TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums General Caribbean $600 Airfare Difference. Punta Cana vs. Curacao. Is the extra flight time worth it?

I'm planning a long weekend (4 nights) in late April. I have two options on the table:
Option A: Punta Cana (DR). Direct flight. $380. Resort looks average.
Option B: Curacao. One connection. $980. Smaller boutique hotel.
I've heard Curacao has better snorkeling right off the beach and less of a "mass tourism" feel, but $600 is a lot of money for 2 people.
For those who have been to both in the last 12 months: Is Curacao actually $600 better than Punta Cana right now regarding safety, water quality, and food prices? Or am I paying for a flight connection?

Been to both. Punta Cana is easier, cheaper, and fine if you just want to sit on a resort and drink. But you said "snorkeling." Curacao wins that category by a mile. The snorkeling right off the shore at Playa Lagun or Tugboat Beach is world-class. Punta Cana snorkeling is mostly choppy and requires a boat trip. That said, $600 is $600. I'd save the money and do PC, then plan a full week for Curacao later.