Curacao
Curacao – the very name conjures up a mosaic of cultures and you are so very right. Curacao’s inhabitants are influenced by the heritage of Arawaks, Dutch, Spanish, West Indian, Latin and African. With such a diversity of culture, you can well imagine the dining experience and the cultural charm of such a fabulous island.
With this diversity you have a rich history of: Jewish Culture, European Flavor and African Heritage. The local language is called Papiamentu and is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and African dialects. Of course English is understood and spoken, so you will be right at home.
Climate & Landscape
Located in the tropics, just 12° north of the Equator, Curaçao has a warm, sunny climate year round. The average temperature is about 27° C (in the mid 80s F). Cooling trade winds blow constantly from the east, picking up in the spring months. The rainy season, which is between October and February, is usually marked by short, occasional showers, mostly at night, and continued sunny weather by day. Total annual rainfall averages only 570 mm (22 inches). Additionally, Curaçao is located on the outer fringes of the hurricane belt. Consequently, the frequency of hits by tropical storms is much lower than for other parts of the Caribbean.
Curaçao Airport
Curaçao has a modern international airport, and the island is served by a number of airlines. Connections can be made to any part of the world. The Curaçao International Airport boasts the longest runway in the Caribbean. The runway is capable of handling almost any type of aircraft including jumbo jets.
Curaçao has daily non-stop air services from the U.S., and daily flights to Venezuela and from the Netherlands. Curaçao also offers flights to Surinam, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Domingo, Bonaire, Aruba and St. Maarten. Simply, there is no excuse not to visit this charming island.
Currency
The local currency in Curaçao is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (also called the florin), which is abbreviated as Nafl. Or Ang. U.S. dollars circulate freely, so it is possible to get by using only American dollars or credit cards. Please note that vendors can rarely supply change in U.S. currency.
US$ 1 = Nafl. 1.77—cash
US$ 1 = Nafl. 1.78—traveler’s check
Exchange rates may vary slightly at stores and hotels. You can find daily exchange rate information at one of our local banks.
Euro’s are accepted at some hotels and restaurants, but unlike U.S. dollars, do not circulate freely. Exchange rates for other currencies are posted at banks and listed in the daily papers.
Major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere on the island.
ATM machines can be found all over the island at major population centers and at the airport. To recognize an ATM machine, look for the signs “Bankomatico” or “Geldautomaat.”
Entertainment and Nightlife
Exotic days, eccentric nights: What’s your fancy? Dancing, Jazz, Island Music, Tropical libations, or maybe Karaoke. You will find this and more in Curacao. For a complete list of entertainment, be sure to pick up a K-Pasa Entertainment Guide.
World class shopping on your European/Caribbean adventure
Shopping
Curaçao has been a major trade center for hundreds of years so it’s not surprising that stores are stocked with quality items from around the world. Strolling around in exquisite, centuries-old buildings while ocean liners cruise up the channel that cuts through the city, so close you could almost touch them, all this makes the shopping ambience very special.
