Local Tips & Insider Knowledge
The little things that make a big difference. Insider knowledge from people who know Curaçao best.
Money & Currency
The Caribbean guilder (Cg or XCG) is the local currency. It replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) in 2025 at a one-to-one value and is pegged at about Cg 1.79 to US$1, so the rate barely moves. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, though your change may come back in guilders.
Do
- Use bank ATMs in Willemstad, which often dispense both guilders and US dollars
- Carry small bills for taxis, market stalls, and snack trucks (truk'i pan)
- Confirm whether a price is quoted in guilders or US dollars before paying
- Credit cards work at hotels, larger restaurants, and shops
Avoid
- Don't assume small vendors take cards, keep some cash
- Don't rely on one card, bring a backup
- Don't forget to tell your bank you are travelling
- Don't withdraw from ATMs in dark or isolated areas
Tipping Culture
| Service | Suggested Tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | A service charge of around 10% is often already added. Leave a little extra for good service. |
| Hotel housekeeping | US$2 to 3 per day, left in the room |
| Taxi drivers | Not expected, but rounding up is appreciated |
| Tour guides | US$5 to 10 per person for a half or full day tour |
| Resort staff | US$1 to 2 for a bellhop, pool attendant, and so on |
| Boat and dive crew | A few dollars per person after a good trip |
Language
Papiamentu is the everyday local language, while Dutch is the official language used in government and schools. English and Spanish are widely spoken too, especially in tourist areas, so visitors get by easily. A few words of Papiamentu always earn a warm smile.
Papiamentu Words You May Hear
Internet & Connectivity
Staying connected in Curaçao is easy, most hotels and restaurants have free WiFi, and mobile data is widely available.
Local SIM Card
Pick up a Digicel or Flow prepaid SIM in Willemstad for a tourist data bundle. Bring your passport to register it.
eSIM
Services like Airalo and Holafly offer eSIMs, activate before you land. Starting at around US$5.
WiFi
Free WiFi at most hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Speed varies, generally good in Willemstad and resorts, patchier in remote areas.
Food & Dining
Must-Try Dishes
- Keshi yena — spiced meat baked inside a shell of Dutch cheese (the national dish)
- Stoba — a hearty Creole stew, often goat (kabritu) or beef
- Funchi & tutu — cornmeal sides that anchor a local plate
- Fresh fish from the Floating Market — brought in daily by boats from Venezuela
- Pastechi — a fried turnover filled with cheese, meat, or fish
Dining Tips
- Seek out a roadside snack truck (truk'i pan) for authentic, well-priced plates
- Visit the old Marshe Bieu (Old Market) in Punda for home-style Creole lunches
- Sample the bright-blue Curaçao liqueur, distilled on the island from local laraha citrus peel
- Try a local Amstel Bright beer, best served ice cold by the water
- Many beach bars serve fresh seafood and tropical cocktails right on the sand
Weather & What to Pack
Curaçao sits south of the hurricane belt and stays warm, sunny, and dry almost year-round. Daytime highs are usually 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F) with overnight lows around 25 to 27°C (77 to 81°F), and a steady trade-wind breeze keeps it comfortable.
Driest Months (Feb to Jun)
The sunniest, least humid stretch and peak tourist season. Reliable beach weather, with slightly higher prices and more visitors.
Slightly Wetter Months (Oct to Jan)
A touch more rain, usually as brief overnight showers rather than washouts. Curaçao lies outside the main hurricane track, so direct storms are very rare.
Packing Essentials
Lightweight clothing, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes for exploring Willemstad's cobbles, and water shoes for rocky shore-diving entries. The local supply is 110V to 127V with US-style two-pin sockets, so US travelers usually need no adapter, while visitors from Europe and the UK should bring one.
Culture & Etiquette
Greetings matter — a friendly “bon dia” or “bon tardi” goes a long way, even in shops
Music is life — tumba, ritmo kombiná, and salsa set the soundtrack
Island time — life runs at a relaxed pace, so build in some flexibility
A true melting pot — Dutch, African, Latin American, and Sephardic Jewish heritage all shape island life
Dress code — casual is fine; cover up over swimwear when away from the beach
Heritage — the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel synagogue in Willemstad is the oldest in continuous use in the Americas
Ask before photographing locals, especially in residential neighborhoods
Celebrations — Carnival, peaking in the weeks before Lent (February or March), is the biggest cultural festival
Now you're prepared like a local
Start exploring the best destinations and beaches in Curaçao.