Practical Curaçao

I have old ANG guilders. Are they still worth anything?

They are no longer accepted as cash, but they can still be exchanged at par at commercial banks, and at the central bank for many years to come.

What currency does Curaçao use?

The Caribbean guilder (XCG, symbol Cg). It entered circulation on 31 March 2025 and replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG), which stopped being accepted as cash on 1 July 2025. The peg is unchanged: USD 1 = XCG 1.79. US dollars are widely accepted, though change usually comes back in guilders.

What does the rental insurance not cover?

Collision damage waivers here typically exclude tyres, windows, mirrors, the undercarriage, the roof, the interior and the keys. The gravel access roads to the west-coast beaches are exactly where those get damaged.

Can I drive on my home licence?

Yes. A valid licence from your home country in the Latin alphabet is accepted, and no International Driving Permit is required.

Do I need a credit card to rent a car?

Generally yes — a credit card in the main driver's name is required for the deposit, which is blocked rather than charged. Holds reported from a few hundred dollars upward; one operator publishes a USD 500 hold.

How old do I need to be to rent a car?

Most operators set a minimum of 23. Some rent to drivers aged 21 or 22 with a young-driver surcharge and mandatory all-risk cover.

Is there Uber in Curaçao?

No. Taxis are unmetered and run on government-set fixed zone rates, priced per taxi for up to four passengers. Add roughly 25% for each passenger beyond four, and roughly 25% at night — before 06:00 or after 23:00. Licensed taxis carry a TX number plate. Agree the fare before you set off.

Does Curaçao get hurricanes?

It sits at about 12°N, outside the hurricane belt, and is very rarely affected directly. The island is semi-arid — roughly 550 mm of rain a year, with brief night showers in the October–December rainy season.

When is the best time to visit?

Temperatures sit between 27 and 32°C year-round and the sea between 26 and 29°C, so there is no bad time weather-wise. High season runs December to April. Late May, early June and September to October are reported at roughly 30–40% lower rates for much the same weather.

Curaçao International Airport → Jan Thiel

Quasi-official published maximum.

Curaçao International Airport → Mambo Beach / Sea Aquarium

Quasi-official published maximum.

Curaçao International Airport → Otrobanda

Quasi-official published maximum.

Curaçao International Airport → Piscadera

Quasi-official published maximum.

Cruise terminal → Island tour (per hour)

Island tour per hour: One major cruise publication states around USD 20 per hour. Most other recent sources say USD 40–50.

Most recent sources cluster at USD 40–50 per hour for up to four people. One major cruise publication states around USD 20. No official rate sheet for port-origin journeys could be found — treat all port fares as estimates.