Getting Around Curacao: Best Ways + Why You Should Rent a Car
Figuring out how to get around Curacao is one of your first and most confusing parts of planning a trip to this beautiful Caribbean island.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to be.
The best way to get around Curaçao is by renting a car, especially if you want the freedom to soak in the island’s best beaches, viewpoints, and hidden gems on your own schedule.
I’ve visited Curaçao and used a mix of buses, taxis, and rental cars to get around, so I’ve seen firsthand what works well. And what ends up being more hassle than it’s worth, like busing to Hato Caves on the very limited Sunday bus schedule.
While you can use public transport and taxis, they come with trade-offs that can limit how much of the island you’re able to explore.
Let’s get right into everything you need to know about getting around Curacao, without wasting time or missing the best parts of the island.
Top Curacao Car Rental Companies
When booking your Curacao car rental online, I recommend and use DiscoverCars and Expedia. They offer free cancellation and search multiple options so you get a good deal.
Renting a Car in Curacao
Renting a car is the easiest way to explore the island, and driving in Curacao is relatively straightforward.
A compact car costs around $40-$60 USD per day, and a larger car, like a Jeep or SUV, costs around $80-$120 USD per day.
Compact cars are the most popular choice and great for everywhere except rougher, more remote spots like Shete Boka. They are the most popular rental car on the island for a reason!
There are plenty of rental companies to choose from. Local companies like D&D Car Rentals and United Car Rental are popular options. Just make sure you check recent reviews before booking.
One thing I didn’t expect but loved was that some rental companies will deliver your rental car to you, which is super convenient.
I was moving around the island during my stay, and my rental was dropped off in Willemstad and picked up in Jan Thiel for no extra cost and no hassle. I’ve rented cars on other islands like Aruba and Barbados, and that level of flexibility definitely stood out.
My Experience Renting a Car and Why You Should Rent a Car
Renting a car made a huge difference in how much of the island I was able to see.
I rented a tiny Kia Vitz for 4 nights of my 8-day trip and used it to explore the west side of the island to go swimming with turtles, snorkelling, and visiting Christoffel Park.
Beaches like Playa Daiibooi would’ve been much harder (and more expensive) to reach by taxi. I wouldn’t have been able to get to my boat tour which was one of the highlights of my time in Curacao.
And while you can get to Playa Grandi by bus, I didn’t want to be watching the clock or standing in the heat, waiting for the bus.
Plus, if you plan on hopping around to go snorkelling or enjoy Curacao’s great scuba diving, it’s much easier to have a vehicle to haul the rental gear (or even your own gear). I was able to visit and snorkel at 2-4 beaches a day because of renting a car in Curacao. It was awesome!
Parking Tips
Parking around the island is also easy.
Most beaches and restaurants have free parking, even if the lots are small.
Willemstad has paid parking Monday through Friday, and it is enforced, so that’s really the only thing to keep in mind.
👉 Check rental car availability for your dates with DiscoverCars
Taxis in Curacao
There are no ride-share apps like Uber or Lyft, so local taxis are your main option for getting around Curacao if you aren’t driving.
Taxi prices are tightly regulated, but they aren’t cheap.
A trip from Willemstad to the west side of the island will cost around $50 USD each way. A taxi from Willemstad to Jan Thiel is around $25 USD. And a ride from the airport to Willemstad costs around $40 USD.
If you’re planning on going long distances or using a taxi more than one ride per day, it usually ends up cheaper to rent a car.
My Experience with Taxis
I took a taxi from Jan Thiel to the airport, and it was well worth it.
It saved me from dealing with a 2+ hour bus ride on a Sunday and going to the airport hours earlier than I needed to due to the limited bus schedule.
Buses in Curacao
There are two types of buses in Curacao.
- Big buses (konvoi) with fixed routes and schedules
- Minivan buses, which are a bit more flexible
The larger buses are easier for tourists to take. They are more comfortable, have AC and allow for more seating.
All the buses start and stop in Punda or Otrobanda in Willemstad. You can find a schedule and map on the ABC Website. They also have an app, so you can see exactly where to board the bus and when it arrives.
The main downside to buses in Curacao is that they can’t get you to more remote places, they take longer, and can sometimes be unreliable.
They are fine for quick, easy trips, but I’d still recommend a car to explore the island. Including the West Coast.
To explore the West Coast, you can get to Lagun and Sabana Westpunt by bus, but to get anywhere between Lagun and Sabana Westpunt, you’d have to drive or taxi. The beaches are 0.5km or more from the main road, which doesn’t sound so bad until you think about walking around with all your snorkel gear in the heat.
My Experience with Buses
I took a bus from the airport to Willemstad, and another time, from Willemstad to Hato Caves.
On the days I didn’t have a rental car, I had planned where to stay based on the best options near or on a bus route.
Getting from the airport on the large bus was easy thanks to the airport bus stop being right outside the Departure Exit, instead of outside the airport like in Nassau. Trying to get large luggage on board through the turnstile was tricky, but doable.
I found the buses easy to use for direct trips on the route, but I wouldn’t rely on them if you’re trying to explore more than one area in a day.
I wasted almost half a day of time trying to get to and from Hato Caves from Willemstad by bus on a Sunday. It ended up being the only thing we did that day because of the bus schedule.
On Sunday, the buses run less frequently. It can be brutal to get around, taking double the amount of time it would on a weekday. Even locals warned us not to use the bus on Sundays, but we didn’t listen, thinking it couldn’t be that bad.
