ARUBA BEACHES vs CURACAO-BEACHES!🏖

[@alanmiller6792]

Great video! Brought back lots of good memories of Curacao!

[@PlanFree]

There were some good times there! Thank you for watching and commenting.👍

[@PlanFreePhilanthropy]

Great info! ...that wind seems to be something to think about!

[@PlanFree]

Yes, wish we would have known about that before visiting! Thanks for watching and commenting.🍹

[@carlosgaray5477]

I’ve visited both Curacao and Aruba several times for 2-3 weeks at a time so I didn’t mind paying 2-3 dollars in Curacao for a clean beach 🏖️ plus it helps their economy. Whenever I travel I always budget for these experiences. If you are staying for 6 months then I totally understand why you favored Aruba in this video. I would however still pay 2-3 dollars for Cas Abao over Eagle Beach any day!

[@PlanFree]

Yes, sounds like you understand where we're coming from... longer term, paying for a beach 3-5 days a week was just not feasible. You're right too in that it does help the local people, especially if they're doing something in return like keeping the beach clean or changing garbage cans or whatnot. I think we were surprised that there were any beaches that charge an admission fee at all. We just kind of thought, like many places in the world, that all beachfront would be more public and 'for the people'. We favored the FREE beaches on both islands! Haha. But in Curacao we had to drive a lot father for them. We had such a great time on both islands though and it sounds like you do also if you have visited repeatedly. Good for you! Thank you for watching and thank you so much for leaving here experience here. We appreciate it!

[@ricktoner717]

AyrLori Miller it was well done and have to agree on your comparison. I do love Aruba and like how close you can go to Curacao and Bonaire. I would love to hear more about you getting the vehicle and would love to know how easy or difficult it was to get plates and insurance etc. Thank you for producing a great video

[@PlanFree]

@ricktoner, Thank you for watching and commenting. Buying the vehicle was fairly simple. We found it much like you might find one back "home." We looked at the local classifieds and FB online for vehicles for sale. After looking at a handful, we arrived at a decision. The actual purchase was a breeze because we just happened to be carrying enough cash to cover it. The registration/insurance/plates were all similar to back home, once you find the locations for these services it all goes pretty well the way you're accustomed to.🍹👍

[@tyzardoz]

In Curacao right now, sailing for Aruba at the end of this week. Will cast a vote then 😉

[@PlanFree]

Ahhh you're a cruiser! Good for you. Cool perspective on the islands. If you have a chance to moor longer term off Aruba you can search our other videos on things to do in Aruba" and "things NOT to do" and let us know your thoughts in the comments. 👍 Happy sailing and thanks for watching! We stand by for your vote!

[@heavenbound9157]

Aruba every day of the week

[@PlanFree]

Thank you for watching and commenting @heavenbound9157!🥂 Have you been to Curacao? Bonaire?

[@tcmazz]

One very important questions regarding Island hopping in particular flying from Curacao to Aruba, Which airlines should we book? Doesn't look like we have many choices and on top of that it looks to be the only mode of transportation. We found Winair but I saw so many brutal reviews, are they really that bad? and then we found Divi Divi airlines which don't even have a scheduled posted for 2025 and looks like their pricing is almost double of Winair. Are there any other airlines that fly between the two islands? Do you remember which one you took and I'm assuming your allowed a carry on? As always thanks for your input very much appreciated!!

[@PlanFree]

Happy to help @tcmazz! No, to our knowledge there are no other means of transportation for the public between the ABC islands. Airline only. We flew with Aruba Airlines at the time, but we are not sure they still operate. Do a search perhaps? (We haven't even heard of Winair! haha) We can't recall what was included in the flights we took but at that time we travelled each with a personal item, 1 carry on + 1 checked bag. The flight and all bags were no problem. It's a normal airline and you pay for what you require. You can also look at American Airlines, Copa airlines and Avianca. We always use www.cheapoair.ca to search flights anywhere before we travel! They show awesome options. Hope that helps! We hope it does and we appreciate the support in any way you can, check out our links in our descriptions...if you click on any of the Amazon links we put there and then do whatever normal shopping you normally do within 24hrs of clicking our link, Amz gives us a few cents "thank you"! .. just sayin! 😉 🥰

[@tcmazz]

@@PlanFree Thanks will do!

[@JuanMoreno-wo5yb]

Where would you two be if there weren’t oceans!! In a lake or river I think! Take care and have fun!

[@PlanFree]

Basically yes, maybe the mountains too!😜👋

[@mattp8287]

I’m a Newbie traveler, only ever been to the Bahamas before. What is the car situation like in Curacao? I’d really want to avoid renting a car and driving in a different country if possible. Is it needed to get from the resorts to some of the western beaches? I’d prefer to take a taxi. Are they reliable to drop off and pick up from the beaches like cas abao?

[@PlanFree]

Hi Matt and welcome to the new and exciting life of being a traveler! haha We find it very interesting... when we were new travelers (back in the day) our first destination was the Bahamas a couple of times! So that's a neat coincidence. And that was waaaaay before we started making videos and documenting information for people on KZbin ... so we missed all those Bahama years, oh well. The car situation in Curacao for us was awesome Because we traveled there and were going to stay for 6 months we just bought a car within the first couple of weeks of arriving and sold it within a week of leaving. 👌 It was an excellent net out of pocket cost, very low. And because we were living there it made sense for us wanting a car to get around to see things, to go grocery shopping, go to the beaches and do all the things you do when you live in a place. Side note: at the time we were in Curacao there also was no need for an international driver's license. We also recall the process of changing the plates into our name and getting insurance as all very straightforward also. We feel it's very important to have a car (sorry!) because Curacao is so large and there are SO many incredible beaches (almost 40! did you know that!?) ... here's a video showing some of the best ones: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3PdZJeDZs-qi7Msi=Jp_tD80mAegV5j_q Anyways, having your own car is just going to make life so much easier so that you're not stuck to the same two beaches all the time let's say or that you can go and get yourself to all the different grocery stores and see some of the country where there are less people and more wild nature if you're into that kind of thing. Just thoughts. If you don't like that idea still then yes taxis are reliable. You could get a local SIM card and then get 2-3 different taxi driver numbers so that you can call them when you're ready to be picked up from the beach. Does that help? You'll love Curacao, lots to see and do! Lori (& Ayr)

