Curaçao (Kòrsou) is a great destination in the Caribbean for holiday makers looking for sand, sun, and culture. You’ll find picturesque coves with white powdery sand, several cultural attractions, and plenty of natural wonders. It’s also a popular stop for cruise ships.
My Posts on Curaçao
General Info:
- Where to eat
- Beaches on Curaçao
Cities and Regions:
- Klein Curaçao
- Outside Willemstad
- Willemstad
National Parks:
- Christoffel National Park
- Shete Boka National Park
History of Curaçao
Curaçao was originally inhabited by the Arawak and Caquetío people, who are natives of northwest Venezuela. The Spanish arrived in 1499 under Alonso de Ojeda (c. 1466 – c. 1515) and deemed the island “useless”, eventually capturing several natives and forcing them into slavery. In 1515, the roughly 2,000 indigenous inhabitants were forcibly removed and transported to Hispaniola as slaves, leaving the island virtually abandoned. Curaçao was officially settled by Spain in 1527, functioning as an extension to Venezuela.
The Dutch invaded Curaçao in 1634 under the Dutch West India Company and Admiral Johann van Walbeeck (1602 – after 1649). The Spanish surrendered and were deported to Coro, Venezuela. About 30 Taíno families were allowed to remain on the island.
The Dutch colonized the island and founded Willemstad at the inlet of a natural harbor. Beginning in 1662, the Dutch West India Company used the island as a base for their slave trade, bringing slaves from West Africa before selling them elsewhere in the Caribbean and Americas. Many Dutch colonists grew wealthy from the slave trade, constructing elegant colonial buildings in Willemstad.
In the second half of the 17th century, Curaçao became a safe haven for Sephardic Jews fleeing persecution in Portugal and Spain. They made significant contributions to the society, culture, and economy.
In 1795, a slave revolt led by Tula Rigaud, Louis Mercier, Bastian Karpata, and Pedro Wakao, began in northwest Curaçao. Up to 4,000 slaves took part, with more than 1,000 participating in gunfights. The slave owners suppressed the revolt after a month of fighting. The British occupied the island from 1800 to 1803 and again from 1807 to 1815. Slavery was abolished in 1863.
Curaçao after the 19th Century
The first tourists arrived in the early 20th century and the discovery of oil in Venezuela in 1914 paved the way for the opening of the first oil refinery, ushering in a huge period of growth and prosperity.
During World War II, the port of Willemstad was one of the main sources of fuel for Allied operations, making it a target for Nazi U-boats. Curaçao later joined the Netherlands Antilles in 1954. Racial discrimination and a rise in unemployment culminated in a series of riots in 1969. An economic downturn began in the early 1980s and lasted until the early 2000s, causing several locals to migrate to the Netherlands.
The Netherlands Antilles was dissolved on October 10, 2010, and Curaçao became an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands is responsible for the island’s defense and foreign policy.
When to Visit Curaçao
Curaçao has a fairly consistent temperature, so if the most important factor is great weather, you can visit any time of year. If you want to avoid crowds, low season is typically mid-April through November. This is when you’ll also find lower prices. High season runs from December through mid-April, when prices and crowds tend to increase.
Curaçao vs Aruba
If you’re trying to decide whether to visit Curaçao or Aruba, there are several differences between the two islands that might make your choice more difficult! Hopefully, I’ll be able to help you decide.
First of all, Curaçao is much larger than Aruba. It took us about 45 minutes to drive from north to south on Aruba, while it can take about 80-90 minutes to do the same on Curaçao. You might want to spend a few more days on Curaçao if you hope to see as much of the island as possible.
As far as beaches, you’ll find long stretches of sandy beach on Aruba. On Curaçao, there are several small coves but you’ll have to pay a reasonable entrance fee at many of them. Snorkeling is much better as well.
Curaçao has much more in the way of culture, history, and authenticity. There are plenty of great museums, Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the people seemed more genuine. Aruba, on the other hand, is more commercialized and money-driven. If you’re looking to add some culture to your trip, Curaçao is a better choice.
Curaçao is much greener and more humid while Aruba is more arid. Both are beautiful in their own different ways, but we feel Arikok National Park on Aruba is more impressive and better organized than the two parks on Curaçao.
Finally, be aware that neither island is a budget destination by any means. It’s a toss-up on price. In our experience, car rental was more expensive on Curaçao but food and accommodation was priced slightly lower. We also spent more on admissions to cultural sites and museums on Curaçao, mostly because there’s more to see.
