Tourist Information Currency Holidays & Events Language

Population Telecommunications Transportation Weather

Tourist Information:

Curacao Tourist Board
Pietermaai 19, Willemstad, Curacao
(599-9) 461-6000

Curacao Tourist Board
475 Park Avenue, Suite 2000, New York, NY 10016
(212) 683-7660 or (800) 332-8266

Curacao Tourist Board
330 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 330, Miami, FL 33132
(305) 374-5811

The local currency in Curacao is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (also called the florin), which is abbreviated as Nafl. Or Ang. U.S. dollars circulate freely, so it is possible to get by using only American dollars or credit cards. Please note that vendors can rarely supply change in U.S. currency. The U.S. dollar is at a stable rate.
US$ 1 = Nafl. 1.79 cash
US$ 1 = Nafl. 1.78 traveler's check

Euro's are accepted at some hotels and restaurants, but unlike U.S. dollars, do not circulate freely. Exchange rates for other currencies are posted at banks and listed in the daily papers.

Major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere on the island. ATM machines can be found all over the island at major population centers and at the airport. To recognize an ATM machine, look for the signs ÒBankomaticoÓ or ÒGeldautomaat.Ó.

These events have a tendency to change venue and date rapidly. We strongly suggest calling or writing the Tourist Board to get exact information.

• New Year's Day, January 1
• Chinese New Year, January
• Carnival, January
• Carnival Monday
• Harvest Festival, March
• International Sailing Regatta, March
• Carnival, Week before Lent
• Good Friday
• Easter
• Easter Monday
• Queen Juliana's Birthday, April 30
• Labor Day, May 1
• Curacao Flag Day, July 2
• St. Nicholas' Day, December
• Christmas Day, December 25
• Boxing Day, December 26

Dutch is the official language of Curacao, but Papiamento,
(a combination of Dutch, Portugese, Spanish and English)
is widely spoken. English is often used in tourist areas.

The population of Curacao is estimated at 134,000.

To call Curacao from the United States, dial the international access code 011, the country code 599, the area code 9, then the seven digit local number.

Taxis:
Taxis are a good way to see Curacao. Fares are set on an official chart, with the approximate fare from the airport to the Willemstad area being $10-15.

Car Rentals:
Avis (599-9) 681163
Budget (599-9) 683420
Dollar (599-9) 690262
National Car Rental (599-9) 683489

Scooter and Bicycle Rentals:
Rent scooters and bicycles from Easy Going (599-9) 695056

General:
See our car rental, airline and cruise line listings for more information.

The average temperature in Curacao is about 80 degrees year round. Cooling tradewinds blow constantly from the east, picking up in the spring months. The rainy season, which is between October and February, is usually marked by short, occasional showers, mostly at night, and continued sunny weather during the day. Total annual rainfall averages only 22 inches. For up to date forecasts and satellite images of the region visit our weather resources page.

guide books

Fodor's Caribbean Cruise Ports of Call (Travel Guide) by Fodor's Travel Guides (Paperback) - Usually ships in 24 hours

Birds of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao: A Site and Field Guide (Zona Tropical... by Jeffrey V. Wells, Allison Childs Wells, Robert Dean (Paperback) - Usually ships in 24 hours