Located in the Caribbean, about 66 km from Venezuela, Curacao is an island that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A former haunt of pirates, it is barely over 60 km long. Do you want to enjoy your vacation under the sun in Curacao and rent a car for your stay? You can choose to rent a car as soon as you arrive to the island. To be able to drive a rental car you must present a valid driver’s license.
If you choose to rent a car when you arrive in Curacao, you can easily travel around the island in complete autonomy. You will be able to explore the wonderful places all over the island and appreciate its landscapes.
There are several companies that offer car rental services at Curacao´s Airport. This airport has several national and internationally recognized car hire service providers that offer cheap car hire services. Some of them are Hertz, Alamo, Avis, Thrifty, Europcar, Sixt and Budget. Most times, their prices include taxes, insurance, airport surcharge, roadside assistance and unlimited mileage.
At the airport, agencies have great reservation systems, which will allow you to save time when collecting your vehicle. As soon as you arrive, you will be able to start your business trip or your adventure with family or friends.
These rental companies have a wide selection of cars in all price categories; from budget vehicles to stylish commercial vehicles, as well as 4×4 SUVs. It all depends on your taste and preference to determine which car is perfect for your needs.
On the island, keep local rules in mind when parking your car. These rules differ from one place to another within the island. While it might seem more expensive at first glance to park your car in a parking lot, it’s often the smartest thing to do. It is indeed safer for the car and you will be sure not to break any local parking rules.
Once you get to the island, it is better to choose a car rental agency with an office directly located at the airport. Once you arrive, then you can easily pick up your rental car at the airport. From there, drive to your hotel or apartment and have a nice rest. At the end of the vacation, you simply return the car to the airport.
Regarding insurance, the most common supplemental coverage is Super Collision Damage Waiver. In general, this insurance is all risk insurance that reduces the deductible to zero so that you do not have to leave a deposit when collecting the vehicle or paying anything for the damage. Be aware that you should carefully review the insurance terms before signing the rental agreement, to see if anything is excluded or limited.
Also, when renting a car, take into consideration that you will need a credit card with sufficient funds. Most times, debit cards are accepted to pay the rental amount but not for the deposit. The deposit amount depends on the type of vehicle; it is usually somewhere between 800 to 2000 euros.
Despite its size, Curacao has many amazing things to see and do. In the many small coves there are magnificent white sand beaches where the limpidity of the water encourages swimming. All kinds of aquatic activities will be at your disposal, such as scuba diving, surfing and kayaking. On Grandi beach, you will have the pleasure of admiring the many sea turtles and even swimming among these magnificent marine animals, close to a multitude of multicolored tropical fish. If you like to observe underwater life, visit the Curacao Maritime Aquarium.
A protected natural area, Christoffel Park is full of rare plant species and is home to animals such as the Curacao deer or falcon, exotic birds and even iguanas. At Hato Caves you can discovery the exceptional beauty of stalactites and underground lakes.
A visit to the capital, Willemstad, is a must. Its historic quarters and its harbor, so characteristic with their pastel-colored Dutch-style houses, are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Be sure to visit the floating market, which is particularly picturesque with its colorful boats carrying all kinds of goods, and meet the local population.