Essentials

Addresses

In street addresses that do not specify a house number, the z/n is a Dutch abbreviation for zonder nummer (no number).

Banks and Exchange Services

U.S. dollars are accepted nearly everywhere. Currency in Curaçao is the florin (also called the guilder) and is indicated by fl or NAf on price tags. The official rate of exchange at this writing was NAf 1.77 to US$1. The currency is expected to be changed to the Caribbean guilder in 2013.

Electricity

110-130 volts/50 cycles.

Emergency Services

Ambulance (912.)

On-call doctors (1111.)

Police and fire (911.)

Tourist Emergencies (917.)

Internet

Café Internet (Handelskade 3B, Punda, Willemstad. 5999/465-5088.)

Wireless Internet Café (Hanchi Snoa 4, Punda, Willemstad. 5999/461-0590.)

Mail

There are post offices in Punda, Otrobanda, and Groot Kwartier on Schottegatweg (Ring Road), as well as small branches at the Curaçao World Trade Center and the airport. Some hotels sell stamps and have letter drops; you can also buy stamps at some bookstores. An airmail letter to the United States, Canada, or Europe costs NAf 2.85, a postcard NAf 1.49.

Passport Requirements

A valid passport is required. All visitors must be able to show an ongoing or return ticket as well as have proof of sufficient funds to support their stay on the island.

Phones

To call Curaçao direct from the United States, dial 011-5999 plus the number in Curaçao.

International roaming for most GSM mobile phones is available in Curaçao. Local companies are UTS (United Telecommunication Services) and Digicel. You can also rent a mobile phone or buy a prepaid SIM card for your own phone.

Taxes and Service Charges

The departure tax is $32.50 (including flights to Aruba), and the departure tax to other former members of the Netherlands Antilles islands is $8. This must be paid in cash, in either florins or U.S. dollars. Hotels add a 12% service charge to the bill and collect a 7% government room tax; restaurants typically add 10% to 15%. Most goods and services purchased on the island will also have a 5% OB tax (a goods-and-services tax) added to the purchase price.

Tipping

Service is usually included, but if you find the staff exemplary, you can add another 5% to 10% to the bill. Porters and bellhops, about $1 a bag; housekeeping, $2 to $3 per day; taxi, about 10%.