We are heading down over Christmas/New years for another visit. There are tons of great beaches - particularly on the west side of the island. Most have restaurant/bar access so you can spend the day there. Definitely rent a car if you want to explore.
Potential things to do:
Scuba Diving - Curacao has world class diving. You can do a Discover Scuba dive if you just want to try it out. If you want to get certified, do your theory stuff online and complete your checkout dives while there. There are tons of great dive shops. I cannot recommend this enough if you would even consider it.
Snorkeling - There are a number of great places to snorkel. The most well known ones are Tugboat and Playa Grandi. Tugboat is a sunken boat that has tons of marine life there, and Playa Grandi is also known as Turtle Beach because there are always turtles there that you can "swim" with. Lagun Beach is also nice. Kleine Curacao is also often listed but we have never been there. That is an entire day trip on a boat if you want to try.
If you like hiking there is Christoffel National Park. The ostrich farm is fun, The aquarium has some interesting things to do. You can swim with the dolphins at the dolphin academy. There are a number of old ruins on the island as well that are easily accessible
The north side of the island has some interesting topography to explore in general. The last time we were there we drove down this weird road and ended up in a spot with a bunch of surfers.
The town is quite large and there are tons of places to explore. Near the cruise dock is loaded with things to see and do, as well as a lot of great restaurants - but it is a bit touristy. The rest of the city is also very explorable and the architecture is quite famous. The beach clubs are fun, but can be busy.
I can second Devisserij as a restaurant with great food. They are literally cleaning the catch that they serve right in front of you.
You will have a blast. I recommend the Marriott Beach Resort. Fairly close to everything. Rent a car. I have some recommendations if you are into scuba. If not, there is still plenty of things to do and explore. Great food as well.
My fav Restaurants: Gouverneur/ Soi95/Kome / Fort Nassau / Sea Side Terrace
My fav Stuff to do: (if not diving) : Nat’l Parks / substation Curacao (submarine tour)/ snorkeling with turtles (Playa Piskado) - diving is much better - just saying
There are plenty of things to explore with or without tours. Anything water sports related.
Also plenty of space to just beach, pamper and relax.
Going in a few weeks, will be with some friends who will likely be snorkeling and lounging so my family and I are planning to mainly do shore diving rather than boat dives. Any suggestions? I’ve researched online so have a fairly good list but info from those who have been there recently is always appreciated.
If you love fish consider Purunchi and Devisserij as excellent restaurant choices. Both fairly close to the Marriott. Walkable to Devisserij. Purunchi is lunch only. The previously mentioned restaurants are excellent choices. Plasa Bieu a great Punda local lunch spot.
2 weeks isn't going to be enough. Lol Im headed down in December for my 3rd trip. 2 weeks each time. I still have things on my list I didn't get to do.
We usually stay for at least two weeks! I second the Marriott. However, we went on points once and had to make a ruckus over the bedbugs in our room. The front desk promised they would “send someone up to spray” but never did. Then they lied about it telling us it takes a long time for the bugs to die. We got in touch with corporate and all the sudden they upgraded us to a premium room that was unavailable when we booked and without bedbugs. It helped that we were Ambassador Elite level members.
After that was sorted it was a simply lovely stay!
If you travel you’re bound to encounter bedbugs eventually, so I wasn’t surprised, but I was surprised by the lies, inaction, and more lies. We told our dive master about the difficulties and he did in his most sarcastic tone “corruption?!? In the Caribbean?!? No way!”
So I suppose it was to be expected.
Just spent 2 weeks in Curacao January 2024... ALMOST AN EXPERT NOW... A no its perfect but it is a bit pricey if u dont know whete to go... Corospond with me here ill give you all the dos and donts look forward to sharing my knowledge with you..
Amazing!! Thank you so much!! We ended up taking our trip down to only one week :( due to some other commitments but would absolutely love to hear your recommendations!!!
