About Curacao

About Curacao


curacao_map-1

Country Name:
Island Territory of Curaçao

Capital:
Willemstad

Official Languages:
Dutch and Papiamentu.
English and Spanish are also spoken.

Government:
Constitutional Monarchy

Land Area:
444 Km2

Population:
142, 180 (census 2010)

Currency:
Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG).
USD. 1.00 is +/- ANG. 1.80

Calling Code:
(599-9)

About Curaçao

penhaCuraçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. Prior to October 10, 2010 when the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved, Curaçao was administered as the Island Territory of Curaçao (in Dutch: Eilandgebied Curaçao).

Origin of the Name
The origin of the name Curaçao is debated. Explanations include that of:
Spanish and Portuguese sailors traveling for months in the sea would often contract scurvy. It appears that in one of such long travels, a group of sailors landed for the first time in Curaçao and were cured from scurvy, probably after eating fruits with vitamin C. The island was from then on known as the “healing island” (in Portuguese: Ilha da Curação)
Derived from Portuguese word for heart (coração), referring to the island as a centre in trade.
The name of the indigenous people of Curaçao had used to label themselves.
The name Curação has become associated with a shade of blue, because of the deep-blue version of the liqueur named Curação (also known as Blue Curação). Today, locally the island is known as “Sweet Curação” (in Papiamentu: Dushi Korsou)

Climate
Curacao has a semiarid climate with a dry season from January to September and a wet season from October to December. The temperatures are relatively constant with small differences throughout the year. The trade winds bring cooling during the day and the same trade winds bring warming during the night. The coolest month is January with an average temperature of 26.5 °C (80 °F) and the warmest month is September with average temperature of 28.9 °C (84 °F). The year’s average maximum temperature is 31.2 °C (88 °F). The year’s average minimum temperature is 25.3 °C (78 °F).

A must see
Downtown (Punda and Otrabanda). The Dutch colonial architecture is reflected in the downtown area, some of the buildings being UNESCO world heritage site.

When the Dutch arrived in 1634, they built forts at key points around the island to protect themselves from foreign powers, privateers and pirates. Five of the best forts can still be seen today:
Fort Waterfort (1634)
Fort Amsterdam (1635)
Fort Beekenburg (1703)
Fort Nassau (1797)
Riffort (1828)

The beaches on the south side contain diving spots. Entrance to some of the beaches is free, and those with entrance fee are not more than a few dollars. The best known crystal-clear water beaches are:
Baya Beach , Blue Bay,Daaibooi, Grote Knip, Kleine Knip, Playa Forti, Playa Gipy, Playa Jeremi, Playa Kalki, Playa kanoa, Playa Lagun , Playa Porto Marie, Playa Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara Beach, Seaquarium Beach, Westpunt.

KuraHulanda Musseum
Nena Sanchez Art Galleries
Hato Caves
Chrisstofel Park

Close to Sahoury Pain Clinic:

hyattUnderstanding the need of patient’s family when coming from abroad (medical tourism) Sahoury Pain Clinic has a detailed list with all the important locations near the Institute.

Centrally located, the clinic possesses the privilege of being minutes away even walking distance from several shopping centers, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, airlines and banks.

For your convenience, we’ve listed a few links:

Curacao Tourist Board 

Trip Advisor 

Curacao North Sea Jazz

 

Expenditures in Curacao:

An upcoming unexpected trip (medical tourism) to the beautiful tropical island of Curaçao can be the cause of much travel stress. Having an estimate of your expenses prior to your departure will eliminate most unplanned monetary frustrations and help you go through your trip to the fullest. For a quick overview please review the table below.

