Location: Curaçao is located in the southwestern Caribbean, at 'altitude 12' north and longitude 68' west. The island is just 70 km (44 miles) north of South America. It is 2,5 hours by air from Miami.

Size: 444 square kilometers (182 square miles); 61 km long: 5-14 km wide. Curaçao has 150,000 inhabitants; 40 to 50 different nationalities live on the island.

Climate: Located in the tropics, just 12 degrees from the equator, Curaçao has a warm, sunny climate year round. The average temperature is about 27°C (in the mid 80s). The rainy season, October to February, is usually marked by short, occasional showers, mostly at night, and continued sunny weather by day. Total annual rainfall averages only 570 mm (22 inches). Curaçao is outside the hurricane belt; only three hurricanes have come near the island in the last century. Occasionally, a tropical storm brewing elsewhere in the Caribbean can cause uncharacteristically cloudy weather for a day or two.

Arriving by Air: The airport is located on the north coast, a 15 minute drive from the city center and many hotels. It is recommended that you confirm all return flights. The departure tax for international flights is US$ 20.00 (NAf 36.00) and US$ 5.65 (NAf 10.00) for flights within the Netherlands Antilles. These taxes are payable at the airport before check-in, in US$ or NAf. Airlines serving Curacao include, ALM, American Airlines, American Eagle and ATA. Nonstop service from the USA can be found via Miami or San Juan.

Arriving by Sea: The cruise ship terminal is located in the Otrobanda section of Willemstad, a short walk from many city attractions.

Getting Around Curacao: 

     Taxis - Taxis are easily identified by their sign and/or the letters TX on the license plate. There are taxi stands at the airport, in Punda and Otrobanda, and outside major hotels. Taxis have no meters, but fares are standard; confirm these before departure. Expect to pay about US$ 10.00 from the airport to town, US$ 12.00-15.00 to hotels and US$ 8.00 from Otrobanda to Punda. Fares are based on 1 to 4 persons, with a 25% surcharge for a fifth passenger and/or after 11:00 pm, and a US$ 2.00 fee if excess baggage prevents the trunk from closing. Tipping, while not obligatory, is usually 10% of the fare. You can rent a taxi for sightseeing for about US$ 20.00 per hour. 

     Buses: It's possible to get around the island by bus, but public transportation is somewhat limited. Curaçao has two types of public transportation; the large yellow or blue busses called konvoi and, on the most traveled urban routes, collective cars or vans called bus. You can recognize them by the word BUS on the license plate. Major bus terminals are located outside the post office on the Waaigat inlet in Punda and beside the underpass in Otrobanda. Bus fares are NAf 1.00 in town and for point east and NAf 1.50 to the western end of the island. Busses run most city routes hourly, every two hours for point west, and less frequently on Sundays.

    Rental Cars: Driving is on the right side of the road. At intersections and traffic circles yield to traffic coming from your right unless signs indicate otherwise. At all T-crossing through traffic has priority. The speed limit is 45 km/hour in town and residential areas and 60-80km/hour outside the city and on the four lane Ring Road.

Beaches: All of Curacao's beaches are public. Some are totally secluded, some have resorts. Many of them are dazzling white sand and are protected by reefs so the water is warm and calm. On the Northwest coast the beaches are more developed with resorts providing watersports, entertainment and restaurants. Beaches in the southwest and south are less developed while some on the east coast are completely protected by reefs. You can also find rough surf. There are coral reefs for snorkeling and beach bars for lunch. Exploring the many beaches available can be fun.

Watersports: Dickenson Bay is the only beach with public hire of watersports equipment, and just about anything can be done...from water skiing, jet skis, sunfish sailing, even parasailing. Windsurfing for beginners, intermediates or experts can be found on Dickenson Bay and Dutchman's Bay.

Sailing: Curaçao is home to a number of sailing regattas throughout the year, and Hobbie-Cat and Sunfish equipment are always available for rent. 

Scuba Diving/Snorkeling: Curaçao 's more than 100 dive sites are famous all over the world with visibility ranging from 60 to 150 feet and water temperatures a comfortable 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The Curaçao Underwater Park is a 12.5 mile coral reef that has been protected as a National Park. Guides are available for hire, and lessons are offered for beginners.

Fishing: Private boats are always available for charter. The marlin, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo in nearby waters provide an exciting challenge even for accomplished fishers. Multi language crew are ready to help you with any request you may need. Please see below the info charts for more information.

