You can fly to Curacao direct from Miami, Newark, Amsterdam and Caracas.
It's a nine-hour flight from Amsterdam, a one-hour flight from Caracas, a two-hour flight from Miami and a little over a 4 1/2-hour flight from Newark, NJ.
All flights land at Curacao's Hato International Airport.
Curaçao
Curaçao
35
Beaches
Overview of Island
Curacao is an island in the Caribbean Sea, and a country within the Kingdom of The Netherlands.
Capital: Willemstad
Language: Dutch and Papiamento. (Many of locals also speak English and Spanish as well)
Population: 160,000 (approximately)
Like many Caribbean Islands Curacao was first settled by Arawaks from the South American mainland. The Spanish arrived in 1499, and in 1515 deported the entire indigenous population as slaves to Hispaniola. The Dutch came and established a major centre of trade for the Dutch West India Company.
In the 1500's a Jewish community was formed by Sephardic Jews who emigrated from Portugal, and is now home of the oldest Jewish community in the Western world.
During the 1660 - 1700's the Dutch West India Company flourished as did the slave trade, and the port of Curacao became a busy hub for the importing and disposing of goods from the plantations of South America. In spite of many wars between competing privateers, Curacao remained Dutch. In 1954 Curacao and 6 other Dutch dependencies were reorganized as the Netherland Antilles and were granted autonomy in their internal affairs. In 2010 they became countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Even though rainfall is scant the Island developed a major sugarcane economy under Dutch colonial rule. It now produces oranges, the dried peel of which is the base for the famous Curacao blue liquer. Aloes is exported for pharmaceutical uses.
Today the expanding of the tourism industry is integral to the economy.
Things to do
Where to stay
Hector Suites & Beach Hotel
Hector Suites - Each detail has been passionately chosen and each room deserves a visit.
Princess Sirena Bay Estate
An exclusive 'Dutch Landhuis' style island home, set in a beautiful garden by the sea.
Acoya Curaçao Resort Villas & SPA
Known for our exquisite luxury and comfort, combined with tranquility and elements of Zen, plus a touch of modern architecture
Academy Hotel Curacao
Academy Hotel Curacao is a dynamic city hotel with young professionals in training ready to give you the best in hospitality service.
Avila Beach Hotel
Welcome to Avila where history, art, culture and world class cuisine meet.
KUNUKU AQUA RESORT
A family-friendly fun filled experience in the centre of Curacao! Get in vacay mode with a water park, on-site dining, and massages.
Livingstone Jan Thiel Resort
Welcome to the beautiful Livingstone Jan Thiel Beach Resort on Curaçao - The perfect place for an amazing and carefree holiday in the sun.
Oasis Coral Estate | Beach Dive & Wellness Resort
Simply breathe in the fresh sea air, relax and let your holiday begin. End your fun filled days with a freshly made cocktail while enjoying a beautiful sunset.
PAPAGAYO CURAÇAO
Welcome to one of the trendiest hotspots on Curacao sandy shoreline.
Scuba Lodge Boutique Hotel & Ocean Suites
Bon Bini Seaside Resort
At Bon Bini Seaside Resort you will experience the ultimate tropical vacation.
The Beach House Curacao
The location that offers you the perfect ambience for a relaxing holiday.
Blue Bay Curaçao Golf and Beach Resort
The Blue Bay Curacao Golf & Beach Resort is located on what used to be a Plantation which is now a beautiful 18-hole Golf Course and its own private beach.
Gallery
FAQs
CUISINE KNOWN FOR
Curacao's local seafood is fresh and flavourful.
One can find traditional Indonesian rijsttafel a Dutch favourite wherever they settled.
Top 10 Things to Eat in Curaçao
Keshi Yena
Bitterballen
Oliebollen
Funchi or Tutu
Stroopwafels
Stoba
Poffertjes
Seafood
Arepas
Liqueur from Curaçao
(https://www.carnival.com/awaywego/travel/Caribbean/top-10-things-to-eat-in-curacao)
Stoba is a hearty stew and is a common dish you'll find all over the Caribbean. The Stoba you'll find on Curaçao is often made with goat meat, though any meat and vegetable combination can be used. This dish gets its distinct flavor from the spices used so food can be very spicy.
