jim

I do not think that I have ever read such polar opposite reports on an island on the forums than I have read about Curacao. Can anyone shed a lite on why there are such disparate views. My family is looking for a last minute trip in August. We have been to GC, PR, St John, Virgin Gorda,Cozumel, Aruba, Cancun, and several cruises. Curacao sounds like another decent spot but... there is clearly no consensus. Can anyone help clear this up before we haul our kids to Curacao! Thanks for the help.

Anon

There is nothing wrong with Curacao and I think it would be great for you and your family in August. We lean more toward the lush green islands like St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Tobago, but Curacao has its own charm and is still a favorite. It ties at #4 with Grenada even though Grenada is very green. It does have an oil refinery in Willemstadt which should not bother you at the beaches such at at Breezes (formerly Princess Beach) or <BR>Marriott. This is about the only thing that I think people could possibly complain about. The people are charming, Willemstadt is charming with its two unique bridges and Dutch architecture,and there is snorkeling at Breezes and Playa Kalki in the north. You may find a few other spots as well. Food is pretty reasonable for the Caribbean and if you like lots of cheese on your food you will be in heaven. The floating market with vendors from Venezuela is interesting too. The little Sea Aquarium is interesting for a few hours,and you could go to the Curacao distillery and the ostrich farm. From the other islands you've visited, you seem to like diversity, so I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Anon

HAving been to most of the islands to us Curacao seemed a little blah. The snorkeling was fair, the hotel was, the beach was, the people were....you know, everything was just mediocre. Not bad, but not spectacular. After reading the list of islands you have been to, I would think C would pale in comparison.

Trish

The only possible answer I have is that there are people posting that have not been there in over two years. My understanding is that they had a trash problem at one time, however, this is no longer an issue. The other possibility is that there is a strong tradewind, which makes it somewhat difficult to sit on the beach sometimes. Curacao is our favorite of the islands we have been to thus far. The Marriott there is the nicest hotel we've ever been to in the Caribbean. The people are extremely friendly, the Dutch architecture is very unique, the food is almost as good as that in GC, the seaquarium is interactive and would be enjoyable for your kids and for yourself, visit the distillery and/or brewery.

anon

You have to take into account that Trish is a campaigner for Curacao and disputes any post that disagrees with her glowing report of the island. Actually Trish, you are getting tiresome with your posts. why not just paste and copy and save yourself some time.

Trish

Anon-<BR>This forum is about people inquiring about various destinations. It is an open invitation to anyone to voice their opinion. It did not escape my attention that you are someone who who hides behind the name "anon" and has an absent e-mail. I am sure that there are others that join me in my request that you not share "information" that is merely a complaint about another person. When you have a valid contribution, please use your real name and don't be so cowardly.

Bud

Of the islands you listed, I would either pick GC or Virgin Gorda. Curacao is a bit bland

anon

Trish: You comment is pointless. A person who goes by the name "anon" could simply make up a fake name like "Joe" for example with a fake e-mail address, which I'd the majority of people do here whether or not they go by "anon." From now on I'll now longer be anon. Let's see, maybe I'll be Sally, or Connie, wait no, I want to be Carrie, no I like Stacy the best. Get my point?

Wendy

I think that liking Curacao has to do with your personal taste. Instead of it being a tourist island like Aruba, it is an island that happens to have tourism. There isn't the stretch of hotels that look like Miami. I stayed at the Avila Beach Hotel and loved it. It felt very European. Every meal we had was delicious. If you want long stretches of beach to walk on and an Americanized feel to the vacation, it's not for you. Different strokes for different folks.

YeahTrish

I agree with you completely Trish, I am so sick and tired of people and their negativity. This is a Travel Forum, if you cannot contribute any information regarding someones question, just go away. Keep your nastiness to youself. There are so many people like Anon, if you don't agree with what they say, your some kind of idiot. What makes you an authority on anything, your on a fun related travel forum, get a grip its not about conflict, its about TRAVEL OPINIONS. Are you that unhappy with your life that you log on to a travel forum and say all the things to the nameless and faceless that you can't in "real" life? Other people are entitled to their valid opinon. As the last time I checked this is about Travel and not about putting others down. Why don't you just join an anger management class and go away, Anon (and whatever other names you may use.)

lucy

My husband and I both really liked Curacao - great restaurants and the Marriott was very nice. I posted a full review on epinions.com under name lucybelle43.