About Curaçao

Curaçao is where tropical charm, Latin style, a proud African heritage and European sophistication meet in the Caribbean. The fun shines night and day on 38 beaches, 65 world-class dive sites, unique family attractions, historic monuments, museums and more. Explore by day feeding sharks and ostriches, discover a secluded white-sand cove, or ride horseback through a national park.

By evening be ready to dance the night away, listen to hot jazz and enjoy some of the Caribbean’s best cuisine under the stars. All this plus year-round events and festivals from Carnival to Salsa and a welcoming people make Curaçao an ideal Caribbean vacation Destination.

More than just sun and sand, Curacao is rich in exciting adventures. Explore the capital city of Willemstad, named on UNESCO’s World heritage list for its rainbow of bright pastel buildings and intricate gabled facades. Witness a 19th Century pontoon bridge open as ships enter the harbor.

Take off on a self-guided tour of the countryside, “kunuku” and discover natural caves, limestone deposits and Volcanic formations. Walk back in time at the Kura Hulanda Museum and trace the island’s history from the Amerindians of South America, the Spanish, English, French and Dutch who came and stayed.

Location:
Curaçao is located in the southwestern Caribbean. The largest of the Netherlands Antilles, it is 38 miles long and from 2 to 7.5 miles wide. It is located just 35 miles north of Venezuela, 42 miles east of Aruba and only 2 1/2 hours by air from Miami. Curaçao is outside the hurricane belt, making it a sure holiday destination for good weather.

Climate:
Located in the tropics, just 12° north of the Equator — and outside of the hurricane belt — Curaçao has a warm, sunny climate year round. The average temperature is about 27° C ( mid 80s F). Refreshing trade winds blow constantly from the east, picking up in the spring months. The rainy season, October to February, is marked by short, occasional showers, usually at night, and continued sunny weather by day. Total annual rainfall averages only 570 mm (22 inches). Occasionally a tropical storm brewing elsewhere in the Caribbean can cause uncharacteristically cloudy weather for a day or two.

Population:
The population of 130,000 is made up of 55 nationalities. Willemstad is the island’s capital and only city.

Government:
Curaçao, along with neighboring Bonaire and three islands in the north eastern Caribbean (St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba), form the Netherlands Antilles, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curaçaoans are Dutch nationals and carry European Union passports.

Language:
Dutch is the official language, but Curaçaoans also speak English, Spanish and their own unique blend, Papiamento.

Airlines and Flight Times:
DCA, American Airlines, Avianca Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Servivensa Airlines, Aeropostal and Air Jamaica.
Miami: 2-1/2 hours, Amsterdam: 9 hours, Caracas: 45 minutes and Montego Bay: 1-1/2 hours

Documents:
U.S. citizens must present either a passport or birth certificate with photo ID. A driver’s license is not a valid proof of citizenship. Canadian citizens and Citizens from all other countries must present a valid passport. International visitors must present their passport. Some citizens from countries need a visa to enter the Netherlands Antilles.

Time zone:
Curaçao is on Atlantic Standard Time: one hour earlier than US Eastern Standard Time (the same time as Eastern Daylight Savings Time) and four hours later than Greenwich Mean Time.