Curacao snorkeling since Omar and questions

[wegottago]

Has anyone been to Curacao recently to comment on how the snorkeling would be since Omar. I understand it wiped some of it out? Is there much of a hurricane threat in mid-June? I know it's supposed to be out of the belt and that's one reason why we like Aruba.

If we've been to our timeshare in Aruba last year would you still go to Curacao on a separate trip?

Thanks.

 

[nickis]

Curacao is no diffrent than Aruba just bigger and less touristy so you won't see to much of a diffrence. We own in Curacao and Omar hit the the week before we were ment to arrive. If you want to see something diffrent i wouldn't use my time in Curacao but Belize would be another great place for snokelling and the jungle trips are a blast.
We love Curacao for Curacao but for a change i wouldn't go to Aruba.
June is when we will be back there sorry we are still trying to find out how bad Omar really was, luckily we dive so depth should be with us as we heard the reef was hit very hard to 40ft . Only a visit will tell.

 

[lvhmbh]

I'm in Aruba and there was a big article in the newspaper that they deliver to the resorts re Curacao talking about a website called www.curacaotreasure.com. It says that if you register you have a chance to win a free trip there, etc. I'm already booked to fly over for a week staying at Royal Resorts Sea Aquarium. I have to vacate Costa Linda for maintenance week and since Royal manages CL I figured it was a good choice.
I was asking one of our BOD Aruban residents about renting a car and he said it was alot busier than here. Haven't decided about renting a car but....

 

[Carol C]

Please post what you learn about snorkeling, if you find out. I booked us two r/t tix using miles for Thanksgiving. We're constantly going to Cozumel and wanted to try something new, thus Curacao. Tips on reasonably priced yet tasty restaurants and cafes would also be appreciated, particularly if located in the capital. TIA!

 

[nickis]

You can rent a car across the bridge from the resort at Lions Dive. If you want to see any off the island you'll need one, busy well i would hardly call it busy but i drive in NYC every day so my veiw is kinda warped.
The driving is a breaze it's the dutch road signs that get you.
If you go to shorediving.com you can get maps to all the dive site and most off these are also the beaches you would visit. The direction for these sites are very good and you can print them off before you go and these are the same siteds you would go to to snorkle. Nearly all the beaches are pay beaches and usally have a bar place to shower and so on last time we were there it was $4 -$5 dollars per car.

 

[lvhmbh]

Great info re the rental car. He just meant it was busier than Aruba. I'm getting in a couple of days before my friend flies in from New York so I'll have time to get the car to pick her up. I'll report back on snorkeling.

 

[nickis]

Do go to the floating market for fruit it is easy to find and parking is just across the channel you can walk to the floating bridge then across to the to town. Plenty of places for a beer or food around this area. Market side is littered with small streets and store to get your fill off tee shirts and the like.
There is a really good map called DRIVE & DIVE and a weekly event sheet that you can pick up , the map is well worth the money. Also follow the bus to the store so you know were it's at it's like a mini wholesale place has just about all you need.
It's really not bad for traffic just get used to the round-abouts. If you have ever been to Cayman and seen the traffic you won't see that there.

 

[rynker]

We're going in July. Is it cheaper to rent a car at the resorts or at the airport? It looks like there are great beaches to go to. All suggestions are welcome!

 

[nickis]

We usally just book online and do the pickup at the airport. I think it's Alamo at lions dive and thiers another by Jan Theal beach but not sure which one.
If your getting in late and you don't want the hassle of driving and finding the place in the dark i'd try Alamo.
As for beaches our favorites are Porto Marie ,Casa Abou and for a crowd Jan Theil . All are shorediving sites with easy entry their are some really good shore diving site some a little harder to find than others but some well worth the effort.

 

[Carol C]

How difficult is it to get a timeshare exchange? I know there are very few resorts. I am in both RCI and II and have a great trader deposited in the former and a poor trader in II currently. Any sources for good, reasonably priced t/s rentals on Curacao? We'll be staying for 7 nights over the Thanksgiving timeframe. TIA for your advice!