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What
visitors should know about Curaçao!
Island location:
Curaçao
is located in the southwestern Caribbean, at latitude
12° north and longitude 68° west. The
island is just 70 km (44 miles) north of South
America. It is 2 1/2 hours by air from Miami.
The island is 56 km (35 miles) off the coast of
Venezuela—a 45 minute flight from Caracas.
It is a nine-hour flight to Amsterdam.
Entry Requirements:
U.S. and Canadian citizens
need either a valid passport, or proof of citizenship
in the form of an original birth certificate accompanied
by photo ID, and an onward or return ticket.
Most other nationals need only a passport.
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 which
is between October and February is usually marked
by short, occasional showers, mostly 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.
Language:
Dutch is the official
language on the island but no need to worry as
English, Dutch and Spanish are widely spoken.
The Native language is a melodic blend of Spanish,
Portuguese, Dutch, English and African dialects.
Electricity:
is 110 - 130 volts/50 cycles, similar but not
identical to the U.S. standard. Most 60 cycle
electrical appliances from the United States will
function properly, although appliances that have
internal time mechanisms will not keep the correct
time and hairdryers and curling irons may overheat
if used for too long. Although electrical current
is generally reliable, consider using a surge
regulator for sensitive electronic devices and
computers.
Money Matters:
U.S. currency is accepted
everywhere, as are Travelers Checks and most major
Credit Cards. Prices are quoted in the national
currency, the Netherlands Antillean guilder (also
called the florin), abbreviated as NAFl. or ANG.
It is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a stable rate
of US$1 = NAFl. 1.77 for cash, 1.78 for traveler’s
checks. Exchange rates may vary slightly at stores
and hotels. Bills of US$ 50 and US$100 can be
hard to cash. The larger denominations of guilder
bills (100 and 250) are hard to cash for small
purchases. Vendors can rarely supply change in
U.S. currency. Euros are accepted at some hotels
and restaurants, but unlike U.S. dollars, do not
circulate freely. Exchange rates for other currencies
are posted at banks and listed in the daily papers.
ATM’s
There are a lot of ATM‘s on the island.
All midsized shopping centers have one. They are
also frequently located at supermarkets and gas
stations. See our map for more detailed information.
Drinking Water:
Not only is Curaçao
water safe to drink, it is of the finest quality,
too.
Curaçao has the world’s largest sea
water distillation plant which supplies the island
with pure refreshing water. It is soft, contains
no chloride and little calcium, is tasteless and
odorless and has a good bacteriological composition—so
it is safe to drink.
Public Transport:
It is possible to get
around the island by bus but public transportation
is somewhat limited. The public busses drive through
most neighborhoods. They stop at all bus stops.
There is another way to get around the island
at low costs: collective private mini-busses,
they indicate their route at the front-window.
Taxi:
Taxis are identified
by their sign on top. There are taxi stands at
the airport, in town and outside major hotels.
Taxis have meters and it is advised to pay by
the meter.
Driving:
Driving in Curaçao
is relatively easy. Driving is on the right side
of the road. The road signs are clear and it is
easy to find your way with a roadmap.
The speed limit is 45km/h in town and 60 –
80 km/h outside the city.
Shopping:
The island offers many
shops, mostly concentrated in the downtown area
of Willemstad, in the districts Punda and Otrobanda.
Great shopping ambiance can be found in Punda.
It’s the city’s commercial center,
with several shops offering a variety of shopping
items like clothing, footwear, cosmetics, jewelry,
perfumes, electronics and souvenirs. Otrobanda’s
main shopping street is the Breedestraat. There
are also some small shopping centers scattered
over the island, some even open on Sunday mornings.
Shopping Hours:
The shops are normally open from Monday to Saturday,
and the regular opening hours are 8:00am - 12:00pm,
and from 2:00pm – 6:00pm. The shops at the
Free zone are open from Monday to Saturday from
8:00am non stop to 6:30pm.
What to Wear:
With Curaçao’s
tropical climate, you will be comfortable in casual
summer-wear plus some light evening wear for restaurants,
nightclubs and casinos. Most indoor establishments
are air-conditioned; you may need a lightweight
jacket or long sleeves. Some restaurants prohibit
shorts or sandals; some casinos also require jackets
for men. Overly revealing clothes and bathing
suits are not appropriate, except on the beach.
Tipping:
Giving a tip is something
we do to show our appreciation and gratuity for
rendered services. It is suggested to tip the
porters at the airport Nafl.1 per bag. Taxi-drivers
are usually tipped with 10% of the fare. Restaurants
usually add 10% and most hotels a 12% service
charge to the bill. Hotels charge an additional
5% sales tax. Please note that these are not tips.
Of course, tipping is left to your own discretion
at all times.
Time Zone:
Curaçao is on
Atlantic Standard Time, one hour later than US
Eastern Standard Time (the same time as Eastern
Daylight Savings Time) and four hours earlier
than Greenwich Mean Time. During the summer, Curaçao
has the same time as some of the cities in the
U.S. but during winter, the time changes again
to one hour later.
In summertime, in Amsterdam it’s 6 hours
later than in Curaçao, but during winter
it becomes 5 hours. So, during winter, when in
New York it is 9:00 am, in Curaçao it is
10:00 am and in Amsterdam it is 3:00 pm.
Tourist Assistance:
The Visitor Information
Desk of the Curaçao Tourist Board can provide
you with information and assistance during regular
work hours. Tel. (599-9) 434-8200
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