What to Pack for Curaçao

/ Travel Guide, Travel Tips

What to Pack for Curaçao

Packing for Curaçao is not complicated, but it is worth thinking about before you arrive. The island is hot, the sun is intense, and the beaches demand a different setup than most people bring. If you pack right, you will spend your trip comfortable and prepared. If you don’t, you will be buying sunscreen at tourist prices and wishing you had brought reef shoes.

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This is a practical packing list based on what actually matters on this island — not a generic Caribbean packing list, but what you need for Curaçao specifically.

The Essentials You Cannot Skip

    Sunscreen (SPF 50+). The sun in Curaçao is closer to the equator than most visitors are used to, and it is intense. You will burn faster than you expect, even on cloudy days. Bring enough for the whole trip — sunscreen on the island is expensive, and the selection at local stores is limited.

    A wide-brimmed hat or cap. You will be outside all day. A hat protects your face and neck in a way that sunscreen alone does not. Most locals wear hats during the day, and visitors who don’t are the ones who burn.

    Sunglasses. The sun on white sand and clear water is blinding. Bring sunglasses that you don’t mind losing — the beaches are not gentle on eyewear.

    Pack appropriately for the beaches — check our beach guide to plan your beach days.

    Reef shoes or water sandals. Many of Curaçao’s beaches have rocky entries, coral near the shore, or urchins in the shallows. Reef shoes protect your feet when you walk into the water, and they make snorkeling much more comfortable. You can buy them on the island, but the selection is limited and the prices are higher than at home.

    A reusable water bottle. The tap water in Curaçao is safe to drink — it comes from a desalination plant — and you will need to drink a lot of it. The sun dehydrates you faster than most people realize, especially if you are spending the day at the beach. A reusable bottle saves money and reduces plastic waste.

Clothing for Curaçao

Curaçao is hot year-round, with temperatures between 80 and 90°F (27–32°C) and high humidity. The dress code is casual everywhere except a few upscale restaurants, and most visitors wear the same thing every day.

What to Bring

    Lightweight shorts and t-shirts. This is your everyday outfit. Bring enough for the length of your trip — laundry service is available but not always convenient.

    Swimwear (two or three suits). You will be in the water every day, and swimwear takes time to dry in the humidity. Having two or three suits means you always have a dry one ready.

    A light cover-up or rash guard. A rash guard protects your skin from the sun while you snorkel, and it reduces the amount of sunscreen you need to apply. A cover-up is useful for walking from the beach to a restaurant.

    Sandals or flip-flops. You will wear these most of the trip. Bring a pair that is comfortable for walking and that can get wet.

    One nice outfit. If you plan to eat at an upscale restaurant or go out in the evening, bring one outfit that is slightly dressier than your beach clothes. Most restaurants in Curaçao are casual, but some expect collared shirts and closed-toe shoes for men.

    A light rain jacket or windbreaker. Curaçao is mostly dry, but brief rain showers can happen, especially in the afternoon. A light jacket takes up no space and is useful if you get caught in a shower.

What You Don’t Need

    Jeans or heavy pants. It is too hot for jeans in Curaçao. You will wear them once and regret it.

    A heavy jacket. The temperature doesn’t drop below 75°F (24°C) even at night. A heavy jacket is dead weight in your suitcase.

    Formal dress clothes. There are no restaurants in Curaçao that require formal wear. The nicest places expect smart casual — a collared shirt and clean shoes.

Beach and Snorkeling Gear

If you plan to spend time in the water — and you should — bring the right gear. You can buy or rent most things on the island, but bringing your own is cheaper and gives you better quality.

    Snorkel and mask. You can rent snorkel gear at most beaches for about $10 per day, but bringing your own is cheaper if you plan to snorkel more than twice. A good mask makes the difference between seeing the reef clearly and struggling with fog and leaks.

    Waterproof phone case or dry bag. If you want to take photos in the water, a waterproof phone case is essential. A dry bag is useful for keeping your keys, wallet, and phone dry when you are at the beach.

    Beach towel. Most hotels and Airbnbs provide bath towels, but a beach towel is more useful for the sand. Bring one that is compact and quick-drying, or buy one on the island.

