Curacao Overview Country Overview Curaçao, the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles, is part of the Dutch Leeward Islands, also known as the Dutch Antilles. Willemstad, the capital, is noted for its brightly coloured, Dutch-style houses and Cunucu dwellings (based on African-style mud and wattle huts). It is one of the finest shopping centres in the Caribbean. The harbour has a floating market where colourful barges full of agricultural produce are moored. Nearby is the new market building, the design of which is very striking. St Christoffel National Park, occupying the most northwestern part of the island, is a nature reserve dominated by the mountain of the same name. There are several caves decorated with Arawak Indian paintings, some unusual rock formations and fine views across the countryside. Lucky visitors may spy iguanas and shy Curaçao deer. Traditional Dutch food is popular, as well as the exciting flavours of Creole food, criollo, which makes good use of fresh fish. There are several discos run by hotels on the island some of which also have a casino. General Information Area: 444 sq km (171 sq miles). Population: 152,700 (1996). Population Density: 344.0 per sq km. Capital: Willemstad. Population: 2345 (1992). GEOGRAPHY: Curaçao, the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles, is geographically part of the Dutch Leeward Islands, also known as the Dutch Antilles. It is flat, rocky and fairly barren owing to its low rainfall. There are many excellent beaches. Government: Part of the Netherlands Antilles; dependency of the Netherlands. The Netherlands Antilles consist of Curaçao, Bonaire, St Maarten, St Eustatius and Saba. The capital of the island group is Willemstad, Curaçao. Head of State: HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, represented locally by Governor Jaime M Saleh since 1990. Head of Government: Prime Minister Miguel Arcangel Pourier since 1999. Language: Dutch is the official language. Papiamento (a mixture of Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, English, Arawak Indian and several African languages) is the lingua franca; English and Spanish are also widely spoken. Religion: The majority of the population is Roman Catholic, with Protestant minorities, both evangelical and other low-church denominations. There is also a Baha’i temple and a synagogue. Time: GMT - 4. Electricity: 110/220 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications:   Telephone Good IDD service to Europe. Country code: 599. Outgoing international code: 00. Mobile telephone TDMA network exists. GSM 900 network operated by Setel NV has just been established. Handsets can be hired at the airport post office. There is a five per cent tax. Internet There is an Internet cafe in Willemstad. Local ISPs include IBM and Curanet. Telegram Facilities available in most large hotels and in the post office in Willemstad. Post Airmail to Western Europe takes four to six days. Press English-language newspapers include the Daily Herald and the Business Journal. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.19 12.10 6.195 5.975 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 13.79 9.455 6.130 5.995 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes 4 Yes Australian Yes 5 Yes Canadian 3 5 Yes USA 2 4 Yes OtherEU 1 4 Yes Japanese Yes 5 Yes PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least three months after intended return to home country required by all except the following: (a) 1. nationals of Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and The Netherlands holding national identity cards; (b) 2. nationals of the USA holding voters’ registration cards or birth certificate, and alien residents of the USA with an Alien Registration Card; nationals of the USA born outside the USA with naturalisation certificates of American citizenship; (c) 3. nationals of Canada with birth certificates or proof of citizenship or with Certificate of Naturalization or with Certificate of Proof of Canadian Citizenship; alien residents of Canada still holding their national passport with either Canadian Immigration of Identification Certificates (CIIC) or Canadian Certificate of Identity. Note: Although not officially required, nationals of (a)-(c) are advised to carry their passport as an additional form of identification. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) 4. nationals of Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the UK and the USA for visits of up to 90 days (stay can be extended locally by the same period); nationals of The Netherlands (including Aruba) for an unlimited stay; (b) nationals of Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Hungary, Israel, Jamaica, Korea (Rep), Malawi, Mauritius, Niger, The Philippines, Poland, San Marino, Slovakia, Spain, Swaziland and Togo for visits of up to 90 days (stay can be extended locally by the same period); (c) 5. nationals of countries mentioned in the chart above and most other countries for a stay of 14 days (stay can be extended locally by the same period). Note: Nationals of the following countries must apply for a visa before entering the country even for touristic purposes: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China (PR), CIS, Croatia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Romania and Vietnam. Types of visa and cost: Single-entry visa: £16 (for one month); £19 (for three months). Multiple-entry visa: £22 (for three months). Transit: £6 (for one to five days). Validity: Up to three months from date of issue. Application to: Nearest Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Further information about visa requirements may be obtained from the Royal Netherlands Embassies which formally represent the Netherlands Antilles. For addresses, see The Netherlands section. Application requirements: (a) Passport