Vacation in Curaçao: Caribbean flair meets Dutch charm
Who doesn’t dream of snow-white beaches, turquoise waters, and a laid-back lifestyle? Curaçao is the perfect destination to make those dreams come true. As the largest of the so-called ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) in the southern Caribbean, this island offers more than just its world-famous blue liqueur. The island’s motto, “Bon Bini” (Welcome), is felt here at every turn.
Curaçao is one of the Caribbean islands, and for the sake of simplicity, most travel websites and brochures list the entire Caribbean region under the North or Central American continent. Geographically speaking, the island lies on the South American continental shelf, only about 65 kilometers off the coast of Venezuela.
Dreamy Beaches and Hidden Coves
Unlike the miles-long sandy beaches found on many other Caribbean islands, Curaçao is known for its many small coves (called “playa” or “boca”). Especially in the western part of the island, one dream beach follows another. Beaches like Grote Knip (Playa Kenepa Grandi) or Playa Porto Mari offer powder-white sand and a breathtaking underwater world. The reefs often begin right at the beach and are an absolute paradise for snorkelers and divers.
Willemstad: A Piece of Holland in the Caribbean
The capital, Willemstad, is the vibrant heart of the island and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most famous photo spot is the Handelskade in the Punda district: a row of narrow, Dutch colonial-style houses painted in bright pastel colors that stand right on the water. Willemstad is divided into two halves (Punda and Otrobanda) by St. Anna Bay. These are connected by the Queen Emma Bridge, a unique floating pontoon bridge that spectacularly swings open to the side when ships pass through.
Caribbean Cuisine: From Keshi Yena to Blue Curaçao
The cuisine on Curaçao is a melting pot of Caribbean, African, Spanish, and Dutch influences. An absolute must-try is Keshi Yena—a traditional dish made with Edam cheese stuffed with spicy meat, raisins, and olives, then baked au gratin. All over the island, you’ll also find small food trucks (Truk’i Pan) serving fantastic barbecue or fresh fish (mahi-mahi or red snapper) in the evenings.
Of course, no visit would be complete without trying the national drink. The famous Blue Curaçao liqueur is distilled from the dried peels of the Lahara bitter orange, which grows on the island. A visit to the historic distillery at Landhaus Chobolobo is a must.
Book an adventure on the island
Hotel Recommendations
Mangrove Beach Corendon Curacao All-Inclusive Resort, Curio by Hilton
The Rif At Mangrove Beach Corendon Curacao All-Inclusive, Curio by Hilton
The Royal Sea Aquarium Resort
Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort
BijBlauw
Sonesta Hotels & Resorts Livingstone Curacao
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Travel Information
Getting There
By Plane
Curaçao is very well connected by air from Europe.
- From Amsterdam (AMS): Airlines such as KLM, TUI, and Corendon offer direct flights to Curaçao year-round, sometimes several times a day. The flight time is about 9 hours and 45 minutes.
- From Düsseldorf (DUS): There are direct charter or scheduled flights. The flight time is about 10.5 hours.
- From Brussels (BRU): There are seasonal direct flights from here.
Entry, Visas
For EU Citizens and Swiss Nationals
No visa is required for a tourist stay of up to 90 days. A machine-readable passport valid for the entire duration of the stay is required. An identity card is not sufficient!
Important: All travelers must complete the Digital Immigration Card (DI-Card) online in advance. This should be done well in advance of departure; the confirmation must be presented digitally or as a printout.
For Non-EU Citizens
The specific entry requirements for travelers from non-EU countries depend on their nationality:
Visa-Free Entry: Citizens of many countries (including the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and most South and Central American countries) do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days.
Caribbean visa: Nationals of countries subject to visa requirements (e.g., China, India, Turkey) must apply in advance for a special “Caribbean visa” (Caribisch visum). This is done through the Dutch diplomatic missions (embassies or consulates) in their respective home countries.
Exception for Existing Visas: Anyone who already holds a valid Schengen visa (for multiple entries) or a valid residence permit for the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, or a Schengen country is generally exempt from the visa requirement for Curaçao.
Required documents: Regardless of whether a visa is required, all non-EU citizens must present the following documents upon entry:
- A machine-readable passport (valid for the entire duration of the stay).
- A confirmed onward or return flight ticket.
- Proof of confirmed accommodations.
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the stay.
DI-Card: Just as for EU citizens, the following also applies to all non-EU citizens: Completing the Digital Immigration Card (DI-Card) online in advance is absolutely mandatory for every traveler (including children). Without a confirmed DI-Card, you will generally be denied boarding upon departure.
Getting Around Locally
By Rental Car
A rental car is highly recommended for exploring the island with flexibility, especially the remote national parks and beaches in the west. The road network is well-developed, and traffic is light—except during rush hour around Willemstad. Drive on the right.
