how is the driving on Curacao?
Nov 12th, 2006, 04:59 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
how is the driving on Curacao?
Hi there, How is the driving on Curacao? I want to take the kids to Hato Caves and then the Ostrich Farm someone said it would be cheaper that taking a cab - are the streets well marked and pretty straight forward? Anyone recomend a car place near the cruise ship dock? Thanks!
Nov 12th, 2006, 09:12 AM
#2
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good roads and well marked, but make sure you get a map. It's a pretty big island with lots of roads/highways (so yes, a cab would be more expensive). Our car rental company (Avis) picked us up at our hotel (Hilton) so we could get the car. It was a bit of a drive. We got there and they didn't have a map! Thank goodness my husband has a great memory and a good sense of direction. If not, we would have gotten lost. We ended up getting a map back at our hotel.
Nov 13th, 2006, 10:25 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 929
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's a word of warning, if you put gas in your car be careful! Apparently the labeling on the pumps/names of the types of gas are different than the US and my husband almost ruined our rental car by putting in the wrong kind. Thankfully someone came running over and told us not to start the car it would hurt the engine. Then they helped siphon all the gas out of the tank. It was a close call. The driving, however, was no problem at all and we found plenty of parking in Willemstad.
Nov 14th, 2006, 05:07 AM
#5
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,324
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Driving is fine; away from Willemstad some of the roads are less than smooth, but we've driven all over the island. I just would not drive too far away when it's dark, unless you really know where you are going (but if it's just a day on a cruise-stop that wouldn't apply to you).
Nov 15th, 2006, 05:43 AM
#6
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On our 3 trips in 2 years we rented a Hertz compact car and found the driving fairly easy except there are what they call "Rings". If you study a good map (better than at the rental counter) before you take off on a drive you can generally handle the Rings (they connect overhead parts of the island). If you are in to snorkeling the WEST END is great with 6-7 bays that during the week and not holidays are quiet with snorkeling along the boulders that frame the bays that is better than Bonaire or Grand Cayman(since the hurricanes). I am talking only about snorkeling in 5-15 ft. depths not scuba. They offer scuba on the island but Bonaire is better for that below 30-40 ft. If you go stop at Beach #1 Santa Cruz and look for a sign that says Captain Good Life. For $15/person he will take you in a new 25 ft. canopy covered motor boat to 3 or 4 snorkel spots and just tell him to come back in 30-40 minutes and he is there and takes you to the next spots. Most of these spots are not accessible from the beaches. Wear an inflatable life jacket though in 6-7 times snorkeling we never had an under tow or a current.This is a great way to spend 3 hours. The only drawback is it is about a 3040 minute drive from the Marriott/Hilton area. But it is wonderful.
The kids will really enjoy the Ostrich Farm. The Hato Caves are just o'k., in our opinion, and the 2 main towns are worth 1 hour each with no real great bargains if you plan to shop.The Sea Acquarium has a well done dolphin show. It is a research center so it is not glitzy if that interests you.
The kids will really enjoy the Ostrich Farm. The Hato Caves are just o'k., in our opinion, and the 2 main towns are worth 1 hour each with no real great bargains if you plan to shop.The Sea Acquarium has a well done dolphin show. It is a research center so it is not glitzy if that interests you.
