Hm...for both of us it was about $1000 for the two of us total ($500 each or so)...but, that included...
Really nice snorkel, mask, and fins for me (I had to get the good stuff to keep up with Will...he's fast)
Nice snorkel, mask, and fins for Will
In-pool classes for both of us (two full days)
Open water classes (5 dives) in Curacao on the reefs
BCD, regulator, wet suits, etc equipment rental
Online classes (book training)
Two eRDPml (Multilevel Recreational Dive Planners...little computer calculators)
There are less expensive ways to do it depending on where you do your open water certification...what snorkel/mask/fins you get, etc.
The place where we went (Aquatic Realm in Centerville) gives you a $50 discount if you are referred by someone and then the person that referred you gets a $50 gift certificate too. We are PADI open water certified. And...let me tell ya, the place where we went REALLY trained us well. We were much better trained than the other people in Curacao finishing their open water certificate.
I guess expect to spend about $200 to $400 depending on where you go, what you buy, etc. We went a bit on the more expensive side since we wanted really nice equipment.