Location:
Curaçao is located in the southwestern Caribbean. The largest of the
Netherlands Antilles, it is 38 miles long and from 2 to 7.5 miles wide. It is
located just 35 miles north of Venezuela, 42 miles east of Aruba and only 2 1/2
hours by air from Miami. Curaçao is outside the hurricane belt, making it a
sure holiday destination for good weather.
Climate: Located
in the tropics, just 12° north of the Equator -- and outside of the hurricane
belt -- Curaçao has a warm, sunny climate year round. The average temperature
is about 27° C ( mid 80s F). Refreshing trade winds blow constantly from the
east, picking up in the spring months. The rainy season, October to February, is
marked by short, occasional showers, usually at night, and continued sunny
weather by day. Total annual rainfall averages only 570 mm (22 inches).
Occasionally a tropical storm brewing elsewhere in the Caribbean can cause
uncharacteristically cloudy weather for a day or two.
Population:
The population of 130,000 is made up of 55 nationalities. Willemstad is the
island's capital and only city.
Government:
Curaçao, along with neighboring Bonaire and three islands in the north eastern
Caribbean (St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba), form the Netherlands Antilles,
an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curaçaoans are Dutch
nationals and carry European Union passports.
Say What?
Dutch is the official language, but Curaçaoans also speak English, Spanish and
their own unique blend, Papiamento.
Airlines and Flight Times: DCE, American Airlines, Avianca Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Servivensa Airlines, Aeropostal and Air Jamaica.
Miami: 2-1/2 hours, Amsterdam: 9 hours,
Caracas: 45 minutes and Montego Bay: 1-1/2 hours.
Departure Tax: An airport tax of U.S.$ 20.00 per person for international flights and flights to Aruba, or U.S. $10.00 per person for inter-island flights is payable when leaving the island.
Taxi hints: Taxi's are easy to recognize by their signs and the TX on their registration plates. The prices are based for 1-4 people from 6 am-11pm. A fifth person costs 25% more. After 11pm there is 25% surcharge. Passengers should agree on a price for the journey with the driver first. There are taxi stands at the airport, hotels and Sha Caprileskade in Punda.
Taxi Main Office: tel: 869-0747 Complaints: 869-0747.
The
Flag: Curaçao’s flag portrays the blue sea and sky, bisected
by the yellow sun. The two stars represent Curaçao and its uninhabited sister
island Klein Curaçao; their five points symbolize the five continents from
which the varied local population originates.
Religions:
Catholics, Protestants, Jews and Muslims all have their own houses of worship
and practice their religions freely. Over 80% of the population is Catholic,
largely people of African descent. Curaçao has a well earned reputation for
religious and ethnic harmony. Adventists, Anglican/Episcopal, Baptists, Mormons,
Jehovah's Witnesses, and Methodists are all represented and practice their
religions freely.
What
Time Is It? Curaçao is on Atlantic Standard Time: one hour
earlier than US Eastern Standard Time (the same time as Eastern Daylight Savings
Time) and four hours later than Greenwich Mean Time.
What to
Wear: Since temperatures are warm throughout the year, light,
casual tropical wear is in order. Outside, protect yourself from the sun. Most
indoor establishments are air conditioned; you may need a lightweight jacket or
long sleeves. Locals dress fashionably, particularly for indoor evening events;
dress for outdoor festivals is decidedly casual. The strong trade winds may make
wraparound and billowing skirts a problem. Some restaurants prohibit shorts or
sandals; some casinos also require jackets for men. Overly revealing clothes and
bathing suits are not appropriate, except on the beach. If you plan to walk in
the countryside, wear sturdy shoes and long pants to protect your legs from the
cacti.
Tipping: It
is customary to tip porters NAFl. 1 per bag, and taxi drivers 10% of the fare.
Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge to the bill; you can leave a couple
more guilders change if you like. Most hotels add a 12% service charge to the
bill. All this beside the 5% Government sales tax.
What to
Bring: Film and video cassettes, batteries, sunscreen, disposable
diapers, sporting goods and books are all generally more expensive in Curaçao.
Local stores carry a good selection of most items. It is advisable to bring
mosquito repellent as this is often in short supply, especially during the rainy
season.