valid for a minimum of three months after intended return to home country. (b) One fully completed application form. (c) One passport sized photo per person endorsed on passport, with daytime phone number and address written clearly on the back. (d) Fee; payable by postal order (to Royal Netherlands Embassy) or cash. Cheques are not accepted. (e) Return or onward ticket. (f) Evidence of sufficient funds covering cost of intended stay, amounting to a minimum of £30 (cash not accepted). Note: Some nationals may be required to show proof of funds amounting to more than the above. Please check with the nearest Consulate or Embassy before travelling to Curaçao. Working days required: Applications should be lodged at least three weeks prior to departure. Temporary residence: Enquire at the office of the Lieutenant Governor of the Island Territory of Curaçao, Concordiastraat 24, Wilhemstad. Dutch Europeans are permitted to reside in the Netherlands Antilles without having to apply for a residence permit. Money Currency: Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin (NAG) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of NAG250, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1 cents. US Dollars are accepted everywhere. However, it is best to take notes in small denominations; US$50 and US$100 notes are not always easy to change. Note: The Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin is tied to the US Dollar. Currency exchange: Available in banks and bureaux de change. There are some ATMs. Credit & debit cards: Major credit cards are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Debit cards are accepted in large shops and supermarkets. Travellers cheques: Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars. Currency restrictions: The import and export of local and foreign currency is unlimited. The import of Dutch or Surinam silver coins is forbidden. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movement of the Netherlands Antilles Guilder against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date Feb ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 2.55 2.71 2.81 2.83 $1.00= 1.78 1.78 1.78 1.78 Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1530. Duty Free The following items may be taken into Curaçao by those over 15 years of age without payment of duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2l of alcoholic beverages; an unlimited amount of perfume; gifts up to the value of NAG100. Note: If the total value of the goods per passenger exceeds NAG500, a declaration should be made on customs forms and cleared at the freight department. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Mar 3 Carnival Monday. Apr 18 Good Friday. Apr 21 Easter Monday. Apr 30 Queen’s Birthday. May 1 Labour Day. May 29 Ascension. Jul 2 Curaçao Flag Day. Oct 21 Antillean Day. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 23 Carnival Monday. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Easter Monday. Apr 30 Queen’s Birthday. May 1 Labour Day. May 20 Ascension. Jul 2 Curaçao Flag Day. Oct 21 Antillean Day. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No 1 Cholera No No Typhoid and Polio 2 N/A Malaria No N/A 1: A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers over six months of age coming from infected areas. 2: Immunisation against typhoid is sometimes advised. Food & drink: All mains water on the island is distilled from sea water and is thus safe to drink. Bottled mineral water is widely available. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat. Other risks: Hepatitis A and B occur and immunisation is sometimes recommended. There are potential risks from sea urchins, jellyfish and coral whilst swimming. Health care: There are three hospitals on Curaçao. The largest, St Elizabeth, is well equipped. Health insurance is recommended. Travel - International AIR: The national airline of the Netherlands Antilles is Air ALM (LM). It operates to Amsterdam, Miami, Caracas and the larger Caribbean islands. KLM operates daily flights to Curaçao from Amsterdam. Other airlines serving Curaçao include American Airlines, Avianca Airlines and Air Jamaica. Approximate flight times: From Curaçao to London is 11 hours (depending on connection time), to Los Angeles is 12 hours and to New York is 6 hours. International airports: Curaçao (CUR) (Hato) is 12km (7 miles) from Willemstad. Bus to the city centre operates daily 0600-2300 (travel time – 45 minutes). Taxis are also available (travel time – 30 minutes). Airport facilities include duty-free shop, bar, restaurant, light refreshments, banks/bureaux de change, ATMs, post office, hotel reservation facilities and car hire. Taxis are available to Willemstad (travel time – 20 minutes). Departure tax: NAG36 (US$20) per person. SEA: International cruise lines calling at Curaçao include Air Tours/Sun Cruises, Deutsche Seetouristik, Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Royal Cruise Line. Travel - Internal AIR: Windward Islands Air International (WM) operates to Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten. ALM operates regularly between Curaçao, Bonaire and Aruba. Departure tax: NAG10 (US$6.00) to other islands in the Netherlands Antilles; children under two years of age and passengers transiting within 24 hours are exempt. ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. A good public bus service runs throughout the island and many of the main hotels provide their own minibus services to Willemstad. Taxi: These are plentiful as are car hire firms (both international and local), which are located at the airport and in the main hotels, as well as in the capital. