Money

1. Currency Exchange

Travelers can get their money exchanged at banks and ‘bureaux de change'. ATMs are also available around the island for getting quick cash. There are several registered establishments and offices where travelers' checks can be exchanged. This includes commercial banks, retail stores, certain hotels and the airport at Curacao. When exchanging money at the airport, tourists should use their discretion as some commercial banks and retail stores offer better rates. When in Curacao, tourists can depend on their credit cards for money exchange. A number of hotels, shops and restaurants honor credit cards and charge them accordingly. Tourists are likely to pay a service fee on these swipes. Debit cards can also be used for currency exchange.

Several leading banks have their ATMs spread across the island for the convenience of the tourists. Certain ATMs even dispense U.S. dollars, eliminating the need to exchange currency at all times. Banks that undertake currency exchange services include MCB, Banco di Caribe, RBTT, Giro, Central, Orco, SFT and Scotiabank. Tourists may find it difficult to change higher value notes in U.S. dollars. Exchanging travelers' checks are easy but tourists are required to pay additional charges for such exchanges. The Netherlands Antillean Guilder has been replaced by the Euro. Exchange rates are likely to differ marginally at stores and hotels. There is no black market and this eliminates the possibility of currency exchanges from dubious sources that tantamount to fraud and unfavorable rates. There is no restriction on the amount of money that can be exchanged when on holiday as the government has not put any limitations on the amount of money tourists can carry into Curacao.

2. What a Dollar Will Buy You

Tourists may enjoy reasonably priced meals at the island for $6. Such rates are made available by private restaurateurs who operate at a local level and by American retail restaurants. Moderate food rates start at about $9 and could be anywhere between $24 for a meal. Upscale restaurants charge anywhere between $20 to $60 USD for a meal. Car rentals for a day cost about $30 to $80. For a week, the rates are comparatively reasonable and amount to $200. Tourists may purchase bus and minibus tickets for under $1 a trip to travel the countryside.

3. Telecommunications

When calling within Curacao tourists do not need to key in internal area codes. Local telephone numbers start with 9 and are mostly seven digit numbers. Tourists may make overseas calls from local phone booths or their hotels. The latter proves to be expensive as hotels may charge additional service taxes. Visitors can make use of telephone cards that can be used at public phone booths. These can be bought from post offices, retail stores, snack bars and gas stations. The mobile telephone network is stable and the island has an effective GSM network.

4. Cab Fares

When considering cab travel, it is important to know that they are a more expensive option as compared to other modes of transportation. Cab fares start at around $8 and could be around $30 a trip depending up on the distance covered. It is advisable to agree upon cab fares before hiring a cab.

5. Currency Exchange Rates

1 EUR = 1.28054 1 USD

1 USD = 0.780923 EUR

6. Taxes

All visitors above the age of 2 are required to pay about $20 as a departure tax on international flights. When leaving Curacao for another island, the departure tax is $5.75. This tax may or may not be included in ticket costs so it is important for tourists to enquire in order to be certain if the tax has been paid or not. Room taxes are 12% on accommodations and $3 as energy tax is charged at all hotels per day. Hotels also add 7% government tax for rooms and 10 to 15% service charge. Restaurants bills include 6% tax and 10 to 12 % service charge on meals.

7. Tipping

If service charges are not included in restaurant bills, the staff can be tipped for about 15% of the bill. Mostly a 10% service charge is added to the bill and providing additional small change is appreciated. Apart from the service charge paid at hotels, visitors can tip porters a dollar or two. Taxi drivers expect a tip of 10%. Porters at the airport also need to be tipped. Porters and bellmen can be paid about $1 a bag and housekeeping staff at hotels can be paid $2-$3 per day.