We'll be able to tell you more later this month after our first trip to Bonaire, but we enjoyed Curacao quite a bit. We spent basically zero time around Willemstad and to the south/east except for an afternoon snorkeling at the tugboat. We stayed at the Marazul Dive Resort in Westpunt & it was an incredible value (as in around $125 a night). It's basically a group of small townhouses with an open plan kitchen/living/dining room on the first floor, with full bath, and a bedroom and another full bath upstairs. Porches both floors. A little bit away in Lagun there are two similar developments, Lagoon Ocean and Lagun Blue--all of them are built basically on top of cliffs (with spectacular views) and you can go down steps to the beach or, in the case of Marazul, straight into the water. Both areas also have have decent restaurants within walking distance. We enjoyed the entire series of bays going down the coast--there was great snorkeling, easy parking, and easy entry via sandy beach.

We're really looking forward to Bonaire, but we know it's not going to be quite as "beachy" a vacation--there are only a few beaches on the island instead of one every mile or two. We're definitely going to need our hard soled dive boots to get in and out of the water, even though we're only snorkelers! There are also lots of warnings about not leaving anything (including things like flip flops!) in your vehicle, and to leave everything unlocked with the windows down to minimize the damage from thieves. That being said, our unit at the Sand Dollar Condominiums was reasonably priced and very well reviewed, and the complex has a tiny beach, ocean front loungers, and is within walking distance of a few restaurants.

I'll be happy to tell you more after March 19, but we certainly didn't hate Curacao and hope to enjoy Bonaire as well. We're looking forward to lots of snorkeling.