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Territory of Netherlands

Caribbean

CuraçaoTravel guide

Explore Curaçao visa rulesCommon scams in Curaçao

Curaçao is a Caribbean island near Venezuela, alongside Aruba and Bonaire. Its capital, Willemstad, has Dutch-style buildings painted in pastel colours. The island is known for its beaches, coral reefs and relaxed way of life.

Why go

  1. Colourful Dutch-style buildings in Willemstad.

  2. Small beaches and restaurants around Westpunt.

  3. Clear water, coral reefs and many diving sites.

  4. National parks with caves, coastal scenery and sea turtle breeding grounds.

  5. Local food that mixes European, Caribbean and Asian flavours.

Best time to go: Curaçao is warm and sunny all year, with an average temperature of about 27°C (81°F). The rainy season runs from October to February, with mostly short showers at night. Tropical storms rarely disrupt holidays.

Getting there

By air

  • Curaçao International Airport, also called Hato Airport, has international and regional flights. It is about a 10-minute drive from the city centre.
  • Fill in the Digital Immigration Card on the Curaçao Tourist Board website at least 48 hours before departure.
  • Immigration can take two hours. Travellers with disabilities can wait in a seating area at the far end of the immigration hall.

By sea

  • Cruise ships arrive at the Curaçao Mega Pier or Curaçao Cruise Terminal. Many tourist sights and duty-free shops are a short walk away.
  • Larger cruise ships use the Mega Pier, while smaller ships use the Cruise Terminal.

Getting around

  • Rental car

    A car makes it much easier to explore, especially in the west. Rentals cost about US$45 a day at the airport and elsewhere on the island. Drive on the right. Road signs are in Dutch and use European designs. Expect aggressive drivers and watch for donkeys, goats and iguanas on the road. If you have an accident, local law says you must not move your car. Call 199 for road service. Never leave valuables in the car. Some rental companies ban parking in particular places because of repeated break-ins.

  • Public buses

    Large buses are called Konvoi. They run between major places, but departures can be one or two hours apart. Punda bus station mainly serves eastern destinations, including Salina, Zelandia and Mambo. Otrobanda mainly serves western destinations, including the airport, Piscadera and Westpunt. You may need to walk 10–15 minutes between the two stations when travelling across the island. Bring small cash payments. Konvoi buses do not accept 50, 100 or 200 Caribbean guilder notes, and bus cards require residency. The ABC Curaçao app has a basic route planner and timetables. Wait at a yellow sign marked 'Bushalte' and wave at an approaching bus. Most services run from about 6AM to 8PM, with later services to Salina and Mambo.

  • Passenger vans

    Vans marked 'BUS' carry 9–12 passengers. Look for a list of stops in the front window or 'BUS' on the number plate. Fares are 1–3 Caribbean guilders and cannot be negotiated. You can discuss how close the driver will take you to your destination. Ask whether the van stops near your destination before getting in. Pay during the journey or before leaving.

  • Taxi

    Taxis have a yellow Taxi sign in the window or on the roof. Taxi fares can be expensive, especially if you stay outside Willemstad. Taxi drivers may try to pick you up while you wait for a bus. Check the signs and number plate so you do not take a taxi by mistake.

What to see and do

  • Westpunt

    The island's westernmost point has restaurants and many beautiful small beaches.

  • Nordpunt

    The northernmost point has beautiful natural scenery. The sea is much rougher than at Westpunt and is not recommended for swimming.

  • Watamulu

    Waves force water through hollow rocks and coral between Nordpunt and Westpunt. You need a car or must hike from Westpunt.

  • Dive or snorkel

    Clear water and marine life make Curaçao a popular diving destination. Dive schools offer courses and qualifications.

  • Explore Curaçao's Marine Park

    The southwestern coast has a large coral reef and marine park. Dive sites range from easy shore dives to steep underwater drop-offs.

  • Visit Christoffel National Park

    See Boca Grandi, caves with Arawak paintings and Mount Christoffel. At 394 metres, the mountain is the island's highest point.

Food and drink

  • Local cuisine

    Food mixes European, West Indian and East Asian flavours. Cheese, bread and seafood show the Dutch influence.