HOTELS
Avila Beach Hotel
Address: Penstraat 130-134
Phone: (599-9) 461-4377
Fax: (599-9) 461-1493
Bon Bini Seaside Resort
Address: Bapor Kibra
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4100
Phone: (599-9) 461-8000
Fax: (599-9) 461-7500
Clarion Hotel & Suites Curacao
Address: Piscaderabaai z/n
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6005
Phone: (599-9) 433-6666
Fax: (599-9) 433-6602
Curacao Airport Hotel / Howard Johnson Inn
Address: F.D. Rooseveltweg 524
Phone: (599-9) 868-8044 / (599-9) 868-8014
Fax: (599-9) 868-8114
Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino
Address: J. F. Kennedy Boulevard
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6003
Phone: (599-9) 736-8800
Fax: (599-9) 462-7502
Dolphin Suites Curacao (Opening October 11th 2008)
Address: Seaquarium, Bapor Kibra z/n
Phone: (599-9) 465-2700
Fax: (599-9) 465-2701
Floris Suite Hotel
Address: Piscaderabaai z/n
Phone: (599-9) 462-6111
Fax: (599-9) 462-6211
Hilton Curacao
Address: J. F. Kennedy Boulevard, Piscaderabay
Phone: (599-9) 462-5000
Fax: (599-9) 462-5846
Holiday Beach Hotel
Address: Pater Eeuwensweg
Phone: (599-9) 462-5400
Fax: (599-9) 462-4397
Hotel ” Rocema inn”
Address: Juan Domingo Zuid blok 1
Phone: (599-9) 869-9578
Fax: (599-9) 869-9430
Hotel & Apartments Celeste
Address: Dr. M.J. Hugenholtzweg 37-39
Phone: (599-9) 465-6911
Fax: (599-9) 465-6949
Hotel & Restaurant Landhuis Daniel
Address: Weg naar Westpunt z/n
Phone: (599-9) 864-8400
Fax: (599-9) 864-7284
Hotel Carlos
Address: Frederikstraat 111
Phone: (599-9) 462-5063
Fax: (599-9) 462-2411
Hotel Estoril & Restaurant
Address: Breedestraat 179 (O)
Phone: (599-9) 462-5244
Fax: (599-9) 462-6220
Cell. Phone: (599-9) 560-0187
Hotel Habitat
Address: Rif St. Marie z/n
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7111
Phone: (599-9) 864-8304
Fax: (599-9) 864-8464
Hotel Kura Hulanda
Address: Langestraat 8, Otrobanda
Phone: (599-9) 434-7700
Fax: (599-9) 434-7701
Hotel Mira Punda
Address: van der Brandhofstraat 12
Phone: (599-9) 461-3995
Fax: (599-9) 461-2392
Hotel Park
Address: Frederikstraat 84
Phone: (599-9) 462-3112
Fax: (599-9) 462-5933
Hotel Pelikaan & Casino
Address: Langestraat 78, Otrobanda
Phone: (599-9) 462-3555
Fax: (599-9) 462-6063
Hotel Pension El Conde N.V.
Address: Roodeweg 74
Phone: (599-9) 462-7875
Fax: (599-9) 462-7611
Hotel Trupial Inn & Casino
Address: Groot Davelaarweg 5
Phone: (599-9) 737-8200
Fax: (599-9) 737-1545
Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel
Address: Brionplein, Otrobanda
Phone: (599-9) 462-7800
Fax: (599-9) 462-7803
Lido Hotel
Address: Kaya Richard J. Beaujon 29
Phone: (599-9) 738-1888
Fax: (599-9) 738-1818
Lions Dive & Beach Resort
Address: Bapor Kibra z/n
Phone: (599-9) 434-8888
Fax: (599-9) 434-8889
Otrobanda Hotel & Casino
Address: Breedestraat, Otrobanda
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2092
Phone: (599-9) 462-7400
Fax: (599-9) 462-7299
Palu Di Mangel Resort
Address: Piscaderaweg nst 51
Phone: (599-9) 462-2077
Fax: (599-9) 462-1525
Pietersz Guesthouse & Apartments
Address: Roodeweg 1
Phone: (599-9) 462-5222
Fax: (599-9) 868-8519
Plaza Hotel Curacao
Address: Plaza Piarz/n
Phone: (599-9) 461-2500
Fax: (599-9) 461-6543
Renaissance Curacao Hotel & Casino (Opening soon)
Address: Rif Fort, Otrobanda
Phone: (599-9) 435-5000
Fax: (599-9) 435-5025
San Marco Hotel & Casino
Address: Columbusstraat 5-7, Punda
Phone: (599-9) 461-2988
Fax: (599-9) 461-6570
St. Michiel Bay Inn
Address: Redaweg z/n
Phone: (599-9) 869-5943
Fax: (599-9) 869-5731
Sunset Waters Beach Resort & Casino
Address: Sta. Martha Baai
Phone: (599-9) 864-1233
Fax: (599-9) 864-1237 / (599-9) 864-1214
SuperClubs Breezes Curacao (ex. Princess Beach)
Address: Dr. M.L. King Boulevard 78
Phone: (599-9) 736-7888
Fax: (599-9) 461-7205 / (599-9) 461-7205
Tropical Hotel
Address: Rio Canarioweg 7
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4479
Phone: (599-9) 888-1600
Fax: (599-9) 888-1803
