How to get to Curaçao

By | May 4, 2022

Overview

Colorful Curaçao is a dynamic mix of cultures, think Danish colonial buildings and delicious Creole cuisine to name just two examples. The pretty capital of Curaçao, Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers the visitor a charming glimpse into the past with its pastel-colored houses and cobbled squares. Curaçao’s gently rolling, desert-like plains offer many scenic treasures, such as hidden rocky coves surrounded by huge cliffs, or long sandy beaches that border clear turquoise water. Green nature trails offer undisturbed relaxation. Those who are not looking for solitude, on the other hand, are in the right place in the music-filled shopping centers for inexpensive shopping pleasure. See other countries in North America on naturegnosis.

Getting there

Arriving by plane

KLM (KL) offers connections to Curaçao from Frankfurt/M., Munich, Düsseldorf, Zurich and Vienna, among others, with a stopover in Amsterdam (note: these connections have been suspended by KLM (KL) indefinitely). Condor (DE) flies from Frankfurt/M in winter. non-stop to Curacao. TUIFly (OR) connects Amsterdam non-stop with Curaçao.

Flight times

Frankfurt/M. – Willemstad: 10 hrs 35 mins (direct flight); Zurich – Willemstad: 13 hrs 30 mins; Vienna – Willemstad: 13 hours 15 minutes (including stopover).

Departure fee

Approx. €28 (US$32); children under the age of 2 are excluded. Transit passengers pay €4.40 (US$5).

Arrival by car

Tolls: Curacao has no toll roads. Documents: The national driving license is sufficient.

Arrival by ship

Numerous cruise ships from America and Europe dock in Curaçao.

Cruise ships

The Cunard shipping company starts its world cruises with a stopover in Curaçao in Hamburg. Cruises to Curaçao from other European countries are offered by MSC, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises, among others.

Transportation

Traveling by car/bus

The road network is well developed to the most important points of the island. Tolls: Curaçao has no toll roads.

Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic

Right

Condition of the roads

Potholes are to be expected throughout the island. Travelers should therefore be more careful and drive slowly, especially at night.

Car rental

Rental cars are available at the airport, hotels and in the capital. The driver must be at least 25 years old and have held a driver’s license for at least two years.

Taxi

There are taxi ranks at the airport and in front of larger hotels. Taxis are recognizable by a TX on the license plate. The fare should be negotiated before the trip.

Bicycle

Mopeds and bicycles can be rented.

Coach

All towns are connected to the public bus network, which is served by Autobusbedrijf Curaçao. There are the so-called convoys, large yellow or blue buses, for longer distances, as well as smaller collective buses that tend to run in the city area. Numerous hotels have their own minibus services to Willemstad.

Regulations

Speed ​​limits: – in built-up areas: 45 km/h; – extra-urban: 60-80 km/h.

Roadside Assistance

In the event of breakdowns and accidents, Curaçao Road Services, tel. +599 (9) 747-1333 or 199, and Roadside Assistance 24-7 Curaçao, tel. +599 (9) 9-24-7 provide on-site assistance 24 hours a day. The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; in the event of vehicle damage: Tel. +49 (89) 22 22 22, in the event of illness: +49 (89) 76 76 76.

Documentation

The national driving license is sufficient.

Traveling in the city

In Willemstadt, motorized rickshaws, so-called tuk tuks, can be rented from CurTukTuk for city tours as well as excursions to beaches and around the island. Some hotels make them available to their guests free of charge. There are also collective buses for a maximum of 9 people in the city area, marked with BUS on the number plate.

Traveling by ship

Bounty Adventures, Mermaid and Miss Ann offer day trips to Klein Curaçao several times a week.

How to get to Curaçao