Willemstad
Port of Call – Willemstad
Key sights in Willemstad include the limestone Hato Caves, the Landhuis Chobolobo where visitors can see how Curaçao liqueur is made, the Amstel brewery, and Mikve Israel-Emanuel, thought to be the oldest synagogue still in use in the New World.
Ships dock at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Willemstad, which has become a bustling cosmopolitan city with an old-world European charm. The city is split into two halves by the Santa Anna Bay to create two distinct areas, namely Punda and Otrobanda. Larger ships dock at the new Curaçao Mega Pier, while the smaller variety dock at the Curaçao Cruise terminal.
Shopping in Willemstad
Punda is the main shopping area of Willemstad and the quaint pedestrian-only streets are reminiscent of a small European town. Most shops are within walking distance of each other and a wide selection of European clothing, French perfumes, Japanese electronics, Irish crystal, English china, Italian leathers, and Chinese embroidered linen tablecloths can be found at this international trade hub.
Best Buy:
Curaçao liqueur.
Dining in Willemstad
The Wine Cellar – excellent seafood in a romantic setting.
Baoase Culinary Beach Restaurant – great Caribbean food served right on the beach.
Pirate Bay Beach Bar – seafood in a relaxed and fun setting with a live salsa band.
Best Dish:
Red snapper and conch meat.
Travel to Curacao
Climate in Curacao
The climate of Curacao is idyllic, with plenty of sunny weather and high temperatures all year round. The heat is moderated by pleasant and almost constant trade winds blowing in from the east. The average annual temperature is 81F (27C).
Curacao lies outside of the hurricane belt, but its tropical location does leave it open to suffering occasional violent storms. These can occur at any time of year. Rainfall can generally be expected between October and February, but it is light and usually falls at night.
The most popular time to visit Curacao is between December and April but this is mainly because people want to escape the colder weather in the northern hemisphere and there are school holidays at this time. The tourist low season, between May and November, is actually just as pleasant a time to visit Curacao, with the beaches less crowded and accommodation generally cheaper.
Health Notes when travelling to Curacao
Curacao has no tropical diseases such as malaria (though mosquitoes can be a problem), and no vaccinations are necessary. However, a vaccination for hepatitis A should be considered and proof of a yellow fever vaccination is necessary for those arriving from infected areas. Tap water is distilled from the sea and is safe to drink. There are a number of medical centres on the island, as well as a modern and well-equipped hospital, but travel insurance is still recommended.
Safety Notes when travelling to Curacao
Most visits are trouble free, but petty crime is on the increase and although tourist areas are generally safe it is advisable to take sensible precautions like not taking valuables to the beach or wandering alone off the main roads at night. The islands are used to smuggle drugs from South America to Europe and North America and visitors should not leave bags unattended or agree to carry packages for anyone.
Customs in Curacao
Topless sunbathing and nudity is illegal on the island, and beachwear is inappropriate away from the beach. Curacao is a self-proclaimed ‘gay friendly’ destination.
Duty Free in Curacao
Travellers to Curacao may import 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, and one litre of alcohol. There are no restrictions around perfume.
Doing Business in Curacao
Curacao is an important centre of business in the Caribbean. Business tends to be conducted formally; punctuality is important and dress is smart and conservative. Greetings are usually accompanied by a handshake and business cards are exchanged. Although Dutch is the official language, Spanish and English are widely spoken. Business hours are usually 7.30am to 12pm and 1.30pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Communication in Curacao
The international dialling code for Curacao is +599. Free WiFi is available at most upscale hotels; travellers can purchase local SIM cards for unlocked phones.
Tipping in Curacao
A 10 percent service charge is usually added to restaurant bills, but a few extra guilders as change is appreciated. Most hotels add a 12 percent service charge, and porters are usually tipped one or two guilders. It is customary to tip taxi drivers about 10 percent.
Passport/Visa Note
Travellers are required to have a return or onward ticket to another destination, and all the documentation required for that journey. Visa extensions are possible. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
United States citizens must hold a valid passport. No visa is required for stays of up to 180 days.
- Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadian nationals must have a passport valid for the duration of intended stay in Curaçao. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
- Entry requirements for UK nationals:
UK passport holders, irrespective of the endorsement regarding their national status, must hold a passport valid for the duration of intended stay in Curaçao. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
- Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian citizens must have a passport valid for the duration of intended stay in Curaçao. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals must have a passport valid for the duration of intended stay in Curaçao. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand nationals must have a passport valid for the duration of intended stay in Curaçao. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
South African citizens must have a passport valid for the duration of intended stay in Curaçao, and must obtain a visa prior to entry. Passengers do not need a visa if they have a multiple-entry “C” visa issued by a Schengen Member State which lasts for a maximum of 90 days or a valid “D” visa issued by a Schengen Member State.
Tourist Offices
Curacao Tourist Board, 19 Pietermaai, Willemstad, Curaçao: +599 9 434 8200
Curacao Embassies
- In the United States:
Netherlands Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 244 5300.
- In Canada:
Netherlands Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 237 5031.
- In the United Kingdom:
Netherlands Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 20 7590 3200.
- In Australia:
Netherlands Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6220 9400.
- In Ireland:
Netherlands Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 269 3444.
- In New Zealand:
Netherlands Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 4 471 6390.
- In South Africa:
Netherlands Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 425 4500.
Foreign Embassies in Curacao
- American Embassy
United States Consulate General, Curacao: +599 9 461 3066.
- Canadian Embassy
Embassy of Canada, Caracas, Venezuela (also responsible for Curacao): +58 212 600 3000.
- British Embassy
United Kingdom Embassy, Willemstad, Curacao: +599 9 747 3322.
- Australian Embassy
Australian Embassy in Santiago, Chile (also responsible for Curacao): +56 2 550 3605.
Currency Converter
Public Holidays Around the World
Planning your year? Knowing public holidays in different countries can help you plan trips, schedule events, or understand global schedules. Below, find a comprehensive list of public holidays sorted by country.
