Location
Curaçao is located in the southwest of the Caribbean, at latitude 12 ° north and longitude 68 west. The island is just 70 kilometers (44 miles) north of South America. It is 2 1/2 hours by plane from Miami. The island is 56 kilometers (35 miles) off the coast of Venezuela - 45 minutes from Caracas by plane. It's a nine hour flight to Amsterdam.
Language
Ninety percent of the local population speaks Papiamentu, a Creole language. Most government documents and road signs are in Dutch. English and Spanish are widely spoken.
Requirements to enter the island
Most tourists with their passport in hand can enter the Netherlands Antilles without the need for a written permit and can stay on the island for a period of 14 to 30 days. However, for some nationalities (Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, India, Peru) it is necessary to have a tourist visa for the Netherlands Antilles. Visitors to the United States as of January 1, 2006 will require a passport to return back to their country.
Local time
Curaçao is in Atlantic Standard Time, one hour earlier than US Eastern Standard Time and four hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time.
During the summer, Curaçao has the same time as some cities in the US, but during the winter the time changes again one more hour. In summer Amsterdam is 6 hours ahead of Curaçao, but in winter the difference decreases to 5 hours.
Common currency
The currency of Curaçao is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (also called the guilder), which is abbreviated as Nafl. or also Ang. US dollars circulate freely, so it is possible to get by with only US dollars or credit cards. Please note that vendors are rarely able to supply US currency. The US dollar has a stable rate.
- USS 1 = Nafl. = 1.77 cash
- USS 1 = Nafl. 1.78 for traveler's checks
Exchange rates may vary slightly in shops and hotels. There is no black market.
Euros are accepted in some hotels and restaurants, but unlike US dollars, they do not circulate freely.
The changes for other currencies are established in the banks and published in the newspapers.
Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere on the island.
ATMs can be found throughout the Island, in the most populated places and at the airport. To recognize an ATM, look for the signs 'Bankomatico' or 'Geldautomaat'.
Electric Power
Electricity is 127/120 VAC at 50 cycles. North American appliances, except watches, work fine.
Propinas
Tipping is something we do to show our appreciation for good service. We really hope that you will also do the same, since that will mean that you are satisfied with your stay on the Island! It is suggested to tip porters at the airport at least Nafl. 1 per bag. Taxi drivers are usually tipped 10% of the fare and in most hotels 12% of the bill. Hotels charge an additional 7% government tax.
Clothing
Since the temperatures are hot throughout the year, casual, light and tropical clothing is the most advisable. If you spend time outside, protect yourself from the sun. As most closed establishments are air-conditioned, you may need1 a light jacket or long-sleeved shirt. Some restaurants prohibit shorts or sandals; some casinos also require jackets for men.
