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Take with you to Curaçao
- Sunscreen and after sun and insect repellent (minimum 25% DEET). Be careful with DEET in children up to 2 years old.
- Insect bite repellent
- Motion sickness tablets if you are planning to sail to Klein Curaçao
- Cap or hat and light clothing. Evenings are generally warm, so a sweater is rarely necessary
- Snorkel set and water shoes (also available in Curaçao)
- Sports sandals, sneakers, or other comfortable walking shoes
- Consult the website NaarCuraçao.com for tips
Transport on Curacao
TaxisTaxis are expensive, public transport is limited, walking, cycling and riding mopeds is dangerous due to the lack of pedestrian and cycle paths, bad roads and poor street lighting. That's why a rental car is the best way to explore the island. For further information about taxis and fares, we would like to refer to the site To Curaçao
Taxis can be recognized by the signs and the letters “ TX ” on the license plate. They usually don't have a sign on top of the roof. Prices are based on a maximum passenger number of four people for journeys between 6am and 11pm. After 11 pm a surcharge of 25% applies. It is advisable to agree on a price in advance. There are taxi stands at Hato airport and at Sha Caprileskade in Punda.
Examples of taxi prices:
The price for a taxi to Otrobanda or Punda in Willemstad is approximately 55 ANG, to Mambo Beach it takes longer and you pay 70 ANG. A taxi from Curaçao Hato Airport to Jan Thiel costs 80 ANG. For more than four people and overnight there is a surcharge.
Taxis can be recognized by the signs and the letters “ TX ” on the license plate. They usually don't have a sign on top of the roof. Prices are based on a maximum passenger number of four people for journeys between 6am and 11pm. After 11 pm a surcharge of 25% applies. It is advisable to agree on a price in advance. There are taxi stands at Hato airport and at Sha Caprileskade in Punda.
Examples of taxi prices:
The price for a taxi to Otrobanda or Punda in Willemstad is approximately 55 ANG, to Mambo Beach it takes longer and you pay 70 ANG. A taxi from Curaçao Hato Airport to Jan Thiel costs 80 ANG. For more than four people and overnight there is a surcharge.
Rent a car Curaçao
There are many car rental companies in Curaçao, but not all of them are equally reliable. We work with rental companies with whom we have had very good experiences. Ask for this. Especially in high season, it is wise to rent a car immediately after you have booked. An International Driver's Permit is not necessary in Curaçao!
Traffic rules
The traffic rules are mostly the same as in the Netherlands, people drive on the right and right has the right of way, with the exception of roundabouts and T-junctions. At the roundabout where you drive from Hato towards the road to the west point, specific rules apply, pay attention to the signs. At a T-junction, through traffic always has the right of way, regardless of the direction of travel. Keep in mind that when it rains, the roads here are very slippery, so always keep your distance. Maximum speed in built-up areas is 45 km/h and outside built-up areas from 60-80 km/h, unless otherwise stated! Overtaking is allowed on both the left and right. Speed belts are mandatory, mobile phone calls by the driver are prohibited. In the event of an accident, you never move the car but stand safely, then you call the car rental company and then the Curaçao Road Service (CRS) telephone number 9233.
Public transport
Curaçao has two types of transport: with large buses that are called "Convoy" on the island and with private buses that you can recognize by the word 'BUS' on the license plate. The main pick-up points are at the post office at the Waaigat in Punda and at Riffort Village in Otrobanda. Most buses within the city run every hour, to Westpunt every two hours and less frequently on Sundays.
Curaçao and money matters
* Make sure you put your debit card on Wereldprofiel via your banking app or bank office (or Central America at Rabo bank) otherwise you will not be able to use your debit card in Curaçao!
* Withdrawing money costs an average of $10 per transaction. You pay this to the local bank. You also pay to your own bank. For PIN transactions abroad, a surcharge of approximately 1 to 1.5% is charged.
Currency on CuraçaoThe official currency is the Antillean guilder (ANG) and is often also called the Netherlands Antillean Florin (NAF).You can also pay with US dollars almost everywhere. However, you will receive your change back in guilders and they often charge the exchange rate accordingly, which means it will be a bit more expensive if you pay in dollars. In addition, it is easy to convert if you pay with guilders. It's about half.2 guilders is approximately 1 euro.