    Waterproof sunscreen. Regular sunscreen washes off when you are in the water. Bring waterproof sunscreen for beach days, and reapply after swimming.

Driving and Getting Around

If you are renting a car in Curaçao, you need a valid driver’s license from your home country. An international driving permit is not required if your license is in English, Dutch, or Spanish. If your license is in another language, an international permit is recommended.

Bring a copy of your driver’s license separately from the original, in case the original is lost or stolen. Most rental car companies accept a photocopy or a digital copy on your phone, but having a paper backup is useful.

Health and Safety Items

    Insect repellent. Curaçao has mosquitoes, especially in the evening and after rain. Insect repellent is useful for dinner outside or for evening walks.

    Basic first-aid items. Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers are useful if you cut your foot on coral or get a sunburn. The pharmacies in Willemstad stock these items, but it is cheaper to bring them from home.

    Any prescription medications. Bring enough for your trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. The pharmacies in Curaçao stock common medications, but prescription medications may not be available.

    After-sun lotion or aloe vera. Even if you are careful, you may get a sunburn. After-sun lotion helps, and it is useful to have it on hand.

Electronics and Connectivity

Curaçao uses 110-120V electricity, the same as the United States. If you are traveling from the US, your electronics will work without a converter. If you are traveling from Europe or another 220V country, you need a voltage converter for devices that don’t accept dual voltage.

The outlets in Curaçao are Type A and Type B — the same flat-prong plugs used in the US. If you are traveling from Europe, you need a plug adapter.

Most hotels and Airbnbs have Wi-Fi, but the speed and reliability vary. If you need reliable internet, check with your accommodation before you arrive. Cellular data is available on the island through Digicel and Claro, and you can buy a local SIM card at the airport or in Willemstad.

Money and Documents

The currency in Curaçao is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG), which is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of about 1.80 ANG to 1 USD. US dollars are accepted everywhere, and most prices are listed in both ANG and USD.

Bring a mix of cash and cards. Most restaurants, shops, and hotels accept credit cards, but some local spots — especially bakeries, market stalls, and beach bars — are cash only. ATMs are widely available in Willemstad and at the airport.

Bring a copy of your passport and travel insurance information separately from the originals. If your passport is lost or stolen, you will need the copy to get a replacement.

What Most Visitors Forget

    Reef shoes. Visitors who don’t bring reef shoes end up buying them on the island at a higher price, or they go without and step on coral or urchins.

    Waterproof sunscreen. Regular sunscreen washes off in the water. Visitors who don’t bring waterproof sunscreen burn faster than they expect.

    A dry bag. Keeping your phone, keys, and wallet dry at the beach is harder than you think. A dry bag is cheap, lightweight, and useful.

    Enough sunscreen for the whole trip. Sunscreen on the island is expensive, and the selection at local stores is limited. Bring enough for the whole trip.

    A reusable water bottle. You will need to drink more water than you expect in Curaçao. A reusable bottle saves money and reduces plastic waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa for Curaçao? Visitors from the US, Canada, the EU, and most other countries do not need a visa for stays up to 30 days. Check the official Curaçao government website for current visa requirements for your country.

What voltage does Curaçao use? Curaçao uses 110-120V, the same as the United States. The outlets are Type A and Type B.

Can I drink the tap water in Curaçao? Yes. The tap water in Curaçao comes from a desalination plant and is safe to drink.

Should I bring cash or rely on cards? Bring both. Most restaurants and shops accept cards, but some local spots are cash only. ATMs are widely available in Willemstad and at the airport.

If you want help planning your Curaçao trip — including what to pack, where to eat, and how to spend your time — The Hungry Tourist can help. Explore the Island Escape & Food Tour, or reach out on WhatsApp at +5999 666 9297.

Related reading: The Ultimate First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Curaçao, How Much Does a Vacation in Curaçao Really Cost?

Plan Your Curaçao Trip

Once you’re packed and ready, make the most of your island visit:

Packing for the beach? Our Best Beaches for First-Time Visitors and Hidden Beaches guides will help you plan your beach days.

Hungry for local flavors? Don’t forget to check out our Local Food Tour guide before you pack your appetite.

Visiting on a cruise? See our Cruise Passenger’s Guide for port-day packing tips.