Travel from ARUBA to CURACAO - A Caribbean Adventure

Hi everyone! This is episode five of my series in the Dutch Caribbean, in which I travel to the three ABC Islands - Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire. In this video, I take a flight from Queen Beatrix International Airport in Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba to Hato International Airport near Willemstad, the capital of Curacao.
The vlog starts off with me waiting for check-in to open at the airport in Aruba, during the early hours of the morning. My flight, with Divi Divi Air, was the first one to leave Aruba that day.
After check-in and immigration, I give a quick tour of the departures area. Note that I am in the Non-US departures area, as there is a separate area for US-bound flights.
Then it is time to board the flight to Curacao! It is a very small plane, but I managed to find a window seat and had an empty seat next to me. Some of the scenes from the window sure is breathtaking!
I then arrive in Curacao and, after immigration, wait for a local bus to Willemstad - more specifically, the Otrobanda neighbourhood. After waiting for a bit, a van arrives that also take people from the airport to Willemstad, at the same price as the bus. I decide to take this opportunity and meet the driver, Ida. Along the journey to Willemstad, Ida talks to be about the island and gives a local perspective on a few matters.
Ida drops me off at the local bus station in Otrabanda and I make it to my hotel, where the vlog ends.
Hope you enjoy this vlog about travelling from Aruba to Curacao! I also hope this gives you a good idea about what to expect when taking this journey. Please give this video a 'like' and, if you haven't already, please subscribe to my channel as it really helps this channel to grow and will allow me to make more videos such as these for you to watch.
Please note that I have not been sponsored by anyone in the making of this video.
Happy exploring!
Willie

[@jagadeesanselvaraj3882]

Hi willie you met the first person the best friendly person in curacao. God bless the bus driver for her Hospitality and kidness. Curacao people are always friendly and can speak atleast four language papiamento ,Dutch ,spanish and english so good.

[@willieexplore]

Thank you kind sir for your message! You know I had a great time in beautiful Curacao. Really appreciate your support and encouragement :)

[@no_soy_rubio]

Awesome Willem! It was well worth sticking around for the bus/van! Can't believe that was only 2 bucks! Looks like it's gonna be a great island to explore, hope the rain stays off!

[@willieexplore]

Nice one Matthew ;) Always great to stick around for the cheaper transport option, which is (more often than not) far more enriching!

[@sheilam4525]

You filmed that flight so well, it felt like I was on board. Beautiful scenery, especially the sea. Loved the lady in the van, she came along at the right time! I feel I must now address you as Willem😊. Look forward to seeing more of colourful Curacao.

[@willieexplore]

Thank you Sheila, glad you enjoyed it! I was quite lucky with my seat and having the extra space next to me as well, so I could lean back / film from many angles haha! Glad you're looking forward to the rest of the series. Willemstad was a lot of fun to film :)

[@MENSA.lady2]

The British Airways desk is because B.A. introduced a new route from London-Gatwick to Aruba via Antigua. Twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays. They use the Boeing 777 which is about the largest aircraft that regularly visits Aruba.

[@willieexplore]

Appreciate you providing more information in this regard! Transferring through Schiphol is not the smoothest and quickest experience, so if I do end up having a future visit to the ABC islands I might pop to Gatwick instead :)

[@MENSA.lady2]

I did the outbound trip on Thursday 17 August 2023 Flight number BA2157 Boarding at 09:00 arrived Aruba at 16.40. The stop-over in Antigua is about 90 minutes but through passengers cannot leave the aircraft. The return flight was on 24 August boarding BA2156 at 18:00 arriving Gatwick at 10:30 next day. Similar 90 minutes stop in Antigua. For the Gatwick to Antigua the aircraft was over 90% full, both ways. I believe the timing is the same on the Sunday service. Hope this helps.

[@willieexplore]

@@MENSA.lady2 cheers that is very detailed and gives me a clear idea of what to expect. Interesting that it stops in Antigua; the KLM flight I took went direct to Aruba but many passengers stayed put on the plane travelling to Bonaire.

[@andybaker2456]

Well thanks Willie, now those wheels on the bus are going round and round in my head! 😁 Another great one sir, I love a bit of aviation content in travel vlogs. Never flown on a Twin Otter myself, but have been on a couple of planes that are even smaller. They really let you know you're flying! Interesting that you had to go through passport control. With both islands being in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, I thought it might have been considered a domestic flight, but obviously they're treated as the separate countries that they are. I was hoping I might have spotted evidence of the company I work for at Curaçao Airport, but there was nothing that I could see! 😉 Looking forward to the next one. 😊

[@willieexplore]

Haha cheers Andy, hope you manage to get that song out of your mind :) It was a really interesting journey. Re the immigration - yes, they are both autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. I actually had to fill in an embarkation/disembarkation card as well for both Aruba and Curacao prior to departure. I didn't include it in the vlog as it contains some personal details, but it is all online and relatively quick. You should definitely get in touch with your company's branch in Curacao to explore some options :)

[@mayousimon1]

Another first class video from Willie! But Willie a question please how on earth you only have back pack? No trolley case or bag? Confused?

