Comments on: I Didn’t Like Curaçao (But I Didn’t Hate it Either)

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 21:31:46 +0000

In reply to Christina. Never heard anyone yet saying that they loved Curaçao. Obviously, there are better islands to spend ur money. I love NYC too. :)

By: al

al — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:17:18 +0000

I visited Curacao in 2012 for 2 weeks and had a good time. The draw to the island for me was scuba diving and for that it delivered in spades. Fantastic and easy shore diving in over 40 locations on the west side of the island. We spent most of our time in the Westpunt area and had rented a car to get around, an absolute must. It is definitely different than our other Caribbean trips and although I had read that it was a desert type island I hadn’t expected to see cactus in the rocks beside the ocean. we found the food to be very good quality although choices limited. People were friendly and I felt safe everywhere I went. Food was more European than Caribbean I thought and for sure very very Dutch. I really really liked the fact that it was not overly commercial. I am not sure I would have had such a good time if I was not a scuba diver, snorkeling was also very good. True the beaches are not sugary smooth but they were clean and the water was fantastic. Would I go again, probably not but mostly because I think the world is a big place and I want to see a lot of it.

By: Sheldon

Sheldon — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 23:03:53 +0000

Im from Curacao. I feel bad of your experience there however I have travel to the Bahamas it is far more expensive than Curacao, I stayed at atlantis and it is by far a beautiful place but it is the people that makes the island. The island has been strugling with tourism and has to still catch up with the other caribbean destinations. I agree that the beaches all has been taken over by other hotels however every island has its things. I live in St.Maarten and you have to pay 10 or 15 $ for a pair of beach chairs. Curacao you may have to pay 5 $ to enter a private beach it is to support the infrastructure and keep it clean. When tourist visit our islands we love it because besides tourism there is no other industrie to support the island. When you visit make the local connection. There is a lot of history in Curacao that goes back to the freedom of slavery world wide. Curacao was the market place for slaves of the caribbean and south america. All will be brought to Curacao from Africa and sold in the slave market and then shipped to the rest of the Caribbean. When traveling to Curacao I recommend you make the local connection. You would not regret it. From great food to the island scenery beautiful monuments the only still standing jewish church with sand floor. I can go on and on. But visit.

By: Don

Don — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 17:56:50 +0000

In reply to Frank.

I have to say, that my wife and I love Curacao.
We habe been there for a two week vacation.
The weather was fantastic, the ocean was awesome and there were so many beautiful places and people. We went scuba diving and did our open water diving license and even tho we have not been to the best diving spots, it was a great experience.
Of course the refinery is ugly and it smells bad, if you pass by with a car. But you have the opportunity to go to places where you would never recognize, that the refinery is there.
And there are alternatives to the expensive taxis. Minibuses driving through Willemstad and surrounding areas cost only 1,5$ per person and bring you to the most common places. You just have to know this. If you are good prepared for a trip, there are less bad experiences. And don’t expect too much before you go on a trip. That’s a good advice for every vacation. Because every time there might be something not soooo good and you could be disappointed. If you are open minded and able to enjoy also the small things in life, you (everybody, not just Matt) will be able to have great experiences everywhere in the world.
Honestly I have to say that people from the USA most of the time want everything to be perfect like in a book or film. But life is different. It’s real. Not fiction. And not everything is always perfect. It sometimes is. But I am really happy, that there is no Disneyland all over the world.
And people who are on a cruisship and think they now know the Caribbean, because they have been to Curaçao or Aruba or Venezuela or Cuba or wherever and did a trip for three hours and have seen everything, I really have to say, if you believe this, I feel sorry for you.
We have been in Willemstad and we have seen the Cruiseship terminal. It’s like Disneyland. Everything nice and clean, small Cafés and Restaurants in an old Fort, a shopping Street with all the posh Boutiques.
Why do you need this on a carribean island??? You already have this in the USA.
You should go to a restaurant with typicall cuisine, to a museum, where you learn things about the culture, to the real beaches with great fishes and turtles etc. and not the ones in front of your hotel which are all build by humans. That’s not nature. That might be nice, but that’s like your book or film.
We will come back to Curaçao and we are already looking forward to it.
And one final thing: compared with gas prices in Europe the Gas in Curaçao is really cheap!

