MaresMan1:
We are fortunate enough to be leaving for Curacao in 2 weeks. Taking my 18yr old daughter and her friend. Both are into the ocean and we will be doing some snorkling and diving. :07: We will be staying at Habitat Curacao for 2 weeks. What I would like to know if anyone has any experience on Curacao, what would you advise doing and what to stay away from. We already know about the attractions, we are now looking for that "Insider Advise", of how to really enjoy the nuiances of the real Curacao. Can hardly wait to get going. Thanks in advance to all that reply.
Dive Smart; Dive Safe
Enjoy the ride
:cool1:
Hey MM,
My wife and I were in Curacao last fall. We rented a house for 10 days last October on the coast just a couple hundred yards from Habitat. We not only had a great time exploring the island but it is where the diving bug really bit me. I had snorkeled for years but while in Curacao I did a discover dive with Habitat and was hooked. Upon returning home I was looking for a good dive instructor before I had even finished unpacking.
Will you have a rental car while you're in Curacao?
Beaches:
Be advised, the beaches are not sandy, and entries can be a little rough on the feet.
If you travel north along the coast you will run into many small (and some not so small) beaches. These are a few of my favorites:
- Porto Marie is very close to Habitat (look for the sign on the left when exiting Coral Estates), good snorkeling there. I's a few bucks to get in. There are showers, restrooms and a bar & grill. There is somewhat of a snorkel trail several yards offshore. Then about 75 yards out you will see the beginnings of the reef. Each afternoon we were there snorkeling cruises would tie up over this reef. There is also a dive shop there. We saw a steady stream of divers throughout each day we were there. Also, to the left (while facing the water) are some small limestone cliffs, snorkeling along these cliffs was pretty good.
- Cas Abou, a little farther up the coast, a few bucks to get in, showers, restrooms, bar & grill etc. Nice beach, very good snorkeling here.
- Big Knip, is a large beach, free to get on the beach but there is a charge to use the restrooms. There is also a bar & grill but it looked pretty lame. As for the beach, the water is very clear. There is good snorkeling along the limestone cliffs on each side of the beach. You can go out quite a ways in nice calm, clear water. I saw a couple barracuda here on one of our last days in Curacao.
- About 40 minutes from Seaquarium Beach (or Mambo beach). This is large beach about 10 minutes south of Williamsted. It costs a few bucks to get in, plus a charge for the beach chairs. There are a couple small restaurants and a few shops on the beach. A good beach if you're looking for the typical vacation beach. There is a reef just beyond the breakwater. Ocean Encounters, located on the south end of the beach offers snorkeling tours along this reef regularly.
Attractions:
- The Hato caves a pretty nice, so is Christoffel park (but your kids my find this boring).
- Downtown Williamsted...typical cruise ship port, lots of shops, restaurants etc. Downtown is a nice place to visit if the family is in the mood for shopping
Restaurants:
On the north end of the island near Westpunt is Janchies. Fresh seafood, Curacao style. If you get up near Westpunt don't miss Janchies.
There's a nice deli in the Marriott.
Thai Sawadee (and a mongolian bbq place right next door) in Otrabana are both very good.
Dowtown in Williamsted you can find Pizza Hut, Subway, etc for those quick meals.
After you get your bags in the airport you will be handed a small bag from Little Switzerland with brochures etc. One of these will list lots of restaurants but be sure to call the restaurants first as we found a number of the restaurants in the book no longer existed.
Note that not many of the restaurants had air conditioning except for the larger hotels and Thai Sawadee.
Hope this helps, feel free to pm me for more info
Have a great trip,
Mark