Wife want to book a trip to Curacao
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Arnaud
Contributor
Any particular reasons?
Dutch ancesters?
Tax evasion?
Otherwise, you might want to try to stir her interest to the nearby "B" island...
Dutch ancesters?
Tax evasion?
Otherwise, you might want to try to stir her interest to the nearby "B" island...
Arnaud once bubbled...
Any particular reasons?
Dutch ancesters?
Tax evasion?
Otherwise, you might want to try to stir her interest to the nearby "B" island...
Uh...better shopping? Is there much to do for the non-dive on Bonair (which I asked her to look into too)?
SharkOfBonaire
Registered
True, Curaçao has better shopping than Bonaire... Heck, any cruiseship has better shopping than Bonaire
. But if shopping is what she wants, go to Aruba or St.Maarten, because Curaçao isn't all that much either when it comes to that.If she snorkels, likes windsurfing, sailing, hiking, cycling, photography or just relaxing and meeting friendly people, Bonaire might still suit her just fine.
Damselfish
Contributor
for a diving/non-diving mix. Bonaire can be too, it really all depends what the non-diver wants to do. Bonaire is on average quieter but a fine place to go if she just wants to snorkel, bike, vegetate, and the similar things mentioned. In Curacao you can still do that stuff, there is certainly more shopping, and the city and harbor can be pretty interesting to explore. Generally much more "civilization." Curacao has the advantage of direct flights on American. Opinions differ but I think the diving is similar between the 2, and my preference is for Curacao diving just because I find a little more variety. So whatever floats your boat.
As far as hotels, I still think the best place for a diver on Curacao is Habitat, but it's bit out of the way if your other half doesn't dive and needs "stuff" to do. Lions Dive is ok, in the middle of a lot more activites and stuff, and much closer to town. The Marriott is also close to civilization and quite nice if you want the big resort experience. (I wandered around there one night in August and it looks like it is developing more of a "real" dive operation which wasn't true years back, but I don't have any first hand experience. Anyone tried it?)
Breezes in the same general area as Lion's Dive. It may be a fine choice for you or not, but it's definitely the sort of place a mass-market travel agent (rather than a dive specialist) would send someone. There's other nice and interesting looking places to stay in Curacao (such as Kura Hulanda or Avila Beach) that I'm sure aren't on the radar screens of the average US travel agent. They're not set up for divers though.
On Bonaire almost anyplace you'd stay is reasonably close to town and tailored for the convienience of divers.
As far as hotels, I still think the best place for a diver on Curacao is Habitat, but it's bit out of the way if your other half doesn't dive and needs "stuff" to do. Lions Dive is ok, in the middle of a lot more activites and stuff, and much closer to town. The Marriott is also close to civilization and quite nice if you want the big resort experience. (I wandered around there one night in August and it looks like it is developing more of a "real" dive operation which wasn't true years back, but I don't have any first hand experience. Anyone tried it?)
Breezes in the same general area as Lion's Dive. It may be a fine choice for you or not, but it's definitely the sort of place a mass-market travel agent (rather than a dive specialist) would send someone. There's other nice and interesting looking places to stay in Curacao (such as Kura Hulanda or Avila Beach) that I'm sure aren't on the radar screens of the average US travel agent. They're not set up for divers though.
On Bonaire almost anyplace you'd stay is reasonably close to town and tailored for the convienience of divers.
jeffrowland
New
I went to Curacao last year and stayed at the Marriot. Outstanding property, the hotel is as clean or cleaner than any in the US. Dive shop on the property (Caribbean Sea Sports) had newer jet propulsion dive boat and was reasonable, I think around $50 2 tanks. Good shore dive right off the pier at the dive shop.
John Mathieson
Registered
Curacao is a wonderful place to dive - there are hundreds of great shore dives, very unspoiled compared to a lot of places, and very interesting island to explore. I was there for almost a month last year - house exchange - for a low key, "locals" introduction try Eric Wederfoort's school - and meet up with some of his many students and local dive club members, and go off the beaten track. Stunning diving. Some of the best dives I have ever done were at "no name" beach entry sites - spectacular sponge fields, turtles everywhere, frogfish, etc etc etc - I want to go back!!
If you stick with dives at the hotels, it is nice, but there is so much more there.
Willemstad is a very interesting town - best duty free jewelry prices anywhere (lower Citizen dive watch prices than anything I could find on the internet) - lots of moderately priced restaurants - the only drawback I found was it was so HOT - but we were there in August.
The best thing about diving in Curacao was the people I met.
And you don't have to speak Dutch. Papiamentu is the unique local language, everyone speaks Dutch (official school language) but easy to get around with English or Spanish. (very well educated people).
Curacao also has some spectacularly UGLY things - like the huge oil refinery, the massive desalination plant - both look like Franz Kafka nightmares.
The slavery museum is unforgettable - if you go, do not miss it.
Have fun.
If you stick with dives at the hotels, it is nice, but there is so much more there.
Willemstad is a very interesting town - best duty free jewelry prices anywhere (lower Citizen dive watch prices than anything I could find on the internet) - lots of moderately priced restaurants - the only drawback I found was it was so HOT - but we were there in August.
The best thing about diving in Curacao was the people I met.
And you don't have to speak Dutch. Papiamentu is the unique local language, everyone speaks Dutch (official school language) but easy to get around with English or Spanish. (very well educated people).
Curacao also has some spectacularly UGLY things - like the huge oil refinery, the massive desalination plant - both look like Franz Kafka nightmares.
The slavery museum is unforgettable - if you go, do not miss it.
Have fun.
Scubadude
Contributor
I highly reccomend it. Shopping is great. Lots of topside activity too see and enjoy. Don't miss the floating fruit market, thr slave museum is incredible. Go to the casinos too, big fun if you like to do a little gambling. Great snorkleing also if she doesn't dive. Bonaire is also sooo beutiful and tranquil. See the donkeys, Pink Beach, the slave huts. Have dinner or lunch in the little town of Rincon. Go to the Rose Inn. Great authentic Bonairean cuisine. Oh, I almost forgot, don't miss a dinner at Janchies, best seafood on the island. It is located in Westpunt. Either way you won't be dissapointed with either destination. We could'nt make up our minds either so we just went to both islands. 6 days in Bonaire @ Divi and 4 days @ Habitat. Habitat in Curacao is quite far froom Williamstad but rent a car and you'll save money and see more. Whatever you do, GO ! You will never forget it. I gaurantee it ! Good Divin, George.
Went to Curacao for a week in June. Loved it. Everyone in our group definitely wants to return at a later date. Habitat Curacao is definitely not in the town and you need a car but the place was great. Like the city. Not your usual place like Cozumel where the merchants harass you. Definitely laid back. No one in our group particularly negative about oil refinery and industrial plants. Out of 16 in group most all work in oil and gas or related businesses. When you make a good income from this business the related sights dont bother you too much.
Breezes Curacao is located in front of one of the best shore diving locations in Curacao and uses one of the largest dive operators on the island - Ocean Encounters.
The popularity of the all-inclusive type resort is obvious with the large number of options available in the Caribbean. At Breezes Curacao you can combine this type of vacation with some of the best diving in the Caribbean.
Now you can vacation with non-divers and still get great diving.
Thanks
R Kraft
www.divebreezes.com:)
The popularity of the all-inclusive type resort is obvious with the large number of options available in the Caribbean. At Breezes Curacao you can combine this type of vacation with some of the best diving in the Caribbean.
Now you can vacation with non-divers and still get great diving.
Thanks
R Kraft
www.divebreezes.com:)
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