useful to read before departure

curacao

Curacao is a tropical island in the southern Caribbean, part of the Dutch Caribbean islands. It is the largest of the ABC islands and lies about 60 kilometers off the coast of South America. On clear days, you can see Venezuela on the horizon.

Curacao has around 160,000 inhabitants and covers an area of 444 km². The island is approximately 60 kilometers long, with a width that ranges from 4 to 14 kilometers.

Curacao is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This means it is part of the Kingdom but has a high degree of self-governance. Curacao manages its own domestic affairs, such as education, healthcare, and taxes. The Dutch government is responsible for defense and foreign relations. Curacao gained this status on October 10, 2010, following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles.

Curacao is a former Dutch colony and a melting pot of cultures. The population is a mix of Afro-Caribbean, European, Latin American, and indigenous influences. The official language is Papiamento, a unique language that blends elements of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and African languages. The majority of the population also speaks Dutch fluently, and you can easily get by with English and Spanish as well.

Willemstad is the capital of Curacao and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Willemstad is famous for its brightly colored colonial buildings, blending European charm with a Caribbean vibe. The two main districts, Punda and Otrobanda, are connected by the Queen Emma Bridge, a floating pontoon bridge (also known as the “swinging old lady”).

preparing for the flight

To make your trip to Curacao as smooth and practical as possible, there are a few things you can arrange before departure.

Make sure to apply for and print the digital immigration card (DI-card) before you leave. You can find more information about this elsewhere in this blog.

If you are flying from Amsterdam: For your flight to Curacao, you can check in online 48 to 24 hours before departure. For Corendon, it’s 48 hours, KLM 30 hours, and TUI 24 hours before departure. This way, you’ll already have your boarding pass, and at Schiphol, you’ll only need to drop off your checked luggage.

KLM and TUI offer a drive-through check-in service during the high season. This allows you to skip the (long) queue in the departure hall. Check KLM and TUI for more information.

Once you’re checked in, you’ll go through the security check. Boots and mid-height shoes must be removed, and belts must always be taken off. Your hand luggage will also be checked here.

If you are flying from any other destination: please consult your airline for specific instructions.

Upon arrival at Curacao’s airport, you’ll first go through passport control. All travelers over 17 years of age can use the eGates. If you’re traveling with children under 17, you’ll go through manual passport control.

luggage

When you’re in Curacao, you’ll notice that bringing a lot of clothing often isn’t really necessary. Lightweight cotton and linen are the best to wear. And since the evenings don’t cool down much, there’s no need to pack sweaters or jackets.

A thin pair of long pants can be useful, though, in case you’re in a place where mosquitoes might bother you at night.
As for shoes, if you plan on hiking or exploring nature, sturdy shoes with a good grip are a must. Otherwise, just bring what’s comfortable and feels good to wear.

Sunscreen and mosquito repellent are widely available on Curacao. A mosquito net isn’t needed since Jan Kok Lodges has screens on every window and door. You can also easily buy snorkels, flippers, and water shoes on the island, so they don’t need to take up space in your luggage. We’re often asked if there’s a hairdryer available. If you use one, bring it along, but keep in mind that blow-dried hair won’t last long in the wind and heat! 🙂

digital immigration card

As an international visitor, you are required to complete the digital immigration card (DI-card) online before departure.
The digital immigration card is a mandatory form for all visitors, used for immigration clearance to Curacao.

The card can only be filled out online. After completing it, you can receive the card as a PDF file via email – please note that you may already be asked for the printed version at the airport. When you arrive in Curacao, you must present the form either in printed form or digitally. You can fill out the card at: www.dicardcuracao.com.

weather

In Curacao, the sun almost always shines, making it a reliable destination for sunseekers.
The average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius, and there’s generally a refreshing trade wind blowing. The rainy season runs from October to December. During this period, more rain can fall, often in the form of short, intense showers, usually at night or in the early morning. Despite the rainy season, the weather in Curacao remains pleasantly warm, with many sunny days in between the brief showers. The island generally has a dry climate, so even during the rainy season, less rain typically falls compared to many other tropical destinations.

currency

The currency in Curacao is the Antillean guilder (Nafl or Ang). You can also pay almost everywhere with US dollars. Euros are not accepted. The Antillean guilder is pegged to the US dollar, so the value of the guilder is determined by the dollar.

It’s nearly impossible to obtain Antillean guilders outside of Curacao. If you prefer to have some cash beforehand, the easiest option is to bring US dollars. Upon arrival in Curacao, you can also withdraw money in the arrivals hall.

