15 Essential Tips for Driving in Curacao

Driving around Curacao is the best way to explore the island, but there are a few things that can catch you off guard if you’re not prepared.

I rented a car, drove all around the island and had a great experience overall, but there were definitely a few moments where I questioned things, like barely visible speed bumps, and driving on the west coast in pitch black at night.

The good news is that driving in Curacao is actually pretty straightforward once you know what to expect. The roads are generally well-maintained, and outside of Willemstad, there isn’t much traffic.

Let’s get right to what I wish I knew before driving in Curacao so you can avoid the small frustrations and be ready for the most fun adventures around the island.  

1. Renting a Car Makes Exploring Way Easier

You can technically get around Curacao without a car. There are public buses and taxis, but its much more limiting. 

I took a bus from Willemstad to the Hato Caves and from the airport into town, and while it worked, it wasn’t something I’d rely on for exploring. The buses don’t run frequently, slow your travel pace down, and can be unreliable.

Having a car makes a huge difference. You’ll get around much faster and can get to places like Playa Grandi to swim with turtles, explore Christoffel Park, and visit Shete Boka National Park without worrying about timing or logistics.

Plus, you can save money on diving in Curacao by just renting gear from a local dive shop and carrying it around in your rental car.

Curacao is one of those islands with so many adventure activities that you don’t want to miss out on anything, especially if you are only visiting Curacao for 7 days or less.

Looking back, I would’ve just rented a car for my entire trip instead of mixing in buses and taxis for half of it. 

👉 Skip the hassle and rent a car here

2. Know What Kind of Vehicle to Choose

Compact cars are the most popular rental option in Curacao, and this is what we went with. 

For the most part, you can get almost everywhere in a compact car. The only place where you can’t get to is Shete Boka National Park, where the roads are rocky and uneven.

That said, you’ll have no problem driving through Christoffel Park in a compact car because the roads are better maintained. They are narrow, but they keep it one-directional flow to combat that.

In some ways, a small car is actually easier, especially when the roads get narrow along the West Coast or when parking in Willemstad.

Curacao is not like Aruba, where you’ll need a 4X4 to explore all the national parks. Unless you’re planning to go off-road, a compact car will be more than enough. 

There are plenty of rental companies to choose from, including both international brands and smaller local companies. D&D Car Rental is one of the more popular local options. 

👉Book your rental car for Curacao

3. Most Don’t Need an International Driver’s Permit

You don’t need an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) if your regular driver’s license is in Latin script (so English, most languages in Europe, and Latin America) and you’re staying in Curacao for under 6 months.

An International Driver’s Permit translates your license into 150+ languages, making it valid while travelling abroad. But it’s not a requirement for most travellers who will be driving in Curacao.

I didn’t need one, and was glad not to have to add it to my travel prep to-do list.

4. Drive on the Right Side of the Road

Driving in Curacao is similar to the United States and Canada as you drive on the right side of the road. 

This makes it easy if you are travelling from the Americas, most of Europe, most of Africa, and much of Asia. 

So, you don’t have to worry about mixing up directions or anything like that.

5. You Can’t Turn Right on Red

Like Aruba’s driving rules, you can’t turn right on red in Curacao. 

Some local drivers might not be following this road, or might even honk at you when you stop, but don’t worry about them. It’s best to stick to the driving in Curacao rules and drive defensively.

6. Roundabouts Are Everywhere Around Willemstad

There are a lot of roundabouts around Willemstad in Curacao, but not so much found elsewhere on the island.

If you’re used to them like we are in Canada and the United States, they’re pretty straightforward. But if you’re not, it’s worth brushing up before you go.

I didn’t find them difficult, but there are definitely moments where traffic moves quickly, so it’s important to stay alert. Just look at the Curacao street signs ahead of time so you know what to watch for.

7. Speed Limits Aren’t Always Clearly Posted

One thing I quickly noticed is that speed limit signs aren’t posted as often as you might expect.

Speed limits in Curacao are: 

• 80 km/h on larger, four-lane sections of the road and at busy roundabouts
• 60 km/h on main roads outside city and town centers
• 40 km/h in towns and neighbourhoods.

Try to watch for speed limit signs, and when in doubt, go at a slow, steady pace.

8. Watch for Speed Bumps (They Are Easy to Miss)

Some speed bumps in Curacao are surprisingly hard to see. There are like non-bump speed humps at some intersections. 

They aren’t as big a bump as your traditional speed bump, and are often the same colour as the road. 

