About Curacao

Even with the fairly consistent trade winds, the ocean is usually relatively calm with small waves close to the coast. Boat divers will find much larger waves and swells further out, but of course Dive Bus shore divers don’t have to worry about that :o)

Prevailing winds are from the NE and the prevailing current (usually mild to none) runs East to West. This can reverse during rainy season, so check with the Dive Bus Crew.

And on the very rare occasion when the wind switches to S/SW, hang on to your hats and stay East (where we are) or head West to go surfin’ instead of divin’ !

Water temp: warmest = 84 C / 28? F (July to Sept/Oct); coolest 78 C / 24 F (Dec to Feb / Mar); other months are something in between… Visibility: ridiculous (except after a rain storm when it can drop to ‘normal for most other diving locations’…

Find out MUCH more about diving Curacao here.

Curacao is usually pretty damn hot and gorgeous all year round, with an average temperature of mid 80s F / mid 20s C.

Located in the tropics, 12’ north of the Equator, we’re out of the hurricane belt, but the cooling, much- appreciated trade winds blow (mostly) gently and constantly from the East. The climate is semi-arid, so cactus-like plants abound here, and grass is a rare sight (except in rainy season when it springs up everywhere!)

The trade winds drop off during September and October, making these the hottest and most humid months leading up to rainy season, and underwater is the best place to be then :o)

Rainy season starts around October / November and continues through until March-ish. It’s a relief when the rain comes, bringing the cooling trade winds again, and the island turns from desert-like to lush green almost overnight. The rain usually falls at night or early morning, with the ‘regular’ sunny weather in the day time. Temperatures are generally a little cooler than the rest of the year.

If it does rain in the daytime, enjoy it. Everything smells clean and fresh and looks lush and green. And as quickly as it starts, it’s gone and the sun bursts back out again and dries everything off.

So don’t worry about being in Curacao during the rainy season – it’s a great time to be here!

Curacao is 180-ish square miles, 37 miles long by about 9 miles wide at the widest part.

The highest point is Mount Christofel which is 1,239 feet exactly. We know because we felt every single one of them! (Top tip: go VERY early in the morning!)

Multitudinous. Dutch is the official language but Papiamentu is spoken by almost all of the locals and English is spoken in most tourist-facing businesses (including The Dive Bus, strangely enough…)

Papiamentu is a mixture of Spanish, Dutch, French, African, Portuguese, English… The locals are a talented bunch.

Approximately 140,000-ish, representing approximately 50 different nationalities. This massive mix of nationalities makes for a wonderfully integrated, multi-cultural island – and a very broad choice of cuisine styles and flavours!

Curacao is a relatively ‘rich’ island and oil is its primary economy. Second is Finance, with Tourism in 3rd place (which explains the service in a lot of restaurants…. Top tip: never go eat when you’re hungry, always go BEFORE!)

Although Curacao is out of the hurricane belt, it’s in the constant path of the trade winds, bringing lovely, much-needed relief from the warm temperatures pretty much all year round. These winds, plus the occasional tropical storm, mean that most of the beaches are rocky or coral rubble rather than sand – apart from at hotels and other private beaches where sand is brought in. The naturally sandy beaches that you do find, are protected from wind and currents.

Palm trees are not indigenous to Curacao (although we have plenty of the) so don’t be surprised to see cactus on the beaches. (Seriously).

There are descriptions of the beaches at The Dive Bus shore dive sites here and plenty of beaches and other topside photos here.

This is not a time zone but a mind-set. Don’t come here expecting speed (except when driving) or efficiency or you may be disappointed and somewhat frustrated. (And if you get speed and efficiency, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.)

You’re coming to this lovely Caribbean island to relax – and relax you will, whether you like it or not. That’s just the way it is and after a couple of days, you’ll find that it’s not a bad thing at all.

Just make sure you get to the restaurant before you’re hungry.

Curacao provides an ever-increasing selection of accommodations to suit all tastes and budgets, in a number of very different areas / locations.

The Dive Bus is based outside of the Willemstad area, close to Curacao Seaquarium and Breezes / Sunscape Hotel – more info here.

Our pick up service covers accommodations in the Willemstad area, but we dive all over Curacao. So if you’re staying elsewhere, just drive to us for your first day of diving, then meet us onsite for the rest of your dives – simple!