Entry Requirements
Citizens of most countries in the Americas and Europe as well as Australia and New Zealand can enter Curaçao visa-free. Visitors must complete an online entry form, the ED card, to be granted permission to board their flight to Curaçao. The ED card does not guarantee entry, which is at the discretion of officers at passport control.
Furthermore, any traveler coming from certain countries in Central and South America or Africa may need proof of vaccination against yellow fever. The only acceptable proof is the yellow card, or International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). Check the island’s official website for more info.
Curaçao International Airport
Curaçao International Airport (CUR), also known as Hato International Airport, is located just outside Willemstad. Flights are available from several destinations in the US, Canada, Caribbean, northern South America, and a couple cities in Europe.
The airport is relatively small. It’s very modern with a few decent places to grab food or drinks both inside and outside the terminal. There’s also a large duty-free shopping area. You can get a local SIM card in the arrivals hall after landing.
Language in Curaçao
Most locals speak English, Spanish, Dutch, and Papiamento, so there shouldn’t be an issue with language. When we entered a restaurant or store, we were usually greeted in Papiamento and then switched to English or Spanish.
Money in Curaçao
As far as money, two currencies are accepted – the US dollar and the Netherlands Antilles guilder (also called florin). Many restaurants and some stores will list prices in both dollars and guilders. The exchange rate is fixed at US$1 to ƒ1.80. For us, there was no need to change money. We used credit cards and paid cash in dollars without any problems.
One note – when you use your credit card, you can only use the tap-to-pay or Apple Pay feature if the bill is under US$100. For any amount over US$100, you have to use the physical card.
Tipping in Curaçao
Tipping at restaurants in Curaçao is not mandatory, but it’s nice to leave 5-15% if you’re happy with the service. In our experience, when paying with a credit card we had to let the server know we wanted to leave a tip on the card. They don’t typically ask. A few places automatically added a 10% service charge to the bill, but as it was explained to us this doesn’t equate to a tip.
Renting a Car in Curaçao
Hands down, the best way to get around Curaçao is to have your own transportation. You can rent a car for a reasonable price and driving is fairly easy all around the island. If you want to save cash, you can take local buses, but we didn’t find them to be reliable or convenient. We covered a lot more ground and saved time by having our own car.
Unlike in Aruba, you don’t need a 4×4 if you want to get adventurous. You can get anywhere you need to go with a normal car. We had no issues on any roads, but some of them outside Willemstad get quite narrow.
Renting with Just Drive Curaçao
We rented a car with Just Drive Curaçao. In addition to having some of the most competitive prices on the island, it’s one of the most convenient car rental experiences I’ve ever had. After landing, we followed instructions on how to find the shuttle outside the arrivals hall. The driver loaded our bags and took us to the office a few minutes away. I paid the rental fee, signed the papers, and was on my way in less than 10 minutes. The staff member even gave us a few tips for first-time visitors.
Returning the car was just as easy. We drove to the office and handed in the keys. They even drove us to the airport in the same car without having to move our luggage and a sleeping toddler to another vehicle. I highly recommend Just Drive Curaçao and will definitely use them again on my next trip to the island.
Tips on Driving in Curaçao
Driving on the island is fairly easy. There’s not much traffic outside Willemstad, roads are usually decent, and parking is fairly easy to find. The only major rule is it’s illegal to turn right on red lights.
If you’re not used to roundabouts, you might have a short adjustment period. Some of the major intersections roundabouts, which are clearly marked for which lane you need to be in. You do have to be careful at a few of them – while you’re on the roundabout, you have to yield to entering traffic.
Speed limits are in kilometers per hour and are usually not posted. Typically, it’s 30 in towns and residential areas, 60 outside towns, and 80 on highways. Although the police keep a low profile, speed limits are enforced.
As far as parking, there are metered parking zones in Willemstad, enforced Monday through Saturday between 8am to 6pm. The rate is set at ƒ1 per hour, with additional time available for 50 cents per half hour (as of December 2024). Below is a map of metered parking zones. Parking is free on Sundays and holidays. In addition to street parking, you’ll find both free and paid parking lots around the city.
Finally, the only negatives I encountered while driving were sometimes local drivers would tailgate or pull out in front of me unexpectedly. Other than that, driving is much better than in most other countries I’ve driven in.
