Curacao is a big island with lots of empty space between things like beaches, the airport, etc. Not having a car will confine you to a small piece or cost you on cabs.

The roads are better on Curacao, as our other things, because theisland has much more wealth primarily from oil refining.

Driving in the countryside is easy. Town is more congested but better than SXM. The only semi hairy parts are when you go over a big high bridge over the harbor in Willemstad.

We rented from Avis at the port and paid the damage waiver which i rarely pay for. If your rolling the dice SXM is a more damage risky place than Curacao in our view.

We ended up with a stick and survived but would of rather had an automatic might want to check your reservation.