Money in Curaçao

Caribbean guilder at home, US dollars everywhere

Curaçao's currency is the Caribbean guilder (XCG, written Cg), which replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder and is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate that does not float. In practice US dollars are accepted across the island — hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations and taxis — though change usually comes back in guilders. Euros and pounds are for changing at a bank rather than spending. Old Netherlands Antillean guilder notes left over from an earlier trip are no longer legal tender, but the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten exchanges them for the new currency.

ATMs in Willemstad and the resort areas

Willemstad has a good spread of ATMs in Punda and Otrobanda, and more are found near the main resort and beach areas such as Mambo Beach, Jan Thiel and Blue Bay. Machines dispense guilders, and some also offer US dollars. Daily withdrawal limits apply and vary by bank and card, so check yours before relying on a single machine, and carry some cash for beach bars, snack bars and small vendors.

Cards for most tourist spending, cash for the stalls

Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies and tourist shops in Willemstad and the beach resort areas, and American Express at more upmarket places. Contactless phone payments work at modern terminals, though support for different wallets is uneven. Street-food stalls, market vendors and small neighbourhood shops are usually cash-only.

Budgeting in a dollar-linked currency

Because the guilder is fixed to the US dollar, prices hold steady for anyone earning dollars; for visitors paid in euros, pounds or other currencies, the island becomes cheaper or dearer as their own currency moves against the dollar. The costs that shape a budget are accommodation in the December-to-April peak season, a rental car, diving and boat trips such as the day out to Klein Curaçao, so price those before you go. Some beaches charge an entrance or parking fee, and the island's snack bars and lunch halls are the good-value way to eat.