Curacao/Bonaire for 25th wedding anniversary?

[pigletfish]

We visited Curacao in January and stayed at the lovely Hotel Kura Hulanda. (It's not a Four Seasons, but it is very pretty). We rented a car (free parking at the hotel) and were able to walk everywhere in town and then drive our gear around the island for several shore dives and some beach time each day.

We've also been to Bonaire (3 years ago) and the shore diving there was wonderful. Food was good as well, but no casinos and less nightlife in general. Many cute donkeys, though. =) I don't think Bonaire has any hotel quite as nice as the Kura Hurlanda. Really the decison comes down to what combination you are looking for, and what is most important to you.

Happy 25th!

 

[Damselfish]

In Curacao, the Marriott also looks very nice if you want to be on a beach rather than downtown and have a dive op right there. It's not as unique as Hotel Kura Hulanda, but not a typical high-rise hotel either.

 

[fins]

Thanks Desa,

Kinda bumbs me out that I never saw him, and that the dm's never pointed him out. Especially Tuki he pointed out EVERYTHING We even saw a conger eel out in the daylight on my last day, of course that was the dive where I didn't take the camera.
We did see Chester a few times, most days he was just below the top of the reef very near the rope.

 

[Desa]

Thanks Desa,

Kinda bumbs me out that I never saw him, and that the dm's never pointed him out. Especially Tuki he pointed out EVERYTHING We even saw a conger eel out in the daylight on my last day, of course that was the dive where I didn't take the camera.
We did see Chester a few times, most days he was just below the top of the reef very near the rope.

Yea, Tuki is a character! I have never met anyone who could talk so much and say so little! I was actually looking for the eel when I found the octo the first time. Hey, you just gotta go back!

 

[GoBlue!]

Has anyone else rented from the Coral Estates? Looks like a VERY reasonable option & nice photos, if the price quoted is the total price per night.

Jim

 

[dvrliz1]

If you decide on Bonaire I highly suggest that you look into renting one of the villas on the water! It would be very romantic and lovely. The restaurants on Bonaire are second to none. If you are looking for a romantic laid back 25th, then Bonaire is your ticket. Congrats!

 

[fins]

Has anyone else rented from the Coral Estates? Looks like a VERY reasonable option & nice photos, if the price quoted is the total price per night.

Jim

Jim,

As I recall the prices quoted did not include taxes.

 

[GoBlue!]

Jim,

As I recall the prices quoted did not include taxes.

Still, for $143.75/night for 4 people....even with taxes, that'd be a steal.

Jim

 

[scubaaaronh]

Congrats
Bonaire has my vote hands down. We went there for our honeymoon in Feb and dove when and where we wanted to. It was total freedom with the whole reef being accessible from shore. No worrying about getting up for a dive boat. Just get up grab your gear and go. The dining was an experience in itself, the best places were Casablancas ( a carnivors dream come true) the steaks were the best, Richards for awesome seafood and very fresh fish right over the water on their deck, seen a beautiful sunset there whils having dinner, Bistro de Paris for itallian cusine and the best conch chowder around. Most of the places we went to for dinner we were able to talk to the owner while waiting for our table and when they heard we were there on our honeymoon they rolled out the red carpet.

The diving was awesome just pull your truck up fill it with tanks and go. We stayed at the plaza resort although not five star by american standards it was very upscale for the island, and a very nice place to stay. It was very clean and there was security around the place all day to keep out the riff raff. They are one of the resorts that have a beach and even though there is no REAL sand anywhere on the island at least there was a beach. There was also a Tiki bar that was open late into the night with music on the beach. True there isn't much of a night life but most of the time we were in bed before midnight and up at seven to go diving. Shore swim to the reef was very short between 20 to 50 yards to the top of the reef. We were deciding our next vacation and we are going back to bonaire this winter again. I like the freedom of diving when i want to go and having that section of reef to ourselves that you select to dive.

When we go back i think we are going to stay at the belmar condos prices are slightly higher than plaza about 150.00 per person but looks like a nicer place.