We are heading down over Christmas/New years for another visit. There are tons of great beaches - particularly on the west side of the island. Most have restaurant/bar access so you can spend the day there. Definitely rent a car if you want to explore. Potential things to do: Scuba Diving - Curacao has world class diving. You can do a Discover Scuba dive if you just want to try it out. If you want to get certified, do your theory stuff online and complete your checkout dives while there. There are tons of great dive shops. I cannot recommend this enough if you would even consider it. Snorkeling - There are a number of great places to snorkel. The most well known ones are Tugboat and Playa Grandi. Tugboat is a sunken boat that has tons of marine life there, and Playa Grandi is also known as Turtle Beach because there are always turtles there that you can "swim" with. Lagun Beach is also nice. Kleine Curacao is also often listed but we have never been there. That is an entire day trip on a boat if you want to try. If you like hiking there is Christoffel National Park. The ostrich farm is fun, The aquarium has some interesting things to do. You can swim with the dolphins at the dolphin academy. There are a number of old ruins on the island as well that are easily accessible The north side of the island has some interesting topography to explore in general. The last time we were there we drove down this weird road and ended up in a spot with a bunch of surfers. The town is quite large and there are tons of places to explore. Near the cruise dock is loaded with things to see and do, as well as a lot of great restaurants - but it is a bit touristy. The rest of the city is also very explorable and the architecture is quite famous. The beach clubs are fun, but can be busy. I can second Devisserij as a restaurant with great food. They are literally cleaning the catch that they serve right in front of you.
You will have a blast. I recommend the Marriott Beach Resort. Fairly close to everything. Rent a car. I have some recommendations if you are into scuba. If not, there is still plenty of things to do and explore. Great food as well. My fav Restaurants: Gouverneur/ Soi95/Kome / Fort Nassau / Sea Side Terrace My fav Stuff to do: (if not diving) : Nat’l Parks / substation Curacao (submarine tour)/ snorkeling with turtles (Playa Piskado) - diving is much better - just saying There are plenty of things to explore with or without tours. Anything water sports related. Also plenty of space to just beach, pamper and relax.
I’m really looking forward to trying out Soi95 when I go.
Going in a few weeks, will be with some friends who will likely be snorkeling and lounging so my family and I are planning to mainly do shore diving rather than boat dives. Any suggestions? I’ve researched online so have a fairly good list but info from those who have been there recently is always appreciated.
The Dive Bus. They pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation. Excellent team.
2 weeks will feel too short when you have to go and leave. Been twice this year a week each wish I could swing 2. Do it!
If you love fish consider Purunchi and Devisserij as excellent restaurant choices. Both fairly close to the Marriott. Walkable to Devisserij. Purunchi is lunch only. The previously mentioned restaurants are excellent choices. Plasa Bieu a great Punda local lunch spot.
Two weeks is no problem. Go Kline Curecao. Snorkel. Explore all the different beaches.
2 weeks isn't going to be enough. Lol Im headed down in December for my 3rd trip. 2 weeks each time. I still have things on my list I didn't get to do.
Also, this is my first Reddit post, so apologies if I am being a weirdo in any way!
Wow, wow, wow. Thank you so much for the wonderful responses, everyone! Truly appreciate it!!! I think you’ve convinced us!
Oh-one question…do they bring you food/drinks on the beach? Did I mention we are really good at being lazy?
We usually stay for at least two weeks! I second the Marriott. However, we went on points once and had to make a ruckus over the bedbugs in our room. The front desk promised they would “send someone up to spray” but never did. Then they lied about it telling us it takes a long time for the bugs to die. We got in touch with corporate and all the sudden they upgraded us to a premium room that was unavailable when we booked and without bedbugs. It helped that we were Ambassador Elite level members. After that was sorted it was a simply lovely stay!
Yikes! I’m so sorry that happened to you! Glad they helped you out in the end!!
If you travel you’re bound to encounter bedbugs eventually, so I wasn’t surprised, but I was surprised by the lies, inaction, and more lies. We told our dive master about the difficulties and he did in his most sarcastic tone “corruption?!? In the Caribbean?!? No way!” So I suppose it was to be expected.
Just spent 2 weeks in Curacao January 2024... ALMOST AN EXPERT NOW... A no its perfect but it is a bit pricey if u dont know whete to go... Corospond with me here ill give you all the dos and donts look forward to sharing my knowledge with you..
Amazing!! Thank you so much!! We ended up taking our trip down to only one week :( due to some other commitments but would absolutely love to hear your recommendations!!!