The Segmental Info System

Diverse Dutchmen

Part of the Caribbean Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao is a center of diversity

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Curaçao is so small that its capital city of Willemstad is its only city. Culturally, Curaçao is extremely diverse, with more than 40 nationalities present on this small Caribbean island. All of these different cultures are tied together by a shared Dutch heritage, and diverse Caribbean cultures blend together into one unique island atmosphere.

Curaçao somehow takes contrasting elements and makes them seem like a sensible way of life. Despite being home to one the world's largest oil refineries, Curaçaons take great care of their environment. Gorgeous tropical beaches clash with an arid desert inland. At the same time, the island's location has made it a popular business center. And despite being reliant on the Netherlands for defense and foreign affairs, this little Caribbean island governs itself almost entirely. For more information on Curaçao, visit Welcome to Curaçao, and the Curaçao Virtual Tour.

Curaçao: Facts at a Glance
Currency The official currency of Curaçao is the Netherlands Antillean Florin (NAF), also called a guilder, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted. The exchange rate is 1.79 NAH to $1(USD).
Electricity Curaçao operates on 110-130 volt system, but many hotels have transformers available for European visitors. Check with your hotel when booking.
GDP Per Capita The average per capita income is $20,500(USD).
Island Size The island is approximately 171 square miles in area.
Language Dutch is the official language of Curaçao, but locals also speak English and Spanish; many islanders also speak Papiamento, a local blend of Dutch and African languages.
Population Curaçao is home to 133,644 residents. In addition, the island sees 204,600 visitors annually, 16 percent of whom are from the U.S.

Getting There

Travelers to Willemstad typically arrive via air at Curaçao's Hato International Airport. Direct flights from the U.S. and Canada are available, often connecting through Miami and New York. Connecting flights are also available from Caribbean regional air carriers through the airports at Santo Domingo and San Juan. Hato International offers flights via quite a few airlines, including ALM Airline, Aerosucre, Aerovenca, Air Aruba, Allegro Air, American Airlines Cargo, American Trans Air, Amerijet, Atlas Air, Avensa, Avianca, Condor, Cubana, DHL Air, Guyana Airways, KLM, LAV-Venezolana, Las Americas, Martinair Holland, Merlin Express, Pacific Airlines, SLM, Sky Jet, Sobelair, Star Air, and VASP.

Unmetered, government regulated taxi services will take you to your final destination on Curaçao. Be sure to agree on a fare to your specific destination before you get in the taxi, and remember that rates go up after 11:00 p.m. Fares from Hato International Airport to Willemstad are generally about $20(USD).

Entry Requirements

All travelers from the U.K., U.S., Canada, and Caribbean are required to present a valid passport in order to gain entry into Curacao.  All visitors must also have a return or ongoing ticket.

Climate

Curaçao has a relatively moderate climate, with little variation in seasonal temperatures. Temperatures in January range from a low of 76 to a high of 79, and from a low of 84 to a high of 89 in July (all temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit). Curaçao is also drier than many of the tropical Caribbean islands, experiencing only 21.3 inches of rainfall annually. Unlike many of the Caribbean islands, Curaçao is located outside the hurricane belt, greatly reducing the risk of major storms.  

Geography

Curaçao is part of the Netherland Antilles, Caribbean members of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Sister to Bonaire, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and Saba, this group of islands is located approximately 35 miles north of Venezuela. At its largest point, Curaçao is 37 by 7 miles wide.

Health and Safety

Being home to peaceful people, Curaçao is not rife with crime against tourists. Still, it is wise to follow commonsense rules and safeguard any valuables. As far as water is concerned, Curaçao is home to a modern desalination plant, making water safe to drink. Willemstad is home to one of the most up-to-date hospitals in the Caribbean, so medical attention is readily available in the unfortunate event of an emergency.

People

Curaçaons are adept at languages due to the diverse group of people who live on the island. Despite the official Dutch status of the island and the introduction of English as the language of business, African-rooted Papiamento is still alive and well today, demonstrating Curaçao's strong ties to African culture.

African heritage is also evident in the island's music. "Tambu" is an ancient form of music and dance originally brought to Curaçao by slaves. Despite being banned, first by slave owners and later by the Catholic Church, tambu has survived to the present day by being transmitted from generation to generation. Drums play the main musical role in this art form.

 

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