Expenditure Type Budget  Standard Luxurious Note
Accommodation (Hotels) USD 60.00 USD 100.00 USD 300.00 all estimated prices are per night & per person
Accommodation (apartment) USD 45.00 USD 99.00 USD 250.00 all estimated prices are per night & per person
Transport (Taxi) USD 10.00 USD 40.00 USD 63.00 all estimated prices are per faire
Transport (Public) USD 3.00 USD 6.00 n/a all estimated prices are per faire & per person
Transport(Car Rentals) USD 20.00 USD 30.00 USD 80.00 all estimated prices are per day
Food (restaurant eating) USD 6.00 USD 12.00 USD 24.00 - 60.00 all estimated prices are per meal
Food (groceries shopping) USD 120.00 n/a n/a estimated price per week for 2 people for: basic food basket

Food:
jsThe price of meals doesn't include gratuities, which should also be considered when budgeting for your vacation. Patrons are not required to tip their waiter or waitress, but guests usually leave a 10 percent to 15 percent tip, depending on the service. Tourists must also remember to include the cost of the 6 percent sales tax and 10 percent to 12 percent service charge that will be included on the final bill.
If you rather by groceries and cook your own food, we’ve estimated that the average expenditure per week for two people will be more or less USD 120.00. The basic food basket will include: noodles, rice, potatoes, bread, grains, corn flour, wheat flour, cereals, milk, butter, oil, baby food, tea, chicken, eggs, Dutch cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, carrots, cabbage, avocado, pumpkin, onions, grapes, water melon, orange, banana, mango, apple and general basic medicine (e.g. aspirin).

Shopping:
Other costs that you may want to include in your vacation budget are admission fees to clubs, museums, and other sites. You may also find some souvenirs and trinkets that you want to take home with you, so be sure to consider these little things when planning your finances.
Curaçao is extremely popular for its duty-free shopping, and many travelers take advantage of the many shops and vendors that line the streets in places like Punda and Otrobanda. Popular purchases among tourists are: jewelry, local artwork, Curaçao liqueur, Dutch Delftware, and wooden shoes. Produce markets are also popular with visitors to the island. Dutch cheeses are one of the best edible souvenirs you can get on the island.
The cost of your vacation shopping will obviously depend on what you buy and how much you buy. Travelers should keep in mind that some items may be subject to duty taxes when returning to their home countries. U.S. citizens can bring home the following items without being taxed: one to two liters of locally-produced alcohol, 100 non-Cuban cigars, original artwork, and other goods worth up to $600(USD). If you're visiting Curaçao from another country, check with your country's customs office to see what items are taxed and regulated.

Taxes:
There is a “sales taxes” applied to all purchases of 6 percent (O.B). All tourists over the age of 2 must pay a departure tax of $20(USD) for all international flights. If you're leaving Curaçao for another island, the fee is $5.75(USD). Airlines sometimes include the price of the departure tax in the overall cost of the plane ticket, but you should check with your airline to be sure.
While shopping in Curaçao is duty-free, restaurants and hotels do charge taxes and service charges. Hotels generally add a 7 percent government tax to all rooms, as well as a 10 percent to 15 percent service charge. Restaurants charge a 6 percent tax and 10 percent to 12 percent service charge on all meals.

Tips & Suggestions:

pundaWhen planning the trip:

  • Check medical insurance policy for coverage out of country.
  • Decide whether to purchase travel insurance.
  • Insure that passport and/or visa is current.
  • Valid driver’s license.

When packing for the trip:

  • Comfortable shoes (walking and/or beach).
  • Comfortable Cloths (swimsuit, shorts, t-shirts and jeans).
  • Accessories (extra: sunglasses, prescription glasses, contact lenses).
  • Creams (lip balm, sunscreen, insect repellent).
  • Electricity adapters & travel adapters (Curacao’s electricity voltage is 127/120 VAC at 50 cycles).
  • Medicine (prescription medicine, vitamins, travel sickness, headaches, indigestions, diarrhea)

When on the island:

  • Adjust clock to local time.
  • Be sure to drink enough water to avoid dehydration.
  • Recommended times to sunbathe are from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and between 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. When the sun is less harsh.
  • Prescription drugs, particularly if they contain narcotics, should be clearly marked. Unlike in the Netherlands possession of illegal drugs is a serious offense, punishable by law.