Is Curacao Safe to Travel for Tourists?


Each year Curacao welcomes thousands – if not millions – of tourists from all over the world. Why do people coming to this island? Because of its sunny skies, crystal clear beaches and above all, because it is a safe place to visit.

Is Curacao safe? Is one of the most asked questions of all time. Tourists want to know more about this blissful place while those who are returning for a second, third or even tenth time need to rest assured that their favorite island is still as safe as how they left it.

I can assure you that if you go to Curacao and you ask other tourists if they had ever been to Curacao before, then the answer will  – very likely – be a big yes. It’s true, the world loves Curacao and its people!

Is Curacao safe?

Curacao is relatively safe for both male and female travelers. It is even considered safe if you are a solo traveler. The island is designed for tourists and the economy runs on your visit.

Whether you are a female solo traveler, a man on your eighties, or a family of 20, Curacao is an ideal place to spend at least a couple of days!

The Dutch Caribbean

The Dutch Caribbean is the name given to countries that are located in the Caribbean and who form part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Even though these countries are independent they are also part of the Netherlands.

The biggest example of this is the island called Curacao. The Dutch West India Company founded Willemstad, the islands’ capital back in the 17th century. And even back then Curacao welcomed tourists and immigrants as they are in a very strategic location where people from all over the world were able to reach the island in no time.

Curacao then became the center of the Dutch Atlantic slave trade. Fast forward hundreds of years up until today and Curacao has changed almost completely from what it was.  Perhaps this is the reason why the inhabitants of the island are so friendly because they remember what their ancestors went through or what they did, many years ago!

In fact, Curacao depends heavily on tourism. People from Europe, Asia, and of course, North America set foot on this island on a daily basis. So, is Curacao a safe place to visit?

Yes, of course, it is.

Curacao’s capital ‘Willemstad’

Curacao has been designed to be touristy which makes it safer

This Caribbean island is not only known for beautiful beaches and resorts, but it has been specifically designed to be a tourist attraction. Take Curacao’s capital, Willemstad, for example. This city is without a doubt the focal point of the island, so tourists are always welcome to explore it.

One of the greatest things about Curacao is that history meets daily life all the time. In fact, Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage City as it has been well-preserved and it provides a great experience for those who visit it, whether it is for the first time or the 10th time, it is always impressive.

So if you would like to take your cellphone out and take a thousand pictures of the bright and colorful houses then you have the right to do so! Just make sure you are always conscious of what you are doing… like in any other place!

Is nature always safe?

Well, is it really? Really? Whenever you go swimming in Curacao please follow the sandy areas. Why? Because of the Coral Reef, of course. You may find yourself stepping onto a coral or any other animal that could hurt you… and that isn’t safe!

Curacao has an impressive flora and fauna, and some of them can even be poisonous! So, you went fishing and now you would like to eat that fish? Well, hang in there just a little second and find out first whether it is a toxic fish or not!

Safety of transportation in Curacao

Of course, everybody has a different definition of what safety should look like. To some people, traveling on a local bus would definitely be a no-no. To others, going around a bicycle is the safest option as they can go unnoticed. And to many others walking is the perfect way to blend in with the locals.

It is fair to say that transportation around the island isn’t always easy. Taking a taxi can be very expensive and the buses are not often reliable. So, if you feel like you need to control this situation, perhaps you could hire a car and go everywhere you want to.

How safe is Curacao for tourists?

Curacao is very safe. Most tourists have a trouble-free experience whenever they have visited the island. 

Long answer: continue reading. You must keep in mind that it is very likely that some petty theft and street crime occur in a place like Curacao, as in any other tourist location around the world.

There are, however, problems with people who are involved with illegal drugs, however, this rarely has an effect on the touristy areas of the island. 

So if you are thinking about going to Curacao, then you should know that the main tourist areas are usually safe. This doesn’t mean you can go out with thousands of dollars in your purse while you tell the whole world how rich you are though!

As in any other area, you must take normal safety precautions. Don’t go to remote areas at night, especially by yourself, or don’t take all of your valuable stuff with you when you go to the beach. Also, if you do end up renting a car make sure you always carry your belongings around with you. 

If you can, then you should

As in any other place on earth, there are some areas you should avoid if you are a tourist, especially if you don’t speak the language.

For example, it is advisable to avoid the back streets of places like Punda, especially at night. In fact, stay away from any back streets at night! Walk through the main streets and you will be better off.

Also, stop looking like a tourist – and I mean this in the nicest way. Think about it, some areas of Curacao are perhaps a little dodgy, so don’t take a map out looking lost or don’t take your phone out all the time.

Remember that pickpockets are always looking for tourists, and so are scam artists who are trying to take your money from you. So if you can avoid these areas, then so you should.

And last but not least…

There is no doubt that there are many reasons behind the increasing amount of tourists that go to Curacao each year. Not only is this island like a paradise on earth, but it is also a trouble-free place where families can enjoy their stay, retired people can go and live or even young (and not so young!) individuals can go out and have a great night out!.

If you decide to finally go to this Caribbean island then you will never regret it. You should have an enjoyable stay at Curacao. And don’t worry, there haven’t been many negative reports involving tourists lately. Trust me, I have checked!

Curacao is a unique destination and you should make the most of the time you have on the island to truly get to know its essence. Don’t worry too much about your safety, and enjoy your stay on this beautiful island.

Tim

I am from the Netherlands and I created this website to inform tourists who are planning to visit the beautiful Dutch Caribbean. This website is full of tips, tricks, and personal experience. I hope they’ll help you to have a wonderful trip to the Dutch Caribbean!

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