Getting around Curaçao
From Curaçao International Airport (Hato) to local buses, taxis, and rental cars, here's everything you need to navigate the island with confidence.
Airports
Curaçao has a single airport, and almost every visitor arrives at Curaçao International Airport (Hato):
Curaçao International Airport (Hato)
Hato, north of Willemstad
The island's only commercial airport, about 12 km north of Willemstad. Almost all visitors arrive here
Klein Curaçao boat trips
Departures from Caracasbaai & Spanish Water
The uninhabited islet of Klein Curaçao has no airport; reach it by day-trip catamaran or speedboat, not by air
Taxis & ride-sharing
Official Taxis
Licensed taxis carry a “TX” on the licence plate and line up at the airport, hotels, and Willemstad. Fares follow government-set rates and are not metered, so confirm the price with the driver before you set off. Airport to Willemstad is roughly US$30-35, with a surcharge after midnight.
No Ride-Hailing Apps
Curaçao does not have Uber or similar ride-hailing apps. Use licensed TX taxis, ask your hotel to arrange a trusted driver, or pre-book a private transfer for fixed pricing.
Hiring a Driver for the Day
Many visitors hire a taxi driver for a half or full day to tour the island. Agree the route and total fare up front. Drivers double as informal guides to beaches and viewpoints.
Hotel Transfers
Many resorts arrange airport transfers, sometimes included in the rate. Book in advance through your hotel, especially for late-evening arrivals when taxis can be scarcer.
Public transportation
Konvoi Buses & Bus Chiki
Large public “konvoi” buses and smaller privately run minivans (“bus chiki”) radiate from Willemstad to towns across the island. Fares are paid in guilders or US dollars and are very cheap. They run mostly in daytime hours, so plan returns before evening.
Limited Evenings and Sundays
Service thins out in the evenings and is sparse on Sundays and public holidays. There is no reliable public bus to the airport or the western dive beaches, so use a taxi or rental car for those trips.
Willemstad Bus Hubs
Routes are organised around the two main bus stations in Willemstad, one in Punda and one in Otrobanda on either side of the harbour. Ask locals which station and bus to take for your destination.
Renting a car
Renting a car gives you maximum freedom to explore the island at your own pace, and it is the easiest way to reach the western shore-diving beaches. Rates are typically around US$30-60/day, and most visitors can drive on their valid home licence.
Good to Know
- •International and local agencies have counters at the airport and around Willemstad
- •A valid driving licence from your home country is generally accepted for tourist stays
- •An International Driving Permit can help if your licence is not in the Latin alphabet
- •Minimum age and deposit conditions vary by agency, so confirm when booking
- •Fuel is sold by the litre at stations across the island
Watch Out For
- •Drive on the RIGHT, including at roundabouts
- •Rough, unpaved tracks to some western beaches (a higher-clearance car helps)
- •Goats and iguanas wandering onto rural roads
- •Poor road lighting outside Willemstad at night
- •Always photograph the car before driving off
Ferries & boats
Curaçao is a single island, so there are no inter-island ferries, but boats reach the islet and coves you cannot get to by road:
- Klein Curaçao day trips - catamarans and speedboats sail from Caracasbaai and Spanish Water to the uninhabited islet, roughly a 1.5 to 2 hour crossing each way
- Otrobanda to Punda ferry - a free pedestrian ferry crosses the harbour entrance in Willemstad when the Queen Emma floating bridge is swung open for ships
- Snorkel and dive charters - boats run along the calm leeward coast to reefs, the Mushroom Forest, and the Tugboat wreck
Quick cost comparison
| Transport | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Public bus (konvoi / bus chiki) | Around US$2 | Budget travel between towns |
| Taxi (fixed fare) | US$25-40 | Airport transfers, convenience |
| Taxi for the day | US$150-200 | Island tours with a local driver |
| Car rental | US$30-60/day | Exploring and reaching dive beaches |
| Otrobanda-Punda ferry | Free | Crossing the harbour in Willemstad |
| Klein Curaçao day trip | Per person | A full day at the islet |
Need more travel tips?
Check out our local insider tips to make the most of your Curaçao visit.