Yup, we have electricity on the island, mostly. Power outages are fairly rare but can happen. Larger hotels and restaurants have back-up generators but smaller places certainly don’t so just head to the nearest bar until power’s restored. No worries :o)

Plugs are usually 110v, US-style. Larger hotels may also have European sockets and/or adapters but don’t bank on it. Bring your own just in case.

We may have electricity on Curacao but hot water is usually only available in hotels – and not all of them, all of the time, and not necessarily the ‘hot’ you’re used to at home.

There are increasingly more places offering free WIFI access – including The Dive Bus, so you can post your photos to facebook instantly, and write your Dive Bus Trip Advisor review whilst drinking your post-dive beer… (please!)

Curacao sometimes gets a bad rep for safety and security which is somewhat unfair. It’s no better or worse than other places we’ve traveled to or lived in – including the UK and USA – and just like everywhere, it’s about using your common sense.

In fact, you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised by how friendly most people are: a smile and a nod will get you a VERY long way.

Curacao is wealthier than other Caribbean islands, but it has poorer neighbourhoods and its share of poverty and street-folk, like most places. However it’s highly unusual to be harassed like you might in places such as Jamaica, for example. (Unless you visit the street markets, but that’s just folks trying to earn an honest living. A smile and a ‘no thanks’ usually puts an end to it.)

Crimes against the person are rare, but, like back home, don’t wander around certain areas after midnight, flashing your Rolex or your fancy camera.

Crimes against property are less rare, unfortunately. Leave your belongings unattended on the beach or in your car, and you may find they belong to someone else by the time you return. So keep your money and your valuables with you at all times, and only bring what you need when you head out.

(We were once confronted by a very angry South American, furious that over $1000 cash and 6 passports had been stolen from his car whilst he went swimming at the beach…)

So if you’re heading out diving:

• invest in a dry-box and carry your money, credit card, DAN card and PADI card with you on the dives. It doesn’t even need to be a dry-box – soggy dollars are widely accepted (it’s still cash after all) and if your credit card has survived a turn in the laundry machine, a dive or 2 certainly won’t hurt.
• If you rent a car, leave the vehicle unlocked and windows open a bit so would-be thieves don’t have to smash them to enter – only to find there’s nothing to take, as you took your valuables with you.
• Bring your common sense, and leave your 6 passports and $1000s at your accommodation.

Your tap water is distilled from the ocean and totally potable. It’s also very expensive and sometimes scarce, so use it carefully and wisely please.

As all trash goes to landfill, please refill a water bottle rather than buying plastic bottles of water. And recycle your plastic and aluminum at the Greenforce recycling centers around the island, including The Dive Bus.

There’s HEAPS to do on Curacao – once you’ve finished your diving for the day. Check out Trip Advisor

From cheap-as-chips to terribly-nice-indeed-darlings with many in between, and all kinds of cuisine-styles, there’s something for everyone for sure.

Check out good ol’ Trip Advisor here.

Unless you’re planning on treating yourselves to a special meal at a fancy restaurant (of which there are many) you can leave your ties and cocktail dresses at home.

Evening dress is smart casual and many places allow jeans, shorts and t-shirts. Many restaurants are outdoors and occasionally it gets chilly in the evenings so bring one warm/long sleeved top with you.

Curacao is a predominantly Catholic country so it’s respectful NOT to go topless on beaches (or restaurants, bars or dives for that matter ;o) ) but many people do. (Go topless on beaches, not in restaurants, bars or on dives.)

• Licenced taxis are identifiable by their licence plates with begin with the prefix TX
• Fares are set by the Government and are not negotiable
• It’s not unusual for taxi drivers to add other people to your cab so don’t be surprised! It doesn’t usually reduce the fare, unfortunately
• Depending on where you’re staying, return taxi fare to / from restaurants, bars or your ride to / from the airport can be more expensive than renting a car for a day

