Curacao Advice

[jstamets]

Well, we head to Curacao in a couple of weeks to ostensibly help out the Secore folks (SECORE - About SECORE). We have not been there before but seem to have made some good decisions so far: Delta flight through Atlanta (not MIA), staying at the Marriott.
I am uncertain of whether to use credit cards, cash or some other payment form. What is normal? Safe? I also am a bit nervous about checking our dive gear, but I really don't want to use a different rig. Any problems getting dive gear through customs, etc? Neophyte world traveller, I suppose. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

John

 

[Dirty-Dog]

I carry cash (lots of places give discounts for cash... I suspect it has to do with taxes).

I put masks, regulators and computers in my carryon. Wetsuits, fins and BCDs go in checked. I've only once in my life had a bag lost (found a few days later) and that was on my way home. Others have had worse luck, of course. If you can squeeze it all into carryon, then go for it.

 

[RJP]

Well, we head to Curacao in a couple of weeks to ostensibly help out the Secore folks (SECORE - About SECORE). We have not been there before but seem to have made some good decisions so far: Delta flight through Atlanta (not MIA), staying at the Marriott.
I am uncertain of whether to use credit cards, cash or some other payment form. What is normal? Safe? I also am a bit nervous about checking our dive gear, but I really don't want to use a different rig. Any problems getting dive gear through customs, etc? Neophyte world traveller, I suppose. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

John

Curacao is not exactly in the middle of the Aussie outback or the frozen Siberian tundra or sub-Saharan Africa...



Credit cards are taken everywhere. The few places they might not take your credit card will gladly accept $US, though you'll probably get your change back in guilder.

You might be surprised to know that you'll not be the first to bring dive gear through customs in Curacao... they've seen regs and BCs before...

:shocked2:

 

[jstamets]

Curacao is not exactly in the middle of the Aussie outback or the frozen Siberian tundra or sub-Saharan Africa...



Credit cards are taken everywhere. The few places they might not take your credit card will gladly accept $US, though you'll probably get your change back in guilder.

You might be surprised to know that you'll not be the first to bring dive gear through customs in Curacao... they've seen regs and BCs before...

:shocked2:

Ok, it may have seem like a silly question, but you just never know until you ask. I'd rather look a bit foolish than lose thousands of dollars in dive gear. Ironically the last time I was out of the country was on a trip to sub-saharan Africa, so that may be coloring my take on things.

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

SECORE sounds interesting. Let us know if you are doing anything up near Westpunt, actually anywhere in Banda Bou.
Sunshine
curacaosunshine@gmail.com

 

[Kokomo Bound]

Just got back and credit cards are taken most places, but carry cash for gas and if you go to the more remote places on island. Most places do not take American Express...The Marriott is a very nice hotel and they have a great beach. The Hilton is next door and they have a great dive shop called Ocean Encounters. Very good people and very helpful. Customs with dive gear is a breeze. I am working on my 3rd visit for this year! The diving is awsome especially on the west end of the island. Hope you enjoy your trip. If you have time, eat at Sol Food in West Punt! Awesome place!

 

[sansky]

Absolutely on taking your Mask, Reg and computer in your carry-on! I always do that, along with swimsuit, shorts and t-shirt.

I have been to Curacao twice and had no problem with my luggage getting there. I can't say that about some other places I have been. We stayed at Captain Don's Habitat, great place! Rented a car to drive to town and eat out, but getting around is challenging.

Have a great time!

 

[TomNativeNewYorker]

I am uncertain of whether to use credit cards, cash or some other payment form. What is normal? Safe?

Most ATM machines will give you the option to draw money in Guilder or Dollar format. The advantage to getting it dispensed in dollars is your bank wont charge you an international conversion fee.

Most of the smaller stores are cash only so it is good to keep a bit of cash with you.

Gas stations seemed to be a hit or miss problem with different US issued cards, so cash was also a better choice.

Using US dollars generally wasnt a problem as places generally used the normal conversion rate without trying to rip you off. You will get guilders as change in any case though.

If you really want to walk around with guilders, you can always withdraw dollars from an ATM machine and exchange for guilders at your hotel or any casino.

If you go downtown in the Punda tourist area where all the tourist gift shops are, be careful on the prices. Some places will mark the prices in N.A.G(guilder), or U.S.D and you will know what the price is. Some places might mark an item as '10.00' without specifying if the price is guilder or dollar. The usual gimmick is if you pay them 10 guilders they will tell you the price is 10 dollars US which is close to double the price. Those are the shops to avoid, because there are more along the way and they usually have the same selection in most of the shops.

 

[Mike81]

Just got back from the Curacao Marriott yesterday. What a fun trip! The on-site dive op is called Caribbean Sea Sports and the owner, Tom, runs a great operation. They have rinse tanks and lockers where you can store your gear so you don't have to lug everything back and forth to your room. The diving was amazing. We did a night dive on the Marriott reef and ran into a couple of playful octopus and countless lobsters and eels. The Mushroom Forest trip was good, the highlight for me was the Blue room near the end of the dive. Overall, I rate the Marriott and Caribbean Sea Sports an 11 out of 10! And don't worry too much about crime, the island is VERY safe and the locals are friendly.