Port Stop: Finding Myself Exactly Where I Needed To Be In Colorful and Vibrant Willemstad, Curaçao (MSC Divina – Southern Caribbean Cruise)

Updated November 6, 2025

Originally published November 7, 2025

Curaçao combines the beauty of the Caribbean with some European influence mixed in and is highlighted by the colorful buildings, friendly locals, and clear blue water everywhere you look. It is funny that I was looking forward most to Aruba on this itinerary but found myself instead falling in love with Willemstad. So much so that I am constantly plotting when I can return to Curaçao. I love that travel is about discovery and surprise and that many times, if you allow yourself to be open – you find yourself exactly where you should be and that was definitely the case here. Lets take a look to see what I ended up doing on my cruise stop here and see if you can resist the charm of this delightful island.

_{Please note: this post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something following a link on this page, I may get a small commission. There is no additional cost to you and helps reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping this site active}. _{Thanks for supporting my blog (AKA feeding my ice cream addiction around the world!) Rosemary}

LOGISTICS

MONEY MATTERS

As of July 1, 2025, Curaçao officially retired the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG) and replaced it with the Caribbean Guilder (XCG). Note that U.S. dollars are widely accepted at shops, restaurants, and beaches. Credit cards are also accepted in most tourist areas.

COMMUNICATION

While the official language is Dutch and many locals speak English, you will hear Papiamentu spoken most frequently around the island. It’s a Creole language that blends Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, African, and indigenous Arawakan influences.

Besides learning a basic phrase or two, there are sometimes words that are really important and help capture the essence of a place (such as hygge in Denmark). For Papiamentu that would be Dushi which has a variety of positive meanings. Whether describing delicious food, a beautiful view, or a pleasant experience, “dushi” is the go-to word to express something sweet, good, or delightful. You might even hear locals referring to each other as “dushi,” which is a term of endearment like “darling” or “sweetheart.

PORT INFO

CRUISE TERMINAL LOGISTICS

• There is complimentary Wi-Fi at the Cruise terminal / good for 30 minutes.
• As you head out there are tents to book tours and taxis

WHAT I DID

After passing the pink Welcome to Curaçao, I came across the tents where tours are being sold and then I took a right past the taxi and private tours tent. I continued on walking through a shaded area where souvenirs and trinkets are sold (from the cruise terminal photos taken aboard the cruise ship, these are the brightly colored awnings). I found that people were friendly and talkative but never pushy about tours, taxis or souvenirs.

The cruise terminal is so close to Willemstad that it took me only 8 minutes or so to walk from the ship to the start of the walking tour at the Riffort Mall entrance / Dr Efrain Jonckheer Statue which was 550 meters away.

The Best Walking Tour Willemstad

Whenever I visit a city, my preference is to begin with a walking tour and this one sure lived up to its name: The Best Walking Tour Willemstad!

Willemstad is a city that rewards curiosity. Around every corner is a burst of color, a piece of history, or a piece of art that tells the island’s story and this walking tour offers the perfect blend of culture, color, and connection.

A walking tour in Willemstad isn’t just sightseeing — it’s stepping into Curaçao’s living, breathing story. Between its Dutch colonial charm, Caribbean rhythm, and bursts of street art, this island capital proves that sometimes, the best adventures really are found on foot. For more about the tour and how it lives up to its bold claim of the best walking tour, head on over to this post here

Jacqueline is an incredible story teller who is so passionate about the island and sharing her knowledge with those on her tour. Her enthusiasm and zest for life were exactly what my soul needed.

Museum Kurá Hulanda

On the walking tour, we had stopped in front of this museum to discuss how this neighborhood came to be in its current iteration. Jacob Gelt Dekker’s legacy lives on in his contributions to the area and with this museum. traces the history of the African slave trade on Curaçao. Using 18th-century artifacts and scale models to weave its tale, this museum delves into an ugly era in Curaçao’s past with a deft hand. Along with exhibits about the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the museum features collections of pre-Columbian gold, Mesopotamian relics and Antillean art.

