OnlyCuraçao guides are designed to help you make better decisions before the trip and calmer decisions while you are on the island. Use this guide as a practical starting point, then verify anything time-sensitive directly with the relevant business or authority.
Decide whether a car fits your stay
A car is especially useful if you want to visit several west-coast coves, Christoffelpark or Shete Boka, or if your accommodation is outside a walkable district. If your plans center on one resort and organized excursions, transfers and taxis may cover more of the trip than you expect.
Map your first three days before booking. Count the airport transfer, beach days and dinners away from your hotel. That gives you a fair comparison between a full-week rental and selected rental days.
Compare the complete rental price
The headline rate may exclude insurance choices, airport collection, an additional driver, child seats or a security deposit. Ask what happens after a puncture, accident or breakdown and which number you should call outside business hours.
Read the fuel rule and mileage policy. Confirm the amount held on your card, when it is released and whether your bank card is accepted for the deposit.
- Insurance excess and exclusions
- Deposit and accepted payment cards
- Fuel and mileage policy
- Roadside support and after-hours contact
- Airport or accommodation delivery fees
Make pickup boring—in a good way
Walk around the vehicle slowly. Record the bodywork, glass, wheels, fuel level and interior in one continuous video, then photograph existing marks. Make sure every visible issue is written on the rental form before leaving.
Adjust mirrors, test the lights and air conditioning, and find the hazard lights before joining traffic. Download an offline map so one weak mobile signal does not decide your route.
Drive for the road you are on
Keep extra distance, expect roundabouts and watch for scooters, pedestrians and animals. Roads toward smaller beaches can feel narrower or rougher than the main city routes, so slow down rather than following an unrealistic map arrival time.
Parking is often straightforward outside central areas, while paid parking rules can apply in parts of Punda and Otrobanda. Check signs and current payment instructions where you leave the car.
Take a final return video showing the fuel level and condition, and keep the receipt until the deposit is fully released.
Checked 16 August 2026. Useful official and supporting sources: Curaçao Tourist Board: driving licence requirements, Curaçao Tourist Board: getting around. Details, rules, prices and schedules can change.