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Curacao information

On vacation to Curacao? You are 100% sure to have a wonderful time!
Curacao is the largest island of the Leeward Islands. There is therefore a lot to do for young and old, for the active and the peace seeker. A good preparation makes your vacation to Curacao even better. We have listed all the practical information about Curacao for you.

The island Curacao

Curaçao is the largest of the 3 Leeward Islands, located in the Caribbean Sea, with an area of 444 km2 (65 km long and 15 km at its widest). In addition, there is also the uninhabited island ‘Klein Curacao’. The island is less than 2 square kilometers in size and a much visited place by tourists. Curaçao is a country within the kingdom of the Netherlands, and was part of the Netherlands Antilles until October 2010. Now an autonomous country within the kingdom of the Netherlands, Curacao currently has about 158,000 inhabitants of more than 100 different nationalities.

The Capital of Curacao: Willemstad

The capital of Curacao is Willemstad. Willemstad is on the world heritage list and is therefore a feast for the eyes for every tourist. Willemstad is divided into 2 districts. Punda and Otrabanda (other side). You can reach both neighborhoods on foot through the famous Pontjesbrug. By car you drive over the immensely high Juliana Bridge.

Willemstad Curacao

Flag of Curacao

The flag of Curacao represents the blue sky and sea that are separated by the yellow stripe: the sun. The big star stands for Curacao and the small star for and the uninhabited island “Klein Curacao”. Flag Day is celebrated every year on July 2 (dia di bandera).

Time difference

Curacao is located in the UTC zone ‘Atlantic Standard time -0400. Curaçao has no summer and winter time.

The language of Curacao

Curacao has two official languages. Dutch and Papiamento. English and Spanish are also widely spoken languages on the island. It is always very much appreciated by the locals when they see you doing your best to speak the curacao language. Below a number of frequently used words in Papiamento.

A few words in Papiamentu:

Welcome –  Bon bini
Good morning / afternoon / evening- Bon dia / Bon tardi / Bon Nochi
How are you? – Con ta bai?
Good, thank you – Bon, danki
I’m fine – Mi ta bon
Very good – Hopi bon
Please –  Por favor
Thenk you very much – Masha danki
Your welcome – Di nada
See you later – Te aworo
bye/goodbye – Ayó
Have a lovely day – Pasa un bon dia
Yes – Si
No – No
What time is it? – Kwan tor tin?
How much? – Kwanto
Where – Unda?
When – Ki ora?
What – Kiko?

And of course the commonly used word DUSHI. Dushi is used in many different ways and you will hear a lot during your vacation on Curacao.
When you like the food, when you find someone a ‘sweetheart’, when you love someone, when you find someone sexy and when you like something.

View our Dushi vacation rentals? View the selection of more than 200 vacation rentals on Curacao

The Climate on Curacao

The climate of Curaçao is Semi-Aride or a dry climate with very little rainfall. It has a rainy season which in this case means that a shower can fall in the months of October through December. These showers usually fall at night and are actually wonderfully refreshing. The showers that fall are often intense and do not last long. Tip; if it rains in the east then it may well be that the sun shines in the west, the showers are very local so no worries. Just move yourself to the sun. Pay attention because the roads are slippery here when it rains, you can compare it to black ice in the Netherlands. Curious about the weather forecast in the coming days, view the weather on the website of the Meteorological Department Curacao.

Dry periods with a nice breeze

In the months of February to June can be called dry and there is hardly any rain.
Curacao has lovely trade winds.  They bring wonderful cooling during the day and provide warmth at night; the temperature also continues to fluctuate around 25 ° C at night. The average day temperature is 31 ° C and is the same almost every month of the year. Because a lot of rain has fallen before this period, the island is also very green during this period.

Are there hurricanes in Curacao?

Only the windward islands, including Curacao, do not suffer from hurricanes. Islands such as Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius and Saba do have that. The hurricane season starts in August and ends in October. The wind then pulls away from the windward islands, making this period the warmest period of the year on Curacao.

In short, there is something to be said for every period, but the temperature generally remains the same, making Curacao a top destination for those looking for a wonderful sun holiday.

View vacation rentals, villas and apartments on Curacao and enjoy a wonderful sunny holiday in the Caribbean!

The currency on Curacao

On the island of Curaçao, people pay with the Antillean guilder, also called Nafl: Dutch-Antillean florin.
The Antillean guilder is linked to the dollar exchange rate.
Next to the Nafl. The US dollar is also a legal currency in Curaçao. You can pin dollars and guilders. Of course you can also use a credit card or Mastercard. Euros are accepted but you often get an unfavorable exchange rate. So the best thing to do is simply use guilders or dollars as payment.

Exchange rate

For the sake of convenience, the Antillean guilder is often done by half against the euro. So 1 euro is 2 ANG.
Curious about the exact exchange rate of today? View the current exchange rate.

Can I use my bank card on Curacao?

You can use your bank card anywhere. Make sure you set your bank card for global coverage so that you can pin on Curacao. No worries if you’ve forgotten. You can also easily change it online at your bank.

ATM’s

There are enough ATM machines on Curacao.
On Curacao you have a choice of checkings or savings when you pin in the stores. Choose checkings, this is your current account. Keep in mind that you will be charged for every transaction.

Important Phone numbers

Below a overview of the most important phonenumbers:

  • Police and Fire Department: 911
  • Politur (Tourist Police): 005999-7350044
  • Ambulance: 912
  • Hospital St. Elisabeth (SEHOS): 910
    J.H.J. Hamelbergweg. General telephone number: 005999-4624900
  • Coast Guard: 913
  • In the event of a collision with your rental car, call the road service: 199
  • In case of a breakdown on the road, call the Wegenwacht: 9247
  • Wheel clamp: 005999 – 4612956

Also read our tips about driving a car on curacao.

Information Curacao, a few more facts:

  • The drinking water on Curacao is of very good quality. So you can just drink the water from the tap.
  • The electricity on Curacao is 110-130 volts. There are more and more homes with 220 sockets, but always take travel plugs with you.
  • If you come to Curacao you need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months.
  • When you come to Curacao you do not need any vaccinations.
  • The internet is well organized on Curacao. Just ask for the WiFi code at restaurants and bars, then you have internet almost everywhere.
Do you miss any practical information about Curacao? Do you have any questions?
Feel free to contact us, we are happy to help you.
Contact informatie Holiday Rentals Curacao