[@willieexplore]

Thank you very much Simon! Let's just say I've picked up a few packing tips over the years. Hand luggage only :)

[@mayousimon1]

​​​@@willieexplorecheaper on flights? Looking forward for the next video Willie

[@willieexplore]

@@mayousimon1 I always only travel with a backpack, except when I go home to South Africa :)

[@alanjf_bradenton_fl]

yes a very small plane, what we Brits call a Puddle Jumper, fit only for short flights.

[@willieexplore]

For sure! A very quick flight but it was very enjoyable

[@jaadarl3902]

When will you go back to kosovo and north macedonia?

[@willieexplore]

Not sure my friend. You loved those vlogs, didn't you?

[@panlomito]

While you were waiting on that 2 dollar bus, I was having breakfast at la Boheme in Punda. You saved 28 dollar, I saved 2 precious hours of my life... The difference: you are young thinking you have all the time of the world while I am old(er), lost my parents and knowing my time is running out.

[@willieexplore]

Sounds like we are both happy with our choice of transport. Cheers for watching!

[@_stateofmind_]

Wow, such a great sharing and great travel, literally wonderful! Thanks my friend, subscribed already, great job!

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching and for the support!

[@JaniceDebidien]

What did the flight cost. Early bird

[@willieexplore]

I don't have the individual breakdown for each flight in the Dutch Caribbean as I booked a multi-trip ticket (London-Amsterdam-Aruba-Curacao-Bonaire-Amsterdam-London). But you should be able to get an idea of prices from the Divi Divi Air website

[@Arjay404]

31:23 Dang, those bus times are rough, i honestly wouldn't blame someone for taking the taxi in that case, one taxi to get to town with those hours I think is worth it. Edit: Oh nice! You got a minibus to rescue you. I don't know if you experienced those in Aruba, but yeah there are locals with vans that travel pretty much the same route as the big busses that pick up and drop off people, even at non bus stop locations and while it may seem strange to get into some random persons car it's a totally normal "public transport" method on the islands. In fact for some trips the minibuses are actually better because they might go a bit more off the beaten track to drop off and pick up people.

[@willieexplore]

Cheers for watching and leaving a comment! Yes those buses are not very frequent...all in the name of Island Time, right? Didn't experience the minibuses in Aruba but the one in Curacao was fantastic :)

[@bkwwilkes]

i all ways get to everything early

[@willieexplore]

Same here!

[@alanjf_bradenton_fl]

We always try to get to the airport early, have a cup of coffee or something, and relax until our flight is called.. First in line, usually first to board the plane.

[@willieexplore]

Nice one, Alan! I also tend to be there early. Appreciate you checking out my content!

[@Swanoaks]

Another exciting journey Willie. The flight was amazing and the drive to your accommodation was interesting. Looking forward to see where you take us here. Looking forward to seeing more of the Island of Curacao . . . Kiwi from Virginia

[@willieexplore]

Thanks Swanoaks! Definitely a very interesting van ride to the hotel. I think you will enjoy colourful Curacao :)

[@that_one_traveler]

Hey buddy! I'll be in London in a week! Let's get together soon. No rush though. I'll be there for 1.5 months

[@willieexplore]

Hello mate! Great to hear from you. Absolutely, hit me up through my email (in the banner). I'm free most Sundays and some Saturdays; confident I'll be able to show you some cool spots :)

[@that_one_traveler]

Absolutely! Will do

[@jaspervanzyl6212]

Thanks for the great video, Willie Explore! Congrats on all the new followers! Keep up the good work.

[@willieexplore]

Really appreciate your comment Jasper! Onwards and upwards!

[@gohardorgohome7687]

Hey man looking forward for Curacao video's keep it up 🙂👍

[@willieexplore]

Thank you so much my friend! I hope you enjoy this upcoming content :)

[@LandsharkTravels]

Just starting to catch up on all your videos I missed while in Argentina :) Nice Air Canada and WestJet name drops lol I am definitely one of those early to the airport folks as well, though. Much better to come early and grab a coffee or something while you wait than to be all stressed and rushing right to your gate. Hope all has been well, looking forward to catching up on your vids!

[@willieexplore]

My man, welcome back! How was Argentina? Did you get down to Patagonia? No Tim Hortons in the Caribbean airports though but still an enjoyable experience. Hope all is well back home!

[@LandsharkTravels]

@@willieexplore lol Aw that's too bad, but you made the best of it! I did not get to Patagonia, but I did get to see Iguazu Falls! :) Was a blast though!

[@willieexplore]

@@LandsharkTravels glad you had an amazing time. Such a big country with lots to offer. I never went to Iguazu Falls but did have a stopover at the airport during my trip - not that it counts!

[@toscabrutus1781]

Willie great trip weereens. Ek geniet jou program hier in die karibbean!

[@willieexplore]

Jis Tosca hierdie was 'n lekker trip gewees, weereens met 'n klein vliegtuig en interessante gesprekke van die lughawe na die hoofstad. Definitief 'n avontuur!

[@estefanysilva42]

'i, very nice video, I have a question help me pls, wich baggage is included in the ticket fly? or we can get a medium suitcase free?🧳

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching! I only travel with hand luggage so I bought a cheaper ticket that did not allow a bag. But you can definitely pay for a more expensive ticket and take a medium-size bag (note - it is a very small plane with a small cargo hold!)