I will admit that I could spend days on end in museums but I have talked with others that don’t typically venture to them but agreed that this should be high on your list to visit. Plan for at least 2.5–4 hours to fully engage with the exhibits. Here’s the post on the exhibits and my experience

Stroll Around Colorful Willemstad Including Admiring More Street Art

Queen Juliana Bridge: One of the tallest bridges in the Caribbean and offers panoramic views of Willemstad and St Anne’s bay. Not accessible to pedestrians on top

A very popular place for photos – located on the Punda side

Street art is everywhere and perhaps the most well known building in Willemstad

Street art is everywhere – so walking around is a delight as you see the most lovely alleyways

Street art is everywhere and beautiful murals

Street art and photo ops are everywhere

Floating market with fresh fruit and other wares sold by those sailing across from Venezuela

Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue & Jewish Museum

Consecrated in 1732, the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue is the oldest Jewish temple in continuous use in the Americas. One unique feature of the Synagogue are the sand floors. I only had 30 minutes before the museum closed and there is a new, renovated museum that opened up a few months later in 2025.

WHAT I ATE / DRANK

Ice Treat

During the walking tour, we made a stop for these delicious local ice treats. I had two, one tamarind and one pina colada (as pictured on the left) and both were delicious!

Champs Ice Cream

(left photo): IYKYK but for those new here, I eat a LOT of ice cream/gelato and always try to check out a local shop when I travel. I think that I only got a double scoop here because I thought I would have a chance to try another ice cream or gelato shop but alas I ran out of time. Underwhelming for both flavors here – strawberry cheesecake and cookies and cream

Dushi Meow Boutique / Cafe

A super cute (and as all of the city it seems like, very Instagram-able spot) serving up some delicious eats specifically Venezuelan empanadas. I had an incredible passionfruit smoothie that you can tell they use real passionfruits with that were the perfect blend of tart and sweet. The fries were sadly disappointing (the Dutch do fries really well!). But the stars of the meal were the spot on empanadas: The chicken and cheese may be basic but sometimes the most simple dish hits the spot. And definitely do as I did and get a Pabellon which is a traditional Venezualen dish with shredded beef, black beans, fried plantains and cheese. This one was so good that I debated getting one (or two to go) and regretted that I didn’t

WHAT I SPENT

• Activities $57.00: $35: Walking Tour ($28 Tour + $7 Tip) & $12: Kura Hulanda Museum Entrance Fee & $10: Jewish Synagoue + Museum Entrance Fee
• Food $37.21: $25.71/45 ANG: Dushi Meow’s Boutique / Cafe 10.80- Empanada Pabellon + 10.80-Tourist Empanada Shredded Chicken + 9-Tourist French Fries + 14.40-Tourist Passion Fruit Smoothie & $7.50 Champs Ice Cream (Double Scoop – Strawberry Cheesecake + Cookies & Cream) + $4 Pina Colada & Tamarind Ice Treats
• Transportation $0: Walked around + Stayed within Willemstad
• Misc $14: $4-Magnet / $10 worth of Netherlands Antillean Guilder bills and coins
• TOTAL $108.21

ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY IDEAS & OTHER TOP SPOTS TO EXPLORE

Renaissance Mall / Fort Rif (Good to Know!)

There are free and clean public restrooms here AND you can climb the stairs to see the Punda district from a small section atop the Fort. Here’s Queen Emma Floating Bridge, Handelskade and Queen Juliana Bridge framed by a lookout.

Christoffel Park

Outside of Willemstad: 36 kilometers from Mega Pier Terminal

TOURS

• If you are wanting a half day tour Curaçao sampler, there’s Willemstad: City Tour, Chobolobo & Mambo Beach that includes a literal sample of the famous Curaçao liquer
• More focused on relaxing?: Book this The Best Full-Day Beach Hopping in Curaçao
• Looking to see turtles: There’s this small group Curaçao: Swimming with Sea Turtles tour that includes photos + snorkeling gear
• Looking to scuba dive: Guided Shore Dive for PADI Certified Divers – 2 tanks or want to try scuba for the first time? Personalized Discover Scuba Dive