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I just came back from Curacao and I am pleasantly surprised.
The Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino was lovely. It was situated right in Willemstad. The capital city of Curacao, Willemstad is a lively town with colorful Dutch architecture. Willemstad also offers some interesting museums such as Museum Kura Hulanda, which pictures the history of the slave trade.
It was nice to eat at one of the restaurants overlooking the Emma bridge, a pontoon bridge that is hinged and opens regularly to enable the passage of ocean going vessels. The bridge is quite fun! I was also surprised at how many nightlife there were. Bermuda discoteque was top notch!
The beaches in Curacao are nice. Snorkeling and diving are the best thing to do in Curacao! So much to see underneath the water. My favorite beaches were Porto Marie, Caracasbaai and Sonesta.
Most people in Curacao are very kind and helpful, even though i did find some people that were a bit reluctant to help but overall they are very nice.
The food is also good but the service is a bit slow. But who cares you are on vacation! The last day I ate at a very nice Chinese restaurant. (I dont remember the name, Saiko or Saiku, Saika )
Overall, Curacao is truly a hidden gem in the caribbean that is worth visiting!
I´ll be back!!! (I am already boooking for January)
Curacao is actually amazing!
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Curacao is indeed lovely!
I agree. There is a nice variety of restaurants, places to go for a drink, and great shopping opportunities in Curacao. There was so much to do there.
I loved the Renaissance too! Willemstad is beautiful
Curacao is beautiful. Kura Hollanda is a very nice touch, something different, I loved it. Willemstad is beautiful. However, the crime rate is very high, so your options to explore and walk around by yourself is limited.
Didn´t notice the crime when I was there. On this crazily cosmopolitan isle of Curacao, you'll laze on Caribbean beaches, get lost in South Africa, have dinner in Suriname and party in Amsterdam!!
We spent 2 weeks in Curacao in Feb/Mar 2010. We loved it so much we'll be back for another week in late Feb of 2011 (as an "acclimatization" week prior to a week of snorkelling and kayaking in Belize). Mind you, we were staying with relatives so our accomodation experience would have been a bit different from the average traveller. BUT.....
the snorkeling was really superb, most meals eaten out were great (with one noteable exception), and the people very friendly and helpful. Have to agree that wandering around Willemstad in the evening, having a cold one by the Punda, and spending a Friday evening at "Happy Hour" on the Mambo Beach (watching the sun set over the water) were great fun. Also, do make the effort to at least tour through Kuru Holanda in Otrobanda; it's a World Heritage Site. Evenings are best.
If you get the chance, take the Jonalisa tour to Klein Curacao. More fish and turtles than you can shake a stick at. We'll see how Belize stacks up next spring (can't come soon enough).
Our photos are at: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v108/Tootsall/Curacao%202010/
I am a Curacao fan as well. There are 8-10 good to excellent restaurants, though most a little pricy but worth the money. The Snorkeling I agree on the WEST END is among the 3 best places left in the Caribbean, the locals are very pleasant and the range of hotels from the Kura H (stayed there once) to a more simply one such as the Seas Aqurarium Resort (stayed there twice)and the generally excellent weather (mabe stay away in late Sept-late Oct. because it's generally quite windy) it is a real good bet.
I also love the island and goimg back in 5 months!!! Cant wait!
I am going back in 3 months!!
How is the weather in Mid-Nov?
Normally it is warm. But there is a tropical storm approaching the island. =(
Wow Curacao sounds great! can't wait to go!.. I think trying to decide between Curacao and Martinique for my next Caribbean trip.
stankase and others -- what do you think of this condo and location in relation to diving/snorkeling opportunities?
http://www.vrbo.com/189604
Thanks for the report, we are considering Curacao this year.
can't wait to go. just booked a trip in march on the west end. just wondering if all of these mosquito & scorpion problems are true??
YIKES!! Don't tell me that Nancy.
Please post back and let us know if that's true.
I just came back from Curacao again. I had another awesome trip. Are there many mosquitos? I´ll say yes but not that it is a big problem. I heard that it rained a whole lot last months so this brought up many mosquitos. Scorpions no. I had never seen a scorpion in Curacao. I wish though.
I can say again that Curacao is one of the most beautiful islands in the Carribean. My next trip is problably going to be Curacao again.
You are right about the rain Zach. I was in Aruba in November and it rained every day. Sometimes it was light drizzle but we saw a fair amount of hard rain and rough seas so all snorkelling excursions were cancelled. The weather was very disappointing as we chose Aruba thinking it hardly ever rains there. It was still a great trip though, sometimes you have to find your own fun. And we did have mosquitos in Aruba, probably due to all of the rain.
Maybe when things get back to normal the mosquitoes will leave the ABC islands.