Private tour in Willemstad Helvig J
5.0
(7) reviews
4 hours
1
4 hours
1
Helvig J.
5.0
Guide rating
52
Reviews
Tours delivered
2 hrs
Avg. response time
Hello, my name is Helvig. I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Curaçao. As a young girl, I loved exploring the island’s hidden treasures with my family, with unexpected discoveries being my absolute favorite. Generations of local oral history have deepened my passion and love for 'dushi Kòrsou' (beloved Curaçao). In addition to its historic and cultural heritage, I know the island's cuisine, the best beaches for swimming or snorkeling, local customs, and the best places to shop, wine, and dine. My hobbies are reading, travelling, and hatha yoga. I hold a master's degree in International Business, earned over five years of study in the USA. Throughout my career, I've managed various businesses, but my true passion lies in meeting people and sharing my knowledge of the island with visitors. I'm fluent in Dutch (my native language), Papiamentu, English, and Spanish, and I can converse in Portuguese. My fluency in Papiamentu ensures smooth communication throughout the island. I prefer to think of myself as an easy-going friend rather than a guide, dedicated to showing you all the hidden gems of Curaçao. Booking with me guarantees an entertaining, enriching, and unforgettable day. I am more than happy to customize any of my tours I have followed several guide courses with success and have read many history books. I have been guiding for the last almost 6 years. I am currently doing an additional course to increase my knowledge even more.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Helvig J.
Experience Curacao with all the five senses savoring its unique cuisine at three personally and carefully chosen top restaurants. During the tour you will also see the highlights of Curacao while learning all about Curacao's history and culture. Start your tour in the Otrobanda section of Willemstad where my father grew up, to restaurant Rustiq located in the colorful Kura Hulanda Village where you will enjoy a local lunch with a fresh fruit juice. Next, we will head over to Grand Cafe de Gouverneur after a short stroll and learn about this historical building from 1732 for a typical Curacao dish with a glass of wine. The view from the balcony is the iconic view of the famous Punda skyline, Handelskade. Lastly, we will cross the cross the famous Queen Emma bridge and head into Punda for dessert with either coffee or a cocktail at the old Waterfort with a view of the ocean.
The tour was enjoyable. Food was great. The BEST part of the experience was the guide. Helvig is very kind and knowledgeable. We truly enjoyed her company and our conversations flowed smoothly. I recommend her for anyone seeking a relaxed and informative tour.
Helvig did a fantastic job! We were a group of 12 with ages ranging from 9 to over 80. We had dietary restrictions as well. We went to three restaurants and sampled local dishes. We got a real sense of the cuisine. The restaurants were prepared for us, and the tour was heartfelt and well organized. I highly recommend it!
Helvig was a wonderful tour guide. She was personable and passionate about her beloved Island. Her family are longtime citizens so she knows the Island quite well. This tour was perfect for my wife and I. We were to have 1 1/2 hours on the beach but it started pouring rain after only 30 minutes. Helvig was kind enough to improvise. She took us to a Fort overlooking the City and them to the Curacao Distillery. She was quite knowledgeable about the production of their liqueur providing a guided tour. I would recommend ANY Tour given by Helvig! We love Tours By Locals because their Tours as private and not a busload of tourists.
This tour was perfect and we had such a great time! The food and the history were a great way to learn more about Curacao and the culture. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon and walk around the area!
Easily the highlite of our recent cruise on Holland American was our half day food tour in Curaçao with Helvig. We met at an easy to find location outside the port area, did a meet and greet and moved on to the tour locations. At each location we learned a little about the history and people of Curaçao, how food relates to their cultural identities and tasted some excellent local dishes! Helvig is fluent in the native language of the Island, Papiamento, as well as complete fluency in Dutch and English.
We had an excellent time! Helvig picked us up at the dock and took us to several parts of Willemstad to sample the specialties of the island. The food was delicious. She also took us to the Thorn Cathedral, which was fascinating. She shared about living on the island and some of the history. It made Curacao come alive. Helvig adjusted her tour to what we were interested in. We enjoyed getting to know her as much as or more than we enjoyed the food. All in all, a great tour. We would strongly recommend it
• The tour starts at the Kura Hulanda Village in Otrobanda for a delicious local lunch including a cocktail • After the first lunch sample we will stroll to Grand Cafe de Gouverneur to taste a local favorite dish along with a glass of wine or soft drink • Lastly, we will cross the Queen Emma bridge for a nice dessert with a glass of wine, or coffee. All my tours can be customized upon request
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Transportation will take place in a clean, modern and comfortable 2023 Chevy Traverse. The air-conditioning will be on at all times unless the guest chooses to turn it off. Four adults could fit along with the driver (me).
Willemstad, Curaçao
Starbucks terrace at the cruise terminal
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4 hours
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
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