Popular events/ festivals
Curaçao Carnival (Carnival)
Curaçao Heineken Regatta
International Kite Festival
Curaçao Dive Festival
Curaçao Restaurant Week
Salsa Tour
Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival
Amstel Curaçao Race
KLM Curacao Marathon
What is our terrain like?
Terrain is flat, rocky and fairly barren owing to its low rainfall.
There are many excellent, sandy beaches.
What is the climate like?
In Curaçao, the climate is tropical, hot all year round, with daytime temperatures ranging from around 28/29 degrees Celsius (82/84 °F) between December and February to around 31 °C (88 °F) between May and October. The period from May to October is the most sultry, but the trade winds blow constantly, tempering the heat.
What Are The Entry Requirements?
ALL visitors must comple a Digital immigration Card ONLINE and present same to immigration on arrival in Curacao. https://dicardcuracao.com/portal
Visitors generally require a valid passport for the whole of your stay, not more than 10 years old, for entry and can stay without a written permit for 90 days.
Also required is a return airline ticket and/or proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay.
Proof of reason for visit, e.g. hotel reservation or invitation from a friend.
Must have valid medical insurance or travel insurance that also covers hospital care, emergency treatment and repatriation (including in the event of death).
Must not be considered a threat to public order, public health, national security or international relations.
Countries requiring a visa which should be applied for at least one month in advance of departure date maybe exempt if they have a valid multiple entry visa for the USA, Canada or the Schengen countries (Europe).
Dominic republic
Venezuelan nationals require a visa to enter
Curacao - see here https://www.curacaotouristboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/requisitos_para_entrar_en_Curacao2.pdf
China
India
What Are The Marriage Requirements?
To obtain a Curacao marriage license one must send a written marriage petition to the town hall and get approval from the Civil Registration at least 2 months before your wedding date, together with following documents (no older than 6 months):
- 2 wedding date choices
-Certified copies of both birth certificates with an Apostile stamp on each
- Proof of marital status
- Photocopy of valid passports
- International declaration of unmarried status by the civil registration of home country
- An apostille
- Proof of single status from the time of divorce or death of former spouse until present;
- If applicable, divorce papers or death certificate of former spouse;
- Names of parents, mothers’ maiden names, and their dates and places of birth;
- Professions of bride, groom and their parents;
- Must be in Curacao at least 3 days before wedding date
- A witness - (if non-Curacao they must apply for temporary residence.) A local witness can be used.
Original documents other than in Dutch or English need to be translated into the Dutch language (i.e. a French or Spanish document must be translated into Dutch, not English).
Dutch law only acknowledges civil marriages, performed by a registrar of marriages (ambtenaar van de burgerlijke stand). Once the civil ceremony is completed the marriage may then be solemnized in a religious ceremony if the couple so chooses. You do not need to register your marriage with the U.S. Consulate General.
Request to get married must be sent in writing to the civil registrar. The letter should contain your personal information, full address of both parties, phone/fax number and e-mail address. The future husband and wife must both be at least 18 years of age and should both sign the letter.
Please note that official documents, such as birth certificates and marriage certificates, need an “Apostille” in order to be recognized in other countries. Apostille stamps certify the authenticity of the signature of the official who signed the document, the capacity in which that official acts and the identity of the seal or stamp the document bears. An apostille does not imply that the contents of the document are correct. You should start by contacting the Secretary of State for your state to inquire how to get an Apostille for your documents. The Civil Registrar can tell you how to get your marriage certificate properly apostilled and the fee charged.
https://cw.usconsulate.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/getting-married/
What Are The Healthcare Options?
Curacao has 3 hospitals:
Curacao Medical Centre is the largest with an extensive emergency room and the only intensive care unit on the Island.
Taams Clinic, and
The Antillean Adventist Hospital that offers a wide range of services and specialists.
Other Useful Facts
Water:is safe to drink as it is sourced from a modern desalination plant.
Currency: the Antillean Guilder (ANG) also called the Florin. The exchange rate is fixed to the US$ at a rate of 1.82 = US$1. US$ can be used everywhere in Curacao
Banks: many international and national banks
Credit Cards: Visa and Eurocard/Mastercard are accepted just about everywhere; not so for American Express.
Telecommunication: cell phone reception is good almost everywhere on the Island except perhaps in some remote locations. In downtown Willemstad (capital) you'll find many open Wi-Fi networks. Almost 100% of accommodations will have some connectivity on the premises.