Essential Local Tips for Visiting Curaçao

The official currency of Curaçao is the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG or NAf). The exchange rate is pegged to the US dollar at approximately 1 USD = 1.78 ANG, and that rate has been fixed for decades. In practice, US dollars are accepted almost everywhere — hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and tour operators all take them. You will often see prices listed in both currencies.

That said, you may receive change in guilders if you pay in dollars, so carrying some local currency is handy for smaller purchases. ATMs are widely available throughout Willemstad and at the airport, dispensing guilders and sometimes US dollars. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted at most restaurants, shops, and hotels, though some small beach bars, food trucks, and market stalls are cash-only. Bring some cash for those roadside snack stops and the floating market.

Tipping practices on Curaçao are similar to those in many Caribbean destinations. In restaurants, check your bill carefully — some establishments add a 10–15% service charge automatically. If service is not included, tipping 10–15% is customary and appreciated. For exceptional service, feel free to add a bit more.

For hotel housekeeping, a few dollars per day left on the nightstand is standard. Taxi drivers do not expect tips but appreciate rounding up the fare. Tour guides and dive instructors who go above and beyond are typically tipped USD 5–10 per person. At beach bars and casual spots, rounding up or leaving your coin change is a friendly gesture.

Curaçao is one of the most multilingual places in the Caribbean. The native language is Papiamentu, a creole with roots in Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and West African languages. Dutch is the official administrative language, and English and Spanish are widely spoken. You will have zero language barriers as a tourist — nearly every Curaçaoan switches effortlessly between four languages. A few words of Papiamentu ("bon dia", "danki", "dushi") will delight the locals.

The tap water on Curaçao is safe to drink. It is produced by desalination plants and is some of the cleanest in the Caribbean — better than bottled water in many countries. There is no malaria on the island and no required vaccinations for entry. Pharmacies (called "botica" locally) are well-stocked with common medications. The sun is strong at 12 degrees north of the equator, so apply high-SPF sunscreen generously and reapply after swimming. Choose reef-safe formulas without oxybenzone or octinoxate to help protect the coral reefs you will be snorkeling over.

Curaçao uses 127-volt electricity with the same Type A and Type B plugs found in the United States and Canada — flat two-prong and three-prong outlets. If you are coming from North America, you will not need an adapter. Travelers from Europe, the UK, or Australia will need a plug adapter and should check that their devices handle 110–127V (most modern chargers and laptops do, but hair dryers and straighteners may not).

Note that some older buildings and a few hotels may also have 220V outlets, so it is worth checking before plugging in sensitive equipment. Wi-Fi is widely available at hotels, restaurants, and cafés. For mobile data, pick up a local SIM card at the airport from Digicel or Flow (UTS) — data plans are affordable and coverage is reliable across the island, though signal can thin out in the very remote western areas.

Curaçao is generally a safe island for tourists. Violent crime against visitors is rare, and most trips are completely trouble-free. As with any travel destination, basic precautions go a long way: do not leave valuables visible in your rental car, avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas late at night, and keep an eye on your belongings at busy beaches.

The biggest safety concern for most visitors is actually the sun and the sea. Sunburn happens fast this close to the equator — wear a hat, stay hydrated, and take shade breaks. Ocean conditions are generally calm on the sheltered southern and western coasts where most tourist beaches sit, but the northern coast has strong currents and rough surf that are dangerous for swimming. Stick to designated swimming beaches on the south and west sides of the island.

If you are staying in a vacation rental or apartment, you will want to stock up on groceries. Albert Heijn — the Dutch supermarket chain — has locations on the island and carries a familiar range of products at reasonable prices. Centrum Supermarket and Vriend are also well-stocked local options. You will find a good selection of international and local products, though imported items can be pricier than you might expect.

For fresh produce, the Floating Market in Punda is hard to beat — mangoes, papayas, peppers, and herbs come in daily on boats from Venezuela. Local bakeries sell fresh bread and pastries, and roadside snack trucks (called truk'i pan) serve hearty Curaçaoan comfort food at honest prices. Stock up on water, snacks, and sunscreen before heading to the beaches, as facilities at many of the more remote spots are limited or nonexistent.