Travel insurance and safety in Curaçao

Curaçao sounds like sun, sea, sand, and cocktails – and it is. But precisely because you can relax so wonderfully there, it’s important to go well-prepared. Good travel insurance and some basic knowledge about safety on the island make the difference between stress and carefree enjoyment. In this blog, we share all the tips and insights we use ourselves.

Curaçao is located outside of Europe, which immediately means: your European health insurance does not apply here. Even with a Belgian or Dutch health insurance card, you always have to pay yourself first abroad, after which you might (partially) get something back.

Good travel insurance:

• Covers medical costs (doctor visits, hospital, medication)
• Helps with cancellation or delays
• Reimburses lost luggage or stolen items
• Provides emergency assistance

Choose travel insurance with medical coverage and repatriation – that is really important on an island like Curaçao.

There are many providers, so it’s smart to compare.

For Belgian travelers

• Ethias / AG Insurance / Touring – often in combination with hospitalization insurance
• Allianz Assistance – strong in global coverage, also for longer trips
• SafetyWing – ideal for digital nomads or long trips with children

For Dutch travelers

• Allianz Direct – easy to take out online, with clear coverage for travel outside Europe
• SafetyWing – ideal for digital nomads or long trips with children

International recommendation: SafetyWing

• Can be canceled monthly
• Medical costs, COVID-19, and children up to 10 years old insured for free
• Perfect for world travelers like us

We use SafetyWing ourselves for our world trip – affordable, flexible, and focused on long trips without the hassle.

Yes, Curaçao is generally a safe country to travel to – especially if you stay alert, just as you would at home.

Safe:

• You can safely drive, walk, and swim in most places
• There are reliable taxis and rental cars
• The local population is friendly and helpful

Please note:

• Do not leave valuables in your rental car (especially at beaches)
• Stick to well-known neighborhoods when walking at night
• Ensure good sun protection – the sun really burns differently here

Emergency numbers on the island: save these in your phone before departure – call 911 for police and fire department, and 912 for an ambulance. If you lose your passport or need help from Belgium/the Netherlands, you can contact your home country via the SOS Travel app or the number 112 BE/NL – but for a local emergency on the island itself, 911/912 are the numbers you need.

You don’t need a visa for Curaçao if you stay for less than 90 days, but:

• Fill out the digital immigration card (DI Card / ED Card) between 7 days and the day of departure via dicardcuracao.com – this is free, never pay for this via an external website
• Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date
• Ensure you have a return or onward ticket, as this is checked upon arrival
• Make a copy or scan of your documents and keep them in your email or cloud
• Arrange your travel insurance on time and take the emergency numbers with you, on paper or in your phone

• Travel insurance with medical & luggage coverage
• Valid documents & DI Card completed
• Emergency numbers saved (911/912 local, SOS Travel app for home country)
• Safe transport – rental car via Sunny Cars
• Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and water bottle