Curaçao Trip Planning Help Needed

[dreamin]

I am in the early stages of planning a two week Curaçao vacation in March, 2024. I have been to Aruba 3 times so I would like to try something new. We are interested in the culture and museums but also appreciate a nice beach, particularly for snorkelling. I would prefer an apartment rental vs a hotel or resort because of the convenience of having a kitchen. I’ve read that public transit is limited but I am hoping that I would not have to rent a car for the whole time, although I would rent one for a day or two to see the island. So….any suggestions on which area would be best for accommodation? VRBO has a wide variety and price range. We’re in our early 70’s and are active but not interested in night life! I would appreciate any recommendations and your experience on the island.

 

[Glenn2]

My only experience in Curacao was a 1 day cruise stop. We did visit the Curacao Liqueur Distillery in Willemstad. That was well worth the visit. Not only does Curacao produce their famous liqueur but also alcolada, which is a fantastic mentholated lotion.

 

[amycurl]

There are some nice timeshares in Curaçao, so you might want to check them out. I second the distillery tour, too—fascinating even for non-drinkers. Go watch a baseball game. Take a day sail to Klein Curaçao. It’s been too long since I was there to remember the names of the other beaches we went to. It’s a little more “real” than Aruba (I.e. less curated for tourists) but I still loved it.


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[dreamin]

I will definitely arrange a tour of the distillery so thanks for that suggestion! I looked into Curaçao timeshares and unfortunately they are all-inclusive. Not only are the fees very expensive but I prefer to support local restaurants.

 

[pedro47]

Check out the local baseball teams playing near the cruise port. You may see a future Major League Baseball player.

 

[dioxide45]

I think the only timeshare in Curacao I have seen available in II is the Royal Sea Aquarium.

 

[dioxide45]

We went to Curacao several years ago. We rented a car and drove around the whole island. Going to Westpunt was great. So many fantastic beaches. We also took the distillery tour. It was fine. I mean, there isn't a whole lot of excitement watching alcohol ferment. The story of how it came to be is rather interesting. They were actually bottling some kind of aloe sunburn product while we were there. They offer tastings of all the different kinds of Curacao, so if you like that then go for it.

 

[Laurie]

Yes! Loved Curacao more than Aruba, there was better snorkeling IMO, more interesting beaches, and more museums and culture. We rented 3 different places, two w/kitchens. One was at Lagun Blou, right on an excellent snorkeling beach Playa Lagun, their website is:

Lagun Blou Resort Curacao | Your oasis in the Caribbean

Lagun Blou Resort offers charming villas nestled on a cliff overlooking the turquoise waters and is surrounded by the vibrant colors of the local flora.

lagunblou.com

It was a knock-out gorgeous setting, and inexpensive snorkeling equipment avail to rent for the whole stay if you're not bringing your own. Walk down to the beach (or actually you can climb a little ladder and swim off the cliffs) and there's a decent restaurant right there on the beach. There were a few reasons I might not book there again: it gets hot of course, and only our bedroom upstairs had A/C (typical for rentals in Aruba & Curacao, bedroom AC only!), but ours didn't work the first night, so they sent someone to fix it next day and and it was kinda working thereafter but not great. Still, I was sure we'd return to that same resort someday for a longer stay, until ... sitting at the airport waiting to fly home I started to itch badly ... by the time I got home I noticed little bites on my arms. I don't know where I got them, could it have been bedbugs?? No idea. If so, at our lodging? Airport chairs? Some sort of sand fleas or something at the beach? No idea, but not mosquito bites. Only me, not my partner. I was miserable for the next week 'til that cleared up. There are other rental condos on the cliffs over that beach and lagoon, so next time I'll check into some others -- check booking.com etc.

It was worth it to have a car. There are many good snorkeling places on the island. We spent our first week near Willemstad in a very nice rental condo, right above the newly renovated Marriott, then overnighted at a little b&b on the salt flats which are full of wild flamingos, especially at sunset and sunrise.

PS this was the condo we rented near Willemstad, very reasonable price, no complaints!

Royal Palm Resort Curacao Geweldig zeezicht, Willemstad, Curaçao

Providing water sports facilities and an open-air bath, Royal Palm Resort Curacao Geweldig zeezicht is a sustainable apartment in Willemstad, not far from...

www.booking.com

 

[pedro47]

Yes! Loved Curacao more than Aruba, there was better snorkeling IMO, more interesting beaches, and more museums and culture. We rented 3 different places, two w/kitchens. One was at Lagun Blou, right on an excellent snorkeling beach Playa Lagun, their website is:

Lagun Blou Resort Curacao | Your oasis in the Caribbean

Lagun Blou Resort offers charming villas nestled on a cliff overlooking the turquoise waters and is surrounded by the vibrant colors of the local flora.

lagunblou.com

It was a knock-out gorgeous setting, and inexpensive snorkeling equipment avail to rent for the whole stay if you're not bringing your own. Walk down to the beach (or actually you can climb a little ladder and swim off the cliffs) and there's a decent restaurant right there on the beach. There were a few reasons I might not book there again: it gets hot of course, and only our bedroom upstairs had A/C (typical for rentals in Aruba & Curacao, bedroom AC only!), but ours didn't work the first night, so they sent someone to fix it next day and and it was kinda working thereafter but not great. Still, I was sure we'd return to that same resort someday for a longer stay, until ... sitting at the airport waiting to fly home I started to itch badly ... by the time I got home I noticed little bites on my arms. I don't know where I got them, could it have been bedbugs?? No idea. If so, at our lodging? Airport chairs? Some sort of sand fleas or something at the beach? No idea, but not mosquito bites. Only me, not my partner. I was miserable for the next week 'til that cleared up. There are other rental condos on the cliffs over that beach and lagoon, so next time I'll check into some others -- check booking.com etc.

It was worth it to have a car. There are many good snorkeling places on the island. We spent our first week near Willemstad in a very nice rental condo, right above the newly renovated Marriott, then overnighted at a little b&b on the salt flats which are full of wild flamingos, especially at sunset and sunrise.

PS this was the condo we rented near Willemstad, very reasonable price, no complaints!

Royal Palm Resort Curacao Geweldig zeezicht, Willemstad, Curaçao

Providing water sports facilities and an open-air bath, Royal Palm Resort Curacao Geweldig zeezicht is a sustainable apartment in Willemstad, not far from...

www.booking.com

I liked your condo and that resort ratings and reviews.