Curaçao Pub Crawl Review: Is Royal Caribbean’s Excursion Worth It in Willemstad?
There is something about stepping off a ship in the Caribbean that makes you feel invincible.
I was sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas in May 2025 when we eased into Willemstad. The skyline looks hand-painted, bright pastels stacked along the harbor like the island wanted to make sure you noticed.
I had booked the Curaçao Pub Crawl excursion through the cruise line, a guided afternoon meant to introduce visitors to a few local bars around the island.
But I decided to start early.
Because if you’re going to bar crawl in Curaçao, you might as well begin before the tour does.
And yes, I skipped the Five O’Clock Somewhere bar. I accept your judgment in advance.
Pre Game at Renaissance Mall & Rif Fort
Before the excursion officially began, I had some free time. So I walked.
The cruise terminal sits only a few minutes from Rif Fort and the Renaissance Mall, an easy walk with no taxi required. It’s one of the rare cruise ports where you can actually step off the shop and immediately be in the city rather than a gated shopping center.
Rif Fort was built in 1828 by the Dutch to defend St. Anna Bay. Today, it has been transformed into a luxury open-air shopping and dining complex while still preserving its thick stone walls and ocean-facing cannons. It is one of the best examples of how Willemstad blends colonial history with modern tourism.
As I wandered through the courtyard, my first bar found me.
Right in the center sits an outdoor setup called Bar & Terrace. I ordered a frozen daiquiri to prepare myself for the upcoming adventure of drinking even more. Sitting there in the shade, feeling the Caribbean breeze move through the courtyard while cruise passengers filtered in and out of shops was unexpectedly relaxing.
Eventually I walked back toward the port to meet my group and officially begin the pub crawl.
Technically, I was already one drink ahead.
Stop 1: Netto Bar and the Famous Green Rum
Our first stop was Netto Bar in the Otrobanda district.
Opened in 1954 and still family-run, it’s considered one of the most authentic bars on the island and is known for one thing above all else: Green Rum.
Their Ròm Bèrdè is an herb-infused rum with a bright green tint and a surprisingly smooth finish. We were given a sample as part of the excursion, and it lived up to the hype. It is sweet, slightly herbal, and far easier to drink than it looks.
So easy, in fact, that I may have ordered a full cocktail with it in order to properly…appreciate the local culture.
There’s a different feeling drinking somewhere that doesn’t feel designed for visitors. Netto Bar felt less like a stop on a tour and more like a place the tour briefly borrowed to properly introduce us to Curaçao.
And for those keeping track, I was now at about two and a half drinks.
Stop 2: Bario Food Yard and the Trade Winds
One of the most memorable stops of the afternoon was Bario Food Yard.
The courtyard sits on slightly elevated ground and catches steady trade winds, cooling you almost instantly after stepping out of the heat. Inside, you’re surrounded by bright Caribbean colors and hanging decorations that gently clink in the breeze. It was easily the most relaxing part of the entire excursion and a welcome break.
(From what I’ve read recently, it may currently be closed, which is unfortunate because it was one of the more unique stops on the tour.)
After our included drink, we boarded the bus again and drove across the Queen Juliana Bridge.
At 185 feet (56.4 meters) above sea level, it’s the highest bridge in the Caribbean. From the top, you get a panoramic view of Willemstad’s skyline and harbor, and it’s the moment you really understand how the city is laid out. Even if you’re already slightly buzzed.
Stop 3: Mambo Beach and Chill Curaçao
The next stop was Mambo Beach, about a 10-15 minute drive from the downtown Willemstad area. This is one location that would be difficult to reach on foot, and realistically requires a taxi. This is one of the areas where the organized excursion actually added value.
We were dropped off at Chill Curaçao Beach Bar & Grill and handed an ice-cold Brasa beer upon arrival. It’s light and crisp, similar to Corona, and perfect after time in the Caribbean sun.
After some drinks and some time on the beach, food became a necessity for me. I ordered the nachos for 13.50 NAFL (about $7.70 USD), topped with sour cream and avocado salsa. Between the heat, the walking, and the alcohol, it was exactly what I needed, especially paired with some water.
Mambo Beach itself feels very different from Willemstad’s historic districts. It’s a modern beachfront development built with imported sand and protected by breakwaters, which keeps the water calm and swimmable. The area is lined with beach clubs, restaurants, and small shops, giving it a polished, resort-style atmosphere rather than a traditional Caribbean shoreline.
Is the Curaçao Pub Crawl Worth It?
The excursion ran for three and a half hours and cost $150 USD for two people.
For a first visit, I actually think it was a smart choice. Transportation was handled, drinks were included, and being with a lively group made it easy to experience several areas of the island in a short amount of time.
Would I do it again? No.
Not because anything was wrong with it. It did exactly what it was supposed to do. It helped me understand how Curaçao is laid out and how easy it is to get around.
Next time I would skip the tour and take a taxi straight to Mambo Beach and spend the day exploring it properly. But if this is your first time visiting, especially on a cruise stop, an organized pub crawl is a simple way to see multiple parts of the island without worrying about transportation or planning.
If you want something more high-energy, look for a party bus or a booze cruise. This tour was fun, but more relaxed than wild.
Budget Tips for Curaçao Cruise Passengers
If you are traveling on a budget, you can walk to many of the downtown bars from the cruise port without renting a car or booking a tour.
Netto Bar and the Rif Fort area are easily accessible.
However, I strongly recommend visiting Mambo Beach at least once. It offers a different side of Curaçao with its modern beachfront, shops, and beach club atmosphere.
Final Thoughts on My Willemstad Bar Crawl
Willemstad offers layers of experience. Dutch colonial architecture. Historic forts. Caribbean trade winds. Beach clubs built on imported sand. Local rum poured in bars that have been there for decades.
Sometimes the best way to understand a destination isn’t to rush between attractions, but to slow down and let the place come to you, one drink at at time in my case.
The pub crawl ended up being less about the bars and more about orientation. By the time it was over, Curaçao no longer felt like a cruise port stop. It felt navigable, familiar, and somewhere I’d want to return and explore properly.
If you’re visiting for the first time, especially on a cruise, it’s an easy way to get your bearings and see different parts of the island without worrying about logistics.
And if I had to give one real piece of advice after visiting Curaçao:
Hydrate.
Then hydrate with rum.