Source: U.S. State Department
Last updated: May 8th, 2024
Last Updated: Jul 17, 2023
Read the country’s information page for additional information on travel to Curacao.
A. Quick Facts
Passport Validity: Must be valid for period of stay
Blank Passport Pages: 1 page required for entry stamp
Tourist Visa Required: None.
Vaccinations: Yellow fever if arriving from select countries.
Currency Restrictions for Entry: Amounts exceeding USD 11,000 (or equivalent) must be declared
Currency Restrictions for Exit: Amounts exceeding USD 11,000 (or equivalent) must be declared
B. Safety and Security
Crime: Crimes of opportunity are common, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, particularly at beaches, hotel lobbies, or from cars. Be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to secure personal property. Car theft is an increasing problem. Do not leave valuables in cars in plain view or unattended in unsecured hotel rooms and rental homes. Parking lots that are unattended and without access control are considered higher risk for car break-ins. Some beaches charge a fee for access and employ private security, which provides some deterrent to crime.
Keep a copy of your valid U.S. passport in a secure location in case your passport is stolen.
Violent crime, including rape and armed robbery – although not common – does occur. Exercise caution when visiting more isolated areas of the island. Some thefts and assaults have been reported near nature areas, remote beaches, and small or informal parking areas used by divers.
If you are traveling with children, be aware that the legal drinking age of 18 is not always enforced, so extra parental supervision may be appropriate. Take standard precautions when frequenting nightclubs and bars. Travel in pairs or groups and, if you consume alcohol, do so responsibly.
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.
Victims of Crime: Dial 911 for police assistance in Curaçao. Contact the U.S. Consulate at +(599)(9) 461-3066 after you have contacted local police. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.
Do not rely on hotels, restaurants, or tour companies to make the police report for you.
For more information, see our webpage on U.S. victims of crime overseas.
We can:
– help you find appropriate medical care
– assist you in reporting a crime to the police
– contact relatives or friends with your written consent
– explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
– provide a list of local attorneys
– provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States
– provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
– help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
– replace a stolen or lost passport
Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.
Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.
C. Local Laws & Special Circumstances
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.
Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.
In Curaçao, laws against possession of controlled substances are enforced rigorously, including against tourists in possession of marijuana for personal use.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Consulate immediately. See our webpage for further information.
Local law is based on Dutch law, which allows for the detention of subjects during an investigation with the approval of a judge. Persons imprisoned in Curaçao do not have the option of posting bond for their release.
Dual Nationality: Dutch law, in principle, does not permit dual nationality. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For detailed information, contact the The Netherlands Embassy in Washington, DC, or one of the Dutch Consulates in the United States.
Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.
Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:
– Faith-Based Travel Information
– International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
– Human Rights Report – see country reports
– Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad
LGBTQI+ Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Curaçao.
See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.
Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: While in Curaçao, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very difficult than in the United States. Sidewalks and crossings in many areas are not wheelchair accessible, and many buildings lack ramps.
Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.
Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.
D. Health
Access to quality medical care is limited in Curaçao, and facilities do not offer the health and service standards typically expected in the United States.
For emergency services in Curaçao, dial:
– Police: 911
– Ambulance/EMS: 912
– Fire Department: 911
– Coastal Guard: 913
Ambulance services are widely available.
Curaçao’s medical system emphasizes the use of “house doctors” or “huisarts,” outpatient primary care physicians who may not have completed postgraduate training such as a residency program. Some surgical specialties, e.g., neurosurgery and cardiac surgery, are not represented on the island.
St. Elisabeth Hospital (SEHOS) is the largest hospital in Curaçao with an extensive emergency room and the only intensive care unit on the island. Curaçao also has two private clinics, The Curacao Medical Center (CMC)
A list of medical facilities in Curaçao is available on our Consulate website. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic. We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.
We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.
Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.