I like trying public transit in other countries, while saving some money on car rental costs where it makes sense, but I should’ve just stuck to the car rental for the whole vacation, like I did when renting a car in Antigua.
👉 Skip the hassle — rent a car with DiscoverCars instead
How to Get to Jan Thiel
Jan Thiel is one of the easier places to get to by public transit. Known for its scuba diving spots and a launch point for a day tour to Klein Curacao.
You can take the 6A – Caracasbaai public bus from Willemstad.
The bus station is near the post office, and you’ll want to take a bus going toward Caracasbaai.
It usually takes just under an hour and costs around $1-$2 USD.
How to Get to Lagun & Area
Playa Lagun is on the northwest point of Curacao Island. Known for its great snorkelling spots, it’s one of the more accessible beaches to reach by bus.
You can take the 3A – Banda Bou (Via Soto) bus from Otrobanda Terminal in Willemstad, and the bus drops you off right near the entrance to Playa Lagun. My hotel was right in front of the bus stop.
The bus takes just over one hour and costs around $1-$2.
The only thing to keep in mind is that buses don’t run often, especially on weekends, so planning ahead is important.
How to Get to Sabana Westpunt
Sabana Westpunt is at the northern tip of the island and close to popular beaches like Playa Kalki, Grote Knip or Playa Grandi, where you can swim with sea turtles in Curacao.
You can take the 9A – Westpunt bus from the Otrobanda Bus Station.
The bus will drop you off right on the main road, so you’ll have about a 20-minute walk to the beaches.
Again, the main downside is timing and frequency. The bus only leaves for Sabana Westpunt every 1-3 hours, depending on the day, so it’s not the most flexible way to get around Curacao.
How to Get to Christoffelpark
You can take a bus to Christoffel National Park, though it isn’t the most convenient option.
Take the 9A – Westpunt bus toward Sabana Westpunt and get off at Christoffel entrance.
From there, you’d need to walk through the park or join a jeep tour like I did, which, honestly, was one of the highlights of my trip.
You’ll also want to get one of the first buses out of town. The earliest bus arrives at 7:50am, and the hiking trail entrance closes at 10:00am, so you’ll have a late start.
Keep in mind that returning might be challenging, as you will need to refer to the ABC website and bus schedule to make sure you return in time to catch a bus back to Willemstad.
How to Get to Shete Boka National Park
Shete Boka National Park is even harder to reach by bus.
You can get here by taking a bus from Otrobanda Terminal, but they don’t run very often, and the return would be a headache.
A better option is joining a West Coast tour that includes transportation.
Like this All West Beach Hopping Tour includes a stop at Shete Boka National Park and handles all transportation for you.
Joining Tours
If you don’t want to rent a car and want to explore beyond the bus route, guided tours are your best option for getting around in Curacao.
They are especially helpful if you are short on time or visiting on a cruise.
Plenty of tours that include multiple stops, which would be difficult to organize on your own without a car or private driver.
Like these highly rated options:
Curaçao: Private Tour Ideal for Island Explorers – best tour for those without a car but who want to make the most of their day. It’s fully customizable, and unlike a typical private driver, you’ll have your very own tour guide who can share more about the island’s history and best places to visit.
Willemstad: Hato Caves, Turtle Beach, Kenepa, and Flamingos – visit the famous Hato Caves, Turtle Beach, and other places around this region. It’s not as far off the beaten path, as you won’t go to the west coast, but it’s still a good taste if you want something easy.
FAQs on Getting Around Curacao
Is Getting Around Curacao Easy?
Yes, getting around Curacao is pretty easy, especially if you have a rental car. In Willemstad, you can walk, take taxis, and even take local buses to some of the more popular destinations. But you’ll want a rental car or to join a guided tour to get more off-the-beaten path.
Can You Visit Curacao Without a Car?
You can visit Curacao without a car, but it’s more restricted. You wouldn’t be able to explore a lot of hidden gems on the West Coast, and you wouldn’t have very much freedom and flexibility. Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore the island.
Is Curacao Walkable From the Cruise Port?
The Punda and Otrobanda districts in Willemstad are walkable from the cruise port. The bus terminal is also only about a 5-minute walk from the cruise port. However, you’ll need to rent a car or join a tour to explore more remote places on the north-west coast of the island.
Are Taxis Expensive in Curacao?
Yes, taxis are expensive in Curacao. It can cost up to $80 USD one-way to reach the other side of the island. When you compare that to rental car prices, which can range between $40-$80 a day, it makes more sense to rent a car for most day trips in Curacao if you’re comfortable driving.
Is There Uber in Curacao?
No, there’s no Uber in Curacao. There are no comparable international rideshare apps on the island, either. Your best bet for getting around is walking around Willemstad, taking the bus to hot spots, and renting a car.
So, What is the Best Way to Get Around Curacao?
Renting a car is by far the best way to get around Curacao.
It gives you the flexibility to explore more of the island at your own pace, reach remote beaches, and avoid dealing with bus schedules or expensive taxi fares.
While you can use buses and taxis, and I did, they come with trade-offs. Buses are fine for simple routes, but can be slow and limiting, especially on weekends. Taxis are convenient, but the cost adds up quickly if you use them often.
If I could change one thing about my trip, I would have rented a car for the entire week.
Trying to mix buses and taxis worked, but it limited what I could see and was more hassle than it was worth.
Curacao is one of those places where having your own transportation really makes a difference, so that you can explore beyond Willemstad.
If you’re comfortable driving, I’d recommend booking your rental car in advance, especially during peak travel seasons when availability can be limited. Smaller local companies book out quickly, like they did for my December travel dates.
