If you go to Curaçao, you probably want to discover all the beautiful places. Although the island is not big, having your own transport is ideal as public transport is limited. If you don't want to depend on expensive taxis or expensive organised tours, you can discover the island yourself by car. Ideal anyway! Enjoy all the cool places at your own pace. Whether you are looking for a cosy sun holiday on Jan Thiel Beach or want to explore the beautiful beaches of Westpunt, with a rental car on Curaçao you have complete freedom to see everything. Discover our handy tips for renting a car on Curaçao.
Is renting a car on Curaçao safe?
Absolutely! Renting a car on Curaçao is safe. Besides the fact that there are many reliable organisations that can help you, the driving itself is also safe and relaxed. We found the traffic not chaotic and, with a few minor exceptions, the traffic rules are similar to those of the Netherlands and Belgium.
How are the roads on Curaçao?
In general, the roads are of good quality, but don't expect the same standard as in the Netherlands or Belgium! The main roads are often well paved, with occasional small potholes. If you deviate from the main roads, you will come to the somewhat worse roads. These are roads with multiple potholes, larger potholes and stretches where the asphalt is no longer there. However, it is still possible to drive a standard car. So a 4×4 is not necessary. What is important to know is that the roads on Curaçao can often be very slippery, especially after a rain shower. Therefore, be careful and keep more distance from your predecessor than you are used to.
Where is the best place to rent a car?
There are plenty of rental companies and you therefore have many different choices. We ourselves almost always book a car via Sunnycars.co.uk. This is by far the most reliable option and they have clear terms and conditions. Read the benefits below:
- Fully insured & reimbursement of excess in the event of damage : With Sunny Cars, you are always fully insured. Sometimes the local rental company tries to sell you extra insurances but this is not necessary! Everything is covered with the included insurance. So don't be tempted because even your excess will be reimbursed by them in case of damage.
- Flexservice: Changing a reservation is always free of charge with Sunny Cars. Do you want a little more security? Then choose the Flex Service. This gives you the option to cancel the car 1 hour before your rental starts. Ideal if your travel plans suddenly change.
- ANWB discounts: If you are a member of the ANWB then you get member benefits.
- 24/7 support: Sunny Cars offers a 24/7 emergency number where you can get help in Dutch in case of any problems.
- SGR seal of approval: This probably doesn't mean anything to you, but this means that if Sunny Cars were to go bankrupt you would receive your money back nicely.
Tip: Don't forget to bring your credit card. This is because the main driver must always have a credit card.
Our experience with Sunny Cars has always been positive! If something does go wrong you don't have to worry about unexpected costs because everything is reimbursed and taken care of. You might pay a little more than with local rental companies but you have a lot of security.
Tip: Sounds boring and it is but always read the terms and conditions and specific information about the country where you want to drive a car. In Curaçao you may, for example don't move your car in an accident! Leave the situation for what it is, even if there is a huge traffic jam and wait until the CRS is on the spot and records the situation. If you don't, then the ‘accident’ is automatically your fault.
For the observant reader: We almost always choose Sunny Cars. However, during our last-minute trip to Curaçao, we noticed that only expensive cars were still available. Therefore, this time we rented our car through our accommodation, Curaçao4U. We hired a slightly older car here, but this faithful friend took us everywhere without any problems.
What does it cost to rent a car on Curaçao?
You can already rent a car on Curaçao from €35 per day including insurance. However, prices depend a lot on when you go and how far in advance you book. Check the website of Sunnycars.co.uk and choose a car that suits you!
In addition, what can save money and is hugely convenient is to choose the same location for both pick-up and return of the rental car. Sunny Cars has more than 20 pick-up locations, so there is sure to be one that suits you. We advise you to choose the airport office as it saves you taxi costs and gives you access to a car from start to finish! Prefer not to take the car straight away? Then you can also choose to have the car delivered to your accommodation address. As soon as the rental period is over, the car will be picked up again from the same address. Now that's carefree car rental.
Traffic regulations on Curaçao
Now that you know where to rent a car, it is useful to be aware of some specific traffic rules on Curaçao.
- Cars drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. On two-lane roads, you may overtake on the left and right.
- Maximum speed inside built-up areas is 45 km/h and outside built-up areas 60-80 km/h, unless otherwise indicated.
- Logical but here, too, seat belts are compulsory and mobile phone use by the driver is prohibited.
- Take care at roundabouts as flashing lights are rarely used. In general, they work the same in Curaçao as in the Netherlands but there are some minor exceptions. Some roundabouts have shark teeth and priority signs. In these cases, the driver driving on the roundabout must give way to the driver who wants to enter the roundabout. Unfortunately, the road markings are not always clearly visible. So drive slowly so you can pay close attention to other traffic.
- The right has no right of way! In our experience, they often take turns letting someone enter the intersection. Especially at busy points or during rush hour. At T-junctions, the driver on the through road has always priority.
Read also: What to do on Curaçao: 10x handy and fun tips!
Read also: Discover 7x the best things to do in Willemstad, Curaçao
Extra tips for renting a car on Curaçao
Parking on Curaçao
On Curaçao, parking is free almost everywhere, with the exception of certain locations in the centre of Willemstad. During our trip, we didn't spend a penny on parking by leaving our car at the cinema in Willemstad park. You then only have to walk a short distance to popular restaurants or attractions.
Refuelling on Curaçao
This is slightly different from what happens in the Netherlands. In Curaçao, you have to pay before refuelling. You park your car at the pump and then walk to the staff behind the cash desk. Here you choose between the petrol or diesel counter and indicate the amount you want to fill up. After you have paid, you can fill up your car. If you fill up for less than the amount paid, take your receipt to the till and get the difference back.
International driving licence
You do not need an international driving licence in Curaçao, your Dutch driving licence is sufficient.
Going to rent a car? Then don't forget to bring your credit card. This is because the main driver must always have a credit card.
Keep in mind the crowds
Even for short distances, many people on Curaçao choose to take the car, which is no surprise given the heat! In addition, Curaçao has a tourist high season that runs from December to April. As you can guess, this makes for even more traffic on the road! It is wise to take this into account. Fortunately, there are usually several roads available, so opt for an alternative route from time to time! See something different too 🙂
Tip: Download the map of Curaçao in Google maps so you can navigate offline!
We hope this information helps you plan your trip. Still have questions? Then feel free to send us a message via Instagram.
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