You cannot exchange Euros for Antillean guilders before departure
* Withdrawing money costs an average of $10 per transaction. You pay this to the local bank. You also pay to your own bank. For PIN transactions abroad, a surcharge of approximately 1 to 1.5% is charged.
Currency on CuraçaoThe official currency is the Antillean guilder (ANG) and is often also called the Netherlands Antillean Florin (NAF).You can also pay with US dollars almost everywhere. However, you will receive your change back in guilders and they often charge the exchange rate accordingly, which means it will be a bit more expensive if you pay in dollars. In addition, it is easy to convert if you pay with guilders. It's about half.2 guilders is approximately 1 euro.
You cannot exchange Euros for Antillean guilders before departure
They do not have Antillean guilders at banks and neither do they at Schiphol. But that is not a problem. Upon arrival in Curaçao, you can immediately withdraw guilders at the airport with your Dutch debit card.
Paying with your debit cardAt most shops and restaurants you can simply pay with your debit card. The VPay cards are not accepted at some, especially smaller shops.
Pay with your credit cardWith a credit card you can pay almost everywhere on Curaçao
Banks in CuraçaoBanks are open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to usually 4:00 pm.
Sometimes only until 2 p.m., check this on the internet!
Paying with your debit cardAt most shops and restaurants you can simply pay with your debit card. The VPay cards are not accepted at some, especially smaller shops.
Pay with your credit cardWith a credit card you can pay almost everywhere on Curaçao
Banks in CuraçaoBanks are open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to usually 4:00 pm.
Sometimes only until 2 p.m., check this on the internet!
Health
In general, Curaçao is an island with few exceptional health risks. The food is good and is usually prepared hygienically. The drinking water is of excellent quality. There is no malaria, but other dangerous diseases such as Corona, Dengue and Zika sometimes occur. Keep an eye on the website of the health organisation in your country to find out what vaccinations may be required. It is always important to use anti-mosquito spray with deet.
Dangerous animalsThere are actually no dangerous animals on Curaçao, not even dangerous snakes. There are sharks on the North side (where you are not allowed to swim anyway), but no dangerous species. And every now and then a Portuguese Warship washes ashore (a kind of jellyfish) that you have to watch out for.
VaccinationsFor specific information about vaccinations and health risks, please refer to the website of the relevant health organization in your country.Vaccinations Curaçao
GPThere are many good general practitioners and dentists on Curaçao and there is also a good hospital. You can walk straight into our GP. You pay immediately and you can later declare the bill to your health insurance in the Netherlands.
PharmaciesThere are many pharmacies on Curaçao that are called “Botica”. You can go there for prescribed medicines, but also all other medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen that are not sold in the supermarket here.
Dangerous animalsThere are actually no dangerous animals on Curaçao, not even dangerous snakes. There are sharks on the North side (where you are not allowed to swim anyway), but no dangerous species. And every now and then a Portuguese Warship washes ashore (a kind of jellyfish) that you have to watch out for.
VaccinationsFor specific information about vaccinations and health risks, please refer to the website of the relevant health organization in your country.Vaccinations Curaçao
GPThere are many good general practitioners and dentists on Curaçao and there is also a good hospital. You can walk straight into our GP. You pay immediately and you can later declare the bill to your health insurance in the Netherlands.
PharmaciesThere are many pharmacies on Curaçao that are called “Botica”. You can go there for prescribed medicines, but also all other medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen that are not sold in the supermarket here.
Shops and Catering
Opening hoursMost supermarkets have long opening hours and are often also open on Sundays. The small Chinese supermarkets even on public holidays and Christmas Day. The shops in Willemstad are open from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. On Thursday evenings it is fun in Willemstad during the Punda Vibes and many shops are open until 8:00 PM. You can also enjoy shopping on Mambo boulevard.
SupermarketA relatively short distance from Villa San Sebastian Curaçao is a local shop with a small range. It is also a cafe/restaurant (Marfa's Good Hangout).Supermarkets can be reached in about ten minutes by car in the town of Tera Kora. It is customary to give the person who packs your groceries and takes them to the car a small amount of money, 1 to 2 NAFL is sufficient.
