Curacao - need best diving and dining

[Curacao Sunshine]

Avila is a great choice for diners. You will have a great selection of restaurants if you stay at the Avila. Besides eating there (and listening to live music), you can walk to Pan e Vino, Fishalicious, Seasons, Chopstix and Rozendaels. Within a couple of miles to the East; Golden Star, Seaside Terrace, Augusto's, Hemingway's, and Primus. Within a mile or so to the West; St. Tropez, Mundo Bizzaro, The Wine Cellar, Augustinus and Intermezzo - a little further; Pampus and De Boot. Downtown Punda is just a 10 minute drive away and it will take you about 15 to 20 minutes to drive to the restaurants on the East end of the island.

 

[travelinman2]

Thanks for all this info all! I'll look into dive bus--there probably is no dock atAvila-- as well as dining and grocery tips.

 

[diversteve]

Actually after looking at their website it appears that getting the boat over the breakwater to the dock would be the bigger issue.



I was thinking of another property - from Avila it's under 2 miles straight east to the main Ocean Encounters shop at Lions Dive/Seaquarium. Even closer to their shop at Breezes. The Dive Bus is across the street from Breezes also.

I think Centrum Market is the closest large market before you head out to Westpunt. After you leave the airport there's a rotary about 1/2 mile? with a sign pointing to Westpunt to the right. Instead go straight thru and Centrum will be the 2nd stop light on the right. It's right on the SW corner. There's a circular white tower on the hill to the left of it. They sell throwaway styro coolers for about $1.00. There's even a video...lol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtyNyvkeWRc

Gotta love Google Earth:

 

[curious2dive]

Hi Travelinman2,

And after you leave the West and are at Avila there are some good restaurants at the otherside of the street, like Fishalicious, Rosendaals, but also L'Aldea, the finest churaqueria, El Gaucho and many more. For diving at Curacao we offer shoredives at all divespots. Only Klein Curacao and Eastpoint are done by boat. We dive in small groups. On Curacao Diving is good from the East to the West, and every divespot has it's own beautyness.

If we can be of any help lets us know.

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

Misje has reopened. The new hours are dinner 6PM Monday thru Saturday. Enjoy!

 

[morecowbells]

Misje has reopened. The new hours are dinner 6PM Monday thru Saturday. Enjoy!

This is awesome news Sunshine! Does Misje have new owners/chef? Is it the same menu? Sol Food is still my favorite, it is good to know there are other dining options during your days off, enjoying the ocean

 

[travelinman2]

Thanks all, I'm gonna print these dining options and will check out Misje and get groceries too. I'm doing shore and boat dives with go west, and will look into other ops near Avila. I did book Caribbean sea sports for a dive as they are visiting superior producer when I'm there-- a short cab ride away. I am contemplating car rental, though I drive lots for work and it's nice to not have to drive on vacation.

That being said, I would like to rent scooters. I envision afternoon post-diving scooter travels to area beaches while at Westpunt, or I wonder if city scootering while at Avila would be better. All this planning idies bring me joy! Best, Travelinman

 

[TheWizard]

ScubaLodge is near Avila. We stayed there last November and wiill again this November. We took tanks from there for shorediving...

 

[jd950]

Misje has reopened. The new hours are dinner 6PM Monday thru Saturday. Enjoy!

Ekselente!

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

We had dinner and a very nice evening last week at Misje with a friend. Anton has kept most of the menu the same. I'm sure he'll soon get a feel of what sells and adjust it accordingly. If we promise to behave, we'll join JD and family for dinner....
Also.... got any spare weight/space to lug down?