  • Sate and peanut sauce

    These widely available foods reflect Indonesian influences brought through Suriname.

  • Chinese snacks

    Small places known as Chinese 'snacks' serve inexpensive Chinese food around the island. They mainly serve local people.

  • Supermarket groceries

    Buying food at supermarkets such as Centrum may cost less than eating out, especially if you stay away from the city centre.

  • Tap water

    Tap water is safe to drink and tastes good. It comes from a plant that removes salt from seawater.

  • Blue Curaçao

    This famous local drink is made using orange peel. Its blue colour now comes from food colouring.

Money

Caribbean guilder, written as XCG, Cg or ƒ.

  • US dollars and euros are readily accepted.
  • Visa and MasterCard credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. American Express is less widely accepted.
  • Foreign cards that are neither Dutch nor Maestro often have to pay in US dollars.
  • Cash machines are widely available, and many offer both Caribbean guilders and US dollars. Withdrawal fees can be high.

Typical costs

  • Rental car: about US$45 per day.
  • Airport taxi: about US$20–60, depending on the journey, time and bargaining.
  • Passenger van marked BUS: 1–3 Caribbean guilders.
  • Hammock from some Venezuelan merchants at the floating market or Otrobanda stalls: about US$20.

Language

  • Papiamentu is the local language.
  • Most islanders also speak Dutch, English and Spanish.
  • Dutch is used in government affairs and higher school classes.
Danki
Thank you.
Dushi
A word for something good, such as a beautiful view or delicious food.
Dushi danki
Thank you very much.

Staying safe

  • Local people are generally friendly and helpful. Take normal precautions with your belongings.
  • Car break-ins happen repeatedly. Never leave valuables in a parked car.
  • Check your rental company's parking restrictions. Some companies prohibit parking in particular places.
  • Do not swim at Nordpunt, where the sea is rough.
2 common scams in Curaçao, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Use 'danki' to say thank you.
  • Follow photography restrictions in Hato Caves, where fruit bats live.

Don't

  • Do not take photographs in cave chambers where photography is prohibited.

Staying healthy

  • Tap water is safe to drink.
  • The island is warm all year, averaging about 27°C (81°F). Trade winds provide a cooling effect.
  • The rainy season runs from October to February. Showers are usually short and mostly happen at night.

Where to stay

  • Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino has restaurants serving local dishes and fresh seafood.
  • Flamingo Villa in St. Willibrordus sleeps 12 people and has a private pool and sea views.
  • Pietermaai Smal Apartments offers individually designed apartments in a renovated 200-year-old house with a swimming pool.
  • Seaside Curaçao in St. Willibrordus offers private villas sleeping 4–10 people, with private pools and a beach bar and restaurant.

Outdoor adventures in Curaçao

Curaçao has clear water, coral reefs and many beaches for diving and snorkelling. On land, you can explore national parks, caves and a rugged northern coast. It is warm and sunny year-round, with a rainy season from October to February.

  • Curaçao Marine Park diving and snorkelling

    Scuba divingSouthwestern coast

    Dive schools offer courses and qualifications. The reef areas include Banda Abou National Park in the north, Central Curaçao Underwater Park in the centre and Curacau Underwater Park in the south.

  • Christoffel National Park

    HikeWest Point

    Visit the park at West Point to explore Mount Christoffel, Boca Grandi and caves with Arawak paintings.

  • Shete Boka National Park

    WildlifeWest Point

    Sea turtle breeding is seasonal; months are not specified.

    Visit the park at West Point to see its coastal inlets, including Boca Tabla and Boca Pistol.

  • Hato Caves

    CaveF.D. Rooseveltweg

    Join a cave tour at Hato Caves on F.D. Rooseveltweg. The caves are listed as open daily, with two tours a day.

  • Playa Lagun

    SnorkellingWestern Curaçaonear Lagun

    Go to the small sandy bay in Lagun. Snorkel beside the cliffs on either side of the bay.

  • Playa Grote Kenapa (Big Knip)

    BeacheWestern Curaçaonear Lagun

    Head west of Lagun to reach this large sandy beach.

  • Klein Curaçao

    BeacheOffshore island

    Travel by boat. There is no other access described.

  • Cas Abao

    Beache

    Visit Cas Abao, a long sandy beach on a plantation.

