Lagun Blou is a great affordable apartment-style option in Curacao. We really liked being on the West side of the island (less busy, much better shore dives), and recommend the choice to anyone looking to relax and/or dive. The only dives you'll have a long drive to are the Superior Producer and any Seaquarium/Dolphin Academy dive.

Lagun Blou is about two dozen detached 2-level apartments. Some are half-building 1-BRs, some are full-building 2-BRs. The cost (for anywhere, especially Curacao) is VERY affordable. The apartments are very clean, very spacious, have great views, and each has a lower and upper porch (great for cocktails and sunsets). They are also located in Playa Lagun -- which is one of the best beaches in Curacao. The apartments each have a full kitchen (oven, refrigerator., microwave) and a bedroom air conditioner. However, you should know that this IS afforable living -- there is no hot water (water is not usually too cold though) and you must pay for air-conditioning electricity (about US$10-20 per week). Overall, it's a great location, clean living, and the parking lot has a great locking gate (each room key comes with an electronic gate opener).

You will almost certainly need to rent a car, unless you JUST plan to stay at Lagun Blu, Playa Lagun, and Hans' Beach Café.

Just along the road by Lagun Blou, at Playa Lagun, Hans has a dive shop (Discovery Diving) and a Beach Café. His café is fine (for drinks and a snack) and his dive shop has what you'll need (tanks and gear) as Playa Lagun is a fantastic shore dive and snorkel location. But don't expect any boat dives (he claims that his boat is in the shop, but no one remembers when he last had a boat) and his dive masters are usually booked with students. His cost for air and gear is very cheap however, and he'll usually let you rent tanks for night dives. For boat dives however, try Ocean Encounters (in Williamsted near Lions Dive Resort, or in Westpunt near Playa Kalki).

For markets, this is what we found:
-Centrum Supermarket is the best supermarket on Curacao (in Julianadorp, just south of the Hato Airport circle -- you'll need to double back to get on the road to Lagun/Westpunt).
-California Market (in Tera Kora) on the road to Lagun/Westpunt has most of what you'll need.

For food, this is what we found:
-*Sol Food* (in Westpunt, on the road to Playa Kalki) is among the best places to eat in Curacoa (pizza is great, as is the seafood and meat), the prices are good, and Sunshine & Dave run a great place. We went multiple times.
-*Jaanachi's* (in Westpunt) has OK local food, horrible service, and a lot of character. Once was enough for us.
-*Daniel's* (just southeast of Tera Kora) has very good food (we went for dinner and dutch brunch) and for a pretty good price. We found the service pretty good.
-*Bon Tapas* (in Punda, Williamsted) is a nice little coffee/tapas shop near the Synagogue.
-*Astrolab Observatory* (in Kura Hulanda, Williamsted) has great service and good food. It wasn't amazing, however, and the prices were high.
-*Zambezi* (at the Ostrich Farm, near Santa Catharina) has excellent food and great service (try the aloe drink and the ostrich steak).
-*Beach Café* (in Playa Lagun) was pretty good, and ok prices.
-*Beach Café* (in Kura Hulanda, Playa Kalki) was fine, although pricey.
-*Beach Café* (in Cas Abou) was cheap and almost all fried food.