Curaçao — Travel Tips
Social Conventions
The social influences are predominantly Dutch, combined with Indian and African traditions. Men wear 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$32 (paid with cash or credit card).
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/bureau 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 (www.curports.com).
Many international cruise lines call at Curaçao.
Duty Free
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.
• 1L of liquor (or 2L of liqueur).
• 2L of wine (non-sparkling).
• 50g of perfume.
Prohibited Imports
Dogs and cats from Central and South America (except from Surinam).
Internal Travel
Getting Around By Air
Windward Islands Air International (WM) (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: In good supply and 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. Always agree prices in advance. Tipping, while not obligatory, is usually about 10% of the fare. New tuk-tuk mini-taxis (motorized rickshaws) are available in Willemstad from Sinustra taxi association; some hotels offer them for free to their guests.
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.
