Marazul Dive Resort

The Marazul Dive Resort offers fully self-contained apartments with one, two or three bedrooms and amazing ocean views. It's not really a resort as the only on-site amenities are a small pool, some grills, and picnic tables -- it's more of a complex of colorfully decorated, privately owned rental units. The oceanfront property has about 50 units on-site, and about 30 of the units are available for short-term rentals throughout the year. There are several bright white two-story buildings with terra-cotta roofs and blue wave designs painted on the outside. The atmosphere is quiet, warm, and family-friendly; there are many older guests enjoying their retirement in the sunny Caribbean.

The grounds of the property include a large sandy area on a coral bluff that overlooks the sea, however there is no beach here -- there is a steep, rocky drop-off and the ocean below. Steep concrete steps lead down to the water providing access for swimming. From the steps, the views of the coast and the water -- with gradients fading from bright turquoise to deep ocean blue -- are spectacular. There's lots of great diving in the area, including a reef right off-shore.

The Marazul Dive Resort provides value as an alternative to pre-packaged, all-inclusive resorts and crowded, tourist-filled beaches. This is a place for do-it-yourselfers who like to find their own restaurants and plan their own activities. There is no formal office or reception area at Marazul. Check-ins are done with a lockbox; guests are given a code to retrieve their keys and find their unit on their own. The resort is a gated, walled-in property and a code is needed to enter the front gate from the street. A property manager is usually around to give a quick run-through of how to use the apartment, though everything is pretty self-explanatory.

Marazul Dive Resort is located in Westpunt, a small town on the very northern tip of the small island of Curacao. Westpunt is secluded and far away from the historic town of Willemstad --  it’s about a 45-minute drive. The journey is rewarded by spectacular natural scenery and lovely vistas.  The property is located on a coral bluff perched on the edge of the sea, and this area of the island is known for great diving.

There are some beautiful, picturesque beaches and a handful of small restaurants within a 15-minute walk of the Marazul Dive Resort, such as the lovely Grote Knip beach -- a local favorite. However, on this side of the island it is much quieter and less populated, and to reach a grocery store or other needs, guests will need a rental car. The Westpunt area is very peaceful and not known for nightlife. Those looking for action would prefer a hotel in the Willemstad area. The resort is about a 35-minute drive from the airport.

The apartments at Marazul are all two stories with an open-plan living room and kitchen area. There are one-, two-, or three-bedroom options, and most have two full baths with walk-in showers. As they are privately owned units, the decor in each apartment will vary slightly due to the owner’s tastes, however in general they all feature a bright Caribbean color palette of lime green, ocean blue, and bright whites. Blue tiled floors and white cabinets are seen throughout, as well as fish, sea life, and aquatic decorations. One of the residents at Marazul is an artist and created original mosaic art pieces around the resort featuring shells and sea glass in ocean and beach scenes. Apartments are bright and get lots of natural light. The Three-Bedroom Villas have high ceilings and feel very airy, and have plenty of closet space.

The kitchens include a full refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker and microwave, and plenty of dishes and cookware are provided. As each owner furnishes the apartment, the quality of furniture and appliances may differ from unit to unit. Some have updated appliances, while other have older ones. Some have plastic chairs for the deck, while others have wicker chairs with cushions. Some apartments have new flat-screen TVs, and others have older technology -- but all are equipped with free Wi-Fi. In general though, the apartment buildings are a few decades old and the furnishings, such as curtains and couches, are dated. The highlight of Marazul are definitely the views -- all apartments have an outdoor patio or deck overlooking the sea.

As this property is not really a resort but a complex of rental units, the amenities are few. There is one small pool in the middle of the property, shared by all units. It is surrounded by several lounge chairs, a big gazebo for shade, and a grassy area that will be appreciated by kids and families. Picnic tables and barbecue grills are scattered around the open areas of the property for general use. There is no restaurant, bar, spa, or fitness room. There are a handful of local cafes in walking distance, and several more within a 10-minute drive.

Despite being surrounded by the beautiful sea, there is no beach at Marazul. The coastline is made of coral bluffs with a steep drop down to the water. There are two staircases that lead down to the water, to provide access for swimming, snorkeling and diving, one on each end of the property. The stairs are steep concrete with sharp coral cliffs surrounding them, so guests should use caution. The water is the clearest crystal blue you’ll ever see. There is a reef not far off the shore, making for great diving right from the resort for experienced divers. The water is deep, and there is no shore or standing area, so only strong swimmers should venture out here. This area of Westpunt is known for having lots of great diving spots and and an authentic, non-touristy atmosphere, so those looking to get away from the crowds will find a diver’s paradise.