Curacao travel guide

Getting there

Curaçao International Airport (Hato) has direct flights from Europe, North America and South America. Cruise ships also dock at Willemstad's terminals.

Best time to visit: Year-round – Curaçao sits outside the main hurricane belt; Jan–Sep is driest.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: No bad time – Curaçao lies south of the main hurricane belt and is warm all year.

Weather by month in Willemstad

• 30°J●
• 30°F
• 30°M
• 31°A
• 31°M
• 32°J
• 32°J
• 32°A
• 32°S
• 32°O●
• 31°N●
• 30°D●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: America/Curacao. Compare with your local time.

Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-09-09). Read the advisory.

Stay

Most trips to Curacao are based around Willemstad, Christoffel National Park or Shete Boka National Park. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$80–120 for a backpacker and US$180–300 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: A, B. Voltage: 127 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +5999.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Willemstad (Capital · UNESCO old town): Punda and Otrobanda face each other across the harbour, full of colourful facades, museums and lively squares.
• Christoffel National Park (Westpunt · hiking and wildlife): Cactus-covered hills, Caquetío rock art and the island's highest peak.
• Shete Boka National Park (North coast · wild seascapes): Pounding surf, blowholes and turtle-nesting beaches along a rugged limestone coast.
• Playa Kenepa (West coast · beach): Grote Knip's turquoise cove is one of the most photographed beaches in the Caribbean.
• Klein Curaçao (Offshore islet · day trip): A tiny desert island with a lighthouse, a shipwreck and excellent snorkelling.
• Westpunt (Western tip · cliffs and beaches): A quiet area of small beaches, cliff jumping at Playa Forti and sunset views.
• Hato Caves (Near the airport · caves): Limestone caves once used by the Caquetío and later as a refuge by escaped enslaved people.
• Landhuis Knip (Westpunt · plantation history): A restored plantation house that tells the story of Tula's 1795 revolt.

Things to do

• Cross the swinging bridge. Walk the Queen Emma pontoon bridge as it swings open to let ships into Willemstad's harbour.
• Snap Handelskade. Photograph the famous row of pastel Dutch-colonial facades lining Willemstad's waterfront.
• Snorkel at Playa Lagun. Swim alongside turtles in a sheltered cove framed by cliffs and fishing boats.
• Climb Mount Christoffel. Start early to hike to the island's highest point for views stretching across the whole island.
• Feel the waves at Shete Boka. Watch the surf thunder into rocky inlets and natural bridges on the wild north coast.
• Sail to Klein Curaçao. Take a boat to the uninhabited islet with a pink-tinged lighthouse and powder-white beach.
• Dive the reefs. Explore steep reef walls close to shore at sites such as the Mushroom Forest and Tugboat wreck.
• Explore the Hato Caves. Tour limestone caverns with stalactites and ancient Caquetío rock drawings.

Eat and drink

• Keshi yena – cheese stuffed with spiced meat and baked
• Funchi – cornmeal side dish, similar to polenta
• Pastechi – fried pastries filled with cheese or meat

Money and safety

Currency: Caribbean guilder (XCG). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: 10–15%; check the bill as a service charge is often included.

Emergency numbers: 911 police, fire & ambulance.

• The local currency is the Caribbean guilder, and US dollars are also widely accepted.
• Cards are accepted in most restaurants and shops, and ATMs are common in Willemstad.
• Curaçao is generally safe for tourists, but avoid isolated areas at night and lock valuables out of sight in cars.
• Never leave belongings unattended on beaches or in parked rental cars.