Diving in Curaçao

Shelly

THE BEST PLACES TO DIVE IN CURAÇAO

Curaçao is a must-see destination for divers, snorkelers and marine life lovers. This is because there are approximately 65 locations in Curaçao. Divers can explore incredible underwater worlds which I will summarize below:

top producer

The Superior Producer is the most popular shipwreck in the entire Dutch Caribbean. The Superior Producer sank in 1977 at the entrance to the port of Otrabanda. The ship was originally headed for Margarita Island. As it left the port, part of the cargo began to shift due to rough seas. The ship listed, and despite their best efforts to stop the cargo from falling, it sank to a depth of about 30 meters. Realizing there was no way to prevent the sinking, efforts focused on towing it to a safer location away from the shipping lanes. This 30-meter (165-foot) shipwreck is covered in corals and sponges, as well as numerous colonies and species of gorgonians. No wreck diving experience is required to dive at this site. The closest point to the surface is 18 meters deep. Important: You can only dive here when there are no cruise ships docked. You’ll need to check with the dive shop or the Curacao Ports Authority website.

watamula

Watamula comes from the Dutch word "watermolen" which means water mill. Therefore, this place is characterized by containing many streams that can flow in the form of a circle. It is located on the west side of Curaçao and is only accessible by boat. On both sides of this beautiful hard coral reef are two sandy areas filled with large soft corals. The huge hard coral reef starts at 5 m and gradually descends to 20 m, where it becomes a sandy bottom. It is very common to see giant sponges, triggerfish, as well as chub, moray eels, turtles, porcupine fish and eagle rays.

KALKI BEACH

(Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)

One of the most beautiful dive sites in Curaçao, Kalki Beach, also called Alice in Wonderland, is a perfect place to spend a day at the beach with divers, snorkelers and sun lovers. The name "Kalki" refers to the limestone of the surrounding cliffs. The swell is usually calm and with little current, although sometimes the current can be strong and unpredictable. Green moray eels, lobsters and mushroom-shaped coral formations can be seen, as well as a wide range of colorful reef fish.

MUSHROOM FOREST

(Mushroom Forest)
Often voted the number one dive site in Curaçao, the Mushroom Forest gets its name from the mushroom-shaped hard coral formations that are home to a wealth of marine life. The bases of the coral heads have been eroded by natural forces, forming narrow columns that resemble mushrooms and serve as perfect hiding places for small marine reef creatures.

TUGBOAT

Located at a depth of only 5 meters, this popular destination for divers and snorkelers was literally named after the tugboat that accidentally sank some thirty years ago. It is currently covered with coral tube sponges and is home to fascinating blue parrotfish and yellowtail snappers.

BLUE ROOM

In the Blue Room Cave, something magical happens between the sun and the water, transforming the underwater cave into a blue room. It is a special natural phenomenon.

The cave is a blue illuminated cave in Curaçao. You can dive or snorkel in the cave in an almost surreal blue environment. It is uniquely illuminated because sunlight can reach the interior of the cave only through the underwater entrance, as it passes through the clear blue water on its way up.

BOOK YOUR DIVING EXCURSIONS HERE

Water Activities in Curaçao

by Shelly | Tours in Curaçao

Shelly

DIVING

SNORKELING

WATER ADVENTURE

Rent a car in Curaçao: Recommendations

by Shelly | Transportation in Curacao

Shelly

To get the most out of Curaçao, having your own transportation is practically essential. Although the island has taxis and public transportation, both services have limitations that can affect your time and flexibility during your vacation.

In this guide, you'll find practical tips for renting a car safely, as well as options for booking online with reliable agencies. We always recommend well-known companies to minimize any risk of problems, unexpected charges, or potential fraud, which, as with any tourist destination, can occur.

Tip #1: Rent from reputable agencies

Choosing a well-established, reputable car rental company is one of the most important decisions you can make to avoid problems during your trip.

Official rental agencies comply with all legal requirements, offer insured vehicles, and provide assistance in the event of breakdowns or emergencies. In addition, if a mechanical problem arises, you will usually receive a replacement vehicle without any major complications.

Reserve your car with insurance included starting at approximately $50 USD per day and travel with peace of mind.

Tip #2: Book in advance

One of the most common mistakes visitors make is waiting until the last minute to rent a car.

Curaçao welcomes thousands of tourists every week, and car rentals can sell out quickly, especially during peak seasons, school breaks, and holidays. Many people realize too late that the rental agencies at the airport or their hotel no longer have any vehicles available.

Booking in advance not only guarantees availability, but also usually offers better rates and a wider variety of models.

Tip #3: Don't forget your driver's license

It may seem obvious, but every year many travelers arrive on the island without the necessary documentation to rent a car.

To drive in Curaçao, you'll usually need:

A valid driver's license.
Be at least 21 years old (although some agencies may require a higher minimum age).
A credit card or a payment method accepted by the rental company.

Conditions may vary by agency, so it's always a good idea to check the requirements before traveling.

Tip #4: Make sure your rental includes insurance

The roads in Curaçao are in good condition, but traffic rules and signs may differ slightly from those in your country.

Although traffic is usually much less hectic than in many Latin American cities, having adequate coverage will allow you to drive with greater peace of mind and be protected in case of any unforeseen events.

Before confirming your reservation, check what type of insurance is included and consider expanding your coverage if you plan to travel extensively around the island.

Tip #5: Plan Your Routes Wisely

Organizing your visits by area will help you save time and fuel.

For example, you can spend a full day exploring the beaches and attractions on the western part of the island, such as Westpunt and Kalki Beach, and another day touring Willemstad, Pietermaai, Punda, and the attractions in the city center.