NOTE: As of March 31, 2025, Curacao (together with St. Maarten) will adopt a new currency, the Caribbean guilder (XCG or Cg). The Caribbean guilder will have the same value as the Antillean guilder and will also be pegged to the US dollar. Until June 30, 2025, you can still pay with the old Antillean guilder, after which you can only exchange them at the Central Bank of Curacao.

You’ll find ATMs scattered throughout Curacao where you can withdraw guilders or US dollars. However, additional fees are charged per transaction by the bank, sometimes up to $10. In all supermarkets, restaurants, gas stations, etc., you can pay with your debit card or credit card. Despite this, it’s always handy to have some cash with you.

 

 

shopping for groceries on the day of arrival

Once arrived at Jan Kok Lodges, most of our guests head out right away for their first groceries. There are several small supermarkets nearby that are (usually) open until 9:00 PM. The closest large supermarket (Centrum Piscadera) is open until 8:00 PM, except on Sundays when it closes at 6:00 PM. If you arrive too late to shop on the same day, it’s a good idea to bring a few essentials in your luggage. Tap water is excellent for drinking, and tea and coffee are available in the outdoor kitchen.

electricity

At Jan Kok Lodges, all apartments, lodges, and studios are equipped with 220-volt outlets as standard. Therefore, bringing an adapter or universal travel plug is not necessary. However, across Curacao, 110-volt outlets are the standard. If you’re traveling from the United States or other regions that use 110 volts, you may need a voltage converter, as well as an adapter for the plug type.

traffic

The road network on Curacao is unfortunately not frequently maintained, which means roads may have potholes, and driving on unpaved roads is sometimes unavoidable. Right always has priority unless otherwise indicated. When driving on a two-lane road, overtaking on the right is allowed, so you can stay in your lane.

In Willemstad and at the airport, parking is paid. In the paid parking zones in Willemstad, there are parking meters. The parking spots are numbered, and you need to enter the number when paying for your parking ticket.

Gas stations are scattered across the island. The last one toward Westpunt is located in Barber. The closest gas station to Jan Kok Lodges is at Tera Cora. Before you can refuel, you need to pay first, and after refueling, you’ll receive any change.

Overall, traffic on Curacao is fairly calm, and you can safely and comfortably explore the island by car. At Jan Kok Lodges, we are happy to arrange your rental car, with a wide selection of models and prices. The transfer to and from the airport is included with the car rental.

mosquitoes

There are always mosquitoes on Curacao, sometimes more, sometimes less. Fortunately, there is often a refreshing breeze at Jan Kok Lodges, which usually keeps the mosquitoes at bay. We also take every precaution to prevent mosquito breeding grounds. However, you may still occasionally be bothered by mosquitoes. At the supermarket and at the Botica (pharmacy), you can buy mosquito spray with 40% DEET, but also Buzz Aloe, a friendlier alternative for your skin that works well.

phone and wifi

At Jan Kok Lodges, the WiFi is excellent. You can also use free WiFi at most beaches, restaurants, and even in supermarkets. If you want to be online everywhere at all times, a Tourist Sim is a convenient option, usually available in the arrivals hall at the airport.

time zone

Curacao operates on Atlantic Standard Time (AST), which is UTC-4. The island does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so the time remains the same throughout the year. Here’s how Curacao’s time zone compares to different regions around the world:

Europe:
During winter, Curacao is 5 hours behind Central European Time (CET).
During summer (when Europe observes Daylight Saving Time), Curacao is 6 hours behind Central European Summer Time (CEST).
United States:

Curacao is usually in the same time zone as the Eastern Time Zone (EST) during the U.S. winter.
During the U.S. summer (when the U.S. shifts to Daylight Saving Time), Curacao is 1 hour ahead of Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

South America:
Curacao shares the same time zone (UTC-4) as countries like Venezuela and parts of Brazil, so there’s no time difference with these regions.

Asia:
In relation to China and other regions in East Asia (which are UTC+8), Curacao is 12 hours behind.
Australia:

Curacao is between 13 to 14 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) depending on whether Australia is observing Daylight Saving Time.
The time differences mean that Curacao is generally well behind most regions in Europe, Asia, and Oceania, but close in time to the Americas.

tapwater

The tap water in Curacao is safe to drink. Aquaelectra, Curacao’s seawater distillery, produces high-quality water. The drinking water contains no chlorine and very little calcium.