Curacao Travel Tips

Social Conventions
The social influences are predominantly Dutch, combined with Indian and African traditions. Dress for men should include tropical lightweight suits for business appointments and formal wear for evening engagements. Similarly, women should take some evening wear, but dress for daytime is casual. Swimwear should be confined to the beach and poolside.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
KLM operates daily flights to Curaçao from Amsterdam. Other airlines serving Curaçao include Air Jamaica, American Airlines and Avianca Airlines.

Departure Tax
US$22. US$6.75 to other Netherlands Antilles Islands.

Main Airports
Curaçao (CUR) (Hato) is 12km (7 miles) from Willemstad. To/from the airport: Buses to the city center operate throughout the day (journey time – 45 minutes). Taxis are also available (journey time – 30 minutes). Facilities: Duty-free shop, bar, restaurant, light refreshments, banks/bureaux de change, ATMs, post office, hotel reservation facilities and car hire.

Getting There by Water
Main ports: The Port of Willemstad is deep, wide and naturally sheltered (website: www.curports.com).

Many international cruise lines call at Curaçao.

Overview
The following items may be imported into Curaçao by persons over 15 years of age without incurring customs:

• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos (of 3g each) or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 2l of alcoholic beverages or 2l of wine.
• An unlimited amount of perfume.
• Gifts up to the value of NAG100.

If the total value of the goods per passenger exceeds NAG500, a declaration should be made on customs forms and cleared at the freight department.

Prohibited Imports
Dogs and cats from Central and South America, except from Surinam; monkeys from the South American continent.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
Windward Islands Air International (WM) (website: www.fly-winair.com) operates to Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten.

Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right.

Bus: A good public bus service runs throughout the island and many of the main hotels provide their own minibus services to Willemstad.

Taxi: Easily recognizable by their signs and also the letters TX on registration plates. Taxis have no meters but fares are standard and are based on one to four people with a 25% surcharge for a fifth passenger and/or after 2300. Prices should be agreed in advance. Tipping, while not obligatory, is usually about 10% of the fare.

Car hire: International and local firms are located at the airport and in the main hotels, as well as in the capital.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.


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