SSome things are just useful to know.

The Time

If it is summer time in the Netherlands, then it is 6 hours earlier on Curacao (so 4:00 PM in the Netherlands is 10:00 AM on Curacao). Because Curacao does not observe winter time, there is a time difference of only 5 hours during winter time (so 4:00 PM in the Netherlands is 11:00 AM on Curacao).

It gets dark relatively early in Curacao. Every day between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM the sun sets into the sea and every morning between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM the sun rises again. On Curacao you will usually eat in the dark in the evening.

Money

On Curacao you pay with the Antillean Guilder, abbreviated as ANG or NAF. The rate fluctuates a bit, because it is linked to the US Dollar. As an indication, you can assume that NAF 1.85 is approximately € 1.00.
You can also use the US Dollar as a means of payment at many (tourist) locations. Because the Antillean Guilder currency is too small for credit card companies to work with, the amount will be converted to US Dollar when paying with your credit card. ING’s VPAY does not yet work everywhere on the island and Amex is not accepted everywhere. Get a Maestro card and change the settings to worldwide.

You can withdraw money ‘from the wall’ in plenty of places on Curacao. This also applies at the rear of the airport and at the Van Den Tweel supermarket on Jan Thiel. You pay extra costs for paying with a Dutch bank card. These costs apply per transaction, regardless of how much you withdraw. It is cheaper to pay 1x NAF 600 than 2x NAF 300. In some places you will find a ‘drive-through pin’, a kind of McDrive but with a pin machine. You drive your car directly in front of the ATM and can withdraw your money directly from the car.

In shops and restaurants on Curacao you can pay by card at the cash register almost everywhere. I always only have a few NAF with me, just in case. Also very useful are ”the helping hands” at, for example, the gas station or at the Vreugdenhil and Centrum supermarkets, where you will be helped with your shopping.

Anti-sunscreen and mosquito repellent

Curacao is located near the equator. Sun burning lurks, even when there are clouds. Have you thought about sunscreen yet? And after sun? A UV shirt (or suit) is very useful for children. Also remember your sunglasses, a cap or sun hat and, just to be on the safe side, bring a thin shirt with long sleeves.

On Curacao you will undoubtedly be bothered by mosquitoes. Some periods more than others, but there are certainly mosquitoes on Curacao. These mosquitoes mainly target tourists because they have thinner skin than the tanned skin of the local population.

Insect repellent with Deet in it works best, we have found out. Spray as soon as the sun starts to set. From that moment on the mosquitoes are active. Make sure to wash your hands well after using the spray.

Creams with SPF and mosquito repellent are both available at supermarkets and botikas (pharmacies).