Curaçao Honeymoon
Feb 23rd, 2012, 06:19 PM
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Curaçao Honeymoon
My fiancé and I are considering Curaçao for our honeymoon in mid-May of this year. We went to Roatan in 2009, and we loved it- the abundant nature and coral reefs, low amount of commercialization, excellent local food, moderate nightlife (no obnoxious clubs, instead laid-back bars). We were looking for the same kind of vibe. I also liked the fact that Curacao isn't full of AI's. We are both about to finish graduate schools so funds aren't unlimited. However, flights are being paid for by family. We can spend out of our own pockets no more than $2,000. I don't know how expensive the island is or if it caters primarily to kids/families, etc. I don't know where on the island to stay. We do not want to be too isolated. I don't know anyone who has been to Curaçao, so any advice/opinions would be appreciated!
Feb 24th, 2012, 01:42 AM
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http://www.booking.com/hotel/cw/cura...resort-emerald... where I usually stay HM worthy. Pretty island
a bit touristic though. Tourismbonaire.com more laid back better price points usually might investigate options there.
Congrats!
a bit touristic though. Tourismbonaire.com more laid back better price points usually might investigate options there.
Congrats!
Feb 24th, 2012, 08:07 AM
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Hi there: Curacao is an interesting island. I love it -- been there twice. Qwovadis has given you an excellent suggestion -- Marriott (I stayed at the Hilton right next door). I think that Piscadera Bay is probably the best area to stay because you are close to Willemstad but away from the bustle of the town. Another interesting consideration is Kura Hurlanda which I liked and would recommend as it is right in the town and is one of the most interesting hotels I have ever stayed at. You can easily walk to restaurants and shopping from there (though my wife found it a bit too busy after 3 days).
Feb 24th, 2012, 09:54 AM
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I would not recommend the Marriott or Hilton for a honeymoon unless you don't mind being inundated with families/children.
We went in May, 2009 and stayed at the Lions Dive in a 2 bedroom apartment. The hotel has regular rooms also, 3 restaurants and 3 pools with a nice section of beach. It's also within walking distance to several other restaurants/bars and the Sea Aquarium. They also offer a daily free shuttle to a local grocery store. We found the food good at all the restaurants. There is also a bus stop just down the way that will take you downtown.
We did a dive at the Sea Aquarium and just loved it. No certification is required. We also did a very romantic beach dinner at another hotel.
I also agree with the Kura Hurlanda, but it is much more expensive.
Be aware, that there are no long stretches of beaches in Curacao. They are mostly coves on the West Side of the Island. You will need to rent a car or go on a tour to access them. The sand is made up of crushed coral so water shoes are a must also.
If you are interested, we have our Curacao pictures posted at:
http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn
We went in May, 2009 and stayed at the Lions Dive in a 2 bedroom apartment. The hotel has regular rooms also, 3 restaurants and 3 pools with a nice section of beach. It's also within walking distance to several other restaurants/bars and the Sea Aquarium. They also offer a daily free shuttle to a local grocery store. We found the food good at all the restaurants. There is also a bus stop just down the way that will take you downtown.
We did a dive at the Sea Aquarium and just loved it. No certification is required. We also did a very romantic beach dinner at another hotel.
I also agree with the Kura Hurlanda, but it is much more expensive.
Be aware, that there are no long stretches of beaches in Curacao. They are mostly coves on the West Side of the Island. You will need to rent a car or go on a tour to access them. The sand is made up of crushed coral so water shoes are a must also.
If you are interested, we have our Curacao pictures posted at:
http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn
Feb 24th, 2012, 11:26 AM
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You might also take a look at Bonaire, Curacao's smaller neighbor. If lots of reefs and a laid-back atmosphere are what you are looking for, Bonaire is the winner. You literally just drive around the island on the shore road, pull off wherever there is a yellow marker, and dive or snorkel. The town is small and walkable with lots of little bars and restaurants (no club scene at all). Food is very good for the Caribbean with lots of choices.
We have been to Bonaire 10 times and Curacao only once. We enjoyed Curacao but it is much bigger, so driving to the various small beaches where you can enter the water to dive/snorkle took lots of time and some of the beaches charge a fee. Both islands have an arid, desert look to them (not lush and jungle-like). Willemstad is a much bigger town with a city feel to it, compared with Bonaire's main town of Kralendijk. Curacao also has more of an industrial feel to it around the main city.
We stayed on the west end of Curacao in a rental villa. It was beautiful and the view was gorgeous, but we were very isolated with no neighbors at all and a 15 minute drive through scrub woods to a tiny town. After a few days exploring the island, we settled into a pattern: We drove about 45 minutes each morning to the Kura Hulanda resort (not the one in town- the other one on the west end it is gorgeous!!) There is a small and really nice dive operation there where we got tanks to do two dives per day- the reef off the beach was the best one we found on the island, so we just dove it each day. The little beach below the hotel is cute and there is a beach bar with good lunch type food and tropical drinks they will serve you in the sand. A few other days were spent exploring, with some lunches in Willemstadt. We didn't think the food selections were very impressive, and ended up cooking dinner at home most nights. The area around Willemstadt with all the resorts looked crowded and not our cup of tea- just one resort next to the other. We prefer cottages or small condo buildings.