Going outCuraçao does not have the vibrant nightlife of a metropolis, but there is plenty to do until late at night. At the end of the afternoon, many bars on the island (including hotel and beach bars) have happy hour with reduced prices for drinks and sometimes live music. There are often parties at Jan Thiel Beach and Mambo Beach and a full moon party is organized every month at Kokomo beach. At the Punda Vibes there is live music on Thursday evenings at various locations in the city center and the shopping evening ends with a fireworks show at 8 p.m.
The K-Pasa website offers extensive information about what to do in Curaçao.K-Pasa: What to do in Curaçao
Restaurants near Villa San Sebastian CuraçaoOn the corner of the street, 2 km away, is the local shop and cafe/restaurant Marfa's Good Hangout. There are a number of restaurants very close to Villa San Sebastian Curaçao. About 10 minutes away you will find a number of restaurants: De Buurvrouw, Landhuis Daniël, El Lanternu and Bali restaurant. Snack bar Grote Berg Patat is also 10 minutes away. The prices in the restaurants are generally slightly lower than in the Netherlands. For €60 you can have a great dinner for two.
TippingAs in the Netherlands, service is included in the price, but a tip is of course always appreciated.
How gay-friendly is Curaçao?Curaçao is a gay-friendly holiday destination. In 2015, Curaçao won the 'Destination Pioneer Award', which is awarded annually by The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA).
SupermarketA relatively short distance from Villa San Sebastian Curaçao is a local shop with a small range. It is also a cafe/restaurant (Marfa's Good Hangout).Supermarkets can be reached in about ten minutes by car in the town of Tera Kora. It is customary to give the person who packs your groceries and takes them to the car a small amount of money, 1 to 2 NAFL is sufficient.
Going outCuraçao does not have the vibrant nightlife of a metropolis, but there is plenty to do until late at night. At the end of the afternoon, many bars on the island (including hotel and beach bars) have happy hour with reduced prices for drinks and sometimes live music. There are often parties at Jan Thiel Beach and Mambo Beach and a full moon party is organized every month at Kokomo beach. At the Punda Vibes there is live music on Thursday evenings at various locations in the city center and the shopping evening ends with a fireworks show at 8 p.m.
The K-Pasa website offers extensive information about what to do in Curaçao.K-Pasa: What to do in Curaçao
Restaurants near Villa San Sebastian CuraçaoOn the corner of the street, 2 km away, is the local shop and cafe/restaurant Marfa's Good Hangout. There are a number of restaurants very close to Villa San Sebastian Curaçao. About 10 minutes away you will find a number of restaurants: De Buurvrouw, Landhuis Daniël, El Lanternu and Bali restaurant. Snack bar Grote Berg Patat is also 10 minutes away. The prices in the restaurants are generally slightly lower than in the Netherlands. For €60 you can have a great dinner for two.
TippingAs in the Netherlands, service is included in the price, but a tip is of course always appreciated.
How gay-friendly is Curaçao?Curaçao is a gay-friendly holiday destination. In 2015, Curaçao won the 'Destination Pioneer Award', which is awarded annually by The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA).
The weather and the beach
Curaçao has a dry tropical climate. The average annual temperature is 27 degrees Celsius and it hardly cools down at night, although there is almost always a cooling trade wind blowing.
In the rainy season from September to March it rains more often than in summer, usually short and heavy. The island is outside the hurricane lane, only rarely does a hurricane pass by the island.
The best time to travel to CuraçaoCuraçao is wonderful all year round with an average temperature of 27 degrees. Please note that it is warmer in August and September because there is virtually no wind.
BeachesThere are many beaches on Curaçao, one more beautiful than the other and each with different facilities. There is extensive information on the internet about the various beaches and their facilities. Most beaches are free. Sometimes you do have to bring identification. You usually pay around 15 guilders (€7.50) for sunbeds.
You can park for free almost everywhere on the beaches.
Beaches on Curaçao
In the rainy season from September to March it rains more often than in summer, usually short and heavy. The island is outside the hurricane lane, only rarely does a hurricane pass by the island.
The best time to travel to CuraçaoCuraçao is wonderful all year round with an average temperature of 27 degrees. Please note that it is warmer in August and September because there is virtually no wind.
