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Time Zone
Curaçao is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, which is four hours behind GMT, ie Britain in winter, and five hours behind Europe. During the winter it is an hour ahead of the eastern seaboard of the USA.
Curaçao has no daylight saving time, so when the clocks change in summer in the northern hemisphere the island is five hours behind Britain, six behind Europe and on the same time as the eastern seaboard. |
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Tour Operators
A handful of US and Canadian wholesalers and a tour operators from the UK and Europe (particularly Holland) offer Curaçao in their programmes. On DefinitiveCaribbean we recommend Caribbean specialists that give the best levels of service, in all price ranges.
In the UK and Europe, all tour operators should be bonded for your financial protection. They sell flight inclusive holidays under licence from government bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority (UK). Some travel agents also have the required bonding and licences to put together flight inclusive holidays, and there are a few Caribbean specialists among them.
Message to Tour Operators, Wholesalers and specialist travel agents:
We invite any travel organiser working as a Caribbean specialist with a programme to Curaçao to contact us if we are not already in communication with you. Initially please email us for further details.
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Tourist Information
The Curaçao Tourism Bureau has an information office in downtown Willemstad, at 19 Pietermaai, PO Box 3266, t 434 8200, info@ctdb.net. There is also an information desk at the airport. The Tourism Bureau issues a yellow pamphlet for visitors called Curaçao Holiday.
Americans can contact the Curaçao Tourist Bureau, 7951 SW 6th St, 216, Plantation, FL 33324, t 800 328 7222, jbgrossman@aol.com
The Curaçao Tourist Bureau for Europe is located in Holland, at Vasteland 82-4, 3011 BP Rotterdam, t 414 2639, info@ctbe.nl |
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Weather
Located in the tropics, just off the coast of South America, Curaçao has a warm, sunny climate year round. The average temperature is 82º Fahrenheit and the total annual rainfall in the island averages only 22 inches. Cooling trade winds blow constantly from the east, picking up in the spring months.
Curaçao is located on the outer fringes of the hurricane belt and consequently there is very little threat of tropical storms when compared to many other parts of the Caribbean. |
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What to Pack
Consider taking the following when heading out to the Caribbean:
Sun protection including high factor sun cream, sunglasses, hat/cap and a lightweight shirt/blouse/t-shirt for the beach; suitable beach and walking shoes; mosquito repellent containing DEET suitable for use all day; cream for insect bites; beach mat/towel. There may be rain, so take appropriate waterproof clothing.
Lightweight cotton is generally the best clothing, casual for the daytime, though you may want something a little more elegant for the evenings. You may wish to pack a lightweight wrap or jacket as the evenings can sometimes feel cool after the heat of the day.
It isn’t a problem getting batteries or camera film in Curaçao, but bring spares in case. Also bring an electrical adapter if needed and you may want to bring a small torch. Any prescription medication that needs to be taken on a regular basis should be carried in your hand luggage, and should remain in its original packaging for clear identification in case Customs wish to check contents.
Don’t forget your passport, driving licence and insurance (medical and travel) documents.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Definitive Caribbean is very grateful for the photographic contributions we received for the Curaçao Island Guide. Contributions came from the official Netherlands Curaçao website.
Picture Editors, Alexander Gray & Will Orr |
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