Health & safety
Curaçao Health and Safety: Sun, Surf and Parked Cars
Most trips to Curaçao pass without anything more serious than sunburn, and the island is easy to travel with ordinary care. The precautions worth knowing are particular to the place: a sun that feels gentler than it is, two coastlines with very different seas, mosquitoes that can carry viruses, and a small-crime pattern that centres on parked cars.
Updated 2026-09-19
The sun the wind disguises
The north-easterly trade wind blows across Curaçao for most of the year, and it makes the heat feel far milder than it is. Sunburn catches people out on breezy beach days and on boat trips, so use strong sun protection, cover up in the middle of the day and drink more water than feels necessary. Walks and hikes belong in the early morning — the summit trail in the Christoffelpark closes to new climbers by mid-morning for exactly that reason.
Two coasts, two different seas
The southern, leeward shore is where the swimming beaches are: sheltered coves where the water is usually calm. The north coast is the opposite. The trade wind drives heavy surf against its cliffs, and in places such as Shete Boka the swell bursts through blowholes and surges into narrow inlets with dangerous force. Treat the north coast as a place to watch the sea, never to enter it, and on any beach ask locally about conditions before swimming far out.
Mosquitoes and vaccinations
Mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue and Zika, occur on the island, so use repellent through the day as well as in the evening, and choose rooms with screens or air-conditioning. Zika is a particular concern for anyone who is pregnant or planning a pregnancy, since it can cause serious birth defects; check your own government's current health advice before travelling.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is asked of travellers arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, so check the current rule if your route passes through one, and make sure routine vaccinations are up to date.
Medical care and drinking water
The island's main hospital is the Curaçao Medical Center in Otrobanda, Willemstad, and pharmacies are easy to find in town. Care for everyday problems and emergencies is good, but complex cases can require evacuation off the island, so travel insurance that includes medical evacuation is a sensible baseline. Tap water is desalinated seawater and safe to drink, even if its flat taste leads many people to buy bottled water.
Petty crime and the parked car
Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching happens, particularly in Willemstad, on beaches and around tourist spots, and break-ins to rental cars are a common complaint. Leave nothing visible in a parked car, keep valuables in the hotel safe, and do not leave belongings unattended on the sand while you swim or snorkel.
After dark, stay on the busy, well-lit streets — Pietermaai and the waterfront stay lively into the evening — and take a taxi rather than walking long distances through quiet areas. Avoid isolated beaches at night. In an emergency, call 911 for the police or fire service and 912 for an ambulance.