I realize I'm sounding sort of negative about Curacao. We actually enjoyed the trip but we missed the plethora of dive sites with ease of access and variety that we have in Bonaire. We missed the little charming town that we can stroll around safely while deciding which cute outdoor restaurant to choose for the night. We missed the ability to drive around the island in just an hour and see lots of natural beauty everywhere, without encountering traffic, trucks, etc. We love the fact that Bonaire's resorts are low-key, not glitzy and there are lots of cute, clean budget options on the island, plus many nice rental villas. Curacao seemed to offer more big resorts.
On the plus side, we felt like we saw more of a culture on Curacao. We loved the little Dutch cheese shop. I was reading a book set in Africa while we were there, and felt like I was driving through an African landscape- the rugged nature was quite beautiful and we saw lots of wildlife.
If you are going for the reefs- check out Bonaire.
We have been to Bonaire 10 times and Curacao only once. We enjoyed Curacao but it is much bigger, so driving to the various small beaches where you can enter the water to dive/snorkle took lots of time and some of the beaches charge a fee. Both islands have an arid, desert look to them (not lush and jungle-like). Willemstad is a much bigger town with a city feel to it, compared with Bonaire's main town of Kralendijk. Curacao also has more of an industrial feel to it around the main city.
We stayed on the west end of Curacao in a rental villa. It was beautiful and the view was gorgeous, but we were very isolated with no neighbors at all and a 15 minute drive through scrub woods to a tiny town. After a few days exploring the island, we settled into a pattern: We drove about 45 minutes each morning to the Kura Hulanda resort (not the one in town- the other one on the west end it is gorgeous!!) There is a small and really nice dive operation there where we got tanks to do two dives per day- the reef off the beach was the best one we found on the island, so we just dove it each day. The little beach below the hotel is cute and there is a beach bar with good lunch type food and tropical drinks they will serve you in the sand. A few other days were spent exploring, with some lunches in Willemstadt. We didn't think the food selections were very impressive, and ended up cooking dinner at home most nights. The area around Willemstadt with all the resorts looked crowded and not our cup of tea- just one resort next to the other. We prefer cottages or small condo buildings.
I realize I'm sounding sort of negative about Curacao. We actually enjoyed the trip but we missed the plethora of dive sites with ease of access and variety that we have in Bonaire. We missed the little charming town that we can stroll around safely while deciding which cute outdoor restaurant to choose for the night. We missed the ability to drive around the island in just an hour and see lots of natural beauty everywhere, without encountering traffic, trucks, etc. We love the fact that Bonaire's resorts are low-key, not glitzy and there are lots of cute, clean budget options on the island, plus many nice rental villas. Curacao seemed to offer more big resorts.
On the plus side, we felt like we saw more of a culture on Curacao. We loved the little Dutch cheese shop. I was reading a book set in Africa while we were there, and felt like I was driving through an African landscape- the rugged nature was quite beautiful and we saw lots of wildlife.
If you are going for the reefs- check out Bonaire.
Feb 24th, 2012, 12:40 PM
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We did a two week trip this past December to Curacao and Bonaire. Spent eight nights on Curacao and only five on Bonaire.
We found Bonaire to be a much better 'fit' for us. Curacao seemed too busy to us, more of an urban feeling, although we enjoyed Willemstad. Curacao just didn't have the island vibe we were looking for.
We loved Bonaire. Easy to drive around. Flamingos!!! Easy walk in snorkeling (I don't dive).
Exceptional restaurants. I was so surprised how many really good restaurants there were in downtown Kralendijk. Also some fun bars.
Not much for beaches, although we made a couple of stops, and spent a few hours at Lac Bay. Nice beach there.
I've not been to Roatan, but, have done some research for a trip there. I suspect if you loved Roatan, and are looking for a similar experience, you might not find it on Curacao. Not that Curacao isn't a good honeymoon spot, it just doesn't sound like what you're looking for.
How about Belize?
We found Bonaire to be a much better 'fit' for us. Curacao seemed too busy to us, more of an urban feeling, although we enjoyed Willemstad. Curacao just didn't have the island vibe we were looking for.
We loved Bonaire. Easy to drive around. Flamingos!!! Easy walk in snorkeling (I don't dive).
Exceptional restaurants. I was so surprised how many really good restaurants there were in downtown Kralendijk. Also some fun bars.
Not much for beaches, although we made a couple of stops, and spent a few hours at Lac Bay. Nice beach there.
I've not been to Roatan, but, have done some research for a trip there. I suspect if you loved Roatan, and are looking for a similar experience, you might not find it on Curacao. Not that Curacao isn't a good honeymoon spot, it just doesn't sound like what you're looking for.
How about Belize?
Feb 25th, 2012, 05:51 AM
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As much as I love Aruba, it is nothing like Roatan. Neither is Curacao for that matter. To us, Curacao looked like Arizona with a beach.
I would suggest Belize or Costa Rica if you're looking for something similar to Roatan. Maybe St. Lucia, but the snorkeling there is not that great. St. John, USVI will have the laid back quite with decent snorkeling, but not as lush.
I would suggest Belize or Costa Rica if you're looking for something similar to Roatan. Maybe St. Lucia, but the snorkeling there is not that great. St. John, USVI will have the laid back quite with decent snorkeling, but not as lush.
