Essentials
- Population
- Approximately 1,000 residents
- Internet Speed
- 40-100 Mbps via Flow or Digicel fiber (Varies by villa/resort)
- Currency & Banking
- Antillean Guilder (ANG), 1 USD ≈ 1.80 ANG. USD widely accepted.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable (Desalinated seawater, high quality)
- Power
- 127V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US Standard); some resorts offer Type C/F
- SIM Card
- Digicel or Flow (Digicel 10GB data pack approx. $30 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- MCB (Maduro & Curiel's Bank), RBC, Revolut (ATM withdrawals only)
- Accommodation
- Boutique resorts, dive lodges, and Airbnbs ($80 - $250/night)
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly; cards accepted at dive shops and resorts, cash needed for snack bars
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, Marazul Dive Resort ($1,200 - $2,500/month)
- Budget Accommodation
- Nos Krusero Apartments (approx. $75/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Playa Kalki area (Sandton Kura Hulanda surroundings)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Marazul Dive Resort (Gated, reliable Wi-Fi, community feel)
- City
- Westpunt, Curaçao, Caribbean
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None in Westpunt; closest is Triangle Curaçao in Willemstad (45 min drive)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Lagun Blou Resort Cafe (Nearby in Lagun, quiet with sea view)
- Networking Events
- Dive community meetups at Ocean Republic or GO WEST Diving
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night happy hours at Sol Food (reopening scheduled for 2026)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- 24-7 Taxi Curacao (App); note: taxis are very expensive to Westpunt (~$80 from airport)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Westpunt Bike Rentals ($25/day for mountain bikes)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Grote Knip (5 mins drive) and Playa Kalki (walking distance)
- Top Regional Airline
- Divi Divi Air, Winair
- Top International Airline
- KLM, American Airlines, JetBlue
- Highway Access
- Weg Naar Westpunt (Main artery connecting to Willemstad)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; ABC Bus terminal in Otrobanda (Willemstad)
- Public Transport Passes
- Konvoi (Large buses) - $1.25 per trip; no weekly passes
- Regional Travel
- Bus Route 9A (Otrobanda-Westpunt), roughly every 2 hours
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) in Willemstad (45 min drive)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Morning Yoga at Lodge Kura Hulanda (Seasonal sessions)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Outdoor functional fitness at Christoffel National Park trails
- Laundry Services
- Laundromat services available at Marazul Dive Resort for guests
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Dushi Food (Limited service to Westpunt; usually requires high delivery fee)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Karkó (Conch) or Kabritu Stobá (Goat Stew) at Jaanchie's
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Cactus Café (Plant-based burgers and bowls)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelato at Playa Kenepa Grandi snack bar
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Toko Westpunt (Convenience store); Centraal Madeiro in Barber (15 min drive)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- ClickCuracao.com, limited Amazon delivery via freight forwarders
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour Curaçao (Online ordering possible, delivery to Westpoint usually weekly)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Blue View Sunset Terrace (Chill sunset drinks; no clubbing scene)
- Local Brewery
- Local beer: Amstel Bright or Polar (Brewed in neighboring islands)
- Wine Bars
- Landhuis Misje (Upscale dining with extensive wine list)
- Street Food Stalls
- Playa Piskado fish market (Fresh grilled fish stalls)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Sol Food (Pizza and BBQ - American style)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Watamula Blowhole (Natural coral formation and geyser)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Tula Museum at Landhuis Kenepa (History of the slave revolt)
- Historical Sites
- Landhuis Savonet (One of the oldest plantation houses)
- Religious Sites
- St. Peter Claver Church (Sint Petrus Claver Kerk)
- Annual Events
- Seú (Harvest Festival) in April; Westpunt local fishing derby
- Cultural Districts
- Savonet Cultural Heritage area
- Theater Venues
- None; requires travel to Teatro Luna Blou in Willemstad
- Local Markets
- Barber Sunday Market (Marshe di Barber) - 15 mins away
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic music at Playa Forti Restaurant on Sundays
- Street Art
- Hand-painted signs at Jaanchie’s Restaurant
- Cooking Classes
- Local Krioyo cooking workshops available at Landhuis Savonet
- Art Galleries
- Gallery Alma Blou (Willemstad - 45 min drive)
- Historic Buildings
- Landhuis Knip
- Local Heritage
- Papiamentu language and 'Dushi' lifestyle culture
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Shete Boka National Park (Rugged coastline and sea turtle nesting)
- National Parks Nearby
- Christoffel National Park (Hiking the peak)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Mountain bike trails around the Watamula area
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Playa Forti cliff overlook (High-altitude ocean view)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Salina Sint Michiel (Flamingos) or Christoffel Park (Warawara hawks)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Only allowed in designated pits at certain private beaches; check locally
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- CPOST International (Post office in Barber)
- Tech Repair Services
- Requires travel to Willemstad (e.g., Boolchand’s)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Marazul Dive Resort Recreation Area
- Language Classes
- Private Papiamentu tutors through Facebook groups
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Small resource center at Landhuis Savonet
- Community Centers
- Westpunt Community Hall (Centro di Bario)
- Gaming Lounges
- None in Westpunt
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Diamond Beach Casino (30 mins drive in Jan Thiel/Willemstad area)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200 per m² (Oceanfront luxury units, e.g., 40 m² = $168,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (Barber/Inland, e.g., 40 m² = $112,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,500 per m² (Westpunt cliffside, e.g., 60 m² = $270,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (Lagun Area, e.g., 60 m² = $180,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,000 per m² (Gated resorts, e.g., 80 m² = $320,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,500 per m² (Rural Banda Abao, e.g., 80 m² = $200,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate 22%
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% to 10% depending on tax treaties
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residential hybrid; Worldwide income for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Approx. 46.5%
- VAT
- OB (Omzetbelasting) - 6% standard, 7% luxury/specific services
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following Dutch/Kingdom standards
- Property Tax
- Onroerendezaakbelasting (OZB) approx. 0.4% - 0.6% annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% Transfer Tax (Overdrachtsbelasting)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Curaçao @Home Program: 6-month stay (extendable), 0% local tax on foreign income