• If you’re diving with The Dive Bus, you’ll get to see plenty of the island on your journey to and from the dive sites. But if you have a rental car, you can ‘follow the Bus’ and either continue exploring the island once you’re done divin’ for the day OR bring tanks for additional, independent dives
• Since a one way taxi ride from the airport to your accommodation will cost you at least $25, you may want to arrange to pick up your rental from the airport. There can be an additional charge for this but it may be worth it for the convenience and time-saving.
• You’ll find some of the usual international car rental brands here in Curacao, as well as a bunch of local companies which are generally cheaper than the big boys.
• Open jeeps like Suzuki Samaris are great fun to drive and cope well with some of Curacao’s bouncier ‘roads’ (dirt tracks). However, bear in mind that these are totally open so you can’t leave anything valuable unattended in them – like spare tanks…
• Regular cars with a trunk may not be as much fun but they are more practical in terms of security. You’ll get air co instead of the trade winds rushing through your hair, and you’ll be able to leave valuables, including spare tanks, hidden in your trunk.
• We recommend a car rather than a truck so you can use the trunk for stuff  – including spare tanks. Check out these Security Tips to help avoid theft from your vehicle or elsewhere.
• Avoid excess car rental charges by using a tarp to cover the car seats and protect them from all the sand your equipment will pick up from the beaches. Lots of car rental companies charge extra to clean out the sand…. Bring a tarp with you from home or buy one up from The Dive Bus.
  • Tarps are also super-useful for gearing up to avoid sandy bits in your wetsuit and your sensitive and expensive dive equipment.)
• Invest in a dry box – cigarette pack size is ideal. You can fit your c-card, car keys, room key, money, credit card, DAN details and emergency contact in and take it out diving with you. This way you’ll have all your important stuff on your dive so you can relax. Available at The Dive Bus.
• Don’t forget your drivers’ licence!!! It may sound obvious but you’d be amazed how many people do. No licence = no driving. (Take it with you on your dives.)
• Don’t shoot the navigator. Most of the Curacao roadmaps are quite unhelpful and you will get lost (“go exploring”) – it’s all just part of the adventure…

More info on Trip Advisor here.

Whether you are driving or being driven in Curacao, you need good insurance and nerves of steel. Follow the rules, but don’t expect anyone else to. Expect the unexpected, and nobody to stop for you (even if you have priority) and you should be fine.

The locals either drive on island-time (dead slow) or like rally drivers. Neither group tend to worry too much about priorities at junctions, red lights, overtaking in on-coming traffic or on corners, hills etc etc.

Traffic lights, speed limits and road markings (if present) are more ‘suggestions’ than regulations.

Horns are used as a way of greeting on the island, so if you’re constantly being tooted at, it’s probably because someone thinks you’re their aunt/friend/neighbour etc. Or they’re giving way to you. Or you’re driving too slow. You’ll figure it out.

Don’t shoot the navigator: road signs are increasing in number but can still be highly confusing and often, plain wrong. Instead navigate like the locals: by landmarks, such as ‘snacks’ (roadside bars / convenience stores), hotels, MacDonalds, roundabouts (there are only 4 or so in total) etc etc

No ‘open container’ laws here – in fact, you’ll see many drivers chugging on a bottle of beer whilst driving. It’s ok, they’re just thirsty and the beers are very small…

Local currency is the Netherlands Antilles Florin / Guilder and abbreviated as NAFl or ANG. Euros are not accepted but US$ are accepted just about everywhere (bring $20s as many places don’t take larger notes), with most service businesses, including The Dive Bus, showing pricing in both currencies. The US$ / NAFl exchange rate is between 1.75 – 1.80 NAFl to US$1.

Foreign currency exchanges are handled by banks rather than cambios / money exchanges. But: no passport, no exchange so remember to take it along.

Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted, although many businesses will levy a charge for using them as the merchants’ bank charges here are pretty steep. This may show on your bill as a ‘service charge’ and is not the same as a tip.

If you pay with credit card, your transaction amount will show as, and be charged in, US$. Chip and PIN credit cards work here, no worries.

AmEx, Diners Club and non-major cards are not widely accepted on the island (or at The Dive Bus) due to even higher bank charges to merchants.

These are widely accepted but note that your transaction amount will be shown as, and charged in, NAFl (local currency).

You can also use these to withdraw cash from ATMs – check with your bank as some levy daily maximum withdrawal amounts.

Don’t bother! Most places, including The Dive Bus, don’t accept them due to the banks’ tendencies to reject them for no good reason.

The cost of living on Curacao is pretty reasonable, especially compared to other Caribbean islands. A decent meal in a decent restaurant with drinks is about $30-35 per person – although you can pay a lot less AND a lot more. There’s a lot of choice, something for everyone for sure.

The same cold beer can cost as little as $2.00 from a little local shop/bar at the side of the road (called “Snacks”) to $6.50 in a stylish beach bar.

As of 1 January 2014, all prices should be inclusive of sales tax (“OB”) so the price you see in a store should be the price you pay.

However many restaurants and hotels also add service tax which can anything up to 15%-ish. This may be to cover credit card fees (the banks don’t ‘allow’ merchants to levy these) or tips, so you may want to check with your server.