Exploring Hato Caves and Mambo Beach in Curacao

I recently took a nine-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Celebrity Cruises. One of our stops was Willemstad, Curacao.

I went on an excursion to the Hato Caves, which are more than 300,000 years old and made of marine coral limestone.

The caves are really cool to walk through. You are only allowed to take photos in certain areas and have to climb up 49 stairs to enter them. Once you enter, it is a smooth pathway.

There is also a cactus garden and other things to see on the grounds. After touring the caves, we headed for Mambo Beach.

Mambo Beach is popular and was quite crowded, but there were chairs provided for us, so that was appreciated. The water was clear and calm. I was able to swim out to the rocks and snorkel some.

I also enjoyed these fun swings that were a short walk down the beach.

I went back to the ship for a bit and then headed to town. I walked through Rif Fort, which now has shops and restaurants inside. I continued walking across the Queen Emma Bridge for views of the famous Handelskade. I enjoyed seeing all of the colorful buildings.

Check out our other ports of call: Grand Cayman, Aruba and Bonaire.