Curaçao is a Caribbean island with a Dutch background. It is considered a little Amsterdam of the region. Pastel colored buildings decorate and give the island its Dutch taste, however, the cuisine is a grand mixture of Dutch, Portuguese and Indonesian dishes. Although Curaçao has so many attractions it also has some hazards that visitors should be aware of.

Traveling info

Most EU citizens along with certain other nationals do not require a passport in order to enter the island. (List in sources). All other nationals are required to obtain a passport prior to entering the island. Every visitor on the island is required to obtain an international driving permit in order to drive on the island. The right-hand side of the road is used for driving.

Traveling hazards

Hazards on Curaçao roads are almost non-existent. The roads are considered to be on the same level as in the Netherlands which makes them some of the best in the region. There is no specific drink driving alcohol limit however the law states it is illegal to drive when drunk. For safety, it is advised not to drink at all before driving. Fines are paid on the spot and although it is a Dutch island there will be no problem communicating in English.

Environmental hazards

There are no large mammals or reptiles that would pose any danger to humans however mosquitoes and centipedes may pose some form of threat to humans. There have been reports of Zika on the islands, therefore, it is vital to properly protect against mosquito bites. Centipedes are common in the Caribbean region and are known for their nasty bites. Although grown adults will suffer pain after being bitten, their venom may be deadly for little children or the elderly. The waters of Curaçao are generally safe. Swimming after dusk is not advised and although shark attacks are very rare, these creatures are most active after dusk and a chance of an incident is increased. There are several venomous marine creatures. The most dangerous include sea urchin and stonefish. None of these will directly attack you, the greatest danger they pose is being stepped on. Although the sea urchin will usually just cause bad pain, the stonefish sting left untreated can result in death.
Curaçao unlike the majority of the Caribbean islands lies outside of the hurricane alley however it is situated close enough to be slightly affected by these cataclysms.

Health hazards

When traveling to Curaçao from a country with a risk of yellow fever, proof of yellow fever vaccination must be presented. (list of risk countries in sources). There are a few other vaccines that are recommended. These include the routine vaccines, typhoid, rabies, and hepatitis A and B vaccine. There have been reports of Zika virus on the island. It is important to protect against mosquito bites, pregnant women are also advised to reconsider travel. Healthcare level in Curaçao is on par with European standards moreover most specialists attend medical schools in the Netherlands and the US.
In case of an emergency dial 912.

Crime

Curaçao is generally safe, violent crime does occur however it very rarely affects tourists however petty crime does. For a safe stay, it is advised to take precautions just like anywhere else on vacation. Wearing money belts prevents being pickpocketed, leaving valuables inside cars or bags unattended can attract opportunist thieves. Wearing flashy jewelry also may attract thieves however robberies very rarely happen especially in broad daylight and in tourist areas. It is advised to avoid walking around secluded places at night and if doing so it is best to stick to crowded tourist areas. Although Curaçao is an autonomous region of Netherlands drug laws here are strict. Possession of drugs is punishable by fines or jail depending on kind and amount.

Summary

Although the Caribbean region is full of uniqueness Curaçao has a Dutch urban style mixed with a variety of Creole cultures and Indonesian cuisine. It is truly one of a kind. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.curacao.com/en/directory/plan/know-you-go/entry-requirements/
(Vaccines)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/curacao
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/yellow-fever#5291