BeachesThere are many beaches on Curaçao, one more beautiful than the other and each with different facilities. There is extensive information on the internet about the various beaches and their facilities. Most beaches are free. Sometimes you do have to bring identification. You usually pay around 15 guilders (€7.50) for sunbeds.
You can park for free almost everywhere on the beaches.
Beaches on Curaçao
Curacao practical
Drinking waterThe tap water here is very pure, it is distilled from seawater and is perfectly drinkable.
Emergency numbers CuraçaoPolice and fire brigade 911 Ambulance 912 Seaside emergencies/coast guard 113
In Curaçao you do not move the car after an accident, even if the car is blocking the road! You stand in a safe place and immediately call Forensys 9233 , who will further handle the accident for the insurers. Then immediately call the car rental company, who can help you settle the accident and know where the vehicle should be towed if you can no longer drive it. Always make sure you have the car papers at hand! Even if the other party runs away, remain standing and do not respond to a request to settle the matter between themselves!
SafetyCuraçao is not unsafe, but there are rules that you should follow if you want a pleasant stay on the island. It is not wise to walk in quiet, remote places after 10 p.m. or at night, whether in the city or in the countryside (including the beach). It is wise not to leave valuable jewelry, equipment (laptops and cameras) and of course money in the car. It goes without saying that you should not take to the streets with large sums of money or flaunt expensive equipment. Never leave items, including diving gear, unattended on the beach.
LanguagePapiamentu is mainly spoken, but in general people also understand and speak Dutch reasonably well. More and more often you can also speak English!
SocketsCuraçao has 110 volt sockets with rectangular holes. To use these sockets, a type A or type B adapter (United States adapter) or a world plug adapter is required.
Villa San Sebastian Curaçao has sockets with both 110 volts and 220 volts in each studio and at the sunbeds at the infinity pool!
Recycling in CuraçaoRecycling is still in its infancy in Curaçao, but more and more initiatives are gradually being developed in this regard. Some supermarkets and gas stations have bins for empty bottles and other material to be recycled. Citizens can hand in sorted recycled materials at the landfill for free. A large hardware store chain works with a company that collects all plastics from companies and supermarkets to turn them into building materials. These are sold in the hardware stores mentioned. We at Villa San Sebastian Curaçao are also participating in this recycling development. Guests can return items sorted in our own recycling center. See our Eco Resort page. for more information on this topic.
Emergency numbers CuraçaoPolice and fire brigade 911 Ambulance 912 Seaside emergencies/coast guard 113
In Curaçao you do not move the car after an accident, even if the car is blocking the road! You stand in a safe place and immediately call Forensys 9233 , who will further handle the accident for the insurers. Then immediately call the car rental company, who can help you settle the accident and know where the vehicle should be towed if you can no longer drive it. Always make sure you have the car papers at hand! Even if the other party runs away, remain standing and do not respond to a request to settle the matter between themselves!
SafetyCuraçao is not unsafe, but there are rules that you should follow if you want a pleasant stay on the island. It is not wise to walk in quiet, remote places after 10 p.m. or at night, whether in the city or in the countryside (including the beach). It is wise not to leave valuable jewelry, equipment (laptops and cameras) and of course money in the car. It goes without saying that you should not take to the streets with large sums of money or flaunt expensive equipment. Never leave items, including diving gear, unattended on the beach.
LanguagePapiamentu is mainly spoken, but in general people also understand and speak Dutch reasonably well. More and more often you can also speak English!
SocketsCuraçao has 110 volt sockets with rectangular holes. To use these sockets, a type A or type B adapter (United States adapter) or a world plug adapter is required.
Villa San Sebastian Curaçao has sockets with both 110 volts and 220 volts in each studio and at the sunbeds at the infinity pool!
Recycling in CuraçaoRecycling is still in its infancy in Curaçao, but more and more initiatives are gradually being developed in this regard. Some supermarkets and gas stations have bins for empty bottles and other material to be recycled. Citizens can hand in sorted recycled materials at the landfill for free. A large hardware store chain works with a company that collects all plastics from companies and supermarkets to turn them into building materials. These are sold in the hardware stores mentioned. We at Villa San Sebastian Curaçao are also participating in this recycling development. Guests can return items sorted in our own recycling center. See our Eco Resort page. for more information on this topic.