By Bus
There are two types of buses: the large “Konvoi” buses, which follow fixed routes, and the small “Autobus” vans (with “BUS” on the license plate), which are more flexible. The bus system is extremely affordable but requires patience and time, as service off the main routes is often irregular.
By Taxi
The taxi industry in Curaçao is strictly regulated. Regular taxis (identified by the “TX” on the license plate) do not use meters. There are fixed fares set by the government for specific routes, which apply to the entire vehicle (for up to four people).
The catch: Taxis are relatively expensive. A one-way trip from the airport to Jan Thiel or Willemstad often costs between 40 and 55 U.S. dollars.
Traditional street taxis usually accept only cash.
The local alternative: taxi apps
Since there’s no Uber, Kumbai has established itself as a local alternative in recent years. The app basically works just like Uber. You see the fixed price before booking and can pay within the app using a credit card or Apple Pay.
Best Time to Visit
Curaçao is a true year-round destination.
A huge advantage of the ABC Islands is their geographic location: they lie outside the Atlantic hurricane belt. Hurricanes are an absolute rarity here.
Throughout the year, daytime temperatures range between 28°C and 32°C. Humidity is generally quite high. However, a steady trade wind breeze makes the heat very pleasant.
The high season falls during the European winter months (December through April). The somewhat quieter low season in summer and fall offers more affordable prices, though short, heavy tropical showers can occur from October through December.
Safety
Curaçao is generally considered a very safe travel destination in the Caribbean, even for women traveling alone and families.
However, as in most vacation destinations worldwide, you should use common sense:
Theft: Petty crime such as pickpocketing or car break-ins can occur. The golden rule for rental cars is: Never leave valuables (including bags or backpacks) in plain sight inside the car, especially when parking at secluded beaches.
Evenings: After dark in Willemstad, stay on the busy, well-lit main streets of the Punda, Otrobanda, and Pietermaai neighborhoods.
Language
The official languages are Dutch and Papiamentu (a creole language that combines elements of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and English). You’ll have absolutely no trouble getting by with English anywhere on the island. Many locals also speak Spanish very well.
Money and Currency
The official currency is the Antillean guilder (ANG or Nafl).
The U.S. dollar is accepted as an equivalent form of payment almost everywhere on the island. Often, you’ll pay in dollars and receive change in guilders.
Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are accepted without any problems at almost all restaurants, supermarkets, and hotels.
Tipping
In many restaurants and hotels, a service charge of 10% to 15% is already included in the bill. If this charge is not listed on the bill, a tip of this amount is customary and is greatly appreciated by staff, who often rely on tips for their income.
Phone and Internet
Curaçao is not part of the European Union. This means the EU Roaming Regulation does not apply here! Browsing the web and making calls with a German or Austrian SIM card can be extremely expensive.
Wi-Fi:
Free and usually very fast Wi-Fi is standard on Curaçao and is available in nearly all hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs.
Mobile Internet:
If you want to use navigation or browse the web while on the go, you should download an eSIM to your smartphone in advance or purchase a local prepaid SIM card from Digicel or Flow once you arrive (available directly at the airport or in supermarkets).
Electricity and Travel Adapters
The mains voltage in Curaçao is 110 to 127 volts (50 hertz). Most outlets are Type A and B (like in the U.S.). Hotels may have outlets that are compatible with European plugs.
A travel adapter is absolutely essential for travelers from Europe!
Health and Medical Care
Medical care on Curaçao is very good. Willemstad has a modern, fully equipped hospital (Curaçao Medical Center).
Insect Protection: Mosquitoes (which can potentially transmit dengue fever) may be active, especially at dusk and after rain. Be sure to pack a good tropical insect repellent.
Drinking Water
Tap water on Curaçao comes from a state-of-the-art seawater desalination plant. It is of excellent quality, tastes great, and can be safely drunk straight from the tap.
Shopping and Souvenirs
Curaçao offers excellent shopping opportunities, ranging from colorful local markets to modern shopping malls.
Downtown Willemstad is ideal for a shopping stroll. Here you’ll find boutiques, jewelry stores, and local art. In the Otrobanda neighborhood, the luxurious Renaissance Mall & Rif Fort attracts visitors with its international brands.
Typical souvenirs: In addition to a bottle of authentic Blue Curaçao liqueur from the Chobolobo country house, aloe vera products (the plant grows all over the island) and the famous Chichi dolls (colorfully painted, plump female figures made of plaster that represent Caribbean mothers) are very popular souvenirs.
Time Zone
Curaçao is in the Atlantic Standard Time (AST) zone. Since the island does not observe daylight saving time, the time difference from Central Europe (CET) varies depending on the season.
During European winter time: Curaçao is 5 hours behind. (When it is 12:00 p.m. in Germany, it is 7:00 a.m. in Curaçao).
During European summer time: Curaçao is 6 hours behind.