If you mainly stay around your resort or explore central Willemstad on foot, you may not need a car every day. If you want to combine beaches, explore the west coast or travel on your own schedule, a rental car makes the island much easier.
View rental cars for Curaçao
For beach hopping, Westpunt and road trips, a rental car is usually the most flexible option.
Do you actually need a rental car?
You can manage some days without a car if your vacation is centred on Willemstad, Mambo Beach or Jan Thiel. For Westpunt, Shete Boka, Christoffelpark and smaller coves, a rental car gives you much more freedom and lets you build the day around your own pace.
Curaçao is compact: many places can be reached within roughly 30 to 45 minutes from where you start, although peak traffic around Willemstad can add time.
Road rules to know before your first drive
Traffic drives on the right. You need a valid driving license. General speed limits are 40 km/h (25 mph) in built-up areas and 60 km/h (37 mph) outside them; 80 km/h (50 mph) can apply on the ring road where signs indicate it.
Holding a phone while driving is not allowed and the legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.5‰. Drive defensively, especially where markings or priority signs are faded or unclear.
Roundabouts and right of way
Roundabouts deserve extra attention. At larger roundabouts with priority signs, traffic already on the roundabout has priority. If priority signs and markings are absent, traffic from the right can have priority. Read the signs rather than assuming every roundabout works the same way.
At a T-junction, traffic on the through road has priority over traffic coming from the road that ends.
Roads, potholes and rain
The main route between Willemstad and Westpunt is generally easy to drive, but secondary roads can be rougher and have potholes. Slow down on smaller roads leading to beaches instead of trying to match the pace of local traffic.
After rain, roads can become surprisingly slippery. Reduce speed, increase following distance and brake smoothly.
Parking without hassle
Park on the right-hand side of the road. Parking is prohibited along a broken yellow line, while stopping is prohibited along a solid yellow line. At beaches and attractions, use a clear parking area rather than squeezing onto the roadside.
Do not leave bags, phones, cameras or other valuables visible in the car. It is a simple precaution against opportunistic theft.
Driving with children and collecting your rental car
Children under 12 who are shorter than 150 cm should use an appropriate child restraint. Reserve one in advance if you need it from the rental company.
When collecting the car, walk around it, record existing damage, check the roadside-assistance details in your rental agreement and load your first route before you leave. An offline map is useful for smaller roads to beaches and coves.
- Keep your first drive simple after a long flight.
- Leave early for a west-coast day so you can stop without rushing.
- Download your route for offline use before heading to a remote cove.
- Leave extra distance after rain.
- If you have a breakdown or damage, contact the rental company first and follow the rental agreement.
View rental cars for Curaçao
For beach hopping, Westpunt and road trips, a rental car is usually the most flexible option.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a rental car in Curaçao?
Not necessarily every day. Central Willemstad and some resort areas work without a car, but a rental car is very useful for the west coast, nature parks and visiting several beaches in one day.
Which side of the road do you drive on?
Traffic drives on the right in Curaçao.
Who has priority at roundabouts?
Always read the signs and road markings. At larger signed roundabouts, traffic on the roundabout has priority; without priority signs, traffic from the right can have priority.
Are the roads easy to drive?
The main route between Willemstad and Westpunt is generally good. Secondary roads can have potholes and rougher surfaces, and roads can become very slippery after rain.