How to get around Curaçao

Getting around

Curaçao's only airport is at Hato on the north coast, 12 kilometres from Willemstad, with about two million passengers a year and the third-longest commercial runway in the Caribbean. Before flying, every international visitor must complete the Digital Immigration Card on the government's portal within seven days of departure -- it is mandatory to clear immigration, the e-mailed confirmation is the proof, and the British advisory adds that transit passengers need it too. Taxis must be registered, carry plates beginning TX, have no meters and charge a flat rate by destination set by the government; both advisories say agree the fare before you get in. No bus fares are given here because no operator page could be read.

Driving is the way to see the west end. Major roads are in good condition, the Canadian advisory says, but many drivers ignore the traffic laws, animals stray onto the road, and the signs differ from North America's; turning right on a red light is prohibited. A Canadian or UK licence is accepted and an international permit is worth carrying. In Willemstad the Queen Emma pontoon bridge carries pedestrians between Punda and Otrobanda and, when it swings open for ships, two free ferries take over; motor traffic has used the Queen Juliana bridge since 1974.

Verified against Global Affairs Canada, September 2026.

Entry

Digital Immigration Card: mandatory for all international visitors, completed online within 7 days before departure on the official portal, with a valid passport and an e-mail address; the confirmation e-mail is your proof. The UK advisory says complete it at least 48 hours before arrival, and for transit too. No visa for tourism or business up to 90 days (the Canadian advisory says 90 in 180, the British 90 in a calendar year, extendable at immigration with proof of insurance). Passport valid for the duration of the stay. Customs may ask for a return or onward ticket and the purpose of the visit. Yellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country. Declare anything dutiable.

Airport

Hato, 12 km north of Willemstad; about two million passengers a year. Taxis: registered, TX plates, unmetered, government flat rate by destination, agree it first.

Roads

Major roads good; drivers ignore laws; animals on the road; different signs; no right turn on red; Canadian and UK licences accepted, international permit advised; insure any rented vehicle, boat or jet ski and get the liability terms in writing.

Willemstad

Queen Emma pontoon bridge for pedestrians between Punda and Otrobanda; free ferries while it is open for shipping; cars use the Queen Juliana bridge.

Christoffel park

Open daily 6 am–3 pm, ticket counter to 1.30 pm, Savonet museum 6 am–2 pm; mountain climb from 6 am, no starts after 10 am; US$15 adults, US$2 children 6–12, under-6s free, groups of 15+ US$9; no dogs; park emergency +5999 5201685.

Leaving

Never leave luggage unattended or carry a package for anyone; baggage from the Dutch Caribbean is screened and body scans may be requested. No corals or conch shells.

Emergency numbers

Police 911; ambulance 912; fire 911; coastguard 913. No Canadian office on the island.

Verified against Christoffel National Park, September 2026.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against Global Affairs Canada — Major roads are in good condition but many drivers ignore traffic laws, animals stray onto roads and signs differ from Canada's; turning right on red is prohibited; a Canadian licence is accepted and an international driving permit should be carried; taxis must be registered with TX plates, are unmetered and charge a government-set flat rate by destination, so agree the fare first, No visa for tourism or business up to 90 days in a 180-day period; a completed and signed Digital Immigration card, filled in online within 7 days before travel, is required to enter; customs may ask for a return or onward ticket and proof of the purpose of the stay, No visa for tourism or business up to 90 days in a 180-day period; a completed and signed Digital Immigration card, filled in online within 7 days before travel, is required to enter; customs may ask for a return or onward ticket and proof of the purpose of the stay, Major roads are in good condition but many drivers ignore traffic laws, animals stray onto roads and signs differ from Canada's; turning right on red is prohibited; a Canadian licence is accepted and an international driving permit should be carried; taxis must be registered with TX plates, are unmetered and charge a government-set flat rate by destination, so agree the fare first, By Dutch law valid identification must be carried at all times, a copy of the passport suffices; it is strictly prohibited to leave the island with corals or conch shells; buy insurance when renting motorboats, jet skis and vehicles; the currency is the guilder and US dollars are widely accepted, Emergency numbers: police 911, ambulance 912, firefighters 911, coastguard 913; there is no Canadian government office in Curaçao (September 2026).
Checked against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad) — Petty theft and street crime are a concern and there is drug-related violence, but the main tourist areas are generally safe; avoid isolated areas and beaches after dark; never leave luggage unattended or carry a package for anyone, because the islands are used to smuggle drugs and baggage from the Dutch Caribbean is screened; always carry a copy of the passport photo page; taxis have no meters, so check the TX plate and agree the price first, Passport valid for the duration of the stay; the digital immigration card must be completed before arrival (the UK advisory says 48 hours before) and also for transit; up to 90 days in a calendar year without a visa, extendable at immigration with proof of insurance; yellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country; declare anything dutiable, Petty theft and street crime are a concern and there is drug-related violence, but the main tourist areas are generally safe; avoid isolated areas and beaches after dark; never leave luggage unattended or carry a package for anyone, because the islands are used to smuggle drugs and baggage from the Dutch Caribbean is screened; always carry a copy of the passport photo page; taxis have no meters, so check the TX plate and agree the price first (September 2026).
Checked against Curaçao Digital Immigration Card portal — All international visitors must complete the Digital Immigration Card within 7 days before departure; it is mandatory to clear immigration and residents are exempt; a valid passport and e-mail address are needed and the e-mailed confirmation is the proof for travel, All international visitors must complete the Digital Immigration Card within 7 days before departure; it is mandatory to clear immigration and residents are exempt; a valid passport and e-mail address are needed and the e-mailed confirmation is the proof for travel (September 2026).
Checked against Christoffel National Park — Christoffel National Park: open every day 6 am–3 pm, ticket counter closes 1.30 pm, Savonet museum 6 am–2 pm; the mountain climb starts from 6 am and no later than 10 am because of the heat; park and museum US$15 adults, US$2 children 6–12, under-6s free, groups of 15 or more US$9; no dogs; park emergency +5999 5201685, life-threatening 911 (September 2026).