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. Accommodation HOTELS: There are a few luxury hotels on Curaçao, all offering air-conditioning, restaurants, swimming pools and/or beach access, and a choice between European Plan (room only) and Modified American Plan (half-board). Most also offer some sort of in-house entertainment, a baby-sitting service and cable TV. Some have their own casinos. Out-of-town hotels provide their guests with free transport to and from Willemstad. A seven per cent government tax and 12 per cent service charge are levied on all hotel bills. For more information, contact the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA), PO Box 6115, Kaya Junior Salas One, Willemstad (tel: (9) 465 1005; fax: (9) 465 1052; e-mail: information@chata.org; website: www.chata.org); or Curaçao Apartments and Small Hotels Association (CASHA) (website: www.curacaoweb.com/casha). GUEST-HOUSES: For details of more modest accommodation – guest-houses, commercial hotels and self-catering – contact the Curaçao Tourism Development Bureau (see Contact Addresses section). Introduction WILLEMSTAD: The capital is noted for its brightly coloured, Dutch-style houses and a range of other interesting and complementary architectural styles, including cunucu houses (based on African-style mud and wattle huts), thatched cottages and country houses. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the finest shopping centres in the Caribbean. Monuments of interest in the city include the Statue of Manuel Piar, a famous freedom fighter, and two statues associated with World War II: one given by the Dutch royal family to the people of Curaçao (in recognition of their support), and one in commemoration of those who lost their lives. The mustard-coloured Fort Amsterdam, now the seat of government of the Netherlands Antilles, stands at the centre of historic Willemstad, which from 1648-1861 was a fortified town of some strategic importance. The fort’s church, still standing, doubled as a storehouse for provisions saved in case of siege. Other specially designed storerooms for food, sails and other essentials may still be seen. A cannonball is still embedded in the church’s southwest wall. Nearby is the present Governor’s Residence, dating back to the Dutch colonial days. Also worth seeing are the Queen Emma Pontoon bridge and the Queen Juliana Bridge. The latter spans the harbour at a height of 490m (1600ft). The harbour itself has a floating market where colourful barges full of agricultural produce can be seen. Nearby is the new market building, the design of which is very striking. The market comes to life after 0600 on a Saturday morning. The architecture of the Scharloo area, reached by crossing the Wilhelmina Drawbridge, is fascinating, dating from as early as 1700. The Mikvé Israel Synagogue is the oldest in the Americas and, like the Jewish Beth Heim Cemetery, is worth a visit. Its courtyard museum has a fine collection of historical artefacts. ELSEWHERE: Besides the excellent beaches and hotel resorts, the island itself has a number of other points of interest. Just outside Willemstad is the modern site of the Netherlands Antilles University, and further along the western road is the Landhuis Papaya (a country house), the Ceru Grandis (a three-storey plantation house) and the driftwood beach of Boca San Pedro. Also of note is Boca Tabla, the thundering underwater cave of the north coast and the picturesque fishing village of Westpoint. St Christoffel National Park, occupying the most northwestern part of the island, is a nature reserve dominated by the St Christoffel Mountain. There are several caves decorated with Arawak Indian paintings, some unusual rock formations and many fine views across the countryside – the ruins of the Zorguliet Plantation and the privately owned Savonet Plantation and the Savonet Museum may be seen at the base of the mountain; the latter dates back to the 18th century and is still in use today. The indigenous flora includes orchids and some very interesting evergreens. As well as the interesting birdlife, iguanas and the shy Curaçao deer may also be observed at the park. Well worth a visit are the interesting Caves of Hato. Magnificent stalactite formations, wall paintings and underground streams with cascading waterfalls can be seen within the 4900m (16,076ft) labyrinth. Sport & Activities Watersports: As with the other islands of the Caribbean, watersports are widely promoted and facilities on Curaçao itself are well developed. There are excellent beaches for swimming (some charge an entrance fee). Windsurfing, sailing and water-skiing are popular on the island and the hotels and watersports centres are well equipped. Snorkelling, scuba-diving and deep-sea fishing are also popular and there are plenty of opportunities to participate in these sports. Tuition is available. Other: Other sports available include tennis, squash and golf (at the Shell 9-hole golf course and the new 18-hole course near the Blue Bay golf resort. Horseriding can also be arranged. Social Profile Food & Drink: Traditional Dutch food (particularly using fresh seafood and cheeses) is popular, as well as the exciting flavours of Creole food (criollo) which also makes good use of the great variety of fresh fish. French, Italian and other international cuisines are also on offer. Restaurant styles vary from informal bistro to the very expensive. A wide variety of alcohol is available. ‘Curaçao’ liqueur, which is made from sun-dried peel of a bitter orange and a mixture of spices is a popular local drink. Nightlife: There are several discos run by hotels on the island and some hotels have a casino. Performances of drama and music can be found at the Centro Pro Arte. Shopping: Curaçao (and other Netherlands Antilles islands) is a thriving centre for duty-free shopping. An enormous range of imported goods is on sale at considerably reduced prices. Locally made curios are available for the tourist. A particularly popular souvenir is the ‘Curaçao’ liqueur (see Food & Drink section). Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1400-1800. Special Events: For a complete list of special events, contact the Curaçao Tourism Development Bureau (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events held in Curaçao in 2003: Jan-Feb Carnival (including Tumba Festival, Teener Parade, Banda Bou Parade and Grand Carnival Parade). May 16th Annual Curaçao Jazz Festival. Aug Curaçao Salsa Festival. Dec Festival of Lights; St Nicolas Day. Social Conventions: The social influences are predominantly Dutch, combined with Indian and African traditions. Dress for men should include tropical lightweight suits for business appointments and formal wear for evening engagements. Similarly, women should take some evening wear, but dress for daytime is casual. Swimwear should be confined to the beach and poolside only. Tipping: Hotels add a five to ten per cent government tax and a 12 per cent service charge. Bar staff, waiters, porters and doormen expect a ten per cent tip. Business Profile Economy: Curaçao is the most prosperous of the Netherlands Antilles island group. The capital, Willemstad, is at the centre of a network of ‘offshore’ banking facilities and other financial services. Curaçao also houses one of the largest dry docks in the western Caribbean: its operations have recently become profitable after years of loss-making. Oil refining and transhipment are the other key economic activities. Import substitution has also been successfully pursued and a wide range of consumer goods are now produced locally. Venezuela, which supplies most of the crude oil for the refineries, and the USA are the island’s principal trading partners. Business: Suits should be worn and punctuality is essential. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1330-1630. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Curaçao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 10, Kaya Junior Salas 1, Willemstad (tel: (9) 461 1451 or 461 3918; fax: (9) 461 5652; e-mail: businessinfo@curacao-chamber.an; website: www.curacao-chamber.an). Conferences/Conventions: There are facilities at the World Trade Centre, Conference Centre Kura Hulanda and Tres Tan Conference Centre. For further information contact the Curaçao Tourism Deveolpment Bureau (see Contact Addresses section). Climate Hot throughout the year, but tempered by cooling trade winds. The main rainy season is from October to December. The annual mean temperature is 27.5°C (81.5°F), rainfall is 515mm and humidity is 75.9 per cent. The island lies outside the Caribbean ‘hurricane belt’. History and Government History: The Netherlands Antilles group, of which Curaçao is the largest and most prosperous, was first encountered by Europeans in 1499, when Alonso de Ojmeda – one of Columbus’ lieutenants – reached the island. It was settled by the Spanish, in the early 1500s, who retained possession until the Dutch East India Company seized it in 1634. Thousands of slaves were then imported to provide labour for the island group’s plantation agricultural schemes. In the early 19th century, persistent attacks by the British and French destabilised the island for a while; at one point it was even leased to a New York merchant. By 1816, the Dutch had reasserted control and introduced further plantations. The abolition of slavery in 1863 set off a long period of economic decline, relieved in 1916, by the opening of an oil refinery. This and other oil-related industries became the mainstay of a booming economy until the 1980s. On the back of this, Curaçao became the most prosperous of the Netherlands Antilles, a position that caused some resentment among the other islands in the group, particularly Aruba. Nonetheless, constitutional referenda held on the three smaller islands (St Eustatius, St Maarten and Saba) in 1994 produced majorities in favour of remaining with the Antilles group. At the February 1994 elections to the Staten (see below), a new Curaçao-based party, the Partido Antia Restruktura (PAR), emerged as the largest single grouping and its leader, Miguel Fournier, assumed the premiership. At the most recent poll, in January 1998, the PAR was deposed by an alliance of the Antilles’ two other main political parties – the conservative National People’s Party (PNP) and the left-liberal Labour Party People’s Crusade (PLKP). The PNP’s Suzanne Camelia-Römer assumed the premiership. However, the Camelia-Römer government lasted just over a year, before collapsing. It has now been replaced by a five-party coalition led by the PAR, which includes the PAR’s former foe, Camelia-Römer’s PNP. PAR leader Michel Fournier has once again taken over the premiership. Government: Curaçao is a constituent island of the Netherlands Antilles; the others being Bonaire, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten. The Netherlands Antilles, Aruba and The Netherlands each have equal status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as regions autonomous in internal affairs. The Dutch monarch is locally represented by a Governor, while the Netherlands Antilles are represented in the Government of the Kingdom by a Minister Plenipotentiary. Foreign policy and defence matters are decided by a Council of Ministers of the Kingdom, including the Plenipotentiary, and executed under the authority of the Governor. The internal affairs of the islands are administered by the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles, which is based in Willemstad, Curaçao, and responsible to the Staten, or legislative assembly. Curaçao may elect by non-compulsory adult suffrage 14 out of 22 members to the Staten. Routine local affairs on each island group (Bonaire, Curaçao and the Windward Islands) are managed by an elected Island Council presided over by a Lieutenant Governor. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.