Westpunt Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 👥 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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 |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING WESTPUNT