If you are stopping in Curaçao on a cruise and mostly want to get to Mambo Beach, you do not need to overthink it or pay cruise-excursion prices.

We walked off the cruise ship and found local vendors selling excursions about a quarter mile from the ship. They were set up near the big wall with the baseball players on it, which makes it pretty easy to spot. You basically walk out, head toward that area, and you will see people offering tours and beach trips.

We paid about $25 per person.

For that, we got roughly:

  • a 90-minute tour of Curaçao
  • a stop at a local distillery
  • about 90 minutes at Mambo Beach
  • transportation there and back

That is a pretty good deal, especially compared with booking through the cruise line.

The bus tour

This was not some luxury private tour, but it did the job. You get a quick look around Curaçao before heading to the beach. If you are only there for the day, that is honestly enough. You see a little more of the island, get some basic context, and then still have time to sit by the water.

On the way to Mambo Beach, the bus stopped at a distillery where you could try different flavored liquors. It was a quick stop, but it broke up the ride and made the excursion feel like more than just a beach shuttle.

Mambo Beach

Mambo Beach itself was nice. It is not a wild, open-ocean beach. It is more controlled and built up, which is probably what makes it work well as a cruise stop.

The water is protected from the open ocean by strategically placed rocks that help knock down the waves. That makes the beach feel calmer and easier for swimming, especially if you are there with kids or people who do not want to get tossed around in rough surf.

There are restaurants, shops, places to sit, and enough going on that it feels easy. It is definitely more developed than secluded, but for a cruise day that is not a bad thing.

One thing worth noting: we were told we might have to pay to get onto the beach, but we did not end up having to pay an entry fee. That may vary depending on where you enter or what part of the beach you use, but in our case, we walked in without paying.

Try the coffee

This sounds minor, but the coffee at Mambo Beach was great. If you are there in the morning or early afternoon, it is worth grabbing one before or after you sit on the beach.

Was it worth it?

Yes.

For about $25 per person, getting a short island tour, a distillery stop, transportation, and time at Mambo Beach felt like a solid deal. It was easy, low-stress, and much cheaper than the cruise excursion version.

The main thing is knowing where to go when you get off the ship. Do not panic-book through the cruise line just because it feels safer. Walk off the ship, head toward the local vendors near the baseball player wall, and compare what they are offering.

For us, Mambo Beach was easy to do on our own, and I would do it this way again.