PASSPORTS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS The U.S. government may have changed the documentation requirements for international travel since you last traveled abroad. Please see this important information for full details about; international travel, documents required, how to apply for a U.S. passport, renew a passport, or get a passport in a hurry.

Departure Taxes
Curacao's departure tax is $32 (USD), as of January 1, 2007.

Climate
The climate is warm and sunny yearround, since Curaçao has cool, constant trade winds. Although no Caribbean island is completely free of hurricane risk, there is only a 2 percent possibility that Curaçao will be affected. The average temperature is in the mid-80s F (27 C). The rainy season is usually from October to February, with short heavy rainfalls followed by bright blue skies. The rain usually occurs during the evening, and by daytime the sunshine has dried it. Total annual rainfall averages only 22 inches (570 mm).

Cruise Ships, Container Ships and Yachts
Cruise ships dock at the largest of the ports in Curacao, the Port of Willemstad (Willemstad is also the capital city of Curacao). The cruise ship terminals are located at the Otrobanda side of the St. Anna Bay. This is also a large state-of-the-art container shipping port, which houses the largest oil refinery and dry dock area in the Caribbean.

Other commercial shipping and marine ports include Bullen Bay an oil terminal, the deepwater facilities at Caracas Bay, St. Michiel's Bay which offers single mooring buoys for large vessels, private wharves of Fuik Bay mining operations and Spanish Water, south of Willemstad servicing the yachting community.

Contact the Curacao Ports Authority at Werf de Wilde z/n, P.O. Box 689. Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
Telephone: (599 9) 434 5999 / Fax: (599 9) 461 3907 or by email: info@curports.com

Population
Curaçao is a true mixture of nationalities that have come together to live peacefully on this Caribbean island. A total of 55 different nationalities make up Curaçao's population of 140,000.

Language
Although Dutch and Papiamentu are the official languages, English and Spanish are widely spoken. Most Curaçaoans speak Papiamentu, a blend of languages created centuries ago by slaves so they could communicate with one another.

Time zone
Curaçao operates on Atlantic Standard Time, which is one hour later than Eastern Standard Time in the United States (the same time as Eastern Daylight Time) and four hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time.

Currency
Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin (NAG) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of NAG250, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1 cents. U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. However, it's best to take notes in small denominations; US$50 and US$100 notes are not always easy to change.

Note: The Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin keeps a stable exchange rate to the U.S. dollar.

Electricity
Standard service is 110 to 130 volts at 50 cycles. Most appliances from the U.S. will function properly, although the cycles are different. An adapter plug is necessary for appliances from South America and Europe; it is recommended to bring your own adapter, since hotels do not always have them readily available.

Banking Hours & ATM Locations
Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) can be found all over the island and are located at most hotels, as well as in Willemstad. ATMs usually offer you the choice of either dollars or guilders. Bills of US$100 are hard to cash for small purchases in supermarkets and are not accepted at gas stations.

Post Offices & Postal Rates
There are several post offices on the island. The main three are located in Willemstad and Groot Kwartier. Stamps can also be purchased in most bookstores and in several hotel lobbies. In addition, many hotels have mailboxes. Postal rates differ according to the destination. Your hotel's information desk will be able to advise you about which stamp(s) you may need for your desired destination.

Emergency phone numbers
The visitor information desk of the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB) can provide you with information and assistance during regular business hours at 5999- 434-8200. You can also get help by visiting www.curacao.com or by writing to info@curacao.com.

Airline numbers
Several international airlines and charter companies provide scheduled air services into our island from the Netherlands, the United States, Venezuela and neighboring Caribbean islands. Some airlines and charter operators that fly into Curaçao are:

Driving Rules
Driving here is on the right side. Curaçao is a beautiful island on which to drive, with scenic views of the sea, and the roads are generally in good condition. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before doing an island tour, since there are few gas stations on the northwest side. The speed limit is 37.5 miles (60 kilometers) per hour in most places, 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour on bridges and 25 miles (40 kilometers) per hour in residential areas. On a roundabout, the driver following a straight path has the right of way. Be careful and pay attention to your surroundings.

Telephone & Internet access
Several locations around the island have wireless, dial-up and cable Internet access. Most hotels offer these amenities to their guests. Also, tri- and quad-band GS M mobile phones can be used here.

Religious services
Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Adventists, Anglicans/Episcopalians, Baptists, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses and Methodists are all represented on Curaçao, which is predominantly Catholic. For local services, ask at your hotel's front desk.

Duty-Free Shopping Info & Hours
There's no duty-free shopping on the island, but rather "duty-relaxed" due to the low duty that shopkeepers pay. Value-added tax (called OB on the island) is five percent and usually charged in addition to the price you'll find on the items. This low duty leads to some good bargains. U.S. citizens who've been out of the country for a minimum of 48 hours and who have not used their respective duty-free allowance within 30 days are entitled to a U.S. $600 tax exemption. Families traveling together can pool their exemptions. The shops are usually open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and then from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., but opening times vary from shop to shop.

Read Know Before You Go, Customs and Border Protection regulations for U.S. residents published by the U.S. Government. This document includes; required international travel documentation, what you must declare when returning to the U.S., items to register before you leave the U.S., duty-free exemptions, how to determine duty on tobacco and alcoholic beverages, paying duty and sending items back to the U.S., prohibited items, restricted items and more...

United Telecommunication Services Tel: 9221 United Telecommunication Services (UTS) offers a complete solution for all communication needs. UTS provides reliable, high quality service at affordable rates for Chippie mobile service and mobile phones, fixed line communications and Internet connectivity (WiFi, 3G, ADSL). Questions? Call 9221.