A holiday to Curaçao is on the list of many: Pearly white beaches, azure seas and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere. Not surprisingly, it has been a popular holiday destination for years. Despite that, it's still useful to be well prepared before you hop on a plane to this tropical paradise. Read our 13 practical tips so that you can enjoy your well-earned Curaçao holiday without worries.
General information on Curaçao
Are you planning your trip to Curaçao? Take a look at our tips for current travel advice, vaccinations and the daily budget. You will find all information about Curaçao here.
1. Climate and best travel time
Those who have read our Curaçao destination page know that you can visit this beautiful island all year round. Temperatures are consistently around 30 degrees, with little chance of rain. The best travel time is therefore also hard to name. Do you want as much sun as possible? Then go in the period of February to September. The least rain falls during this period. The hottest months its May to October.
So what is the best travel time for you depends on your personal preference. Do you like quiet beaches and pleasant temperatures? Then the winter months are perfect. Do you prefer liveliness and partying? Then consider visiting during the summer holidays or around Carnival.
2. Local currency and pinching money on Curaçao
When you go to Curaçao, it is handy to always have some cash with you, as not all places accept credit cards, especially in smaller shops and restaurants.
The local currency on Curaçao is the Antillean guilder (ANG), but you can also pay with US dollars in many places. Personally, we do not recommend this, as we feel you always pay more, but this way they make it nice and easy for all tourists.
ATMs are plentiful, mainly in Willemstad, but note that transaction fees are charged for cash withdrawals. Our advice: withdraw as much as possible in one go. You will be given two choices when withdrawing: ‘withdrawal with conversion’ or ‘withdrawal without conversion.’ Always choose the last option to avoid unnecessary costs. Do you choose ‘with conversion’? If so, the local bank where you make your withdrawals may determine the exchange rate. And they like to get a piece of the pie, making the exchange rates more unfavourable.
Read also: Supermarket Curaçao - Convenient overview of supermarkets on the island
Read also: These are 8x the most beautiful beaches in Curacao
3. Always check opening hours well in advance
While on holiday, keep in mind that many restaurants and attractions are not open every day. In fact, many restaurants are only open 4 days a week and some attractions close early in the afternoon. So always check opening hours on Google in advance to avoid surprises!
Extra tip: Make sure you make reservations at restaurants in advance as generally popular restaurants fill up quickly.
4. You can drink the tap water on Curaçao
Yes, you read it right! In Curaçao, you can just drink the tap water. Of course, we understand that you'd rather enjoy a cocktail on the beach or a beer in a restaurant, but you'll be happy with our advice when you're, for example, drinking the Mount Christopher is going to climb. So buying plastic water bottles is not necessary here, which also saves you some money.
Don't have a good drinking bottle yet? Then we recommend the Stainless steel bottles from Dopper on. They are not plastic and keep your water nice and cold, ideal for the hot Curaçao temperatures!
5. Everything slows down on Curacao
Although they speak Dutch in Curaçao alongside Papiamentu, English and Spanish, the pace is different from what we are used to in the Netherlands. There's a laid-back atmosphere on the island and we recommend you go along with this. The locals are friendly, polite, hospitable and value peace and patience. So don't expect any rush or stressed faces.
6. Make a must-do list in advance!
Although Curaçao is not a big island and you drive from east to west within an hour, there is still a lot to explore. It is therefore handy to make a list of activities you want to do, so that you can combine them and don't have to drive all over the island unnecessarily. That way, you can enjoy your beer on the beach a bit longer!
7. Bring mosquito spray!
There is one item that really should not be missing from your packing list: mosquito spray. We always use Kruidvat's mosquito spray with 50% DEET. This is because Melvin gets stung often, and Kruidvat's bottles are much cheaper than A-brands while being just as effective. When choosing mosquito spray, pay particular attention to the percentage of DEET; at least 40% is recommended for good protection.
8. Bring a world plug
Although most hotels, flats or hostels in Curaçao have the same power outlets as in the Netherlands, it may happen that you find an American outlet somewhere. Just imagine, you are in a flat where this is the case. To be on the safe side, we therefore recommend bringing a world plug.
9. Opt for a hire car
Should you still have doubts? Don't! To get the most out of your holiday on Curaçao, we recommend you to rent a car. Public transport is limited and does not always run on a regular schedule, especially outside Willemstad. With a rental car, you can easily explore the most beautiful beaches and sights at your own pace. Moreover, the roads are generally well maintained and driving on the island is easy.
Prefer not to drive yourself? Then taxis or complete tours a good alternative. However, keep in mind that taxis can be quite pricey. Agree on a price in advance to avoid surprises. For shorter distances within Willemstad, you can also opt for a bicycle tour or a walk to explore the colourful streets and neighbourhoods.
10. Download an offline map
In Curacao, you do not have free mobile data like in the EU, unless you buy a SIM card. It is therefore useful to download the map of Curacao in advance in Google Maps or Maps.me. This way you can always navigate and you are not dependent on the internet.
Extra tip: Want instant internet, no unexpected roaming charges, no waiting at the airport or unnecessary overpayments? Then the eSIM of Airalo something for you!
11. Opt for local dishes
Curaçao has something for everyone. From local eateries to luxury seaside restaurants, you name it. Our favourite spot for local Curaçao cuisine is Plasa Bieu! This covered market hall with simple picnic tables and various local cuisines will give you a good idea of the delicious Curaçao dishes. We recommend trying a stoba (stew of meat and/or vegetables) at Sister Or an Arepa pampuna (sweet pancake with pumpkin).
Plasa Bieu is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
Also highly recommended is the ‘smoothie truck’ next to Plasa Bieu. You can find the truck if you walk towards the cinema from Plasa Bieu. They have delicious smoothies and the typical Curaçao drink Awa di Lamunchi here!
12. Bring a snorkelset
Curaçao is a great place for snorkelling. The water is clear on most beaches, you will find many different kinds of fish and there is a chance you will even see a turtle swim by. A snorkelset is therefore no superfluous luxury. We bought our snorkelset once during a trip in Thailand, but you can also easily find them online!
Don't touch anything underwater. This is how we protect coral and animals together for future generations!
13. From luxury resorts to budget-friendly options
In Curaçao, you will find a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget and travel style. Are you looking for luxury and comfort? Then there are plenty of resorts that will pamper you like the The Rif at Mangrove Beach and Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort. Perfect for travellers who want to spend their holidays in ultimate luxury.
Fortunately, for travellers on a tighter budget, there are also plenty of affordable options. Curaçao offers several small-scale hotels, flats and guesthouses where you can stay for a nice price without compromising on comfort. Especially in the Willemstad area, you will find many accommodations where you can stay for a reasonable price. There are also hostels for backpackers and travellers who prefer to save money on accommodation and spend more on excursions and activities.
We chose to book our accommodation, rental car and flight tickets separately. So as you can see, anything is possible! Whether you choose a luxury resort with all the amenities or a charming budget option, you will always find a place to stay on Curaçao that suits you!
We hope these tips will help you plan your ultimate Curaçao holiday! Still have questions? Then you can always send us a message via Instagram.
We try to keep this blog, for planning a great Curaçao holiday, as up-to-date as possible but this cannot be done without your help. If anything has changed, please let us know via [email protected].
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