This automatically gives Curacao a lot of points to be at the top ranks on the must-visit lists in the Caribbean. On top of that, you have the rest of the island’s beauty to marvel at and explore. Other than its safe cities, and virtually hurricane-free climate, Curacao rarely disappoints.
Is Curacao a Rich or a Poor Country?
Curacao is considered a high-income economy according to the World Bank in 2019. The island has a GDP per capita of 19,701 USD in the same year. You might think that because of the Antilles’ tourist mecca reputation that Curacao’s thriving sector is tourism, while that is partly true, the island also benefits from its Petroleum Refining sector, and other export products like Sea Salt, and it’s Financial Services sector.
You can feel this certain wealth in their cost of living, and highly-developed infrastructure thanks to its industries, particularly the export and tourism sectors. However, despite the country’s relatively expensive cost of living, you can still see certain areas of Curacao society living below the poverty line.
This is where the service sector that operates under the island’s tourism comes in. The island’s tourism sector provides a wealth of jobs that help the locals earn a living, and keep money flowing into the island. Other than tourism, the island’s thriving export industry also rakes in money through trade with the US, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, and many more.
Is Curacao a First World or Third World Country?
Curacao is under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and thus isn’t considered a third-world country. In fact, if you ask travelers who have been there, they would naturally say it feels like the first world, or even “middle class”, because of its heavy European influence, colonial culture, high cost of living, and educated locals, it hardly feels the third world.
While the assumption of colonial island nations being 3rd world countries seems to be the norm due to its colonial past, and rundown economy, that isn’t the case in Curacao, and the ABC Islands. Due to its thriving sectors and industries reliant on trade, tourism, and service, the world bank considers Curacao a high-income economy.
What Is the Crime Rate in Curacao?
According to the US Embassy in Curacao in Willemstad, together with the US State Department reports in 2020, the Dutch Caribbean, consisting of Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten is considered to be at minimal risk or level 1. This means that people visiting these island countries are encouraged to exercise normal precautions.
Curacao is a low-risk country according to its recent crime rate reports, as a tourist destination this spells a lot of benefits for Curacao’s reputation and can help encourage more tourists to come in. However, it’s best to exercise caution as petty theft and street crimes like pickpocketing and snatching can still happen.
How Safe Is Curacao?
Curacao is considered a low-risk country with middle to low-level threats, along with Aruba. However, despite its low crime rates, the government still advises people to exercise normal precautions, and petty and street crimes are still a possibility.
Other than crime concerns, Curacao is also a low-risk country weather-wise. Lying just outside the hurricane belt, Curacao along with Aruba and Bonaire, experiences relatively hurricane-free weather all year-round, even during the infamous hurricane season that hits parts of the Caribbean.
Is Curacao Safe for Families?
You can rest assured that violent crimes are a rarity in the ABC Islands, and they usually involve gangs and drug abuse. However, petty crimes can still happen without exercising caution and discretion. Families with small children can enjoy Curacao, however, there are only a few family-friendly resorts on the island. The southwestern coasts of the island, near Willemstad, are best for families as waves are gentler.
Is Curacao Safe for American Tourists?
According to the US state department, Curacao is a level 1, medium threat country for American visitors. The department has advised US Americans visiting Curacao, and the rest of the ABC Islands to exercise normal precaution, thanks to the island’s relatively low crime rates.
But when it comes to personal testimonies, US Americans who have visited the island, have always felt safe in Curacao, not to mention the very helpful locals and the European-esque vibe of Willemstad, because of its Dutch-inspired buildings.
Is Willemstad Safe?
Curacao’s cosmopolitan entry, the city of Willemstad has been considered a safe area to live in and explore around. With the island’s lower crime rates and overall safety, a lot of people have found it easy and safe to go around Willemstad.
Can You Drink the Tap Water in Curacao?
Curacao boasts a top-notch quality of tap water in the region, along with the Aruba and Bonaire. It’s completely safe to drink and consume straight from the tap on the island. The island’s tap water is sourced from the ocean because of the island’s lack of fresh water sources.
The tap water goes through a process where the seawater is extracted straight from the sea and goes through reverse osmosis. The water is then enhanced with minerals for health and nutrition purposes making it healthy and safe to drink.
Is It Safe to Drink the Water in Curacao?
The extracted water from these goes through a process called “reverse osmosis” that effectively cleans and traits the water. The water is then enhanced with minerals for health and nutrition purposes making it healthy and safe to drink.
Are There Mosquitoes in Curacao?
Tropical climates can usually have problematic mosquito situations, especially those completely surrounded by water like an island. Mosquitoes in Curacao usually appear around sunset and sunrise, and they mainly stay around darker or dimly lit areas, and places where it’s usually moist and wet.
To prevent mosquito bites that may cause problems especially if you come from non-tropical countries, it’s best to pack mosquito repellents and cover up your skin at night. You can always make sure to book your accommodations in air-conditioned rooms if you want to be sure at night.
Is Zika in Curacao?
Since 2020, Curacao doesn’t have pressing issues with the Zika virus and people planning to go to Curacao in the future will have very little risk of becoming infected. The virtually absent cases of the Zika virus in Curacao at present make Zika shots unnecessary. Rest assured you can enjoy Curacao and the rest of the ABC Islands without having to worry.
Are There Bugs in Curacao?
Bugs and other insects can be found in the wilderness of Curacao, and they can be encountered especially if you wander around the vegetation. However, you don’t have to worry about them when you’re staying in the more developed areas of the island.
However, if you do look for them willingly out of pure interest, you’ll find a plethora of species of arachnids or spiders, butterflies and moths, bugs and roaches, and even scorpions in Curacao, and the rest of the ABC Islands. However, this isn’t a cause for concern, especially if you’re staying in a hotel or resort. The cosmopolitan area of Willemstad is also a no-insect zone.
Are There Snakes in Curacao?
Curacao has its fair share of scaly reptiles like iguanas, lizards, geckos, and snakes. However, snake species you’ll see, assuming you’ll deliberately look for them, aren’t poisonous. There are only two species of brown snakes in Curacao and they’re famously harmless and non-poisonous, and rare to encounter.
Are There Scorpions in Curacao?
You can find two distinct species of scorpion in Curacao, and both can cause painful swelling from their stings. One is the pinkish/flesh scorpion and the infamous black scorpion which both can be extremely dangerous and harmful.
How Dangerous Is Curacao?
Curacao is considered a low-risk country with middle to low-level threats, along with the rest of the Dutch Caribbean, with Aruba taking the lead. However, even though the island has consistently low crime rates, the government still advises people to exercise normal precautions, as small non-violent crimes can still happen.
Other than concerns with crime, Curacao also has good weather, all year round, and a virtually hurricane-free climate. Lying just outside the hurricane belt, Curacao along with Aruba and Bonaire, experiences a significant absence of hurricanes and storms, even during the infamous hurricane season that hits the northern parts of the Caribbean.
Violent crimes are not common in the ABC Islands, and if they occur, it usually involves gangs and drug abuse. But that doesn’t mean you have to let your guard down, especially at night. Petty and small crimes can still happen.
Families with small children can also enjoy Curacao, however, there are only a few family-friendly resorts on the island. The southwestern coasts of the island, near Willemstad, are best for families as waves are gentler.
