Curacao Questions--Where to Stay/ New & Experienced Diver Couple

[Damselfish]

For a resorty setting the Marriott might suit you, especially if Caribbean Sea Sports moves back from the nearby Hilton. Last I read the reopening date was in September (after slipping many times over years) and they seem to mean it this time. Lions Dive is also a good place to consider. They are different in setting and atmosphere. Coral Estate might be good but is a bit of a drive to much, though not nearly as far as the west end places. Santa Barbara is probably nice but probably not where I would chose as a diver

As far as PADI vs NAUI, if you are already certified it makes no difference, those will both be accepted anywhere as well as a bunch of other agencies. (If you are planning on doing a referral and finishing your certification dives someplace else, it might be easiest to stick with the same agency - but there is a procedure for cross agency referrals so just ask the place you are thinking of diving with. Its something that’s been discussed on a number of threads here.)

 

[Chidiver1]

@KathyV

 

[Pittsburgh_Mom]

NAUI, PADI....makes no difference once you have the card....

Thanks so much!

 

[Pittsburgh_Mom]

For a resorty setting the Marriott might suit you, especially if Caribbean Sea Sports moves back from the nearby Hilton. Last I read the reopening date was in September (after slipping many times over years) and they seem to mean it this time. Lions Dive is also a good place to consider. They are different in setting and atmosphere. Coral Estate might be good but is a bit of a drive to much, though not nearly as far as the west end places. Santa Barbara is probably nice but probably not where I would chose as a diver

As far as PADI vs NAUI, if you are already certified it makes no difference, those will both be accepted anywhere as well as a bunch of other agencies. (If you are planning on doing a referral and finishing your certification dives someplace else, it might be easiest to stick with the same agency - but there is a procedure for cross agency referrals so just ask the place you are thinking of diving with. Its something that’s been discussed on a number of threads here.)

Thank you so much. I really appreciate the insight. The Marriott sounded great, but I see it has no availability when we are looking, unfortunately. Lions Dive it likely is, I see! I am excited!!!!

 

[diversteve]

These are my experiences with safety on Curacao. We stayed in two places, a small resort in Lagun (My Dreams Apts) and later moved to Piscadera Bay Resort (condos)

MD was high fenced and gated (locked) Our apt's all had bars on the windows and were alarmed but not to keep us safe - to keep locals from "wandering through" when no one was there. We discussed dive sites with the owners and although not divers, they said guests of theirs had been broken into (vehicles) at the two farther "Gnip" shore dive sites which have no onsite facilities. PBR has a gated guard shack and is fenced but the guards primary job seemed to be to hand out condo keys to late arrivals - they left it unmanned after about 9pm.

When we drove across the street to the Marriott there was a guard shack but they just waved us through w/o needing to stop. And we were only going there for dinner/casino - were not guests.

Downtown around the port/industrial area seemed a little dodgy but you'll only be there by mistake like we did one night (wrong turn)

Curacao Tourism provides guards at some of the popular dive sites (men in gray) but at Porto Mari his job seemed to be parking lot assistance.

I'm an insomniac so walk late at night alone. I never felt unsafe in PBay. I never saw another person on the street in Lagun.

At several of the beach dive sites the operator is located behind the parking lot and can see to the water. A couple of them offered to watch our vehicles if we pointed them out.It really did not seem necessary at all - I think it was partly to justify the small fee (in guilders) many charge. That includes use of lockers/showers/chairs (some sites have a beach chair concession) and is waived if you rent tanks on-site - we did about half the time.

One of my regular buddies wives is a Curacao native - he met her on a trip there about a decade ago. She has never mentioned any sort of crime issues and her mom still lives there alone. But mom lives in a small town on the west side - everyone knows everyone.

 

[diversteve]

If you do decide on Coral Estates it's fenced with a guard shack - the resort itself is inside a housing development. You'll be driving 15-20 minutes to anything not there though - it's pretty quiet out there.

 

[tkaelin]

If looking at Lion's Dive, note that if you book on their website they include a free airport shuttle ride which is a nice perk, especially if not renting a car. Note also you can rent a car at Lion's Dive. I would take advantage of the free shuttle. The drive from the airport to LD is a bit tricky. Happy planning.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Pittsburgh_Mom

Though it's been a while, my wife and I had a very good dive vacation in Curacao, without our kids, staying at Lodge Kura Hulanda and using Go West Diving. This is definitely off the beaten path at the far west end of the island. If you want more of the city feel, this would not be the place. I believe the resort can be done AI but there are also some local restaurants and we had a kitchenette. They have the pools, restaurants, beach... You would need a car. Go West Diving is excellent, great west end boat sites including Watamula. They put a DM in the water. The house reef, Playa Kalki/Alice in Wonderland is quite good with simple navigation

If you consider, make sure you research Lodge Kura Hulanda, as I believe they may have changed ownership around 5 years ago.

Best of luck on your Curacao vacation

 

[tkaelin]

I second KH as far as the location and the best house reef on the island and great dive op on site with Gowest. If interested in KH I would also look carefully and look at recent reviews. I have never stayed at KH but have heard that it has had some management issues over the years. I have also heard that they have been trying to improve. Recent reviews may shed some light. I prefer this remote side of the island as opposed to say where Lion's Dive is but it may be too quiet for some.

 

[Damselfish]

We’ve stayed at LKH a couple times and it’s a nice place, or was, or can be. Well located for good diving with a good shop (go west) next door. Its pretty far from town and we don’t go to town much when we’re there. There’s enough restaurants in the area to get by. Food at LKH itself has been sometimes good sometimes bad over the years, I’ve got no idea now.

They’ve had their issues over the years so if interested definitely check out recent reviews. The last stuff I read would make me avoid it but that was awhile ago. Hopefully they have gotten their act together.