Plein Air Curacao-An Exceptional Art Festival
Since 2011, the Art Foundation Curacao has held an exceptional international art festival called Plein Air Curacao...
Island Information
Located in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea off the west coast of Venezuela, Curaçao is the largest of the five islands of the Dutch Caribbean. Rich in culture, diversity and history, Curaçao is a 180-square-mile island paradise blessed by beautiful scenery, crystal clear turquoise water and picture-perfect weather.
The capital city, Willemstad, figures on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Featuring buildings of 17th- and 18th-century Dutch colonial design, the city’s two main sections, Punda and Otrobanda are joined by the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge.
Curaçao is blessed with many pieces of public art, and each piece expresses different aspects of Curaçao’s culture and heritage. Watch for works by Yubi Kirindongo, who recycles and transforms scrap material into fantastic works of art. A fine example can be seen in front of the Fundashon Kas di Kultura in Scharloo. In Punda, take the time to explore the alleyways in search of beautiful murals by local artist Nena Sanchez. Stroll through the grounds of the Sea Aquarium Beach and meet Chichi, a colorful and striking sculpture by Serena Israel.
From connectivity and transportation to medical and banking, Curaçao offers an abundance of modern services.
Explore this section to discover a wealth of practical information to better plan your visit to Curaçao.
General Information | |
---|---|
Banking Hours | Banks are generally open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Climate | Annual averages: temperature 82°F, rainfall 22", water temperature 81°F. |
Conservation | Please respect the environment by not littering, not touching marine life or wildlife, and leaving rocks and shells in their original spaces. Also ensure souvenirs are not made from protected species like sea turtles, black coral, and the lignum vitae tree. And please reuse and refill drinking containers to help reduce the plastic trash problem. |
Currency | US dollars or Antillean guilders. One US dollar equals between 1.78 and 1.80 NAf. |
Drinking Water | Desalinized seawater. Bottled water is also available. |
Electricity | 110-130 volts AC (50 cycles). |
Geography | Approximately 180 square miles, the largest island in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curaçao’s highest point is Mt Christoffel at 1,239 feet. Located 1,710 miles from New York, 35 miles north of Venezuela. |
Languages | Dutch is the official language but Papiamentu is spoken by nearly everyone. English and Spanish are also widely used. |
Religious Services | Curaçao offers a variety of houses of worship to its visitors. For information on locations and hours of services, please inquire at your hotel’s front desk. |
Shopping Hours | Stores are generally open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some stores close over the lunch hour, though most stores in Punda and in the shopping malls are open all day. Some stores stay open until 8 p.m. and also open on the occasional Sunday, on holidays, and when cruise ships are in port. |
Time | Atlantic Standard Time, one hour ahead of New York, except during Daylight Savings when the time is the same. |
Duty Free | |
---|---|
United States |
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 an $800 duty-free tax exemption. Family members who live in the same home and return together can pool their exemptions, meaning a couple with two children can bring home $3,200 worth of articles, duty-free. |
Canada |
Canadian citizens who have been outside Canada for seven days or more are permitted a duty-free exemption of $800. With the exception of tobacco and alcohol products, the goods purchased can follow at a later date. Citizens are permitted the same duty-free exemption of $800 if they are out of the country for 48 hours or more, provided they have all the goods with them when they arrive in Canada. Citizens are permitted a duty-free exemption of $200 for an absence of 24 hours or more; all goods must accompany them and the exemption does not apply to tobacco or alcohol products. Personal exemptions cannot be pooled with your spouse and/or children, nor can the 48-hour exemption be combined with the seven-day exemption. |
Emergency Numbers | |
---|---|
Ambulance | 912 |
Coast Guard | 913 |
Fire Department | 911 |
Hospital | 910 |
Police | 911 |
SOS Line | 127 |
Tourist Emergency Line | 917 |
Telephone Assistance | |
---|---|
AT&T | Accessible from public phones. Dial 001 800-872-2881 for an AT&T operator. |
United Telecommunication Services (UTS) | Offers fixed phone, fixed and mobile Internet, and Chippie mobile phone services, as well as TDS digital TV and business communication solutions. UTS provides reliable, high-quality service at affordable rates. Please visit one of their four UTS Stores conveniently located around the island. Tel: 9242. www.uts.cw |
Directory Assistance | 9221 |
Inter-island/International Operator | 021 |
International Directory | 022 |
Divi Divi Air N.V., is a small efficient airline, high in frequency, big in service. Established in 2001 and based on...
Named after Jazz legend - Miles Davis, this café is located on Nieuwestraat in the colonial center of Pietermaai Smal....
Pro-Sail Curaçao is an energetic company which caters to all types of sailing and power boating on Curaçao.
Taxi service is readily available, with taxis most easily found in Otrobanda and Punda, as well as at the airport and...
Since 2011, the Art Foundation Curacao has held an exceptional international art festival called Plein Air Curacao...
If you and your significant other are planning to be on Curacao during the week of hearts and cupid, there’s a...
You might have noticed buxom and ample-bottomed figurines decorated in eye-popping colors in many different sizes and...
Enjoy your Curaçao holiday to the fullest with our insightful Nights application (app) and entertaining Nights travel...