Gas Stations in Curaçao
To fill up your tank, gas stations in Curaçao may be a little different than what you’re used to. It’ll feel “old school” for anyone who remembers what life was like without pay-at-the-pump. Some gas stations will have both self and full service pumps while most are self service only. Only diesel and super are available, and prices are fixed at every gas station.
For self service, you have to follow the arrows to enter on the correct side of the pumps (you can’t pull up to the pump in any direction you want). Next, go tell the cashier how much gas you want and which pump you’re at. If paying a fixed amount, pay the cashier, go pump, and be on your way. If filling up, go pump then return to the cashier to pay.
One very important thing to remember is that almost every single gas station on Curaçao accepts cash only. You can pay in both US dollars or guilders. Two that I used both accepted foreign cards, but they’re definitely the exception to the rule.
Where to Stay in Curaçao
There are lots of great places to stay in Curaçao. If you’re looking to unwind, relax, and be pampered, you can stay at one of the high-end resorts with beachfront property. In Willemstad and other areas, you’ll find private apartments as well as a good range of hotels for any budget. In either case, to see the rest of the island you’ll need to book a tour or rent a car.
Mustique Suites
We stayed five nights at Mustique Suites, located in a quiet part of Otrobanda in Willemstad. It’s a small boutique hotel with double rooms, double rooms with kitchenettes, and a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony. Our host, Kwame, did a great job making us feel at home.
Our room was a double room with a kitchenette. It’s situated on the ground floor and was perfect for the two of us and our toddler. The kitchenette was equipped with everything we needed and has a small sitting area as well. Overall, the room was comfortable and quiet. The only negative is the occasional smell coming from the bathroom after flushing the toilet.
The hotel features a few parking spaces in the back as well as a rooftop terrace with a decent view. It’s a 15-minute walk or short drive to several restaurants and all the attractions in Willemstad. There’s a supermarket about a block away.
Westpunt Beach Apartments
If you’re looking for a nice escape from the crowds, Westpunt Beach Apartments is a great option. It’s located in serene Westpunt, near several beautiful beaches and the island’s two national parks. The property also has a small pool and common area.
Our apartment had a cozy bedroom with good air conditioning, a nice bathroom, and a kitchenette with everything we needed. It’s very quiet at night and we all slept great. There was even a futon in the bedroom that was perfect for our little one.
The best part was the terrace with phenomenal views of the sea. We really enjoyed waking up and having our morning coffee with incredible scenery, and watching the gorgeous sunsets in the evening.
The only negative is that the attention from the host can be a little better. She’s very friendly and helpful, but there were small things that could have made our stay better. First of all, having fresh towels a few days into our stay rather than on our fifth night would have been nice, and emptying the garbage halfway through the stay would also make a difference.
A couple more notes: 1) It’s best to stock up on food before arriving. There’s a small supermarket in Barber, about 15 minutes away, with a good variety of food. 2) If you’re looking to eat dinner in one of the nearby restaurants, it’s better to have a reservation. Also, during the week plan to go early because most places close on the early side.
Safety on Curaçao
Overall, Curaçao is a safe destination. We were there for a total of 11 days and felt comfortable all over the island, however, we still had to be careful in some instances. I’ve written a few tips and experiences below. As long as you’re aware of your surroundings you’ll be fine and have a great time.
First of all, don’t leave anything visible in your car, especially when going to the beach. This is one of the biggest warnings we received when picking up our rental. While it’s rare and most parking lots are pretty secure, break-ins do occur. Also, especially at the public beaches, you need to keep an eye on your things when you go into the water.
Drugs are a problem on Curaçao. We had a couple of slightly unpleasant experiences in Willemstad with drug pushers. First, I was followed discretely for about 20 seconds after stopping to take a picture of the Queen Emma Bridge in Willemstad, with a drug pusher quietly asking if I was looking to buy. He went away after I ignored him. The second experience was while walking through a park in Scharloo to get back to our car. While not directly affecting us, we saw a few drug deals happening in broad daylight.
The only other annoyance was a group of teenagers on the north side of the island coming up to our car at a stop sign telling us to give them US$10. We ignored them and drove off.
Warning for Manchineel Trees
The manchineel tree, which is one of the most poisonous trees in the world, is scattered throughout the island. Contact with any part of the tree can cause blistering and eating the small green fruit can be potentially fatal. Warnings are posted wherever the tree grows. If you accidentally touch any part of the tree, including the fruit, go wash thoroughly as soon as possible, and avoid touching your eyes or face.
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