are required by law. Drivers with children under the age of four must have child safety seats, and children under 12 must ride in the back seat. Drivers should be cautious while driving in the rain, as roads can become slippery. Missing or concealed street signs also pose problems for travelers. This can be especially problematic in the evening when many of the roads are not well lit. Drivers who will be touring remote areas of the island should invest in a rental car with four-wheel drive. As always, drivers should exercise caution at all times when driving in a foreign country.

TOUR GUIDES:

     Besides the excellent beaches and hotel resorts, the island itself has a number of other points of interest that will be easier to find with a tour guide. Certainly it will be more time efficient. Some tour guides have regular schedule itineraries, but most will allow you to customize your own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curaçao Ostrich and Game Farm    

     Visit the Curaçao Ostrich Farm and take the opportunity to meet these fascinating birds up-close and personal. You can touch them, feed them even ride them (if you're courageous enough!) or hold an ostrich egg and a three-day old ostrich. A safari truck will take you on a remarkable tour through the farm corrals where the ostriches live.  The tour takes about 45 minutes and starts every hour. Then you can lunch in their African-themed open-air restaurant.  Closed on Mondays.   $10 per person for adults.   Website:  HERE

 

Christoffelpark

     Avid nature lovers will want to set apart at least half a day to explore the park. The park is teeming with local birds and plants, including many species you will not easily see anywhere else on the island. There are eight hiking trails, allowing the visitor the choice between an easy stroll, or for instance, a challenging hike to the top of Mt. Christoffel (recommended for early morning, before the sun packs its punch).                   Website:  HERE

 

 

Curaçao Sea Aquarium

     The Curacao Sea Aquarium was developed directly on the oceanfront with a healthy coral reef only a stone’s throw from the entrance. This beautiful aquarium complex, about a 15 minute ride from downtown, is one of the most unique in the world because of its ‘open-water-system,’ which means that sea water is continuously pumped into the aquaria.  At the Seaquarium, as it is better known, has 400 species of Caribbean fish and invertebrates on display. They range from orange pipefish and gorgeous pink and turquoise rainbow parrotfish to the strange-looking porcupine fish that puff into big spine-covered balls when they sense danger . During the feeding shows you can touch and learn about the animals. For some real fun you can snorkel or scuba dive and hand feed stingrays, sea turtles, sharks and many other colorful tropical fish. For those who do not want to get wet, they can watch other divers seated in the Underwater Observatory Boat.  Website: HERE 

The Natural Underwater Park
The Natural Underwater Park, is a 12.5 mile coral reef which extends from the Seaquarium to Jan Thiel Beach, and was designed for snorkelers with a trail of interpretive markers. A guide to the park is available at local bookstores. If you want to see even more underwater life, you can take a ride along Curacao's coast on the museum's glass bottom boat. Other museum attractions include water slides (open only on weekends. There are plenty of experienced dive operators providing daily boat trips and tours to all the best locations.
 

Landhuis Brievengat                                                                              

Many of the plantation houses are in disrepair, but one that has been transformed into a museum is the lovely Landhuis Brievengat, a restored mansion, which dates back to the 18th century, (Mon-Fri 9.15am-noon & 3-6pm) It has a wide selection of local crafts on view, as well as occasional live salsa music.  As you walk through the rooms of the mansion, you will get the feeling that you are in the eighteenth century.

Hato Caves

     The Hato Caves are born out of the sea into an historic monument. If you take a tour, your Cave guide will explain to you about the formation of the deep caves thousands of years ago. During this expedition in the amazing caves, you will discover the wonders of nature.  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. Even before the arrival of Europeans and slaves, the Amerindian Arawaks used them for shelter, and left behind cave drawings, or petroglyphs, estimated at 1,500 years old.  Guides will 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. Due to the humidity percentage, temperature can be a bit warmer inside the caves.