  • Playa Kalki (Alice in Wonderland)

    Scuba divingFar western Curaçaonear Westpunt

    Continue past Westpunt to Playa Kalki. Ocean Encounters West provides a full-service dive shop.

  • Playa Porto Mari

    Beache

    Visit the beach and use Porto Mari Sports for dive services.

  • Playa Kleine Kenapa (Little Knip)

    BeacheWestern Curaçaonear Lagun

    Continue past Lagun to reach this secluded beach.

  • Playa Jeremi

    BeacheWestern Curaçaonear Lagun

    Head slightly north of Lagun to reach this small, secluded beach.

  • Daaibooi Baai

    BeacheRif St. Marie

    Go to the cove near Habitat in Rif St. Marie.

  • Kontiki Beach

    BeacheNear Breezes hotelnear Willemstad

    Drive about ten minutes east from downtown Willemstad. Ocean Encounters provides dive services here.

  • Mambo Beach

    BeacheNext to Kontiki Beach

    Find Mambo Beach next to Kontiki Beach.

  • Pirate Bay

    BeachePiscadera Baynear Willemstad

    Drive a few miles west of downtown Willemstad, near the Marriott and Hilton hotels.

  • Habitat Beach

    BeacheRif St. Marie, southwestern coast

    Head to Habitat Beach in the gated Coral Estate community. DiveVersity is the listed dive operator.

  • Watamulu

    More to doBetween Nordpunt and Westpuntnear Westpunt

    Reach Watamulu by car or hike from Westpunt.

  • Nordpunt

    More to doNorthernmost Curaçao

    Visit the island's northernmost point for its natural coastal scenery.

    • Swimming is not recommended. The sea is much rougher than at Westpunt.

  • Curaçao Ostrich & Game Farm

    WildlifeSanta Catharina

    Take the farm tour in Santa Catharina to see the ostrich pens and incubator.

  • Dolphin Academy activities

    WildlifeCuraçao Sea Aquarium, Bapor Kibra

    Book a dolphin activity at the Dolphin Academy inside Curaçao Sea Aquarium. Book as early as possible.

  • Kunuku Aqua Resort water slides and pools

    More to do

    Visit Kunuku Aqua Resort for its water slides and pools.

  • Barbara Beach

    Beache

    The beach is private; visitor access arrangements are not specified.

Airports, metros and trains in Curaçao

Airports with scheduled flights

  • CURHato International AirportWillemstadMain international airport

People and safety in Curaçao

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian87%
  • No religion10%
  • Other4%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 28 of 99 countries can visit Curaçao easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required28
  • Visa required71

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Americas18 of 19 countries
  • Europe3 of 4 countries
  • Asia3 of 8 countries
  • Oceania2 of 14 countries
  • Africa2 of 54 countries

Questions

Is Curaçao part of Netherlands?

Curaçao is a territory linked to Netherlands, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit Netherlands.

Does a Netherlands visa let me visit Curaçao?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for Netherlands may not cover Curaçao. Check the Curaçao visa page for your passport.

Will I need to speak Papiamentu?

Papiamentu is the local language, but most islanders also speak English, Dutch and Spanish.

Is Curaçao warm all year?

Yes. The average temperature is about 27°C (81°F), with cooling trade winds. October to February is the rainy season.

How do I get from the airport to Willemstad?

You can take a rental car, taxi, public bus or passenger van. Public buses run roughly every one to two hours and require cash.

Do I need to rent a car?

A car makes exploring much easier, especially in the west. Buses run infrequently, and some places are very hard or impossible to reach by bus.

Can I use US dollars and bank cards?

US dollars are readily accepted, and Visa and MasterCard work almost everywhere. Keep cash for buses and petrol.

Can I drink the tap water?

Yes. Tap water is safe to drink and comes from a plant that removes salt from seawater.

What activities are available for children?

Kunuku Aqua Resort has water slides and pools. Curaçao Sea Aquarium is another popular attraction, with activities at its Dolphin Academy.

What food can I expect?

Local food mixes European, Caribbean and Asian flavours. Seafood, cheese, bread, sate and peanut sauce are common, and Chinese snack places offer inexpensive meals.

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