bayondai:
I was just talking to someone about Curacao and they said the island was kind of dirty and it wasn't very safe. Then again, this person isn't all that reliable. Would ou say it is equivalent to bonaire? That island was acually my first pick and the Turks were up there too. I don't know anyone that has been there though. Out off all the places you just mentioned which has the nicest beaches? Which is the best for your money? I would like to spend around $2500 for 2 of us for about a week including the flight. If there is something cheaper, than that is even better.
Thanks,
Mike
I've heard people say that about Curacao too, but I think at least some of it comes from people who were only there on a cruise ship. They come right down the channel through town (cool to watch) towards the main harbor and the refinery. Not the best first impression though it's getting better. Anyway, I haven't found Curacao to be particularly dirty compared to many other Carribean islands and I've never felt unsafe there. It is certainly more built up than Bonaire, with a larger population, and a larger city with business and industry around it that is pretty un-carribean looking in parts. But that's not where you would spend most of your time. The waterfront and historical area of the city is a nice place to visit/shop/eat. Once you get out of town plenty of the island is undeveloped and remote, and looks a lot like Bonaire. (The greater development and "critical mass" does have a side benefit of generally better supplies and a greater variety of restaurants and shopping.)
Many hotels in Curacao have nice beaches, some don't have beaches at all especially if close to town. I usually stay at Habitat which is away from it all but on ironshore cliff so good diving but not a real beach - they have a small manmade beach and deck down by the water. There are many beaches you can visit. Some are free and some have facilities so charge a few guilder. Lots of pretty little deserted beaches in coves if you are into exploring. You might want to check into Sunset Waters, far away from town, AI, good deal, getting good reviews lately, nice beach, diving. (I haven't stayed there, just stopped on a boat for a little.) But I don't think you'll do the trip for $2500.
Turks, do you mean Grand Turk, or just anyplace in Turks & Caicos? There's certainly lots of people that have been there and have reported on trips on this board. I dove Gr Turk/South Caicos/Salt Cay from a liveaboard so don't know much about the land options there. Flights to Provo are often cheap but once you get there it can be pricy. But there are a few cheaper options. Without looking I think Miramar, Comfort Suites, Turtle Cove Inn would be some of the cheaper options on Provo. The luxury resorts on Grace Bay Beach will be much more, but the beach sure is nice. I'd think you can get some decent deals on Grand Turk, it's mostly small inns, but it's an extra flight.
I'm not going to attempt to figure where is cheapest or might cost under $2500 (don't even know where you're flying from, you should fill out your profile.) You just have to dig around websites and add up the numbers. Does that $2500 include all food and diving? Will be tough, especially in high season.
