Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Curaçao depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for CuraçaoEmergency Numbers
- General
- 911
Currency
- Name
- Netherlands Antillean Guilder
- Code
- ANG
- Symbol
- NAf
USD widely accepted. ATMs throughout Willemstad. Cards accepted almost everywhere. ANG and USD are both practical.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B
- Voltage
- 127V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
AST (UTC−4) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
Curaçao sits south of the hurricane belt and enjoys near-constant sunshine year-round (300+ days). Water temperatures average 27°C. The only real seasonal factor is the slightly drier January–June period versus wetter July–December — both are excellent.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10–15% | Service charge sometimes included — check |
| Taxis | 10% | — |
| Dive guides | $10–15 USD per dive | — |
Dress Code
- Resort casual throughout
- Smart casual for Willemstad's restaurants
Social Etiquette
- Curaçao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands — Dutch law applies; Papiamento is the living language
- Willemstad's Handelskade (pastel-coloured merchant houses) is one of the most photographed streetscapes in the Caribbean and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Curaçao is the home of Blue Curaçao liqueur — the orange-flavoured triple sec is made from the peel of Laraha oranges grown only here
- Dive sites include the SS Oranje Nassau wreck (1906) and the Mushroom Forest coral garden
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Dutch law applies — LGBTQ+ rights equal to the Netherlands
- Coral reefs are protected — no touching, standing on, or collecting reef material
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Papiamento) | Bon dia / Bon tardi / Bon nochi | bon DEE-ah / bon TAR-dee / bon NOH-chee |
| Thank you (Papiamento) | Masha danki | MAH-shah DAHN-kee |
| How are you? (Papiamento) | Con ta bai? | kon tah BYE |
| Beautiful (Papiamento) | Bunita | boo-NEE-tah |
| Cheers! (Papiamento) | Pabien! | pah-BEEYEN — also used as 'congratulations' |
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