Practical information for visiting Curaçao

Money & payments

The currency is the Caribbean guilder, XCG, introduced on 31 March 2025 to replace the Netherlands Antillean guilder, which ceased to be legal tender on 1 July 2025; the peg is unchanged at 1.79 to the US dollar, and the Canadian advisory, written for the old guilder, says US dollars are widely accepted. The Christoffel park prices its tickets in dollars for visitors and in guilders for residents with a Sèdula card. Card acceptance, ATMs and tipping are not summarised here because no authority page opened for this page spoke to them.

Stay safe (2026 security update)

Canada advises normal security precautions, and both advisories agree that the main tourist areas are generally safe while petty theft and street crime are a concern: pickpocketing and bag-snatching, break-ins, theft from vehicles, hotel rooms and rentals, and more of all of it during Carnival from January to March. Violent crime -- homicides, armed robberies, home invasions -- exists and is largely tied to the drug trade; avoid isolated areas and beaches after dark and leave nothing on the beach or in the car.

Drug smuggling shapes the airport: never leave luggage unattended, never carry a package for anyone, expect a possible body scan, and know that the Dutch authorities screen baggage and passengers arriving from the Dutch Caribbean.

The sea is the other risk: coastal waters can be dangerous, rescue services may not meet the standards visitors expect, and water sports need checked equipment, sobriety and insurance. Hurricanes pass to the north; tropical storms do not always. The island is in an active seismic zone.

Health considerations

Call 912 for an ambulance. Curaçao has three hospitals: the Curaçao Medical Center, the largest, with an extensive emergency room and the island's only intensive care unit, and the Taams Clinic and the Antillean Adventist Hospital. The advisories name no disease risks beyond the yellow fever certificate required of arrivals from risk countries and the general Caribbean cautions; the heat is real enough that the national park bans mountain starts after 10 am. Insure for diving accidents and evacuation. Tap water and pharmacies are not summarised here because no authority page opened for this page spoke to them.

Local laws & etiquette

Carry ID at all times, as Dutch law requires; a copy of the passport photo page satisfies both advisories. Corals and conch shells may not be taken off the island. The immigration card must be filed before travel. Drugs: the island is a smuggling route and the airport treats luggage accordingly. On the road: no right turn on red, an international permit carried, insurance on every rental with the liability in writing.

In the Christoffel park: no dogs, no climbs started after 10 am, tickets before 1.30 pm. Taxis: TX plates only, fare agreed first.

Manners are courteous and a little formal: greet in Papiamentu, cover up away from the beach, and ask before photographing people. Tipping and drone rules are not summarised here until they have been read on an authority's page.

Verified against Global Affairs Canada, September 2026.

Emergency information

Emergency numbers: police 911; ambulance 912; fire 911; coastguard 913. In the Christoffel park, +5999 5201685, or 911 if life-threatening.

Hospitals: Curaçao Medical Center (the only intensive care unit), Taams Clinic, Antillean Adventist Hospital. Consular: no Canadian office on the island.

Natural hazards: tropical storms in the June-to-November season, hurricanes normally passing to the north, and an active seismic zone.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against Global Affairs Canada — 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, 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, Coastal waters can be dangerous and rescue services may not meet Canadian standards; for diving, jet-skiing or parasailing check the equipment, helmets and life jackets, stay sober and confirm the insurance covers it; hurricane season is early June to end November; the island is in an active seismic zone, Emergency numbers: police 911, ambulance 912, firefighters 911, coastguard 913; there is no Canadian government office in Curaçao, Emergency numbers: police 911, ambulance 912, firefighters 911, coastguard 913; there is no Canadian government office in Curaçao, Canada advises normal security precautions; pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur, as do break-ins and theft from vehicles, hotel rooms and rentals, rising during Carnival from January to March; violent crime including homicides, armed robberies and home invasions exists; never leave valuables on the beach or in a vehicle, Coastal waters can be dangerous and rescue services may not meet Canadian standards; for diving, jet-skiing or parasailing check the equipment, helmets and life jackets, stay sober and confirm the insurance covers it; hurricane season is early June to end November; the island is in an active seismic zone, 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, 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 (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, Call 912 for an ambulance; Curaçao has three hospitals, the Curaçao Medical Center the largest with an extensive emergency room and the island's only intensive care unit, plus the Taams Clinic and the Antillean Adventist Hospital, Call 912 for an ambulance; Curaçao has three hospitals, the Curaçao Medical Center the largest with an extensive emergency room and the island's only intensive care unit, plus the Taams Clinic and the Antillean Adventist Hospital, The hurricane season runs from June to November; most hurricanes pass well north of Curaçao, which has no record of a recent major one, but tropical storms occur, 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, The hurricane season runs from June to November; most hurricanes pass well north of Curaçao, which has no record of a recent major one, but tropical storms occur (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, 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, 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).