Aerial view of Willemstad, Curacao; (c) Soul Of America
Curacao Travel Tips
Facts
Official Language: Dutch
Currency: Netherlands Antillean Florin (NAF) or Guilder
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time
Est. Population: 130,000
Cruise Port City: Willemstad
Travel Tips
Frequent trade winds enable the island’s climate to average 80 degrees. As a result, the year round dress code is Island Casual.
Curacao is rarely impacted by hurricanes.
To avoid crowds and high prices, May to November is off-season.
The rainy season is from November to December, but Curacao receives less rain than most other Caribbean destinations.
U.S. dollars and major credit cards are also accepted by most establishments.
Some English is spoken by locals. Spanish and Papiamento are also widely used.
The post office is located on De Ruyterskade near the public market. Post office hours are 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday.
Banks are open from 8am-3:30pm Monday-Friday. ATMs are widely available.
Passports are required for U.S. citizens.
Most stores are open 8am-12pm and 2pm-6pm, Monday-Saturday.
The local water is safe to drink.
Bring sunglasses, a hat and plenty of sunscreen lotion.
Electricity is the same as the U.S.
Cruise ships dock at the Mega Pier in Willemstad. It is a short walk to the shopping and historic center of town.
The major Holidays in Curacao are New Year’s Day, Carnival Monday, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Queen’s Birthday, Labor Day, Ascension, Flag Day, Antilles Day, Christmas and Boxing Day.
The crime rate here is lower than most U.S. cities, but ladies should still use common sense when out and about at night.
The island is clean and easy to navigate.
Most places are within walking distance and the unique colorful Dutch architecture makes walking around Willemstad a rewarding experience.
