Essentials
- City
- Jan Thiel, Willemstad, Curacao
- Population
- Approximately 5,500 (Jan Thiel area); Curacao total: 155,000
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber available via Flow or Digicel; average 50-100 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG), pegged at 1 USD ≈ 1.80 ANG. USD is widely accepted.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and excellent quality (distilled from sea water)
- Power
- 127V/220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A & B (US standard) and some Type F (European)
- SIM Card
- Digicel or Flow; Prepaid SIM approx. $20 for 10GB (Kaya J.N.E. Beaujon)
- Banking for Expats
- MCB (Maduro & Curiel's Bank), Orco Bank; Revolut/Wise work for card payments
- Accommodation
- Luxury villas, resorts (Papagayo, Morena), and boutique apartments via Airbnb
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted in Jan Thiel restaurants/supermarkets; cash needed for small local snacks
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, and local agencies like Curacao Homes; Luxury 1BR approx. $150-$250/night
- Budget Accommodation
- Bed & Bike Curacao (Jan Thiel Branch) – Dorms from $35, Private rooms from $80
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Jan Thiel Beach area for proximity to beach clubs and nightlife
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Vista Royal for quiet residential villas; Caracasbaaiweg for convenience and transit access
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Triangle Curacao (Stuyvesantstraat 5, Willemstad) – Day pass approx. $25; Jan Thiel is mostly remote-from-home
- Best Cafe for Work
- Zest Beach Cafe (Jan Thiel) – Beachfront desks with Wi-Fi; Number Ten (Santa Rosa) – 10 min drive
- Networking Events
- Curacao Digital Nomad Meetups (Facebook Group); Curacao Business Point events
- Social Events for Expats
- Happy Hours at Zanzibar (Saturdays 5 PM - 6 PM); Dutch Expat Meetups at Papagayo Beach Club
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- 24-7 Taxi Curacao (+599 9 844 9247); Uber/Bolt are not available
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bed & Bike Jan Thiel – $15/day for bicycles; Scooter Rental Curacao approx. $35/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Jan Thiel Beach (entrance $3.50); Caracasbaai Beach (Free/Public)
- Top Regional Airline
- Divi Divi Air (flights to Aruba and Bonaire)
- Top International Airline
- KLM (Daily from Amsterdam), TUI, American Airlines (from Miami)
- Highway Access
- Caracasbaaiweg connects Jan Thiel directly to the Ring road around Willemstad
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- N/A - Curacao has no trains. Main bus terminal in Punda (15 min drive)
- Public Transport Passes
- Convoy (Large buses) or Busitos (Small vans) - approx. $1-2 per ride, cash only
- Regional Travel
- Inter-island flights to Bonaire (20 mins) or Aruba (30 mins) via Winair or Divi Divi
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Curaçao Medical Center (CMC), J.H.J. Hamelbergweg, Willemstad
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Space Curacao (Kaya Adriatiko); Yoga with Corinne at Jan Thiel Beach
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Challenge (Jan Thiel) – Modern health club, day pass approx. $15
- Laundry Services
- Washi Washi Laundry (Caracasbaaiweg) – Wash & fold service approx. $2 per kg
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Dushi Food; FoodDrop Curacao
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Keshi Yena (stuffed cheese) at Tinto; Stoba (Goat stew) at local 'Snek' shops
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Koko's (Jan Thiel Beach); Vita Vegetarian Cuisine (Willemstad)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Donut 21 (near Jan Thiel); Gelati Bella Italia at Papagayo Plaza
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Vreugdenhil Supermarket (Schubappelweg) – 5 min drive from Jan Thiel
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Coolblue (Netherlands shipping) or local Facebook Marketplace/Boutiques
- Grocery Delivery
- Van den Tweel Supermarket (Papagayo Plaza) – Offers online ordering
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Jan Thiel Beach clubs (Zanzibar, Papagayo, Mojito's & Bites)
- Local Brewery
- Swinging Old Lady Brewery (Willemstad); Polar and Amstel Bright are the local staples
- Wine Bars
- Tinto (Jan Thiel) – Great selection of South American and European wines
- Street Food Stalls
- BBQ Express (Caracasbaaiweg) – Famous late-night food truck (Truk di Pan)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Kyoto Sushi & Grill (Papagayo Plaza); Don’s Restaurant (Italian)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge (Punda/Otrabanda); Handelskade colored houses
- Museums & Art Venues
- Kura Hulanda Museum (Slavery history); Curacao Sea Aquarium
- Historical Sites
- Fort Beekenburg (Caracasbaai) – 18th-century fort; Fort Amsterdam
- Religious Sites
- Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (Oldest in the Americas)
- Annual Events
- Curacao Carnival (February/March); Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival (August)
- Cultural Districts
- Pietermaai District – Historic UNESCO area with trendy bars
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Luna Blou (Willemstad)
- Local Markets
- Floating Market Punda (Vendors from Venezuela selling fruit)
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sets at Zest on Fridays; Salsa nights at Zanzibar
- Street Art
- Scharloo District muruals (3D art and colorful street murals)
- Cooking Classes
- Caribbean Cooking Classes Curacao (Chobolobo Mansion)
- Art Galleries
- Landhuis Habaai; Alma Blou Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Landhuis Chobolobo (Home of Blue Curacao Liqueur)
- Local Heritage
- Papiamentu language and Blue Curacao Liqueur heritage
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Salt Pans of Jan Thiel (Salina) – Pink flamingos and hiking trails
- National Parks Nearby
- Christoffel National Park (1 hour drive); Shete Boka National Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Jan Thiel Salt Pans trails for mountain biking and trail running
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Director’s Bay (Scenic cliff view); Santa Martha Bay viewpoint
- Birdwatching Locations
- Jan Thiel Salt Pans for Flamingos and Warblers
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Caracasbaai Beach (Permit usually required, check local regulations)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- CPost International; DHL Curacao (Schottegatweg)
- Tech Repair Services
- iRepair Curacao (Biesheuvel) – Apple and laptop repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Often available at Morena Resort or local sports clubs in Salina
- Language Classes
- Language Schools Curacao; Private Papiamentu lessons widely available
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Curacao Public Library (Biblioteka Nashonal Kòrsou) in Willemstad
- Community Centers
- Sentro di Bario Jan Thiel
- Gaming Lounges
- Various internet cafes in Salina; Arcade at Sambil Mall
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Diamond Beach Casino (Jan Thiel, Papagayo Plaza)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $168,000) in Pietermaai/Punda
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $140,000) in Jan Thiel outskirts
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $228,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $186,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $280,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $232,000) in Vista Royal
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate 22%; special E-zone rates as low as 2%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Standard 0% if certain conditions are met, otherwise variable
- Tax System
- Territorial/Worldwide hybrid; residents taxed on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 46.5%
- VAT
- OB (Omzetbelasting) - Standard 6%; 7% for some services; 9% for luxury
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Curacao has implemented substance requirements and CFC-like rules
- Property Tax
- Yes (Onroerendezaakbelasting), scaled based on value, approx 0.4% - 0.6%
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% Transfer Tax + Notary fees (approx 1-2%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- remote Workers / @Home in Curacao program: 6-month stay with low flat fee, no income tax during this period