We ended up in Curacao because of a time share trade. I'm so glad we went there. The island is unique - 97% literacy, multi-lingual residents, varies economy which doesn't just depend on tourism. The experience has stuck with me. The landscape is varied from desert to tropical paradise. We snorkeled 1-2 different sites every day. The snorkeling was very good but watch out for the currents which carry you along un-noticed until you turn around to go back. The drop off is close to shore and quite sudden.
The city, the floating bridge, and the pretty painted buildings were worth a day trip.
In addition to snorkeling we took a trip to Janchi's for lunch and a trip to the north side of the island to the desert landscape.

If you cross the world, as we did from Italy, expecting a typical carribean island and you land in Curacao you will be very disappointed.
The island has definitevely decided to focus on oil business, is one of the biggest refeneries of the world, with a very important cargo harbour. Is absolutely disgusting the smell of oil that we perceived staying at the 4 stars hotel Marriott. The island is pretty big and has a beautiful sea but the oil business is totally destroying the charme of the island. No worth to stay around Willemstaad, because in the city there are a lot refineries and a huge oil floating platform is constantly anchoring in front of the island.Nice people but we will never come back, if only, to fly to other caribbeans island. Very very bad choice.

Curacao has pretty areas but is mostly a desert island that enjoys year-round sun and good weather. It has a thriving community and caribbean culture.

However, if you are a tourist, you will pay up to 7x more for everything. There are other places to go (like Costa Rica or Utila, Honduras) that have just as pretty coastlines for better value.

Get off the beaten tourist track and into the local places and that is where you will find Curacao.

When we have decided to go to Curacao and get married there, I was browsing the web for days trying to find some real pictures about the island. Now I would like to help people with similar problems :-)
Do not get me wrong, we simply loved Curacao. However when you go there, never forget the Dutch Caribbean Islands have all oilk refineries on the island, which determines the look of the island. Curacao is still the real deal, wild, natural with extremely friendly people and you can find many amazingly beautiful spots off the beaten track. It is actually difficult to spend money there, apart of the main shopping area there is nothing to be found.
We ultimately had THE DREAM WEDDING in Curacao thank to Rob, the wedding organiser leading a small company there.
People stopped to take photos of us on the street, they were chearing and greeting and the whole wedding was ultimately the time of our lives.
I have attached a small collection of photos to demonstrate all the above. Enjoy.