Curaçao

Key facts

• Region: The Caribbean
• Sovereignty: Non-sovereign territory administered by the Netherlands
• Capital: Willemstad
• Currency: Caribbean guilder (XCG), which replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG) on 31 March 2025
• Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento, English and Spanish
• Main airport: CUR — Hato International Airport, about 12 km from Willemstad
• Best time to visit: December to April; Curaçao sits outside the hurricane belt and the trade winds keep it comfortable year-round

Overview

Curaçao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the largest of the ABC islands, lying close to the Venezuelan coast. Its capital, Willemstad, has a UNESCO World Heritage historic centre that is the island's defining attraction. Curaçao is drier than most Caribbean islands, with numerous sheltered coves and a strong dive and snorkel scene. Since 2025 its currency is the Caribbean guilder (XCG), which replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder.

Airports

Hato International Airport (CUR) is Curaçao's international gateway, located on the north side of Willemstad. It has nonstop service from the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and other Caribbean islands, and is among the busiest airports in the Dutch Caribbean.

Main cities

Willemstad is the capital, divided by Sint Anna Bay into Punda and Otrobanda, joined by the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge and spanned by the taller Queen Juliana Bridge. Pietermaai and Scharloo, the adjacent districts, have restored colonial buildings now used as restaurants and hotels. Westpunt, at the western end of the island, is the village closest to the best beaches, while Barber serves the rural centre and Boca Samí the village of Sint Michiel.

Places to go

Grote Knip (Kenepa Grandi) and Kleine Knip are widely considered the island's best beaches, on the northwest coast near Westpunt. Cas Abao, Porto Marie, and Playa Lagun are popular swimming and snorkelling coves, while Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel are developed beach areas closer to Willemstad. Christoffel National Park protects Christoffelberg, the island's highest point, and Shete Boka National Park has a rugged limestone coast, blowholes, and turtle nesting beaches. Dive sites include the Superior Producer wreck, the Mushroom Forest, and the reefs at Watamula.

Getting there

Cheapest cached round-trip fare into Curaçao, refreshed every 6 hours:

Where to stay

Practical information

Frequently asked