Curacao Basics - What Should You Know - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

HockeyFan · 07-01-2006, 01:55 AM

Climate & Weather
Located in the tropics, just 12° north of the Equator, Curaçao has a warm, sunny climate year round. The average temperature is about 27° C (in the mid 80s F). Cooling trade winds blow constantly from the east, picking up in the spring months. The rainy season, which is between October and February, is usually marked by short, occasional showers, mostly at night, and continued sunny weather during the day. Total annual rainfall averages only 570 mm (22 inches).

Currency
The local currency in Curaçao is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (also called the florin), which is abbreviated as Nafl. Or Ang. U.S. dollars circulate freely, so it is possible to get by using only American dollars or credit cards. Please note that vendors can rarely supply change in U.S. currency. The U.S. dollar is at a stable rate.
US$ 1 = Nafl. 1.77—cash
US$ 1 = Nafl. 1.78—traveler's check
Exchange rates may vary slightly at stores and hotels. Euro’s are accepted at some hotels and restaurants, but unlike U.S. dollars, do not circulate freely.
Major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere on the island.
ATM machines can be found all over the island at major population centers and at the airport. To recognize an ATM machine, look for the signs “Bankomatico” or “Geldautomaat.”

What to Wear
Since temperatures are warm throughout the year, light, casual tropical wear is in order. When spending time outside, protect yourself from the sun. As most indoor establishments are air-conditioned, you may need a lightweight jacket or long sleeved shirt. Locals dress fashionably, particularly for indoor evening events; dress for outdoor festivals is decidedly casual. The strong trade winds may make wrap arounds and billowing skirts a problem. Some restaurants prohibit shorts or sandals; some casinos also require jackets for men. Overly revealing clothes and bathing suits are not appropriate, except on the beach. Even though it’s not common use, nor accepted everywhere, you may see European visitors sunbathing topless.
If you plan on hiking in the countryside, wear sturdy shoes and long pants to protect your legs from the cacti and mosquitos.

Driving Laws
Driving takes place on the right-hand side of the road. At intersections and traffic circles, yield to traffic coming from your right unless signs indicate otherwise. At all T-crossings, through-going traffic has priority. The speed limit is 45 km/hour in town and residential areas, and 60-80 km/hour outside the city and on the four lane Ring Road. Most gas stations are full service; a few are open 24 hrs.
Ask your car rental agency what you should do in case of an accident. Usual procedure is to call the car rental agency, and once they arrive at the scene, call Curaçao Road Services—you may have to file a police report. The Curaçao Road Services is available 24-hours a day, including holidays. In case of car trouble, call Roadside Assistance 24/7 Curaçao—they are at your service 24-hours a day as well.
Curaçao Road Services
Tel. +(5999) 747-1333 or 199.
Roadside Assistance 24-7 Curaçao
Tel. +(5999) 9-24-7

Language
Ninety percent of the local population speaks Papiamentu, a Creole language. Most official government documents and many road and advertisement signs are in Dutch. English and Spanish are also widely spoken.
CommonPapiamentuWords and Phrases
Bon bini Welcome
Bon dia Good morning
Bon tardi Good afternoon
Bon nochi Good night or good evening
Kon ta bai? How are you?
Mi ta bai bon, danki I am fine, thank you
Kon bo yama? Or: Kon ta bo nomber? What's your name?
Mi yama ... or: Mi nomber ta… My name is…
Mi ta bini di… I am from…
Di nada You're welcome
Te otro biaha See you later
Homber Man
Muhe Woman
Muchanan Children
Danki Thank you

HockeyFan · 07-01-2006, 01:57 AM

Government
Curaçao, the neighboring Bonaire and three other islands in the eastern Caribbean (St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba), together form the Netherlands Antilles—an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Locals have Dutch nationality and carry European Union passports.
Willemstad is the capital of Curaçao and the Netherlands Antilles as well. It is also home to the government (the parliament).
Curaçao is part of The Netherlands Antilles, which in turn forms part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. The form of government is a parliamentary democracy, based on underlying premises as freedom of association, the right to form political parties, freedom of the press and freedom of speech.
The Netherlands Antilles has two levels of government—a central (federal) and an insular (territorial) level.
The Central Government's jurisdiction covers mostly state affairs (legislation) and includes police, communications, taxation, public health, education, economic control, the establishment of enterprises, labor legislation, money and banking, and foreign currency.
The Island Government is responsible for the island territory affairs; it manages its own territorial affairs and has the power to enact laws. The island government is responsible for the infrastructure, harbors, etc.

Location
Curaçao is located in the southwestern Caribbean, at latitude 12° north and longitude 68° west. The island is just 70 km (44 miles) north of South America. It is 2 1/2 hours by air from Miami. The island is 56 km (35 miles) off the coast of Venezuela—a 45 minute flight from Caracas. It is a nine-hour flight to Amsterdam.

Time Zone
Curaçao is on Atlantic Standard Time, one hour later than US Eastern Standard Time (the same time as Eastern Daylight Savings Time) and four hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time.
During the summer, Curaçao has the same time as some of the cities in the U.S. but during winter, the time changes again to one hour later.
In summertime, in Amsterdam it’s 6 hours later than in Curaçao, but during winter it becomes 5 hours. So, during winter, when in New York it is 9:00 am, in Curaçao it is 10:00 am and in Amsterdam it is 3:00 pm.

Tipping
Giving a tip is something we do to show our appreciation and gratuity for rendered services. We truly hope you will tip well, for this will mean you love your stay on our island! It is suggested to tip the porters at the airport Nafl.1 per bag. Taxi-drivers are usually tipped with 10% of the fare. Restaurants usually add 10% and most hotels a 12% service charge to the bill. Hotels charge an additional 7% government tax. Please note that these are not tips. Of course, tipping is left to your own discretion at all times

Water
Not only is Curaçao water safe to drink, it is of the finest quality, too.
In the old times, inhabitants used to rely on rain for drinking water, but as this was never enough, the Indians made “xagueys” (wells) in the soft ground along the southern bays. Spanish and Dutch conquerors found drinking water near the Schottegat and transported it in water butts to “The Point” (Punda). As the population of our island grew, and as industrial and economical development of any country relies on water, more water was needed and the so called Water Plantations came into being. Around 1890, American wind turbines were imported for irrigation of the land. In 1928, a seawater distillery for production of drinking water was put into production. This distillery, now known as Aqualectra, has an excellent quality. It is soft, contains no chloride and little calcium, is tasteless and odorless and has a good bacteriological composition—so it is safe to drink.
For more information visit http://www.aqualectra.com/

Totally Addicted · 07-15-2006, 02:42 AM

And they are closed on Sunday!!!!