• Catch some SUN, SAND & SURF : Whether you are a sun-loving vacationer or here on business, you can choose between intimate rocky coves surrounded by massive cliffs or long sandy beaches, either secluded by nature or bustling with activities.
• WEATHER : Located in the tropics, just 12 north of the Equator, Curacao has a warm, sunny climate year round. The average temperature is about 27 C (in the mid 80s F).
• CARNIVAL , DANCING AND MUSIC : It's one of the largest and longest-lasting Carnival spectacles of the Caribbean - starting in early January, and ending late February/ March.
• DIVING PARADISE : Curacao offers some of the best diving in the world. Our spectacular dive locations provide some of the most colorful and awe inspiring scenes imaginable.
• EUROPEAN FLAVOR : The Dutch influence on Curacao is as omnipresent as the centuries-old colonial buildings.

• Valid Passport
• A return or outward ticket on arrival
• Sufficient funds for accommodations and food
• The necessary documents for returning to the country of origin, or further travel elsewhere

Visitors should generally not have a problem bringing items for personal use and gifts onto Curacao. Prescription drugs, particularly if they contain narcotics, should be clearly marked. Unlike in the Netherlands, possession of even the smallest amount of marijuana or other illegal drugs is a serious offense.

If you are traveling with expensive jewelry, you may want to bring a present proof of prior possession such as a receipt of purchase, bill of sale, insurance policy, or jeweler's appraisal. You may take foreign-made items bearing serial numbers (e.g. cameras, watches, tape recorders, gift and folders for a convention) to Custom Offices for registration before leaving the U.S.A.

Besides articles for personal use, people over 18 years are allowed one fifth of liquor, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, and 250 grams of tobacco. If you exceed the stated quantity you will have to declare. Additionally, if you wish to carry over $10,000 with you, you will have to declare it.

Escape to the Caribbean's hidden treasure. Fall in love with Curacao's world-class diving and beaches, invigorating outdoor adventure, and welcoming culture. Make your Curacao Caribbean travel arrangements today!

Airport departure fees are assessed for International destinations of USD $32.00 ( NAFL. 57,60) and USD $ 8.00 (NAFLS. 14,50) for domestic destinations. Children under the age of two (2) are exempted of payment. Domestic destinations are Bonaire and St. Maarten.

The airport departure fee is incorporated in the ticket price for passengers traveling with:

Driving takes place on the right-hand side of the road. At intersections and traffic circles, yield to traffic coming from your right unless signs indicate otherwise. At all T-crossings, through-going traffic has priority. The speed limit is 45 km/hour in town and residential areas, and 60¬-80 km/hour outside the city and on the four-lane Ring Road. Most gas stations are full service; a few are open 24 hrs.

To drive in Curacao, a valid driver's license is necessary. An international driver's license is not required.

Ask your car rental agency what you should do in case of an accident. Usual procedure is to call the car rental agency, and once they arrive at the scene, call Curacao Road Services — you may have to file a police report. The Curacao Road Services is available 24-hours a day, including holidays. In case of car trouble, call Roadside Assistance 24/7 Curacao — they are at your service 24-hours a day as well.

Curacao, neighboring Bonaire, and three other islands in the eastern Caribbean (St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, and Saba), together form the Netherlands Antilles -- an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Locals have Dutch nationality and carry European Union passports.

Willemstad is the capital of Curacao and the Netherlands Antilles government. It is also home to the government (the parliament).

Curacao is part of The Netherlands Antilles, which in turn forms part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. The form of government is a parliamentary democracy, based on underlying premises such as freedom of association, the right to form political parties, freedom of the press, and freedom of speech.

The Netherlands Antilles has two levels of government-a central (federal) and an insular (territorial) level.

The Central Government's jurisdiction covers mostly state affairs (legislation) and includes police, communications, taxation, public health, education, economic control, the establishment of enterprises, labor legislation, money and banking, and foreign currency.

The Island Government is responsible for the island territory affairs; it manages its own territorial affairs and has the power to enact laws. The island government is responsible for the infrastructure, harbors, etc.

Escape to the Caribbean's hidden treasure. Fall in love with Curacao's world-class diving and beaches, invigorating outdoor adventure, and welcoming culture. Make your Curacao Caribbean travel arrangements today!

Curacao currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (also called the florin), which is abbreviated as Nafl. Our Ang. U.S. dollars circulate freely, so it is possible to get by using only American dollars or credit cards. Please note that vendors can rarely supply Curacao money in U.S. currency. The U.S. dollar is at a stable rate.

US$ 1 = Nafl. 1.77—cash

US$ 1 = Nafl. 1.78—traveler's check

Exchange rates may vary slightly at stores and hotels. You can find daily exchange rate information at one of our local banks.

Curacao electricity is 127/120 VAC at 50 cycles. This means that most appliances made in the USA (60 cycles) will work well, except for electrical devices with internal time mechanisms. For electrical appliances from the USA, you do not need an adapter plug. We use the same two-pronged flat plugs as in the States.

Visitors from Europe will need an adapter plug for their round-pronged plugs. These can be found anywhere on the island, and most hotels keep them in stock and in the rooms as well. Only dual-voltage appliances from Europe can be used on the island.

Escape to the Caribbean's hidden treasure. Fall in love with Curacao's world-class diving and beaches, invigorating outdoor adventure, and welcoming culture. Make your Curacao Caribbean travel arrangements today

Not only is Curacao water safe to drink, it is of the finest quality.

In the old times, inhabitants used to rely on rain for drinking water, but as this was never enough, the Indians made "xagueys" (wells) in the soft ground along the southern bays. Spanish and Dutch conquerors found drinking water near the Schottegat and transported it in water butts to "The Point" (Punda). As the population of our island grew -- and because the industrial and economical development of any country relies on water -- more was needed, and the so-called Water Plantations came into being.

Around 1890, American wind turbines were imported for irrigation of the land. In 1928, a seawater distillery for production of drinking water was put into production. This Curacao distillery, now known as Aqualectra, produces water of excellent quality. It is soft, contains no chloride and little calcium, is tasteless and odorless, and has a good bacteriological composition. Very safe to drink.

What's your vacation pleasure? Curacao has it! Experience a wide variety of fun Curacao activities. Shopping, diving, hiking, beaches, historic architecture. These are just some of the breathtaking Curacao sightseeing adventures you'll enjoy. See why a vacation on Curacao equals non-stop fun and excitement. Explore our wonderful island by car, taxi, bicycle,

Also Available :

• Car Rentals
• Bikes and Motorcycles
• Public Transportation
• Taxi Service

Almost all Curacao beaches are scattered along the sheltered and calm southwestern coast, where the waters are calm and crystal clear. At some beaches admission is charged, sometimes including a beach chair.

Even though it is not common, nor acceptable practice at all beaches, you may see European visitors sunbathing topless. Please note that this is not permitted by law, but is tolerated at a few of the beaches. There are 17 picks for your lazy relaxation:

Dining

Curacao Island Guided Tours

Adventure and Sports

Entertainment and Nightlife

Shop and Splurge

World-Class Curacao Art Galleries

Carnival, Dancing and Music