[@tcmazz]

Hi since we are now retired we are planning on 20 days in Curacao this Jan 2025 and 30 days in Aruba in Feb 2025 Can you suggest the best place for accommodations near a beach where we don't have to pay everyday. We are also from Canada and look to spend up to $160 Cdn a day for accommodations, which area in Curacao would you recommend? We are probably looking at renting a scooter for the 20 days, any suggestions for a place to rent a scooter from? Thanks for any suggestions much appreciated! Subscribed

[@PlanFree]

Hi @tcmazz, Great questions! Maybe we'll touch on the scooter first. You know, there MUST be scooter rentals somewhere in Curacao! ...but we don't ever remember seeing one to be honest! Strange now that we think about it. If we were you, we would Google it. And start calling around. If all you find is car rental places, ask then if they rent scooters or if they know of any places that rent scooters. If that comes up dry, you might try joining some Facebook groups in Curacao and posting your message/question in those groups. 👍 After that you asked about renting close to the beaches on both islands. Aruba is easy! ALL beaches are FREE in Aruba. So, wherever you pick to rent and get to a beach will be free and easy. We enjoyed checking our Eagle beach but it was so overcrowded and a bit stinky from all the resort traffic....it was def not our favorite. Farther north into Palm beach and Malmok beach were more our speed and perfect for us. In Curacao, we could guide you better if we knew where you are able to get to (like will you for sure have a vehicle? Do you want to stay near Willemstad to see all that city stuff? Do you mind staying wayyyy out from the city and out in the quieter parts of the island (way up northwest on the island)?) If way out is ok for you then we definitely found that alllll the best beaches (for us) were located where Curacao pinches off small in the middle there and upwards, northwest. But, all those awesome beaches all need to be driven to! We did not explore the rental market way up there on Curacao but there would definitely be some. Try searching in the town of Sint Willibrordus and Barber. Now, those are VERY local type towns, no tourism, but they ARE closer to all of the beat beaches! If you needed to stay closer to Willemstad for whatever reason, you might try looking to rent near Parasada beach or Boka Sami Beach (located near Fort St. Michiel). We also remember getting free access to Jan Thiel beach, and it was ok but sooooo many people. That whole section of Curacao, all up and down the coastal area N and S of Willemstad) was very cool to explore (we lived there for 6 months and also had our own car) but none of those areas were very peaceful or attractive to us. Very interesting. Lots to see. But WAYYY over developed, many large and small resorts that claim their stake of that beach and deny entry to those who don't live/stay there....we many time couldn't gain access or couldn't even drive in past the security gate just to see the beach there... blech. You CAN gain entry to Mambo beach and development (it's nice for a day, see what they've built there, grab a crepe! haha), and you don't have to pay of you put your towel on the sand rather than the chairs. You can gain entry to Jan Thiel like we mentioned also. Again, good for a day. It will be trickier to rent up north and inland from the beaches in Curacao, but if we ever went back, that's where we'd look. And get a vehicle! In Curacao we rented in the Schubapeleweg area, east of the downtown area of Willemstad, and we found it perfect for our every day routine. Our dentist and gym (for ex) were near, beaches were close for an evening relax, and with our car it was no big deal to take Saturday morning and skip way up Northwest to go to our favorite beaches for the entire day. Plus then we could just walk out on our front street from where we were renting and hit lots of different food stands, grocery stores etc. We liked being "in town" for those conveniences but having a car was absolutely key! Whew! Did that help at all? ...wish we could go back and give you a tour ourselves!!

[@tcmazz]

@@PlanFree thanks for your reply,. Will it looks like we found a place in Curacao not to far from Piscadera Bay are you familiar with this area? It close to Marriot Beach Resort not that we are staying there, apprx. 850mtrs As to Aruba we are good, only been there like 15 times so we are pretty familiar with Aruba. In Curacao we also found a moped rental place where you can rent a 50cc moped with a normal driver license. I'm going to post you one more question hopefully you can give me some insight on Airlines between Curacao and Aruba.

[@kangaroocrypto4663]

Sand comes from Australia 😂

[@PlanFree]

Sounds legit.😜👋

[@Drcase]

Drop the drugs my guy.

[@biggchi828]

cmon, there’s no BOTH……you’re being paid to shill…ARUBA…hands down.

[@PlanFree]

Weeelll, we do recommend both. One IS the ultimate "shill", no doubt about it, but the other kind of held our interest more and for longer. So, it depends what a persons is looking for. Don't you think? Love to hear your vote! We thank you for sharing your opinion and for watching our video too. 🍻

[@Toohot2handle758]

Aruba wins!

[@PlanFree]

Well we certainly know why you cast that vote! Haha But....just for a bit of temptation the other way....have you seen some of the more out of the way beaches in Curacao? They were kind of a "WOW" also when we lived there!! Here's a taste: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3PdZJeDZs-qi7Msi=eI_hPRoQl6liEGAK Thank you so much for finding our channel and watching our video. We hope you love our content and we here to help if you have any questions on the destinations we've lived in! Ayr & Lori