We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. Critically ill patients requiring service not offered in Curaçao are normally transferred to Colombia at the patient’s expense. If medical evacuation is authorized by the patient’s insurance carrier or funded privately (approximately $15,000 – $25,000), patients can be transferred to the United States.
Medicines: If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Government of Curaçao to ensure the medication is legal in Curaçao. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.
The variety of drugs available locally is smaller than in the U.S. To find out which local pharmacy is open after hours, you can call (+599)(9)737-7404 or check with your hotel.
Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The following diseases are prevalent:
– Dengue
Use the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended mosquito repellents and sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets. Chemoprophylaxis is recommended for all travelers even for short stays.
Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specific issues in Curaçao.
Further health information:
– World Health Organization
– U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
E. Travel and Transportation
Road Conditions and Safety: Take extra caution when driving in Curaçao. Proceed through intersections with caution as traffic signs are often hidden or nonexistent. Roads are extremely slippery when it rains. Look out for scooters, motorcycles, and ATVs, as drivers of these vehicles may not strictly follow traffic rules. Be alert for speeding cars and drunk drivers. In rural areas, watch out for goats and other animals that cross the road unexpectedly. Night driving is reasonably safe, as long as drivers are familiar with the route and road conditions. Roads are not as well-lit as in the United States. Driving while intoxicated may result in the loss of a driver’s license, fine, and imprisonment.
Traffic Laws: Vehicles operate on the right-hand side in Curaçao. You can drive in Curaçao with a valid U.S. driver’s license. Right turns at red lights are prohibited. Traffic signs prohibiting actions have a red circle around them, but not the red slash you expect to see in the United States. Local laws require drivers and passengers to wear seat belts, and motorcyclists to wear helmets. Children must ride in the back seat, and children under 5 years of age must be in a child safety seat.
At intersections and traffic circles, yield to traffic coming from your right unless signs indicate otherwise. Right turns at red lights are prohibited. U-turns are often restricted. Traffic signs prohibiting actions have a red circle around them, but not the red slash you expect to see in the United States. At all T-crossings, through traffic has priority.
If you get into an accident, do not move the vehicle or pull over. Call your rental agency and call Curaçao Road Services at 199. You may be required to file a police report.
In case of car trouble, call Roadside Assistance 24/7 Curaçao at 9-24-7.
Public Transportation: Public transportation is limited. There are two bus terminals, one in Punda near the post office at the Waaigat and another in Otrobanda near the overpass. Large buses (called ‘Konvooi’) travel limited, longer-distance routes, typically once per hour. Mini-vans and mini-buses bearing the word “BUS” on their registration plates travel shorter routes on main roads. They are inexpensive and run non-stop during the daytime with no fixed schedule. Each minibus has a specific route that is displayed on the front windshield. Taxis are expensive, but generally safe and well-regulated. There are no meters, so passengers should determine the price in advance.
See our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of Curaçao’s Tourism Board for more information about transportation.
Watersports Advisory: You should carefully assess the potential risks inherent in recreational water activities and measure your participation in them against your physical capabilities and skills. Never venture out alone, particularly at isolated beaches or far out to sea. Avoid entering the water above your waist if you have been drinking and always be mindful of watercraft traffic in the area. When in doubt, stay out!
Cliff Jumping and Diving Advisory: Carefully consider the potential risks inherent in cliff jumping and cliff diving. Individuals have suffered serious injuries from engaging in these activities in Curaçao.
Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Curaçao, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Curaçao’s civil aviation authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page
Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Curaçao must have completed a Customs Form 1300, Vessel Entrance or Clearance Statement declaring their intention to travel to Curaçao prior to their departure from the U.S. port. Mariners failing to fill out and submit this form will be denied entry to Curaçao’s ports. Mariners planning travel to Curaçao should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA broadcast warnings.
F. If you decide to travel to Curacao:
– Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
– Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
– See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories.
– Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
– See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.
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Visit our Discover Curacao page for all the information you need to plan your trip.