Grouping activities that are close to each other will reduce unnecessary travel and make your experience much more efficient.

Tip #6: Keep the weather and fuel consumption in mind

Curacao's tropical climate, with temperatures that typically range from 28 °C to 33 °C for much of the year, makes air conditioning an indispensable ally.

However, it's important to remember that constant use of the air conditioner increases fuel consumption. If you want to optimize your travel budget, take this factor into account when calculating your transportation costs.

Even so, on the hottest days, the comfort usually makes up for the slight increase in gas consumption.

Is it worth renting a car in Curaçao?

Absolutely. A car will allow you to discover hidden beaches, local restaurants, natural parks, and corners of the island that would be difficult to visit using only taxis or public transportation.

Plus, you'll have the freedom to explore Curaçao at your own pace, without having to worry about schedules or transportation costs, making the most of every day of your vacation.

Private transfer in Curaçao – Book here

by Shelly | Transportation in Curacao

Shelly

OPTION 1:
BOOK A PRIVATE TRANSFER

Cab drivers have the possibility to promote themselves independently as service providers. Therefore, each one looks for a way to stand out either by keeping a car in excellent condition, by offering private services, by providing pick-up services with amenities such as bottle of water, luxury vehicles, etc. This is in order to attract better customers.

You can book your private transfer to or from the hotel with me here:
- The selection of 1 transfer already includes up to 2 persons.
- You book by paying 20% and the rest you pay later.

Private means: no waiting, exclusive driver in the arrival hall for you and no stops at other hotels along the way.

OPTION 2:
BOOK A SHARED TRANSFER

As a curious fact, you should know that in Curaçao cab services are mostly provided in mini-vans. By regulations of the Ministry of Transport of Curaçao , cabs cannot transport more than 9 persons at a time. It does not matter if the van is for a maximum of 12-15 people, only 9 will be able to get on. Additionally, counting the number of suitcases, it is possible that only 6 people can actually get on board when it comes to ridesharing. For this reason, there are operators and transportation agencies on the island that offer shared transportation services. Precisely because of the limited number of cabs and the limited number of people who can board them, these companies use buses or mini-buses or vans to transport larger numbers of passengers. This is the case when such agencies have contracts with major carriers such as American Airlines, and other travel agents. In this way, in one fell swoop, these buses can be filled with up to 50 passengers going to the same hotel, or perhaps to several hotels in the same area.

This option is more economical, but involves several conditions: You must wait until everyone on said bus/mini-bus departs to the arrivals hall, you must make your way to the different hotels until it is your turn. Hopefully, if you're in a hotel on the west side of the island, you'll get there first.

TIP: Check if your hotel/accommodation offers a shared transfer service within the price you are paying. If so, you could save money on transfers to and from the airport.

OPTION 3:
RENT A CAR

Curaçao has many car rental agencies. Some of these have their offices inside large hotels and others are located at the airport. Therefore, in high season, car rental can be a headache. Therefore, I advise you to book on time and with an agency whose reputation is well known, so you will know that your reservation is secure and that there will be an office where you can reach in case you have to make any changes or claims regarding your reservation. ADVANTAGE: Not only will you be able to get to the hotel in comfort, but you will also have an efficient way of getting around the island during your vacation.

Find cheap hotels in Curaçao

by Shelly | Accommodations in Curacao

Shelly

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Tips for Booking Affordable Hotels in Curaçao

Curaçao may have a high cost of living, but that doesn't mean there aren't affordable places to stay.

To visit in Curaçao, my best advice is to stay in a hotel that is close to the city center. Curaçao has different areas with tourist attractions. In many places you will read about hotels in Willemtad. But Willemstad is so big! Some of the most mentioned areas to stay in Curaçao are: Pietermaai, Piscadera, Blue Bay, Jan Thiel, Westpunt.

My advice: If you are going to rent a car, you can stay wherever you want because with a car it is easy to go from one place to another in a short time. But if you don't have a car and want to get around independently either near the hotel or by public transportation, stay in a hotel that allows you to take bus routes and is not far from the action in the city center. For example, if you get an accommodation in the center of the city you may not be close to the best beaches of the island, but it will allow you to take a bus and visit them, or take a day tour to visit the beaches of Westpunt, explore the city, go shopping, go to restaurants, experience the nightlife of Curaçao and get around by public transportation thanks to the bus stations of Punda and Otrobanda.

Obviously no one dreams of staying in cheap hotel rooms, but we all like good prices. Or, as we say in some places: good, nice and cheap.

Below, I'll share a list of hotels and other types of accommodations (apartments or Airbnb listings) that are simple and comfortable—and won't break the bank.

Hotels for less than 100 USD in downtown Willemstad:
San Marco Hotel
City Suites & Beach Hotel
Dushi Apartments
Bed & Bike Curaçao – Willemstad
Brion City Hotel

Advantages: Located in the center of the city. Bus stations are nearby, as well as many restaurants and bars.

Hotels for less than 100 USD in Jan Thiel:
Bed & Bike Curacao – Jan Thiel
Cozy Studio Apartment

Hotels priced between 100 USD and 150 USD with excellent locations:
Saint Tropez Boutique Hotel – Downtown Willemstad
Curacao Suites Hotel – Willemstad
Bario Hotel – Willemstad
BOHO Bohemian Boutique Hotel – Willemstad
Acoya Curacao Resort, Villas & Spa
Villa Vermaire Apartments – Jan Thiel
Livingstone Jan Thiel Resort – Jan Thiel

Advantages: These hotels are well-located because they are close to downtown, and because they offer excellent amenities on-site.