Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While on Curaçao, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Driving on Curaçao is on the right-hand side of the road (as in the US).  Local laws require drivers and passengers to wear seat belts, and motorcyclists to wear helmets.  Children under 5 years of age must be in a child safety seat; older children must ride in the back seat.  Right turns at red lights are prohibited on Curaçao, and U-turns are often restricted. Traffic signs prohibiting actions have a red circle around them, but not the red slash you expect to see in the United States.

Curaçao's main roads are usually well-lit, and most hotels and tourist attractions can be easily located.  Nonexistent or hidden street signs are a major problem.  Therefore, drivers should proceed through intersections with caution.  Roads on Curaçao are extremely slippery during rainfall.  Night driving is reasonably safe, as long as drivers are familiar with the route and road conditions.  There are speed limits on Curaçao, and driving while intoxicated may result in the loss of a driver’s license fine and/or imprisonment.  However, these are not consistently enforced.  Drivers should be alert at all times for speeding cars or drunk drivers, which have caused fatal accidents.  In the rural areas of the island, drivers should be alert for herds of goats or other animals that may cross the roads unexpectedly.  Minivans used as public buses are inexpensive, and run non-stop during the daytime with no fixed schedule.  Each minibus has a specific route displayed in the front windshield.  Buses, which run on the hour, have limited routes. Taxis, while relatively expensive, are safe and well-regulated.  As there are no meters, passengers should negotiate a price before entering the taxi.

Look out for scooters, motorcycles and ATV’s while driving.  They may not strictly follow traffic rules. ATV’s are licensed as cars on Curaçao, and are often driven on major streets.

The emergency service telephone number is 911.  Police and ambulances tend to respond quickly to emergency situations.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Travelers may also wish to visit Curaçao’s tourist office website for more information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: Prior to October 10, 2010, Curaçao was a part of the Netherlands Antilles.  On that date, Curaçao acquired a new, semi-autonomous status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assessed the government of the Netherlands Antilles as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Netherlands Antilles air carrier operations.  However, under its new status, Curaçao was assessed by the FAA for compliance with ICAO aviation standards and was found to be deficient in several areas with respect to oversight of Curaçao’s air carrier operations.  Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.