Curaçao offers a wide range of car rental companies, from large, well-known chains that you can find at almost any airport, to smaller local rental businesses. You can choose from both new and older vehicles. However, be mindful that car inspections on the island are not always strict, meaning some cars might not be in top condition. This increases the chances of breakdowns along the road, which could significantly delay your vacation, especially if you end up wasting half a day waiting for replacement transport.
Hi, we are Frank and Femmie!
We live in Curacao and run our small-scale adults-only resort here. We like to share our favorite insider tips, away from the crowd.
Why is Curaçao car rental necessary?
Our resort is located in Bandabou (also known as Banda Abou), an area outside Willemstad. Though often referred to as the “countryside,” Bandabou is far from flat and offers a beautiful, natural environment. On Curaçao, nearly everyone relies on a car, as there are no bike lanes or sidewalks. Cycling is dangerous, as you have to share the road with busy traffic, which comes with significant risks. Scooters are also rare here, and there are relatively many accidents due to a lack of consideration for cyclists and scooter riders. Children are often driven to school, as few places are within walking distance. Schools start early due to the heat, which leads to traffic congestion around 7:00 AM.
In short, renting a car is essential if you want to explore the island—and it’s definitely worth it, as there is so much to see and do!
Where to rent a car in Curaçao?
You can rent from well-known companies like Rentalcars and Hertz, but there are also other great options.
Other car rental companies in Curaçao
We highly recommend the following car rental companies because of our positive experiences with them:
- Loulou Car Rental Curacao: They offer well-maintained cars at affordable prices. They provide a free pick-up service from the airport to bring you to your vehicle. All prices include insurance, transport, and child seats.
- Another recommended car rental company is Auto Huren op Curacao. You can easily reach them by phone with your preferences.
Curaçao car rental
Planning to book a stay at our resort? A rental car is truly necessary. You can reserve a car directly from the rental companies we recommend, ensuring you’ll have a reliable (and good) car. Don’t forget to check out our other Curaçao tips, where you’ll find more useful information and fun recommendations!
Frequently asked questions
Pay close attention, as traffic here is often more chaotic than in the Netherlands. Here are a few traffic rules to keep in mind:
In Curaçao, they drive on the right side of the road, and it’s common to overtake on the left. However, on roads with separate lanes and two or more lanes in each direction, overtaking on the right is allowed. At an intersection, traffic coming from the right usually has the right of way, unless traffic signs or give-way markings (shark teeth) indicate otherwise. This does not apply to a T-junction: the driver on the main road has the right of way. The driver leaving the road must yield to others.
Roundabouts generally work the same as in the Netherlands, but there are a few exceptions. At certain roundabouts, you’ll find give-way markings and priority signs. In this case, the driver already on the roundabout must yield to the vehicle entering. So, pay close attention!
If you want to keep it really cheap, you can rent a car from €25 per day. But beware: cheap doesn’t always mean good! Car inspections on the island are not always strict. Some cars might not be in top condition, which increases the chance of breakdowns on the road. My advice is to compare the car rental companies mentioned above.
Yes, each unit has a parking spot for one car. This makes it easy for you to park your car close to your accommodation, so you always have direct access to your stay.
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