Drive slowly and try to avoid hitting one and catching air.

We hit one a little faster than we should have early in the trip, and after that, we made sure to slow down anytime we approached an intersection or unfamiliar stretch of road.

I came across a few in Willemstad and another on the west coast near a school. There aren’t too many on the island, but it would be rather annoying to miss them and go flying.

9. Most Roads are Good, But Some are Rough

Most of the roads in Curacao are pretty good, especially around Willemstad and main routes. 

They certainly aren’t as bumpy compared to the roads in Antigua, unless you’re taking back roads to secluded beaches. Or driving the section from Lagun to Sabana Westpunt.

I rented a compact car to explore western Curacao and didn’t have any issues, but I definitely slowed down on certain roads to be safe.

If the road conditions seem bad, or they seem slippery after the rain or something, drive with extra caution.

10. Google Maps Works Fine (But Trust Your Eyes)

Google Maps works well in Curacao for the most part, just make sure you download the offline maps for the entire island in case you lose cellphone reception while adventuring around the island. Or buy an e-sim.

I used Google Maps both with and without an e-sim for my whole trip.

That said, it’s not perfect.

There were a few times where:

• Road signs weren’t clearly marked or visible
• One-way streets weren’t obvious
• Directions didn’t quite match what I was seeing

Google Maps might also direct you down a road that looks too narrow or bumpy for your rental car. 

I was trying to get to Boka Patrick, and tried two different ways to get there, but just couldn’t risk it with the road options it gave me being too narrow and rough.

Trust your eyes, and if the road doesn’t look right, don’t drive down.

11. Road Signs Aren’t Always Clear

Not all road signs are easy to understand. Some are in Dutch or Papiamentu, and others don’t have easy-to-decipher images. 

Before driving, it’s worth looking up common road signs, like the sign for ‘no turns’ or priority in the junction, so you know what to expect. 

12. Bring Cash for Gas

Most gas stations only accept cash (USD or the Caribbean guilder) for gas, which caught me a bit off guard at first. So make sure you have plenty before a long road trip. 

You’ll also need to pay before pumping gas, so just go up to the cashier, pay based on how much you think you need, and then return to your car. If you overpaid, you can collect the difference. 

13. Fill Up Before Heading West

There are gas stations all over the island, but they become much more sparse the further away from Willemstad you get. 

The easiest thing to do is to fill up in Willemstad or near your accommodation on Curacao before venturing too far west, where options are more limited.

I planned to fill up prior to heading west, and quickly realized how few gas stations there were, so I stopped at the next one I saw. It’s better to make a point to fill up just to avoid having to think about it later.

14. Construction Can Add Distance To Your Route

Depending on the road construction that’s being done, some sections of roads close off one side entirely and become 1-direction only, while they work on one side at a time. 

This can catch you off guard and turn your quick drive to the beach into a longer scenic drive. 

I got caught with one of these on my trip, and because there are fewer roads on the West Coast, it turned my 10-minute drive into a 20-minute one, while I had to loop around the long way coming from my Curacao clearboat tour. 

15. Watch for Animals on the Road

Curacao has tons of wildlife, ranging from deer to goats, which is one of the best things about exploring the island, but make sure you’re aware of this when driving. 

Watch out for wildlife crossing the street and avoid speeding altogether to avoid an accident. Luckily, the only deer I saw was on my jeep tour in Christoffel National Park.

I came across goats, cats, and birds while driving, especially in quieter areas, so it’s important to stay alert and avoid speeding. 

FAQs about Curacao Driving

For example, you can take a bus from Willemstad to Sabana Westpunt. To get to the popular beaches, like Grote Knip or Playa Grandi, you’ll have a 20-30 minute walk from the bus stop.

Final Tips for Driving in Curacao

Driving in Curacao is honestly the best way to explore the island. 

And some of my favourite moments in Curacao happened while driving around the island. Stopping at random viewpoints, pulling over near secluded beaches, dining at delicious spots away from the bus route, and exploring parts of the west coast I never would’ve reached without a car.

Once you get used to a few small quirks, like unclear signage, occasional rough roads, and speed bumps that sneak up on you,  it was one of the easiest Caribbean islands I’ve driven in.

If you’re comfortable driving at home, you’ll likely have no problem exploring Curacao by car too. 

Plus, you’ll be able to fill your itinerary with as many exciting adventures as you want.

👉Secure your rental car for Curacao here