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 02:21:32 +0000

We are headed to Curacao next week and definitely prefer less “tourist-trap” things to do. If you wouldn’t mind sharing some of the local, family run places you enjoyed, I’d love a head start!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 00:47:54 +0000

In reply to JudyBelg. My husband might have a job in curaçao for one year. We are trying to decide if the whole fam should join him. We have children ages 1 month, 2, 5, 7, 15. Just curious if it is a good choice for a house ful of boys to uproot for a family adventure to this lovely island

By: Desire

Desire — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 21:23:11 +0000

I understand how a person can feel like the Matt after a brief visit to Curacao. I’ve heard people say they loved visiting or werent that pleased but I’ve never heard someone say they hated it which compliments what Matt is saying.
I lived and worked in Curacao in 2012-2013 and during that time I had an opportunity to take in the entire experience and if you are going to travel to Curacao I would give you one bit of caution. Take the notions you have of American style customer service and throw it out the window. The island was at one time, the banking center of the Caribbean and the refinery (reason why i was there) was a money maker for the island and provided jobs well before tourism came to play. Tourism is actually new to Curacao compared to the rest of the Caribbean and in time, you’ll find that it will be a great place to vacation on par with Aruba, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands if the government stops fighting with each other long enough to allow it.
If you can’t wait another 15 years for that to happen, visit Curacao with an open mind and rent a vehicle. If you can, stay in Jan Thiel or Spanish Water area. You get a decent beach near by, hiking, shopping, good restaurants, safety and its not too far from downtown or another areas. Make sure to bring a cheap unlocked phone (GSM) and purchase a SIM card from Chippie or Digicel and make calls that way. There is WiFi every where which is awesome but you can’t guarantee it and there are NO US based phone companies in Curacao. Eat at the local restaurants and not at the tourist chains. I ate at the RibsFactory just about every night and you cant go wrong. Bring chap stick and leave your umbrella at home. Very dry and even though the place is surrounded by water, its actually a desert. Bring beach shoes or swimming shoes. The beaches are natural and as a result, there may be rocks but the water is so clear and pristine, you can see them. The buildings are not well kept and while i was there one of the largest tool stores caught on fire and burned to the ground because of faulty wiring. We noticed it the first time we walked into the store. Take note of your surroundings, vehicles and villas and make note of certain things that arent regulated as they are in Europe or the US. Dont overload electrical circuits and you’ll be fine.
Lastly, the people in Curacao are kind of hit or miss just like everywhere is in the world. When dealing with them in a work environment, not very easy to deal with. Most would prefer not to be working and enjoying life and it shows at times and theres nothing you can do but be nice and maybe they’ll come around. (that’s extreme though but not unlikely) Maybe they’re having a bad day. Getting taxed 40% will do that to you. However, when at play, the people of Curacao do it right and they party like no other place I’ve been. Fridays are great and if you dont mind sticking out and want to hang with the locals, go to Salina on a Friday. there are bars, clubs and just people hanging out having a good time. if you dance visit the Tutu Tango on week nights or take in a salsa lesson at Salsation right in Salina. its a great time.
Lastly, Matt has a valid point. If you are visiting Curacao with an idea that it will be Aruba or St Thomas or St Maarten, you’re going to be disappointed. Its not set up that way and yes, it is a hell of a lot more expensive than most places in the Caribbean because nothing is grown there and everything is imported from Miami or Venezuela. But ultimately, if you put the HUGE refinery in the background out of your mind will staying there and enjoy the dives and hole in the wall restaurants while there, you’ll have a great time. I promise.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 15:50:47 +0000

Hey Matt,

My heart is broken. The ABC islands have different characteristics which are appealing to different people.
Aruba is catered for the tourists seeking relaxation and pina colada’s.
Bonaire has the best preserved nature and diving opportunities.
Curacao comes somewhere in between.

The Tourist board advertises the island as a sandy beach location to compete with other similar locations. I have to agree that Curacao isn’t the stretched white sandy beach location. I think that the best way to enjoy the island is with a local guide because there is much much more to see and experience.

I really hope that somewhere in the future you are willing to give it a second chance.

By: Marina

Marina — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 23:44:51 +0000

Anyone is entitled to his/her opinion.
Personally I love the island. After living in many countries during my younger years we choose Curacao and emigrated from the Netherlands in 2008. We learned the language have wonderful friends and indeed, who does not, regret the awful pollution of the isla.
We still travel an awful lot, are on the go 5 months of the year, and love to come back home.
For us one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean are Varadero, Cuba and Grand Anse in Grenada. But this is our opinion.

By: John Jerrehian

John Jerrehian — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 19:08:12 +0000

In reply to Rapa.

Great story! I have noticed things like this too. It’s what makes places different and interesting.
One trip in Curacao, the King and Queen were there. Many locals flocked downtown to see them and enjoy the festivities.
We decided we would go too, (with some Dutch friends of ours). While we were there we saw more friends we met, (small island). However, I began to notice, very little police and what a wonderful mix of people. Everyone getting a long and enjoying the presence of their King and Queen as they are proud of their island.