Windsurfing: With year-round winds of over 13 knots, Curaçao offers excellent opportunities for windsurfing operations. Skilled professionals are on hand to offer instruction for beginners.

Horseback Riding: Ashari's Ranch and Rancho Alegre provide guided tours on horseback for beginning as well as experienced riders.

Hiking: Trails run throughout the 4,500 acres of Christoffel Park, and the 2-mile Rif Recreation Area offers a surfaced track for jogging.

Tennis: Many courts are available, some floodlit. There are also squash courts.

Golf: At Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort the sand, sea age-old trade winds and spectacular natural environment challenge the golfer right through to the last hole. This 18-hole championship course will require not only that you bring a sound game but that you bring a good camera as well. The Curaçao Golf and Squash Club has a 9-hole golf course with unique and unusual sand greens. Squash is also available, and tennis courts may be found at many of the larger hotels around the island.

Exploring: Click here to see the tours of Curacao that you can prebook before your arrival.

Caracasbay Island - Caracasbay Island is an eco-resort that offers all the visitor the best way to spend their day, offering them different activities in just one place. Their activities includes; walking tours, jet ski, Kayaking, canoeing, horse back riding, mountain bike tours and much more. Walking tour through historic Willemstad - The western part of old Willemstad, Otrabanda, is one of the most impressive and historic areas in the Caribbean. Dating from the eighteen and nineteenth centuries,  Otrabanda still reflects the old Curaçao. Narrow and mysterious alleys and lanes with weather-beaten monuments to a glorious past and the splendid architecture found in the already restored districts. Guided tours are given every Thursday afternoon. Many tours company offers this tour. Willemstad by pleasure train - Discover Willemstad, in a unique way, on our pleasure train. This unique mode of transportation takes you through the fascinating historic heart of Willemstad. You will pass interesting sights such as the floating market where Venezuelan merchants sell fresh fish and vegetables. The train then travels on to the picturesque district of Scharloo, home to successful merchants in the nineteenth century, and ends at the Mikve Israel Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the western hemisphere. Bicycle Tour - Discover Curaçao and get some exercise at the same time! Cycle through the beautiful surroundings and the real Curaçao countryside.  Most of the trip is on surfaced roads, but occasionally you'll come across a narrow track or hill, but on a mountain bike that won't be a problem. The cycling tour ends on one of the many beaches on Curaçao where you can recover from your trip and go swimming and snorkeling. For information ask at your hotel. Jeep Safari - Get to know the Curaçao countryside by Jeep. Along narrow tracks, past grand estates, mansions, caves, flamingo's, huge fields of cactus and many gorgeous beaches. The tour is held on Wednesdays and Fridays. The experienced drivers can also make a night rally. Canoe Safari - Looking for something different? These seaworthy and extremely stable canoes will take you along the breathtaking south coast of Banda Abou. And there's plenty of time on the way to go snorkeling in the best places and sunbathe on one of the picturesque beaches. Lunch is served on the beach! Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shopping: Curaçao has been a major trade center for hundreds of years so it’s not surprising that stores are stocked with quality items from around the world. It’s hard to beat Willemstad for shopping ambiance. You bargain hunt in exquisite, centuries-old buildings while ocean liners cruise up the channel that cuts through the city, so close you could almost touch them. Suggested Local Souvenirs include Ceramic replicas of local buildings, Square nickels and fifty cent pieces, Hanging planters painted like tropical birds, made out of old tires, Handmade dolls in folkloric costumes, Works by local artists, Local music, Postcards and note cards created by local artists. US Citizens, regardless of age, who have been out of the country for a minimum of 48 hours and who have not used their respective duty-free allowance within 30 days are entitled to a $600,= tax exemption. Families traveling together can pool their exemptions. Liquor : US Citizens age 21 and over can bring one quart into the country, which should be included in the $600,= exemption.

Nightlife: Once the tropical sun sets, the ever-present trade winds make Curacao pleasantly balmy, even after the warmest day.  Happy hours are a local institution, almost ever hotel and restaurant has one, as well as most pubs and casino's. Locals tend to dress very fashionably for a night on the town; most places are air conditioned. Hotels have a full calendar of evening events. If Lady Luck seems to be beckoning try your hand at a casino; most are open 2 pm till 5 am daily.