Curacao-Car Rental & Taxi's

[dmahanay]

We exchanged into the Royal Sea Acquarium for Sept 20-Oct 4 and are undecided as to renting a car for the entire two weeks or just for one week, possibly Wed to Wed, as the best rate we see on an automatic SUV or Van (4 seniors) is $850-$900.

I understand we have to park outside the Acquarium. Is it a long walk? Is there security for the vehicle. We arrive at 7:30 pm and by the time we get the car it could be getting dark. Is it a long drive. What about taxis...what would fare be from airport to Royal SA? What about the closest place to Royal SA to rent car if we don't rent at airport?

Also...if we rent for two wks we would need to turn in around 5:00 am (flight at 8:00 am) and apparently the car rental locations at airport don't open until 7:00 am...anyone had to deal with that issue?

What about groceries for Sunday. I noted no shuttle service to store on Sun, but is it open?

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[nickis]

It's our home resort and i think a car is a must.
Parking is off resorts but just a short walk across the bridge about 200yrds.
You can drive up to the resort and drop off stuff or a lazy kid like ours.
Yes the parking is safe , we have never had any trouble just use common sence don't leave any thing valuble in the car/van so on.
Their is a car rental place at Lions dive which is just across the same bridge it is a major name just can't think of it at the moment.
Airport is an easy drive about 1/2 hr tops signs being in dutch is a little challenging.
Store is open sunday, like a small costco has everything you need only opened about 2-1/2 yrs ago, plus their are a few others dotted around. Front desk will give you direction which were very easy to follow.
Great cake shop a few blocks a way that stocks a few other things when in a bind.
Never used a taxi so sorry can't help there.
Veg and fruit should be got in town from the floating market it is a fun experiance to, not a long drive just down the coast road.
A great find for us was shorediving.com it give you great directions not just to dive sites but to all the beaches as most are great for shore dives with plenty of info and even pics of the rd signs you need to look out for.
Portomari being one off our favorited Playa Kaliki another and Jan Thiel another which also has a nice eatery in the evening good lunch too.
Most of the beaches are pay to play except a few but only a few bucks per car and most have all you need right at them, food drinks restrooms so on. Some even have dive shacks.
Car return well let us know how you do with this as we will have the same problem.
The diving if you dive is some off the best we have done in 22yrs of diving we only shoredive here and have some secret spots we love to hit , if you only snorkle you won't be disapointed either thier is lots to see. The resort is small and very laid back if you want to just lay and enjoy the sun not your useall hustle and bustle.
Have a great time and if we can answer any thing more for you just ask away.
Sorry check with costco on the car rental rate we got a very good rate through them.

 

[Judy]

Thanks for posting, Nicki. I copied your post as a reference for our upcoming trip. Can I persuade you to reveal your "secret" shore diving spots?

 

[nickis]

Sure look up Tug boat when you get their but instead of doing Tug boat drive over the hill past the old house with the red tile roof you will have to work at it but you can get there. It's not a bad road just a have to drive till you see the pillings at the end of the road is a a gravel area were you can walk in and then you should head to your right for a great wall dive. It is the opposite end of the wall from Tug boat.

Jan Theil but not really Jan Theil . Drive as you were going here but before you get to JT you will see anew developement try and work your way down to the shore here ,to your right will be JT but if you enter here and head left you will have a great dive you will be going against the current so the drift back will be easier. This isn't a current that will sweap you away but you will notice it also a good wall dive.
These are close to the resort and can be done any time and are both great dives that arn't on shorediving.com.

We have 2mnth till we will be there so have fun.
will try and do a map for you and post it direction are kinnda vague we just know the way and go their lol.

 

[Judy]

Thank you Nicki!