Culture and Attractions
- Theater Venues
- The Cinemas Curacao and Teatro Luna Blou
- Local Markets
- Marshe Nobo (Round Market) for souvenirs and spices
- Music Scene
- Live Jazz at Miles Jazz Cafe; Ritmo Kombina at beach clubs
- Street Art
- Murals of Scharloo (Nena Sanchez works and local artists)
- Cooking Classes
- Caribbean Cooking Classes Curacao/Angélique Schoop
- Art Galleries
- Landhuis Habaai - Gallery Alma Blou
- Historic Buildings
- Landhuis Chobolobo (Home of Genuine Curacao Liqueur)
- Local Heritage
- Papiamentu language - A blend of African, Portuguese, and Dutch
- Must-See Landmarks
- Queen Emma Bridge (Pontoon Bridge) and Handelskade (Colorful houses)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Kura Hulanda Museum (African Heritage and Slave Trade history)
- Historical Sites
- Fort Amsterdam and Riffort Village
- Religious Sites
- Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue (Oldest in the Americas)
- Annual Events
- Curaçao Carnival (Feb/March) and North Sea Jazz Festival
- Cultural Districts
- Scharloo and Pietermaai for street art and architecture
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Hato Caves or the salt pans of Jan Kok (Flamingos)
- National Parks Nearby
- Shete Boka National Park and Christoffel National Park (35-min drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Rif Mangrove Park (Boardwalk tours near Otrabanda)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Top of Christoffelberg (372m) for island-wide views
- Birdwatching Locations
- Sint Michiel salt pans for Flamingos and Pelicans
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Forbidden on most public beaches; allowed at specific private events at Kokomo Beach
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Cpost International; DHL Curacao
- Tech Repair Services
- iStore Curacao (Apple Authorized) at Zuikertuin Mall
- Table Tennis Spots
- Curaçao Table Tennis Federation (Willemstad Hub)
- Language Classes
- Interlingua Curacao (Papiamentu and Dutch courses)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- National Library of Curacao (Biblioteka Nashonal Kòrsou)
- Community Centers
- Sentro di Bario Piscadera
- Gaming Lounges
- Velocity Esports at Sambil Mall
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Dreams Curacao Resort Casino (Piscadera)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $168,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $120,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $228,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $168,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $280,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $200,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate 22%; E-zone companies 2%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% to 15% depending on jurisdiction and tax treaties
- Tax System
- Territorial/Worldwide hybrid; Resident individuals taxed on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 46.5%
- VAT
- 6% Sales Tax (ABB/OB)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following Dutch-Caribbean standards
- Property Tax
- Annual 'Onroerendezaakbelasting' (OZB) based on market value, approx 0.1% to 0.6%
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax of 4% of the value of the property
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Curaçao '@Home in Curaçao' Program: approx. $264 fee, 6-month stay (renewable), no local income tax on remote earnings
Essentials
- City
- Piscadera, Willemstad, Curaçao
- Population
- Approximately 5,000 (Piscadera District); 160,000 (Nationwide)
- Internet Speed
- Reliable fiber optic; Average 50-100 Mbps (Flow Curaçao and Digicel)
- Currency & Banking
- Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG); 1 USD ≈ 1.80 ANG (Pegged). USD widely accepted.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and excellent quality (Distilled from seawater by Aqualectra)
- Power
- 127V/220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A & B (US Style) and some Type C & F
- SIM Card
- Digicel (Piscadera Bay Resort area) or Flow. ~USD 30/month for 10GB
- Banking for Expats
- MCB (Maduro & Curiel's Bank), Orco Bank; Revolut/Wise work at most ATMs
- Accommodation
- Luxury resorts and serviced apartments like Piscadera Harbour Village
- Cashless Friendly
- High; Credit cards (Visa/MC) accepted at all major establishments and resorts
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Blue Bay Resort rentals (~$120-$250/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Bed & Bike Curacao (Jan Thiel/Pietermaai nearby) or local guesthouses starting at $60/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Piscadera Bay (Beachfront resorts like Marriott and Dreams)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Piscadera Harbour Village or Parasasa for quiet proximity to Willemstad
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Triangle Curacao (Douglasweg 5) - Approx. $25/day; $300/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Starbucks Curacao Marriott Beach Resort - High-speed Wi-Fi and ocean views
- Networking Events
- Curaçao Digital Nomad Meetups (Check Facebook Groups); Curacao Chamber of Commerce events
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday Happy Hour at Parasasa Beach or Pirate Bay
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- 24-7 Taxi Curacao (App available); ~ANG 30 ($17) from Piscadera to Punda
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Wanda’s Scooter Rental; ~USD 35/day for scooters
- Best Beach Nearby
- Pirate Bay Piscadera (Entrance ~ANG 10) and Parasasa Beach (Free)
- Top Regional Airline
- Winair and Divi Divi Air (Connections to Aruba and Bonaire)
- Top International Airline
- KLM (Amsterdam), TUI, American Airlines (Miami)
- Highway Access
- Direct access to Weg Naar Westpunt and the John F. Kennedy Boulevard
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Punda Bus Terminal (Large buses/Konvoin) and Otrabanda Terminal
- Public Transport Passes
- Pay-per-ride: ~ANG 2.50 for large buses; small Vans (Bus) are frequent
- Regional Travel
- Car rental is essential (Hertz/Local vendors) starting at $40/day
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) in Otrabanda (5-min drive from Piscadera)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Space Curacao (Pietermaai) - Yoga classes ~ANG 35 per session
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Lyons Dive Center & Gym or The Gym at Marriott Beach Resort
- Laundry Services
- Wasserij Korsow; Many resorts offer valet laundry for $2-5/piece
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Dushi Food or FoodDrop
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Keshi Yena (Stuffed cheese) at De Visserij (Piscadera)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Vita Vegetarian Cuisine (Willemstad); La Boheme (Smoothies & Bowls)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Don't Hit Mama (Willemstad) - Artisan pastries and cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Centrum Supermarket (Piscadera/Piscaderaweg) or Mangusa Hypermarket
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Bol.com (via forwarders) or Caribbean Goods
- Grocery Delivery
- Centrum Supermarket Online or Hop.cw
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Pietermaai District (10 mins away) or Mambo Beach BLVD
- Local Brewery
- Brion Beer (Brewed specifically for the island profile)
- Wine Bars
- Kome (Pietermaai) - Extensive curated wine list
- Street Food Stalls
- Plasa Bieu (Old Market) in Punda - Authentic local lunch
- Popular International Cuisine
- Tomato Corner (Italian) or Kyoto Sushi & Grill